how to clean an electric grill

From making sandwiches to burgers, an electric grill gives you the ability to prepare either from the comfort of your kitchen top or patio whenever the cravings kick in. While using it can be simple, cleaning it can be difficult because you can’t put the whole unit in your dishwasher to remove stuck debris and burned pieces.

Hence, if you’re wondering how to clean an electric grill effectively, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’re going to look at how to maintain both indoor and outdoor electric grills. Read on.

Indoor Electric Grills

Method 1: How to Steam Clean Electric Grills

Here is a simple method on how to clean an indoor electric grill

Supplies

  • Paper towels
  • Non-abrasive sponge
  • Cloth

Step 1: Unplug the Grill

Start by unplugging your electric grill from the power source. And allow it to cool down for approximately 15 minutes. This will ensure that the plates stay warm enough but not stone-cold during cleaning.

Step 2: Wet Paper Towels

non-abrasive sponge and a cloth

For this step, you’re required to wet three to four paper towels until they are moistened. When done, lay the moist paper towels on both sides of your grill’s plates. That said, it’s worth mentioning that you may be required to add more paper towels depending on the stuck-on messes on your electric grill plates.

Step 3: Steam Clean

Once you have placed the damp paper towels evenly on the bottom grill plates, close the lid and turn on your grill. Allow the grill to run for approximately 60 seconds, as this will help loosen any food debris or caked-on grease from the plates.

Step 4: Wiping the Grill Plates

Once the steaming cycle is complete, turn off the appliance from the power source and unplug it. Allow it to cool down for about 5 minutes, then open the lid. Using a non-abrasive sponge, clean out the paper towels and gently wipe the grill plates. Before you begin scrubbing, ensure that there are no visible food particles on the plates. And they feel clean and non-greasy to the touch.

Step 5: Dry Everything

When done, use a soft and dry microfiber cloth to dry your grill before storing it away. Or using it again. Ensure that you thoroughly wipe both the interior and exterior of your grill. Moreover, ensure that you pay close attention when drying around the plug area.

Method 2: How to Deep Clean Electric Grills

Supplies

  • Paper towel
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Non-abrasive sponge
  • Dish soap
  • Warm water
  • Rubber spatula

Step 1: Unplug your Indoor Electric Grill

Unplug it from the power source once you’re done using the grill. And allow it to cool down. This prevents you from burning yourself when brushing against the grill components.

That said, keep in mind that the electric grill is a good conductor of electricity, so avoid placing anything wet before it’s unplugged, as this can get you electrocuted.

Step 2: Allow it to Cool Down Slightly

Once your electric grill is slightly warm, start scrubbing off the food debris from its plates. That said, keep in mind that you should always allow the electric griddle plates to cool for approximately 15-20 minutes before you begin to clean them. The food debris will still be loose during this period, and the components won’t be hot enough to burn you.

Step 3: Scrape any Leftover Debris from the Plates

Using a spatula, gently scrape off any leftover debris that will be on the electric grill’s surface. Bear in mind that when doing this, you should not use any abrasive pads as they can scratch the non-stick surface.

Moreover, it’s noteworthy to mention that your electric grill doesn’t come with a rubber spatula. Then you can use any wooden spatula in your drawer. Furthermore, during this step, ensure to pay close attention to the crevices or ridges of the plates since they are prone to house stuck-on food residue.

Step 4: Wipe with a Damp Sponge

Cleaning a dirty kitchen appliance with soaped sponge

For this step, you must wet a non-abrasive sponge and use it to wipe down the grill plates gently. Ensure that you give the sponge a thorough ring after every wipe since it will get all grimy and greased up quickly. Also, you can add a drop of dish soap directly to the sponge when rinsing it, as this will help cut through the excess grime and grease effortlessly.

Step 5: Dismantle your Electric Grill

If you’ve never dismantled your indoor grill, then this is the part where you refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to disassemble your electric grill when cleaning.

But if you have done this before, then pull out the drip tray and dispose of any food residue on it. Then wash it using warm soapy water, as this helps remove any stuck-on grime and grease residue on it.

