Backyard barbecues are awesome. Cleaning up…. Not so much.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could just get someone else to clean up the huge mess you make after you finish cooking on the grill? Of course it would. But if you had that kind of scratch on hand, you would probably cater the party, or order out for dinner instead. It seems like no matter what precautions you take, or what food you cook, you will always have to deal with the tedious torture that is cleaning your BBQ grill afterward.
Or will you?
We all have a collection of tools that includes pokers, scrapers, sponges, brushes and other stuff, but all of those are for tackling the build up once it’s cooked on there. The key to simple clean up is never getting the food, sauce and oil on the grill in the first place. The easiest way to accomplish this would be to skip the barbecue altogether, but then you’ll miss out on the fresh air and delicious flavor. The next easiest way would be to protect the surface by putting a barrier between the food and the grate.
Tin Pans and Foil Are Not The Answer
Plenty of people use tin foil to cover the grill grates prior to cooking, and others use some sort of stainless steel tray or something similar to act as a barrier to keep food clean. These are not the best choices if you want to maximize the benefits of your grill, but they are cheap and easy solutions that are helpful when you’re faced with a dirty grill also widely used by folks that don’t.
The stainless steel options are kinda nice because you can use them more than once, but they will be impossible to clean, and they will also affect the cooking process. There will be no grill marks on your food, and it may take more or less time to finish, depending on what is being grilled. Also, forget about cooking fish or anything delicate because it’s pretty much guaranteed to stick.
Foil is questionable as far as how healthy it may or may not be to cook on, but cleaning it up is as easy as tossing it out. It will almost certainly cause problems that reduce quality depending on what you cook, and there is no possibility of reusing it. Once again, you will not get any grill marks, and some stuff will stick like glue to the surface.
How To Keep A Clean Grill Without Trying
Our grill mats provide one of the best non-stick surfaces for any barbecue, and they’re also totally reusable, and incredibly easy to clean. When compared to foil and other options, they will save you money, reduce effort, improve results, and allow you to prepare food that makes you look like a professional chef.
Because nothing sticks to the surface, the mat will wipe clean with little effort, and notoriously tough substances like BBQ sauce will be simple to clean off. Thanks to the versatile surface, you can easily grill fish and veggies, and everything will still look like it came from the grill because you will still get grill marks. Because it’s higher quality and thicker than most alternatives out there, you can expect a safe surface that will work as advertised for hundreds of backyard cooking sessions.
How To Use It
Take a look at the picture above. We literally loaded down the mat with food, and we didn’t keep it safe by just doing hot dogs and hamburgers either. You can barely see the mat in the photo, but it was positioned under the chicken and franks for the entire cooking cycle.
The drumsticks were slow cooked, and basted several times over with a sweet and sticky sauce, and the hot dogs were left to cook like normal on a clean section of the mat. Under normal conditions, this process would have resulted in most of the sauce dripping down onto the coals to put out the fire, while the rest of it caramelized onto the grate. Very little would be left to flavor the chicken, or keep it moist. Because we had the mat in place, the chicken was able to grill in it’s own sauce for an incredibly flavorful coating and a nice moist interior.
Directions For Use:
- For best results, remove and clean after each use.
- For maximum convenience, wipe clean after use, and keep in place at all times.
- When grilling, always cook over pre-heated flames or coals.
- Simply lay the mat out over the metal grate, allow to pre-heat, then grill like normal.
- Grill normal stuff, or take advantage of the solid surface to saute veggies, fry eggs, and more.
Once the food was removed from the grill, the mat looked pretty worked over. You can see little bits of grease, food chunks, burnt sauce and other gross leftovers covering the entire surface. Without the mat, all of this stuff would have been cooked onto the grill grate, or left to fall down into the interior of the grill. Over time, these little bits would build up to make the whole thing pretty yucky, and in the short term, it would force extensive cleaning to prepare for the next grilled meal. Because we had the mat in place, our grill is no more dirty than when we started, so the only thing left to do is clean the mat, and lucky for us, this can be accomplished in a matter of seconds.
Directions For Cleaning:
To clean a grill mat, you could just wipe it off with a rag and leave it in place, but you could also bring it inside for a more thorough cleaning, and storage in your kitchen.
- To prepare for washing, allow it to cool completely.
- Once cool, bring inside and position inside your kitchen sink.
- Use dish soap and water to clean like any non-stick cooking surface.
