A guide to deep cleaning your braai
Deep cleaning your braai is definitely a must if you are the avid braaier and are planning to have a big feast sometime soon. Along with the instructions below, be sure to also follow the manufacturers’ suggestions when choosing a cleaning method and products as every braai is different, although most should follow a similar guide to the one below:
Instructions:
- Get your braai to full heat. If you have a gas barbecue, that just means turning the heat on full. For a charcoal braai, throw in fresh coals and wait for them to reach a red-hot temperature.
- Put the lid on, and leave it for 15-20 minutes. This bakes off the tough grime and food particles, making cleaning braai grid parts easier.
- Wait for the barbecue to cool down, and then scrub the bars with a steel brush. Make sure to angle the brush into awkward corners.
- Remove the grids and using warm soapy water, wash the bars. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or tools that could damage the grid. There are some products specifically designed for cleaning braais, therefore, test any cleaning solution on a small area first to ensure you’re using a grid-friendly product.
- Rinse and dry them immediately, then rub on a light cover of vegetable oil to prevent rusting.
- When you’re done cleaning the braai grids, you can move onto cleaning the braai drip trays. First, soak up grease using cat litter, if you have it. If not, pour the cold grease out into the bin, rather than the sink.
- Wash all trays using warm soapy water as before.
- Dust down the inside of the braai with a steel brush and, if necessary, a little warm soapy water.
If you have a gas braai with food caught in the burners, check your manufacturer’s instructions to find out the best way to extract it.
Instructions:
- Get your braai to full heat. If you have a gas barbecue, that just means turning the heat on full. For a charcoal braai, throw in fresh coals and wait for them to reach a red-hot temperature.
- Put the lid on, and leave it for 15-20 minutes. This bakes off the tough grime and food particles, making cleaning braai grid parts easier.
- Wait for the barbecue to cool down, and then scrub the bars with a steel brush. Make sure to angle the brush into awkward corners.
- Remove the grids and using warm soapy water, wash the bars. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or tools that could damage the grid. There are some products specifically designed for cleaning braais, therefore, test any cleaning solution on a small area first to ensure you’re using a grid-friendly product.
- Rinse and dry them immediately, then rub on a light cover of vegetable oil to prevent rusting.
- When you’re done cleaning the braai grids, you can move onto cleaning the braai drip trays. First, soak up grease using cat litter, if you have it. If not, pour the cold grease out into the bin, rather than the sink.
- Wash all trays using warm soapy water as before.
- Dust down the inside of the braai with a steel brush and, if necessary, a little warm soapy water.
If you have a gas braai with food caught in the burners, check your manufacturer’s instructions to find out the best way to extract it.