Cleaning your Stainless Steel Grill

Stainless steel barbecues have a well-deserved reputation for being easy to clean and keep shiny. But they are not maintenance free; in fact, some fussy care is needed from time to time to keep the grill looking and functioning at its best. Three important steps in cleaning your grill are: cool, wipe, and polish.

Cool your grill down every time, after every use.

Stainless steel does react to high heat, especially if it is a cheap or thin gauge of steel. So step one is to be sure you have purchased high quality. But even then, stainless can discolor and become dull if it is exposed to very high heat over long periods of time. Do not preheat your grill longer than it takes to reach temperature and turn it off immediately when you are done. Open the lid and let it cool. This will help keep your outdoor cooker looking like a Lamborghini. And while you are at it, cover it after use! This will help protect the gleaming metal from climate change. After all, you spent some hard-earned money on this appliance and you want to keep it nice for many years.

Wipe your grill off every time, after every use.

As is probably obvious from tip number one, you should not clean with the "'heat it up like crazy until everything bakes off' approach." Rather, when the grill is cool, use mild detergent or spray and wipe down the grate with a soft cloth. You can wipe the outside as well to help maintain the beautiful shine that attracted you in the first place. Take extra care to remove marinades or other acidic particles from the grate. Occasionally dismantle the grate and other cooking surfaces for a thorough clean. DO NOT use steel wool, wire brushes or any heavy abrasive; stainless can pit, corrode and scratch more easily than you may think. So put down the beer, turn your back on the football game or your guests for a few moments, and faithfully execute this chore every time. Think of it as the tiny price you pay for the compliments you get on your great-looking and great-cooking BBQ.

Polish your grill occasionally.

Do you like washing your car? You should love polishing your grill. Revel in the outdoors, the sun and wind in your hair, the feel of cool water and soap, the "wipe on, wipe off" mantra, and the enviable end result!

Or you can drop the picturesque image and just face it as another chore: polish! Home cleaning solutions include simply rubbing with a dampened chamois (see, there's the analogy to the car!). Vinegar is also effective and eco-friendly; just dampen that same chamois and polish. Another possibility is baking soda, which is a safe micro-abrasive that will give your grill a nice shine; apply it as a paste and then rinse or wipe off with a damp cloth.

If you have a serious problem of rust or discoloration, however, turn to the specialty products that are made specifically for stainless steel cleaning. Most grill manufacturers make or recommend a product that will do the job. Remember to be sure that any cooking surface is free of residue from these products before you use it.

With some care and mild elbow grease, your barbecue stainless steel grill will stay looking as sharp and bright as the day you bought it and produce culinary masterpieces.