As the warmer temperatures of Spring and Summer finally begin to arrive in earnest here in the Triad, it’s time to get those grills out and do a little bit of cleaning and maintenance before we light them up. One of the questions we get asked often in the shop is “What should I use to clean the grates of my grill?” This is a seemingly easy question to answer but there are so many options on the market that it warrants a little bit of thought before attacking those grates. I’m going to break down the main options for you in quick detail so you can make an informed decision as to what is best for your grill.
Wooden Scraper
The Wood Grill Scraper is a bristle-free and natural way to clean your grill. The specially designed handle, and notches that conform to your cooking grate, make it easy to effectively remove buildup and residue. The more you use it the better it gets. As you use the scraper, the heat from the grates will burn in an exact pattern to fit your particular grate. One other positive to the wooden scraper is that you don’t have to worry about scratching Enamel coated grates. Also, there are no metal bristles to worry about coming dislodged.
Palmyra Brushes
Palmyra is a tall fan-leaved palm (Borassus flabellifer) of India cultivated for its hard resistant wood, fiber, and sugar-rich sap. Big Green Egg has two options in Palmyra that work GREAT to clean even the most filthy of grates. The brush can be used on a warm or cold grill either before or after cooking. One positive is that after the grilling season is over (if you subscribe to grilling seasons) the head can be thrown away and replaced easily.
Metal Brushes
Metal brushes are made to remove grease and debris from cooking grates of all sizes. The handle design provides a secure grip when brushing off stuck-on food or cleaning tight spaces. Use this grill brush to clean your grates before each use so that your grill lasts longer and your next meal is as delicious as the one before. Two things to consider when using metal brushes. First, the bristles will over time become dislodged and can potentially get into the food you are grilling. Second, if you have a grill with Enamel coated grates these types of brushes tend to scratch the enamel down to the metal and will overtime cause the grates to rust prematurely.
Hopefully these tips will help you get off on the right foot this season. As always feel free to call us if you have any questions. We are always here to help.
Hot Coals and Clean Grates
~John