How to Look After Your BBQ

Barbecues are an important part of Aussie culture, and while they used to be seen as a summer-only affair, they’re becoming a year-round gathering spot.

With this extended BBQ season, it’s crucial to make sure your barbecue is well-maintained and safe.

Regular Cleaning

The secret to making your annual BBQ clean easier is to clean it with every use. After each cook-up, clean the plates and apply a coat of natural food oil on the cast iron parts to help protect them from rust. The longer you leave burnt-on fats and oil, the harder they are to remove.

It’s much easier to clean a barbecue while it’s still warm, so try to give it a quick clean right after cooking, before it cools down. If you’re too caught up in the food and the conversation, don’t worry – just make sure you clean it before it cools completely.

Deep Clean

For the annual deep clean, start by warming up the BBQ. Turn it on for a little while, then shut it off, disconnect the gas, and take the BBQ apart.

Place the grill plates on newspaper and scrape them clean with a grill scraper. A grill stone, which molds to the shape of your grill while removing grease, is also a great option. It’s customized to your grill’s shape, making the task much easier.

Spray a light coating of food oil on the plates before scrubbing them with a mixture of warm, soapy water and white vinegar to remove any remaining residue. Be sure to remove all of the mixture, then leave the plates to dry.

You can also use a lemon to clean the grill. Cut it in half and rub it directly onto the grill plates. The acidity helps cut through grease and adds a fresh scent to your BBQ.

Once dry, spray the plates with cooking oil again and spread it evenly with a paper towel or cloth.

Cleaning Ceramic Flame Tamers and Cooking Grids

If your BBQ has ceramic flame tamers or cooking grids, these need a good clean too.

Soak them in hot, soapy water for at least an hour before scrubbing them with a brass wire BBQ brush. Don’t throw them in the dishwasher unless recommended by the manufacturer.

Cleaning Stainless Steel

Stainless steel trolley and outer casings will need cleaning too, but don’t use harsh cleaners or abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Once again, warm soapy water and white vinegar should do the trick. Afterward, you can gently buff the surface with cleaning oil or baby oil, which helps remove fingerprints and watermarks and makes future cleaning easier.

Oven Cleaner for Hoods and Casings

If your BBQ has a vitreous enamel hood or casing, you may need to use an oven cleaner (preferably non-toxic) to remove baked-on grease.

You may need to apply more than one clean, depending on how bad it is. After using the oven cleaner, scrub the surfaces with scourers or cloths to remove the grease.

Rust Removal and Oil Reapplication

Grills and burners made of cast iron can rust when left unused for a while. To remove the rust, scrape off any flaked bits, scrub the parts with a wire brush and warm soapy water, then coat them with cooking oil to protect them from rusting again.

For rust spots on the outer casing, use steel wool to rub them back and treat the area with rust converter before touching it up with heat-resistant paint.

Maintaining Wooden Barbecue Trolleys

Re-oiling wooden BBQ trolleys once a year helps keep them in good condition. Lightly sand the wood, then apply outdoor furniture oil or a specially formulated oil for BBQ trolleys.

This will protect the wood and help prevent new stains.

Replacing Lava Rocks and Sand

If your BBQ uses lava rocks, replace them every year, as they can get clogged with grease. Also, replace the sand in the drip tray annually.

Empty the sand, wash the tray with warm soapy water, let it dry, then spray it with cooking oil, line it with aluminum foil, and add fresh sand.

Grill Mats for Easier Cleaning

Grill mats are a fantastic tool to help keep your BBQ clean. These heat-resistant mats provide a non-stick surface for grilling, meaning fewer food particles get stuck on the grill plates. They can also reduce grease and oil buildup, making your cleaning process much smoother and quicker.

Simply lay the mat on top of the grill grates before cooking. After grilling, you can easily wipe down the mat with warm, soapy water. Some grill mats are dishwasher-safe, so be sure to read the instructions for proper care. Just remember, if you’re using a mat, it’s still important to clean your BBQ regularly to keep everything in good shape.

Safety Checks

Once your BBQ is all cleaned up, it’s time for safety checks. Gas taps can become stiff if the BBQ hasn’t been used in a while, which can cause plastic controls to break. Remove the plastic knobs and spray a lubricant like WD-40 to help the mechanisms move smoothly. A drop of sewing machine oil on each tap, followed by a coating of Vaseline, will help keep the oil in place.

If your burners aren’t generating a flame, the gas jets may be clogged. Remove the burners to access the gas jets, which are small brass nuts with tiny holes. Use a spanner to remove them and clear any blockages with a skewer. If the blockage can’t be removed, the jets are easy to replace.

Before reassembling everything, check for gas leaks. Reconnect the gas and coat all of the connections with a 50/50 mix of dishwashing liquid and water. Bubbles will form if there’s a leak. If you find a leak, try tightening the connections or replacing the seals.

Keep Your BBQ in Top Shape

Following these simple steps will help extend the life of your BBQ, but always remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions and care guidelines. These are general tips, and some BBQs may require special cleaning or maintenance methods.

With regular attention and care, your BBQ will stay in top shape and ready for every occasion. And, of course, you can always pass the task off to someone else if you’d prefer.

BBQ Maintenance Checklist

1. Clean grill plates after each use (use a scraper or grill stone).
2. Deep clean annually: Soak plates in warm soapy water, scrub with vinegar, and re-oil.
3. Clean ceramic flame tamers and cooking grids (soak, scrub with brass wire brush).
4. Clean stainless steel: Use warm soapy water and vinegar, buff with baby oil.
5. If recommended, use oven cleaner for hoods and casings (non-toxic cleaner).
6. Remove rust from cast iron parts, scrub, and oil to prevent further rust.
7. Re-oil wooden trolleys annually with outdoor furniture oil.
8. Replace lava rocks and sand in the drip tray yearly.
9. Use grill mats for easier cleaning (check for dishwasher compatibility).
10. Check safety: Lubricate gas taps, clean gas jets, and check for leaks.