Fire will sterilize it, but built-up gunk still looks ugly and can impart gross flavors. On the other hand, if you keep a hot fire long enough after cooking for everything to burn off, then you’re really only looking at discolored steel, which shouldn’t be a problem.
Got a Japanese beetle problem? Save the ashes from cleaning the grill. Go out at night to the infested plant or tree and shake it over them: it will break their joints and they will fall off, dying, fertilizing the tree. Don’t do this to pears—it burns the leaves. But thicker-leaved trees do just fine with it. Saved my cherry tree this way.
Yakety Sax over 6 years ago
Biennial: Cleaning every two years!
Dirty Dragon over 6 years ago
You don’t want to take all the flavor off the rack.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace over 6 years ago
If the heat and fire sterilizes it, what does it matter what slept on it all through the winter? and the one before that?
nosirrom over 6 years ago
That reminds me, I’m late with my grill’s triennial cleaning.
Fiammata over 6 years ago
Meh I only ever clean the hot dog poker sticks with ash from the fire. That’s it. Ever.
Hot dogs are yummy. <3
Tyge over 6 years ago
You’re a real neatnik, Arlo.
joannepowers Premium Member over 6 years ago
No, you got it mixed up: to do something two times a year is semiannually; to do something every two years is biannually.
Stuart Donaldson Premium Member over 6 years ago
A grill, like a cast iron frying pan, must be properly cured.
AlanM over 6 years ago
Semiannual and biannual are the same thing, twice a year.Biennial is every two years.
Red Phantom over 6 years ago
according to dictionary.com it’s bothbiannual[bahy-an-yoo-uh l]
occurring twice a year; semiannual.occurring every two years; biennial.Tue Elung-Jensen over 6 years ago
I hope he only use it every two years then. Otherwise … eeew.
bikamper over 6 years ago
Clean the grill? I’m unfamiliar with the concept.
NobodyAwesome Premium Member over 6 years ago
bimonthly is similarly confusing.
Clotty Peristalt over 6 years ago
Cleaning the grill is like cleaning the coffee pot: it destroys their character.
shamino over 6 years ago
Fire will sterilize it, but built-up gunk still looks ugly and can impart gross flavors. On the other hand, if you keep a hot fire long enough after cooking for everything to burn off, then you’re really only looking at discolored steel, which shouldn’t be a problem.
Cozmik Cowboy over 6 years ago
1) Light the charcoal
2) Let the grate get good and hot
3) Scrape grate with wire brush
4) Throw on a chunk-o’-beast
5) Enjoy
6) Don’t rinse; repeat.
That’s all the cleaning a grill needs, or should get.
realexander over 6 years ago
I clean my grill bimillenially.
JohnHarry Premium Member over 6 years ago
They only last 10 years anyway. Why “clean” them – just promotes rust.
Petemejia77 over 6 years ago
Couldn’t wait that long for my grill. It would be filled with more roaches than “Temple of Doom” within a week.
whenlifewassimpler over 6 years ago
Mine was cleaned after every use and lasted a very very long time. But then again I am a cleaning nut!
JP Steve Premium Member over 6 years ago
I never needed to clean my cast iron hibachi. If I don’t clean the new gas grill frequently I end up with grease fires on the porch!
amaryllis2 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Got a Japanese beetle problem? Save the ashes from cleaning the grill. Go out at night to the infested plant or tree and shake it over them: it will break their joints and they will fall off, dying, fertilizing the tree. Don’t do this to pears—it burns the leaves. But thicker-leaved trees do just fine with it. Saved my cherry tree this way.