How to Clean the Exterior of a Grill
A grill is a perfect addition to any outdoor space, but it's essential to keep it clean. Not only will cleaning your grill make it last longer, but it will also ensure that your food tastes great. When it comes to grilling, the grill's exterior is just as important as the inside. A dirty grill can cause food to taste bad; it can be a fire hazard, will corrode faster, and looks terrible. This blog post will teach you how to clean the exterior of a gas stainless steel grill using safe and easy methods.
The Benefits of Cleaning Your Grill
While it's easy to clean your grill and the outside of a gas stainless steel grill, many people don't do it. Meal after meal, dust and grime continue to build and stick to the grill. When you bought the grill, the sheen of the stainless steel body and surfaces was gorgeous, and even though it requires very little maintenance, giving the grill a good clean a few times a year will maintain that beautiful luster.
Here are the benefits of keeping the outside of your stainless steel grill clean:
- The Grill Will Last Longer - A dirty grill corrodes faster and is more susceptible to rusting.
- Food Tastes Better - If the grill's exterior is dirty, it will transfer that dirt and grime onto your food. This can make your food taste bad.
- Safety - Not cleaning the grill regularly can lead to a build-up of grease, which is a fire hazard.
- Easier to Maintain - By cleaning the grill regularly, you prevent corrosion and rust from building up. This makes it easier to clean in the future.
- Healthier - A dirty grill will lead to bacteria growth that can contaminate food, making for unsanitary conditions.
- Save Money - A dirty grill creates more work and a higher chance of something going wrong. This can lead to ruined food, replacement parts, or even buying a new grill.
How to Clean the Exterior of a Gas Stainless Steel Grill
Cleaning your grill is not hard if you do it regularly. However, after months, the build-up of soot and dust can seem very challenging. The good news is that cleaning the outside of a stainless steel grill doesn't take much time at all, and it's easy to do.
The best way to clean the exterior of your gas stainless steel grill is with soapy water and a soft cloth. Please avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as they can damage the finish on your grill. Make sure that you are careful when cleaning around the burners - you don't want to get the water inside them.
The Tools You'll Need
- A soft cloth (microfiber works best) or a sponge with no abrasive scrubbing pad on the bottom
- Dish soap - Dawn dish soap is a good choice because it is made to cut through grease.
- A bucket or container to mix the dish soap in with water
- Water - You will need plenty of water to rinse off the grill when you're done cleaning it.
- Hose - A hose can help rinse the grill off after cleaning.
- Protective coating, optional - If you want to apply a protective layer to your grill, there are many products on the market that you can use.
Step-by-step guide on how to clean the exterior of your gas stainless steel grill:
Step One: Turn off the Grill and Let it Cool Down
Before you start cleaning your grill, make sure that it has had plenty of time to cool down. Trying to clean a hot grill is dangerous and can lead to burns.
Step Two: Turn off the Gas or Disconnect the Propane Tank
If you are cleaning a gas grill, turning off the gas before starting is vital. You can do this by turning the knob on the propane tank to "off."
Step Three: Check the Drip Pan
The drip pan is the metal tray that catches any grease and drips from your food. If this becomes too full, it can lead to a fire hazard. Empty the drip pan before starting to clean your grill.
Step Four: Wipe Down the Exterior with Soapy Water
Make a soapy water solution in a bucket by mixing one teaspoon of dish soap with each quart of water. Using a soft cloth, wet it with soapy water and wipe down the entire exterior of your grill. Be sure to pay special attention to the dirtiest areas, such as the top, front, and sides.
Step Five: Rinse with Clean Water
After you have wiped down the grill with soapy water, rinse it off with clean water to remove all of the soap. Be careful not to flood the inside of the grill with water.
Step Six: Dry the Exterior of Your Grill
Use a soft cloth to dry the exterior of your grill. Be sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies. Please don't use a paper towel or paper-based products, as they can scratch the surface of your grill.
Step Seven: Apply a Protective Coating (Optional)
After cleaning and drying your grill, apply a protective coating to keep it looking shiny and new. There are many stainless steel products on the market you can use.
Protect Your Investment
Now that you know how to clean the exterior of your gas stainless steel grill, it's easy and quick to do so regularly. This will help keep your grill looking new, protect your investment, and avoid having to replace it. Also, check out our post on how to clean the interior of your gas grill.
American Made Grills offers the best quality, luxury stainless steel grills made in the USA. We have the perfect grill for your needs with four different lines and multiple sizes. Visit our website today to learn more!