These 6 Basic Cleaning Mistakes Might Be Ruining Your Grill

Grilling outdoors is one of the great pleasures of summertime and every season. There are smokey, flavorful options from gas, wood, and charcoal grills, and no mess or heat in the kitchen. Just fire up the grill, send that food out the door, sear to perfection, enjoy, and you're done. Right? Not quite. That out-of-sight, out-of-mind grill needs to be cleaned and cleaned correctly.

Grill cleaning mistakes can shorten the longevity of your grill and, even worse, be dangerous and affect how your food tastes. Here are six grill cleaning mistakes you're probably making and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Never Cleaning the Grill Racks

The theory that cleaning away the leftover bits of food on the grill is not needed because they will "burn off" the next time is a huge mistake. Yes, they will eventually burn off but in the meantime, the bits can grow mold and bacteria and attract pests. When that gunk falls into the heat source, it will affect the flavor of your next meal and causes flare-ups that can scorch food. The grill racks should be cleaned after every cooking session.

Mistake 2: Using a Wire Brush to Scrub the Racks

Wire grill brushes do a good job of removing food from racks until they don't. The thin metal bristles will break eventually and bits will become lodged in your food. Why take the risk? Choose a coiled wire scraper, a solid metal scraper, or even a ball of aluminum foil gripped in tongs instead. If you just can't give up a wire brush, inspect it frequently for loose bristles and replace it at least yearly.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Reseason Cast Iron Grates

Cast iron grates conduct heat beautifully leaving perfect grill marks. However, once the food is removed and the grates are washed, they must be reseasoned with vegetable oil to prevent rust from forming. Seasoning the grates will also help prevent foods from sticking.

Mistake 4: Using an Aluminum Foil Wrap to Clean Gas Grill Racks

Wrapping grill racks in aluminum foil and firing up the gas to burn off the food is a hack that should be quickly forgotten. The foil can trap gas fumes overheating the firebox and damaging valves, supply lines, and burners. The whole grill becomes a fire hazard.

Mistake 5: Leaving Old Ashes in the Grill

Whether it's a charcoal, pellet, or wood grill, there are going to be ashes. Once they are cool, ashes should be cleaned out of the grill after every use. If left too long, the ashes will absorb moisture from the air and become very hard to remove. Be sure to place ashes in a metal container - never plastic - or you might have an unexpected blaze and meltdown.

Mistake 6: Skipping a Yearly Cleaning and Safety Check

At least yearly, your grill needs a thorough cleaning and safety check (more often if you grill nearly daily). A thorough cleaning means taking out all removable parts and cleaning them. Here's what you need to do for different types of grills:

Charcoal Grills

• Soak the grill racks in hot, soapy water and scrub with a stiff-bristled nylon brush.
• With no ashes in the grill, scrub the hood and cooking chamber inside and out with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and dry with a microfiber towel immediately to prevent rust.

Gas Grills

• Remove the heat deflectors in the cooking chamber and wash them with hot, soapy water scrubbing with a nylon-bristled brush. Dry well before returning them to the grill.
• Disconnect the gas source and disassemble removable heating elements so you can clean each component. When cleaning the burners, make sure the jets are free of soot and debris. An open paperclip can help remove debris from the tiny holes.
• Wipe down the inside and the outside of the grill with a cloth dipped in warm water, wring so it is not dripping. Rinse the cloth often and immediately dry the grill with a cloth when you are done.
• With the gas connected and turned on, check the gas line (and tank if you have one) for leaks by wiping the hose and valves with soapy water. If you see bubbles form, there is a leak. Turn off the gas immediately and replace the line or valve.

Cast Iron Grills

• Check all surfaces of the grill for rust spots.
• Use a plastic scraper to remove as much loose rust as possible. Make a paste of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 cup of baking soda. Apply the paste to the rust and cover with plastic wrap. Wait for at least 24 hours and then scrub the area with a stiff-bristled brush to remove the rust. Rinse well and dry the grill.
• Reseason by covering all cooking surfaces with a thin coating of vegetable oil. Heat the grill to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about one hour.