The garden party is over, the dishes have been washed, only one thing is missing: the barbecue. Because only those who clean it after each barbecue will enjoy it for a long time.
It doesn't matter whether it's summer or winter - a garden party can be celebrated at any time of the year. Either in shorts and a top or with a bobble hat and gloves. It is only important that you prepare everything correctly so that you and your guests are happy (reading tips: garden party in winter - how to make your garden party-ready! and tips for a garden party in spring). This not only includes ensuring a cozy ambience, but also taking good care of the physical well-being of your guests. And since we're talking about a garden party, it goes without saying that the barbecue should be used.
That's really great, if only there weren't always the annoying cleaning after grilling. After all, fat and leftover meat burn into the charcoal grill and not only make it unsightly, but also unhygienic. After all, who wants to have leftover meat from the last barbecue party stuck to their bratwurst at the next barbecue? So it's time to get to the meatballs and swing the cleaning rag after every barbecue. You will certainly not get very far with this alone. After all, cleaning a charcoal grill requires a little more work.
This is how the charcoal grill becomes sparkling clean again
➥ Step 1 - Clean the grill grate:
First of all, you should get to grips with the grillage and clean it thoroughly. After all, this is the most time-consuming task. To get this thoroughly clean again, you have several options. You can use the grill e.g.:
- Let it burn out and then remove the soot with a wire brush
- put in the dishwasher
- wrap in damp newspaper and clean after a few hours with a sponge and detergent
- Rub with baking soda paste (100 g baking soda + 100 ml water), let dry and then wipe off with a damp cloth
- clean with oven cleaner (our favorite is this one) or special grill grate cleaner
However, you can save yourself a lot of scrubbing if you remove the grateRub with oil or fat before every grilling, because then not so many residues will settle on the grill grate.
➥ Step 2 - Remove Ash:
Now it's time for the inside of the grill. It is important that you remove the ash from the charcoal from the cauldron after each barbecue, as this attracts moisture. The high humidity inside can then lead to the formation of rust. Plus, by removing the ash, you won't have any airflow problems the next time you grill.
After grilling, wait for the ash to cool. Then take a small shovel and possibly a hand brush and remove the ashes. It's much easier and faster if you use an ash vacuum.
➥ Step 3 - Clean the outside & inside of the grill:
To bring the grill back to a shine afterwards, simply add a little washing-up liquid to lukewarm water and wipe the outside and inside of the lid and kettle with a sponge or dishcloth. The charcoal grill should shine like new again.
Important: Please never use steel wool, brushes or other hard cleaning objects to clean the inside or outside, as these can quickly scratch the enamel. Not only does it look ugly, these scratched areas are usually the first to rust.
➥ Step 4 - Properly store the grill:
So that the charcoal grill stays nice and clean until the next garden party, it is important that you stow it away or store it properly. It is therefore best to put a cover over the cooled grill. It not only stays clean, it is also well protected from all kinds of weather.
If you have the opportunity, it is best to put the grill somewhere under it so that it is protected from wind and rain. A good storage location could be e.g. the carport, the garage, the summer house or the covered terrace.
There are other things to consider
If you want to keep your charcoal grill for a long time, you should not only clean it after each grilling, but also take care of it. It is important, for example, that you treat all the wooden parts of your grill with wood oil once a year. This effectively prevents cracks from forming. Furthermore, it is also recommended to put some oil on the screws and wheels once a year.