How to clean your BBQ – the best cleaning hacks for polishing off your grill

HOUSEHOLDS across the UK are enjoying their delicious BBQ meals this summer, but no one wants to be the one left cleaning the grill at the end of the party.

Here’s the best way to de-grease your grill and get it ready for your next barbeque in no time at all.

Clean the grill just after preheating it

Preheat the barbecue before cleaning and/or clean it while it is still warm after cooking.

Warm grease and oil are a lot easier to remove from the meat rack and hotplates than cold.

Just be careful not to burn yourself or you’ll be forced out of the heat.

Use an onion

Rub half a cut onion onto a hot grill – using a fork to keep the heat at arm’s length.

This will remove all of the grit on the grill that may be left over – although it may leave you in tears.

Prevent rusting with vegetable oil

If you really want to use soapy water after cooking, rinse and dry before rubbing oil across the grill.

This prevents the metal from going rusty.

Use beer

Beer makes an excellent barbecue cleaner as it cuts through the grease.

Pour half a bottle of beer over a heated BBQ then rub with newspaper to clean.

Foiled

Spray vinegar on the grill plate and then use a ball of tin foil to wipe off the grease.

Avoid throwing water

Throwing cold water on to hot coals to cool them down will create loads more mess.

It’s best to avoid it and let the heat cool off of it’s own accord.

Use baking soda

Make a soft paste with baking soda and water.

Cover the grill in the paste with a wire brush and let it dry for 15 minutes.

Wipe off with a dry cloth and place the grill over the hot coals for 15 minutes to burn off any remains before cooking the food.