- Be sure to avoid sharp utensils, or abrasive materials as they may harm it.
- Most substances will glide right off the mat when wiped, but some may require a short soaking period.
- After a few seconds, your mat will look like the one in the picture below, and it will be totally ready to use all over again.
Stop sweating to get the grate clean, and don’t cook on dirty surfaces or questionable materials again. Our BBQ mats will improve your ability to cook, and also save you time and reduce effort when it’s time to clean up. If you always lay down a mat before putting your food on the grill, you’ll never have to use a wire brush or scraper again. A quick wipe with a damp rag, or a momentary soak in the sink will be all it takes to get your grill ready to go again. Save your effort for more enjoyable outdoor activities, and cook on a mat that practically cleans itself.
Versatile Performance
Because they’re heat safe and non-stick, there are plenty of uses for these mats off the grill too. They’re guaranteed to make grill clean up a snap, but in winter, you can use them in your oven to prevent baked goods from sticking, or to catch drips at the bottom. You can also cover food that you microwave to prevent splatters, or roll dough on your counter without putting down flour first.
A Sanitary Grilling Surface At All Times
Take with you when traveling to protect yourself and others from grilling surfaces that are already dirty or rusted. When picnicking at the park, or camping in the wilderness, these can provide an easily portable cooking surface that you can use over and over again. Simply place over what’s there to avoid cooking on other people’s food, or contaminating your own with whatever is there that can’t be cleaned off. You will instantly transform any questionable public grill into one that is totally safe and ready to go in seconds.
Top Quality For Better Performance
You can now find similar products sold elsewhere, (Of course you can. They’re awesome.) but you should be wary of the quality offered. Cheaper versions of this item can be unsafe in some cases, and lower quality in most. The competition is thinner, and the coating is a lower quality material. This results in uneven cooking, rapid deterioration, tough clean up, warped mats and all sorts of other trouble.
Ours have been thoroughly tested and proven to work well. They hold up for hundreds of washes, and they will help you cook amazing food with less effort. Do yourself a favor, and stick with a proven time and money saver that won’t just be the cause of new problems. Get our grill mat and take pride a grill that’s always clean, without any effort on your part.
Other Ways To Keep Your Grill Clean
While it’s nearly impossible to prevent your grill from getting dirty over time without the use of a grill mat, you can take steps to minimize the mess and make grill cleanup more manageable by using stuff you already have at home. Here are some additional tips to help you keep your grill clean without buying anything new.
- Oil the Grates: Before cooking, brush the grill grates with a high-heat cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil. This can create a non-stick surface and help reduce sticking.
- Cook with Foil Packets: For foods that tend to drip a lot, like marinated chicken or fish, consider cooking them in aluminum foil packets. This keeps the juices contained and prevents them from dripping onto the grates.
- Use a Drip Tray: Many grills come with a drip tray or pan that sits beneath the grates to catch drippings. Make sure it’s in place and clean it regularly to prevent flare-ups.
- Clean the Grates Before Cooking: Preheat the grill and use a grill brush to clean the grates before cooking. This removes any leftover residue from previous grilling sessions.
- Cook on Low Heat First: Start cooking on low heat to allow any initial grease or residue to burn off. Then, increase the heat for the actual cooking.
- Avoid Excessive Marinades: While marinades add flavor, excess liquid from heavy marinades can lead to more drippings and flare-ups. Use marinades sparingly or pat the food dry before grilling.
- Keep the Lid Closed: Grilling with the lid closed helps to control flare-ups and prevent airborne debris from settling on the grill grates.
- Invest in a Grill Cover: When not in use, cover your grill with a grill cover or a weather-resistant tarp. This protects it from the elements, reducing the buildup of dirt and debris.
- Clean After Each Use: After cooking, let the grill continue to run on high heat for a few minutes to burn off any remaining food debris. Then, use a grill brush to clean the grates while they’re still warm. Empty the drip tray or pan and clean it as well.
- Regular Deep Cleaning: Perform a deep cleaning of your grill periodically, including removing and cleaning the grates, burners, and other internal components. Refer to your grill’s manual for specific cleaning instructions.
Remember that some degree of mess is inevitable when grilling, and it’s often a sign that you’re doing it the right way, and using your grill to its full potential. It’s nice to grill without worry with a BBQ Grill Mat in place because your grilling surface will always be clean and ready when you are.
