DIY Cleaning Methods for Grill

How to Use an Onion to Scrub Your Grill

• Preheat the grill. Fire up your grill and let it get hot. This helps loosen up stuck-on bits and makes the next steps more effective. If you’re working with a charcoal grill, wait until the coals are glowing and the grates are hot. For gas grills, let it run on high for about 10-15 minutes.

 

• Cut an onion in half. Grab a medium or large onion and slice it in half from root to tip. You’ll want a flat surface to work with, so don’t peel off too many layers.

 

• Grab a grilling fork or a sturdy skewer. Stick the fork or skewer into the rounded side of the onion. This gives you a handle and keeps your hands away from the heat.

 

• Scrub the hot grill grates with the cut side of the onion. With the grill still hot, rub the onion back and forth across the grates. The heat helps release the onion’s moisture, which can help loosen up some of the stuck-on food and grease. The natural acidity in onions can also help break down some residue, and the onion’s texture gives a bit of scrubbing power.

 

• Repeat as needed. If your grill is extra grimy, you might need to use both halves of the onion or go over stubborn spots a few times. You can also dip the onion in a little water or vinegar for extra steam and scrubbing action, but be careful of flare-ups.

 

• Wipe down the grates. After scrubbing, use a grill brush or a wad of damp paper towels (held with tongs) to wipe away any loosened debris and onion bits. This helps keep your next meal from tasting like last night’s onions.

 

• Let the grill cool before putting the cover back on. Give your grill a few minutes to cool down before closing it up. This helps prevent moisture buildup and rust.

What’s Happening When You Use an Onion?

• Onions contain natural acids and moisture. When heated, these can help loosen some food residue and grease from grill grates.

 

• The texture of the onion provides gentle scrubbing action. It’s not as abrasive as a wire brush, but it can help with light buildup.

 

• This method is best for light to moderate messes. If your grill is caked with heavy, burnt-on residue, you’ll probably need to use a grill brush or scraper first.

Lemon Juice and Salt Scrub for Grills

• Gather your supplies: You’ll need a couple of fresh lemons, a container of table salt (kosher salt works too), a stiff grill brush or a scrubbing pad, and a pair of gloves if you want to keep your hands from smelling like a lemonade stand for the rest of the day.

 

• Prep the grill: Make sure your grill grates are cool to the touch. Remove any large food debris with a dry brush or a wad of paper towels. This step helps the lemon and salt get right to the stuck-on bits instead of just sliding over last week’s burger remains.

 

• Slice and sprinkle: Cut a lemon in half. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt directly onto the cut side of the lemon. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, while the lemon juice helps loosen up grease and grime.

 

• Scrub away: Use the salted lemon half as your scrubber. Press it firmly onto the grill grates and work back and forth, squeezing gently as you go to release more juice. The combination of salt and lemon juice helps break up residue and leaves a fresh scent behind.

 

• Tackle stubborn spots: For areas with extra buildup, dip your lemon in more salt or use a grill brush after the lemon scrub. If you’re dealing with a lot of char, a little elbow grease goes a long way.

 

• Rinse and wipe: Once you’ve scrubbed the grates, wipe them down with a damp cloth or rinse with water if your grill allows. This helps remove any leftover salt and lemon juice, so you’re not seasoning your next meal with citrus by accident.

 

• Let it dry: Allow the grates to air dry or pat them dry with a clean towel before firing up the grill again.