How to clean your BBQ – the best cleaning hacks for polishing off your grill

IT'S the perfect time of year for a barbecue, but you may find yourself somewhat unsure on the best way to clean yours. Inviting you friends over for BBQ can be such a nice way to spend a summer evening but it's certainly not going to be pleasant if you grill is covered in grease.

How to clean a BBQ?

There are so many things you can cook on the barbecue and all manner of classic recipes. But after the party's over, someone has to deal with the aftermath. Cleaning off burnt-on grease and food from a barbecue can seem like a nightmare. But with these DIY cleaning hacks, you should be able to get it back in sparkling condition and ready to go again in short order. We've also got handy tips on how to clean your microwave and your oven too.

How to clean the grill just after preheating it

The first approach just involves a bit of creative cleaning. For this method, simply preheat the barbecue before cleaning and/or clean it while it is still warm - but not hot - after cooking. You'll find that warm grease and oil are a lot easier to remove from the meat rack and hotplates than cold. Just be careful not to tackle it when it's too hot, as you risk burning yourself!

How to clean your BBQ with an onion

This approach is so good it might make you cry. Start by rubbing half a cut onion onto a hot grill – using a fork to keep the heat at arm's length. This will remove all of the grit on the grill that may be left over – when it's cooled down you'll be able to wipe it away, ready for your next grilling session. You can find a top - tear-free - hack for dicing an onion for your next meal here.

How to prevent your BBQ from rusting

Vegetable oil is great for stopping your BBQ from getting rusty after repeated uses. You can still use use washing up liquid after cooking if you want to, but then just rinse and dry before rubbing oil across the grill. This will prevent the metal from going rusty.

How to polish you grill with beer

Surprisingly, beer makes an excellent barbecue cleaner as it cuts through the grease. Simply pour half a bottle of beer over a heated BBQ then rub with newspaper to clean, as ever, make sure it doesn't get too hot, and if it does, turn it off and give it time to cool. Beer and other household items can also be used to removed stains, as this thrifty Aussie mum explains.

How to clean your BBQ using tin foil

Foil isn't just great for cooking with and keeping things fresh. It can also be an effective cleaning implement. For a great makeshift clean, simply spray vinegar on the grill plate and then use a ball of tin foil to wipe off the grease.

How to use baking soda to clean your barbecue

This one may take a bit longer, but is effective and requires very little effort. Start by making a soft paste with baking soda and water. Then cover the grill in the paste with a wire brush and let it dry for 15 minutes. Finally, wipe off with a dry cloth and place the grill over the hot coals for 15 minutes to burn off any remains before cooking the food.

What you shouldn't do when cleaning your barbeque

When cleaning a BBQ, avoid throwing water on it. Throwing cold water on to hot coals to cool them down will create loads more mess. It's best to avoid doing this and to let the heat cool off of its own accord.