Nobody wants to scrub and scrape prior to cooking, and few of us put in the proper level of maintenance to ensure a clean and sanitary surface. You’ll be able to stop worrying when you take steps to keep your grill clean without actually trying, but if you choose an option other than a non-stick grilling mat you can at least minimize the mess and make the cleanup process more manageable with some of the other tips listed here.
Why Do BBQ Grills Get So Dirty Anyway?
BBQ grills get dirty primarily due to the following reasons:
- Cooking Residue: When you grill food, fats, oils, and juices from the food can drip onto the grates and other parts of the grill. These substances can create a sticky residue that accumulates over time.
- Food Particles: Small food particles can fall through the grates and collect on the burners, heat deflectors, and other interior surfaces of the grill. These particles can become carbonized and turn into ash or grease deposits.
- Smoke and Soot: During the grilling process, smoke and soot can accumulate on the interior and exterior surfaces of the grill, including the grates, lid, and cooking chamber.
- Seasoning and Flavor: Many grill enthusiasts deliberately leave a layer of grease and residue on the grates to create a “seasoned” or “flavorful” surface that imparts a distinct taste to grilled foods. While this can enhance the flavor of your dishes, it also contributes to grill dirtiness.
- Weather Exposure: Grills are often exposed to the elements, which can lead to the accumulation of dirt, dust, and debris on both the interior and exterior of the grill.
- Insects and Pests: Insects and pests are attracted to the smells and food residues left on grills, leading to additional mess and potential contamination.
- Lack of Cleaning: One of the most significant factors contributing to grill dirtiness is simply a lack of regular cleaning and maintenance. Over time, the buildup of cooking residues and other substances can become thick and challenging to remove.
It’s essential to clean your BBQ grill regularly to maintain its performance, prevent flare-ups, and ensure the safety of your food. Additionally, cleaning your grill can prolong its lifespan and help you avoid the hassle of dealing with heavily encrusted residues later on.
Why a Clean Grill Is Important
Keeping a clean BBQ grill is not just about aesthetics; it’s crucial for several reasons:
- Food Safety: The primary reason to keep your grill clean is food safety. A dirty grill can harbor harmful bacteria, mold, and other pathogens that can contaminate your food. When you cook on a dirty grill, these contaminants can transfer to your food, leading to foodborne illnesses.
- Flavor and Quality: Residue from previous cooking sessions, such as burnt-on food particles and grease buildup, can affect the flavor and quality of your grilled food. These residues can impart off-flavors, making your food taste less appealing.
- Even Cooking: A clean grill grates better heat distribution and more even cooking. Grease buildup can cause flare-ups and hot spots, resulting in unevenly cooked food. Cleaning the grates ensures consistent cooking temperatures.
- Prevent Flare-Ups: Accumulated grease and food debris on your grill can lead to dangerous flare-ups. These sudden bursts of flames can not only char your food but also pose a safety hazard.
- Extend Grill Lifespan: Regular cleaning and maintenance can extend the lifespan of your grill. Grease and carbon buildup can corrode the grill’s metal components, leading to rust and deterioration over time.
- Safety: A clean grill is a safer grill. Grease and residue can be flammable, and a dirty grill increases the risk of fires or accidents. Cleaning your grill reduces these risks.
- Performance: A clean grill performs better. It reaches and maintains the desired cooking temperatures more efficiently, allowing you to cook your food more accurately.
- Aesthetics: A clean grill looks better and more inviting. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just grilling for your family, a clean grill makes a positive impression.
- Easier Maintenance: Regular cleaning is easier and less time-consuming than dealing with a heavily encrusted grill later on. Neglecting cleaning can lead to a more labor-intensive task down the line.
- Healthy Cooking: A clean grill promotes healthier cooking. You won’t have old, burnt-on residues transferring potentially harmful compounds to your food.
To keep your BBQ grill in top shape and ensure safe, flavorful, and consistent grilling results, make regular cleaning and maintenance a part of your grilling routine. It’s a small investment of time and effort that pays off in the quality and safety of your outdoor cooking.
Got your own method? If you know of a way to clean a grill, or keep it clean, feel free to share with everyone else by using the comments box below.
Did you try one of the tips above? Let us know how it worked out for you. Whether you had good or bad results, we would love to know how it went.
Products Mentioned
- BBQ Grill Mats [1]