How to Clean Up After a BBQ
If you’re big on entertaining, you’re probably planning plenty of cookouts this summer. Knowing how to clean up afterward is more than half the battle – and it can keep you from getting burned out on cookouts by the end of July.
The Key to Cleaning Up After a BBQ
Part of the cleanup process starts before you even begin cooking. You can handle messes effectively if you:
- Keep plenty of trash cans outside
- Invest in plastic-lined tablecloths
- Serve only clear beverages that won’t stain clothes, tablecloths and other fabrics
- Use buffet-style tables for serving rather than putting everything on the same table where people are eating
- Keep plenty of napkins and paper towels on-hand
When you’re properly prepared, the cleanup after the party is a lot easier.
How to Clean a Grill
Cleaning a grill is a lot easier than some people make it out to be. Here’s what you need:
- Dishwashing liquid
- Lemon halves
- Microfiber cloth
- Spray bottle
- Table salt
- Water
- Water hose
Grill Grate
To clean the grill grate, heat the grill until it’s really hot – then, let it sit for a few minutes to burn down food particles. Pour salt on one of the lemon halves (if it’s dry, pierce it) and rub the lemon half over the hot surface. Use as much pressure as you need to. When the lemon half starts looking too grungy to clean anything, repeat the process with a fresh one and start over.
Let the grate cool, then remove it. Rinse it under your hose.
Exterior
Spritz the outside of the grill with hot, soapy water from your spray bottle. (Steer clear of the wooden handles.) Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth.
Trouble Spots
You can clean trouble spots or places where there’s grease and other build-up using baking soda and a wire brush – but only when the grill is cool. Just dampen your brush and dip it in baking soda, then scrub problem areas. Rinse and repeat!
Pro tip: Make sure it’s rinsed well so the baking soda doesn’t affect the food you cook in the future.
Really Caked-On Messes
If the grill grate is caked with grease and debris, get 3 cups of ammonia, 3 cups of distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of baking soda and a big garbage bag.
Place the completely cooled grill grate inside the trash bag. Mix ammonia and vinegar and pour it into the bag. Pour in the baking soda after that. Seal the bag and shake it so the solution coats the entire grate. Let it sit overnight, then remove it and rinse it with the hose.
Do You Need Help With Household Cleaning?
We can help you with routine chores and seriously in-depth cleaning jobs. Call us at 910-725-3226 (Southern Pines, NC), 706-256-8771 (Columbus, GA) or 843-491-5526 (Myrtle Beach, SC). We serve all the communities around each of these major cities, as well, and we’d love to give you a free house-cleaning estimate so you can focus on more important things.
Mack Maids’ cleaning services include:
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