OUR GRILL MASTERS TOP 10 TIPS ON HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GAS GRILL

Cleaning your grill usually isn't classified as being on your list of highlights for the day, but it is necessary. And, if you're like us, you are probably cleaning your grill just before your guests arrive. Okay, maybe you're not such a procastinator -- maybe you are a clean freak. Either way, our grill master has the following tips on how and when to clean your gas grill.

1. When you clean your grill does not matter, just as long as you clean it before you use it next.

2. Research shows that eating charred food may contain some cancer-producing agents -- therefore, please clean the grill! Plus, don't forget about the bacteria - it needs to cleaned off.

3. Heating up the grill before each (which is called for by most recipes) will burn off any small food particles left behind.

4. Eating your grilled food and mingling with your guests is far more important than cleaning the grill. :) So, don't feel pressured to clean immediately after barbecuing.

5. However, if you have a few moments, scrape the grill grates with a good wire brush, and then go and mingle and eat.

6. Clean your whole grill (including around the burners, and edges) every 5th time you use it. Do a very thorough clean about once a year (this means you need to take your BBQ apart) If you are using soap, make sure to heat up your BBQ before using to ensure burn-off of any soap residue.

7. There are a lot of BBQ cleaning tools on the market -- a good stiff brass wire brush will really do the job! We suggest staying away from brushes with a lip (the lip stops you from getting into the corners of the grates)

8. Don't forget to wip off the lid of your barbcue -- be careful not to use abrasive cleaning solutions, or you will scratch the surface.

9. Cleaning is made easier if you turn the burners on high and allow them to burn off excess food from the grates for 5 to 10 minutes.

10. Check your grill manufacturer's instructions for any specific cleaning suggestions / requirements.

And remember, good maintenance of your gas grill will extend the life of your favorite outdoor toy.

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