The Kitchen Sink V5I49

Easter is right around the corner!

For my family Easter is more than chocolate bunnies, it’s yummy grilled food. Which means it’s time to clean our grill(s) for the first time this year. With Oklahoma spring being so mild this year. I know we will not be alone in our grill use this year. So, let’s start this grill season clean! Depending on how you put them away for the winter, it will decide where you start. Let’s say you put them away in a hurry and dirty for our learning purposes. Charcoal, I would empty out the ashes and save them as they are good for the garden, for chicken’s dust baths, so many other uses. They sell grill cleaning brushes, but the bristles can break off and be dangerous. So, I like the Aluminum foil method, crumple up a ball of foil and use it to scrub the grates. (Use long handled tongs when the grill is hot.) Then I like to scrub the whole thing with soapy water, make sure to dry thoroughly to avoid rust. Use the Foil method after each use for easy clean up. Gas is pretty much the same routine.

If there is a lot of build-up, I suggest oven cleaner. Follow the instructions as close as possible. Obviously, it is slightly different. (I would advise against using it anywhere with rust.) Start with a cool grill, spray area liberally. Close lid or cover with a trash bag and it will work like it does in your oven. Just be sure you wash it off really well because you eat off the grate.

Now Flat top cleaning reminds me of cast iron care. Start with a warm flat top and scrape any stuck food bits off. Pour water and it should evaporate fast so work quickly. If you need a little more elbow grease, use a grill stone to remove any remnants and wipe away any residue or bits with a cleaning cloth or brush. Then it’s time to Season the grill! I like to use Avocado oil for its high smoke point and good saturation, but beef tallow is also a good choice. I take a paper towel and rub it down thinly. Heat on high and repeat till you get your desired seasoning. You can warm the grill back up or just dry and store. I think this is a preference, and to each their own.

I promised that I would answer the age-old debate about cleaning cast iron with soap. So, this is one of those things where time has changed the definition of soap. When Cast Iron was the go-to cookware that on the west, soap contained lye and lye is such an effective cleaner it would strip the seasoning off of the pan. Nowadays, our favorite dish soaps are lye free. Which means it is safe to use on your cast iron. Now, I wouldn’t use it every time, but when I am cooking with something acidic like pasta sauce. Yes! I want to wash it with dish soap. Then I hand dry, wipe with oil and warm it on the stove until I feel like it is dry enough. The thing I love about cast iron is it’s resilience and if you mess up the seasoning you can strip it down and start again. It is an heirloom to pass on to your children or grandchildren. My oldest has already claimed a few of my pans for when they move out.

In light of recent natural disasters. I want to remind everyone to please Grill Responsibility, make sure you watch your grills closely and have a way to extinguish if needed. Check your local fire risk before you choose to grill. While it is lovely out, it is still very dry. Better safe than sorry.

Happy Cleaning and Grilling