BBQ care 101

Bringing out the barbecue is a summer tradition that marks the beginning of garden parties, alfresco date nights, and family feasts. And with the right care you can keep yours going for years to come.

The last thing you want to do when you’re gearing yourself up for a barbecued banquet is hours of scrubbing, trying to get rid of last year's debris. Our expert advice will give you all the help you need to keep your barbecue in tip top condition.

Setting up for summer

We’re all getting excited for entertaining outdoors again, seeing friends and family has never been better. Digging out the barbecue might be something you dread, especially if you know you’ll be cleaning of grease from seasons past. But don’t fret, we’ll help you get that barbecue looking as good as new.

If there’s still caked-on food left over from your last meal, light coals in your barbecue and leave them to reach a very high heat. This will burn off a lot of the most stubborn remnants.

If it’s a gas grill just heat it up with the lid shut, and let it reach full temperature, and leave it for about 30 minutes. Then use a wire brush to scrub off any dirt.

Gleaming grills

The grill plates of the barbecue and inevitably going to get the brunt of the mess, so knowing how to keep these clean goes a long way to maintaining your barbecue. And a build-up of carbon, from those chargrilled burgers, can cause it to heat unevenly too.

Using one of our specialist barbecue cleaners will make light work of those grills, and many of them also have antibacterial properties. You'll also find a wire brush is a useful tool too. And we’d recommend using rubber gloves to protect your hands, especially when using cleaning solutions.

Cleaning the kit

It's not just the grills that need a clean, other areas of your barbecue can become dirty too. If you have a built-in side table, these are often magnets for bacteria, so using a multi-surface cleaning spray at the end of your meal.

Getting grime off your cooking utensils is another important part of barbecue care. If they’ve started to rust, you can use a natural remover of baking powder and water. Just make a thin paste with baking soda and water and apply the paste to the rusted areas and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then gently wipe the paste away with a sponge or soft cloth.

To clean off grease and grime from your utensils choose a washing up liquid designed to cut through grease and squeeze a few drops into a bucket of hot water. Leave them in the bucket for 30 minutes to an hour, and then use a sponge or soft-bristled brush, like a toothbrush, to clean them off.