barbecue charcoal grill guide

Barbecue Charcoal Grill
Information & Maintenance

Since most barbecue charcoal grills are stored outside there is a tendency for them to get dirty even when the grill is not being used. First and foremost - you should have a cover for the grill that is placed over the grill when it is not being used. A cover will prevent rain (or snow in the north winter-lands) from reaching most parts of your charcoal grill. It is very easy to remove the grill cover when you are going to use the barbecue charcoal grill. Do not attempt to put the cover back on when the grill is hot Let the grill cool first. For more information on grill covers, click here.

There are certain parts of your grill that need to be cleaned after each use. There are other parts which need to be cleaned on an as needed basis depending mostly upon usage. And if you are in a geographic area where the barbecue charcoal grill is put away for the winter, you will need the clean the grill before it is stored for the winter and again before it is used the next spring.

Every-time you use the barbecue charcoal grill the cooking grates should be cleaned. The best time is immediately after you have removed the food from the grates. Once the charcoal has completely burned and turned to ashes, brush the grates with a brass wire brush. Brushing the grates will clean off any residue and make them ready for your next cooking session. If necessary, you can use warm soapy water with a fine steel pad to clean the grates. Rinse thoroughly when completed and dry the grates before replacing them in the grill.

Remove the ashes once the grill has cooled after every usage. This can be accomplished easily if you put a aluminum foil liner in the bottom of your grill. Make sure the liner does not cover any air holes, If the liner rests on the bottom of the grill and blocks the air holes, use a knife and cut slits where the air holes are. The ashes should be removed after cooking. Do not wait until the next time you use the grill. Ashes absorb moisture which can cause damage to your grill.

You should also wipe clean all exposed areas of the grill (working surfaces, shelves, hood, every-time before you replace the cover.

Periodically, clean the warming racks using a fine steel wool pad with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly as you do not want any soap to remain on the warming racks. Also remove any stains from the grill cover/hood using the fine steel wool pad with the warm soapy water. Again, rinse thoroughly.

By applying the maintenance cleaning tasks listed above regularly, your barbecue charcoal grill will perform better and last a long time. For more information on charcoal grills including manufacturers, click here.