Nothing beats the smoky, rich flavor of grilled food. Plus, grilling indoors helps you stay warm during chilly months and keep the kitchen clean during hot summer days. But, just like outdoor grills, indoor grills require regular cleaning to ensure they last as long as possible and your food tastes delicious.
If you’re agonizing over how to clean your indoor grill, we’ve got some great tips that will make the job easy and fast. Not only will we show you how to clean your indoor grill correctly—but also quickly. From scrubbing off stubborn bits of food to polishing the surface for a spotless finish, our step-by-step guide has everything you need to know about cleaning your trusty indoor grill. So, are you Ready? Let’s get started.
Pre-Grill Cleaning for Indoor Grill
It’s time to clean your indoor grill. But before you start scraping away at all that cooked-on gunk, there are a few helpful pre-cleaning tips that’ll make the whole process easier and faster.
The first tip is to pre-heat the grill for 15 minutes on high heat. This will help loosen any stuck-on food particles, making it easier for you to brush them off with your wire brush. Next, grab a stiff wire brush and dip it in some water to get started. The purpose of the brush is to remove any particles stuck on the grates without damaging the grill’s surface.
Finally, if you’re having trouble getting that stubborn burnt-on gunk off the grill surface, try using a mixture of vinegar and water. This combination will help break down any additional tough debris and make your cleaning job much easier. Just apply it with a cloth or paper towel and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away with another cloth or paper towel.
Follow these steps, and you’ll have your indoor grill shining like new.
How to Remove Grease Build-Up From the Grill Plate
Cleaning your indoor grill doesn’t have to be a long and drawn-out process—as long as it’s done regularly. One of the best ways to remove grease build-up from your grill plate is with a vinegar solution. You can make your own vinegar solution by combining equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the grates and let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a wire brush. This will help break up grease and food debris, making for easy clean-up.
If you’re not keen on using vinegar, another reliable (and often eco-friendly) option is to use dish soap and warm water. Spray the mixture onto the grates and scrub with a brush or non-abrasive sponge until clean.
Alternatively, you can also try making a paste out of baking soda, liquid dish soap, and white vinegar. Apply it to the grates, let it sit, and then rinse it off with warm water. This combination is ideal for removing stubborn stains from coatings or rust from your grill plates.
Tips for Cleaning the Exterior of Indoor Grills
When cleaning your grill, start by tackling the exterior. You’ll want to grab a damp paper towel or sponge with hot water and dish soap. Scrub the outside of the grill with this solution to remove any dirt or debris.
You can also make a soapy water solution with one teaspoon of dish soap per quart of water. Use this soapy liquid and a clean, wet wash cloth or sponge to wipe down the rest of the exterior. This will help get rid of any food residue or grease that has built up over time.
Once you’re done, rinse it off with warm water and a cloth to remove any soap suds and leave your grill looking shiny and like new.
How to Clean Charcoal Grills & Base Trays
We’ve come to the time-honored tradition of cleaning your indoor grill after you’ve had a good meal with friends and family. It can seem like a daunting task, but there are actually some really easy steps that you can follow to make the job much quicker and easier.
Wash off Excess Debris
While your charcoal grill is still hot, use a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any excess debris from the surface and from the base tray. Make sure you focus on getting any food particles off of the grates in order for them to be as clean as possible.
Hot Soapy Water
Fill up a bucket with hot soapy water and grab your favorite scrub brush (or sponge, if you prefer). Use it to scrub down the grates, base tray, and inside of the grill in order to get rid of any left over residue.
Oven Cleaner
Finally, use oven cleaner on your grates and the inside of the grill in order to get it looking like new. Be sure to follow the directions on the cleaner—it’s important that you give it enough time to set before wiping away any remaining cleaner.
There you have it. With these simple tips, cleaning your indoor grill should be a piece of cake.
Cleaning Burner Supplies and Igniters
Cleaning burner supplies and igniters requires attention to detail. You’ll need three different-sized wire brushes to get rid of all the grime and stuck-on bits of food on burners and igniters. Start with the strongest brush for tough, stuck-on food particles, then switch to a finer one for more delicate areas.
Make sure you don’t use any cleaners with bleach, ammonia, or abrasives that can damage the surface of the burner or trigger an explosion. For a less abrasive solution, mix baking soda and a little water into a paste, then apply it with a damp cloth or nonabrasive sponge. You can also use a 50/50 water and white vinegar solution as an effective cleaning agent for your indoor grill’s surface and igniter. Gently scrub until the surface is clean and free from debris.
Routine Maintenance for Your Indoor Grill
Keeping your indoor grill clean and well maintained isn’t an overwhelming task. For starters, make sure that you preheat the grill every time you use it, so that it’s sanitized every time you cook.
Brush the cooking grates
After preheating, use a wire brush to remove any bits of residue on the cooking grates which can accumulate after use. This helps reduce the number of smoke particles created while cooking and ensures that your food actually cooks properly.
Wipe down the exterior and interior
Finally, use a damp cloth with warm water and dishwashing liquid to wipe down both the outside and inside of your indoor grill. This will help ward off any bacteria build-up, so you can enjoy healthier meals cooked in a safe environment.
These simple tips for routine maintenance will help ensure that your indoor grill continues to work efficiently for years to come.
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Conclusion
Grilling indoors is a great way to enjoy your favorite foods in any weather. And with the right cleaning techniques, you can keep your indoor grill in top condition. While it’s important to let the grill cool down before you begin, you can then go ahead and clean it with a cloth, a brush, and some warm, soapy water.
For more stubborn grime, use a stainless steel scouring pad and mineral oil to buff off hard-to-remove debris. Once the surface of your grill is clean, you can deep-clean it by soaking it in a solution of white vinegar and water.
With these cleaning tips in mind, you can keep your indoor grill in top shape for years to come and make sure your meals taste just as delicious as you expect.
