From using an onion to steam clean your grill gates to a slosh of beer to make your barbecue sparkle, enjoy your flame-cooked favourites without the faff with these expert handy cleaning tips…
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite hard, al fresco eating remains a fashionable, inexpensive alternative to restaurants and a firm favourite for entertaining friends.
And with the first rays of sunshine piercing the clouds and further sunny spells forecast, our thoughts inevitably turn to warmer weather and long summer nights spent around the barbecue. For us Brits, few things can beat dining outside, but cleaning the barbie afterwards can fill many with dread. As many as 38 per cent confess to a dirty barbecue, with 19 per cent describing theirs as ‘absolutely filthy’. Fortunately, home and garden furniture experts VonHaus are on hand with a series of tips, from using an onion to steam clean your grill gates to a slosh of beer to make your barbecue sparkle.
Here are some top cost-effective cleaning hacks to help you enjoy a sizzling hot summer over the coals.
The onion trick
Effective cleaning techniques needn’t break the bank. Liam Glennon, senior outdoor leisure buyer at VonHaus explains: “One novel, natural solution to lingering grime is to clean the bars with an onion. Lightly turn up the temperature and attach half an onion to a fork to create a makeshift handle. Rub gently over the hot grill so the onion’s water naturally leaks across the barbecue – its antibacterial properties will remove any impurities.
“What’s more, unlike many chemical-laden cleaners, it’s safe for food preparation. At 12p a pop, cleaning hacks don’t come much quicker than this.”
Bathe your barbie in beer
Yes, you read that right. Beer isn’t just for sipping on during those balmy summer evenings but can help you say cheers to a clean barbecue. Its natural acidity can help cut through grease, while its carbonation will help dislodge any stuck-on food particles.
Simply rev up your barbecue to a medium temperature and pour a can of beer over the warmed grates. Let it settle for a few minutes before scrubbing off with a grill brush to leave your surfaces sparkling. Any old can of beer will do. No need to waste the good stuff on cleaning duty.
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Baking soda magic
Baking soda will be a permanent fixture in many kitchen cupboards and possesses remarkable cleaning properties. Simply mix it with a bit of water to form a paste, then apply it to the grates with a brush or sponge. Let it sit for a few minutes to work its magic, then scrub away the dirt and rinse with water. Your grill will shine like new.
Tin foil – a shiny solution?
For those hard-to-reach spots, a little aluminium foil can work wonders. Crumple up a sheet of foil into a ball, then use it to scrub away stubborn residue on the grates.
The abrasive texture of the foil will help loosen dirt and grime while its flexibility allows it to adapt to the contours of your grill. Plus, it’s cheap, disposable and eco-friendly making it a win-win for both your barbecue and the planet.