You can also remove the grill plates only if they are removable. And add dish soap to your sponge, then use it to wipe any lingering food particles from the plates and rinse them off. On the other hand, you clean the removable plates in the dishwasher ONLY if they are dishwasher safe.

Step 6: Drying

Once you’re done cleaning the electric indoor grill components’ ensure that you pat them dry using a clean cloth or paper towel. Ensure that you don’t allow them to air dry since moisture can sink into the grill’s components which can, in turn, lead to the growth of mould, rust, and an electric short. Or worse, an electric shock.

For this step, ensure that you wipe the drip tray and frill plates thoroughly and ensure they are completely dry before assembling them back on the electric grill.

Outdoor Electric Grills

How to Clean your Outdoor Electric Grill

Large electric grills can be used indoors or outdoors as long as they are smokeless. Well, if you own either of the above, here is a simple way of giving them some TLC.

Step 1: Power Down the Grill

Before you begin cleaning your electric grill, it’s always essential that you power it down. Allow it to cool down for approximately 10-15 minutes before you start to clean it.

Step 2: Scrape the Grates

For this method, you will be required to use a stainless steel brush to clean the cooking grates. Ensure that you clean the grates when they are slightly warm instead of stone cold, as this will help the stuck-on grime and grease peel off much easier. Moreover, always run the steel brush in the direction of the grates. And don’t forget to clean the edges.

Step 3: Removing the Liner

Hands with gloves washing round grill with sponge

Several indoor/outdoor electric grills come with a removable liner that rests underneath the grates. The removable liner is typically used to collect food debris and grease when cooking.

So when cleaning your grill, ensure that you take it out and use a rubber spatula to scrape off any food bits. Then use warm soapy water to wash the liner and dry it by hand.

Step 4: Wipe Down the Grill’s Lid

For this step, you will be required to remove the grill’s lid before wiping it down. However, if you’re a newbie to this, ensure that you refer to the manufacturer’s manual on assembling and disassembling your grill’s lid.

That said, ensure that you use a soapy damp cloth to wipe down any grease or food particles on the lid. However, don’t immerse the lid in water completely. Also, avoid using a wet cloth as it may drip water all over your cleaning area, causing the greasy residue to spread out.

Step 5: Removing the Grates

Next, pull the grates out of the grill and hand wash them using hot water and soap. On the other hand, if the grill grates aren’t too caked on with grease and grime. You wipe them down using soapy water and a damp cloth.

Alternatively, if your grill grates have stubborn stuck-on grime and grease, then soak them in hot soapy water. Allow them to sit for approximately 5 minutes, then use a stainless steel brush to clean them. When done, rinse them with clean water and allow them to air dry.

Step 6: Drying the Grill

Dry the grill’s liner and any other removable pieces using a paper towel or a dry cloth. Also, don’t forget to dry the grill’s interior before placing the components back in their appropriate places. On the flip side, if your grill uses disposable liners, it’s time to get a new one.

What is The Vinegar and Baking Soda Treatment?

Do you love grilling but hate cleaning? If that is you, then the baking soda and vinegar treatment were made for you.

If your grill grates have caked layers of grime and grease, then a regular sponge isn’t your ideal cleaning tool. Moreover, you wouldn’t want to ruin your grates with steel wool in the name of cleaning.

So let’s dig deep into how the vinegar and baking soda treatment works.

Mix 3 cups of white vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Note that this creates a natural and effective cleaning solution. If your grill tray is slightly bigger than the grates, place the vinegar mixture on it and allow it to rest for a few minutes before cleaning it out.

On the other hand, you can put the mixture in a trash bag, then gently place it in the grates and tie the bag tightly. And allow the grate to sit overnight and the grease to peel off by itself effortlessly.

Come morning, remove the grate from the bag, rinse it with soap and water, and then pat it dry with a microfiber cloth. Et voila, that’s how to clean an electric grill with vinegar and baking soda treatment.

Clean Your Electric Grill Regularly

There you have it, how to clean an electric grill. Keep in mind that all kitchen appliances need TLC from time to time. And an electric grill is no exception, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor model.

Note that regular cleaning of your grill ensures that it functions optimally. Moreover, it elongates its shelf life. That being said, ensure that you deep clean your electric grill after three months if you use it regularly and six months if you don’t.

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