Grill Maintenance and Cooking Tips

How to clean a gas grill!

I don't know how many times that I went over to a friend's house for a barbecue and noticed food residue left on the grates from their previous cookout. Guys, it is not seasoning for future cookouts, it's contaminated food. So here are some tips for how to clean a gas grill, so that your next steak taste like steak and not chicken. Always read the manufacturers cleaning instructions before using any cleaning products.

Quick clean up tips:

1. Wrap your grill grates tightly in aluminum foil, with the shiny side out, and place back into the grill. Light all of the grill's burners and turn flame to high. Bake the wrapped grates for 10 - 15 minutes then allow them to cool down before removing aluminum foil.
2. Don't have any aluminum foil, then bake off any food remnants by turning on all burners to high for 15 - 20. Before shutting off burners, clean grates with a grill (wire) brush. Be careful not to touch the hood with your hand.
3. Place your grates in your sink filled with hot, soapy water and a splash of ammonia. The ammonia acts as a degreaser, but be careful not to inhale the fumes. Thoroughly raise the grates before cooking.
4. For very dirty grills, use a no fume oven cleaner, easy-off oven cleaner comes to mind.* Before starting, make sure the grill is off and if possible, disconnect or shut off the gas line. Remove the grates & spray the cleaner in a smaller, unnoticeable area and check for any discoloration. If all is well, then continue to spray the cleaner inside the grill and allow it to sit and clean for a few hours. Return with a bucket of warm water and rag and thoroughly wipe down the inside of the grill. Finally, turn on the grill for 15 minutes to burn off any remaining oven cleaner.
5. For cleaning the outside of the grill, use warm water mixed with dawn dish soap and a cloth or rag. Do not use any type of abrasive cleaning pad on stainless steel without sampling a small area first to see if it leaves any scratches. The best way to keep the outside of your grill clean is with a Grill Cover.

Cooking Tips:

1. Before lighting the grill, lightly spraying or rub on vegetable oil to help prevent food from sticking to the grates.
2. Preheat grill for 5 - 10 minutes before placing meat on grates.
3. Sear steak & chicken and cook with the lid down for perfectly grilled food every time.
4. Meat cooking chart for outdoor gas or charcoal grills.

* LA Custom Grill Islands is not responsible for any damages that may be caused to the grill by using any suggested chemicals use in our tips for grill maintenance.