Not Vinegar Or Baking Soda: Clean Grimy Grill Grates With The Help Of A Kitchen Essential

Few things are as enticing as the smell of a sizzling barbecue on a hot day, but the clean-up job after is somewhat less palatable. Grill grates collect all sorts of build-up, such as fat, grease, and whatever else has been thrown on them. Many people think they can put their grill grate into the dishwasher for a good cleanse, but this isn't always a good idea. In fact, the combination of high heat and powerful water cycles can actually damage them, and the charred bits of food can clog the dishwasher itself.

There is another simple and effective way to clean your grill that doesn't include harmful chemicals or even vinegar or baking soda, and it's sitting right inside your coffee pot. For this grill grate cleaning hack, you'll need to start by brewing some coffee and saving the grounds. You'll also need a large container and a sponge. Don't throw out the coffee you've just made, either, as that will come in handy later. As outdoor cooking season takes hold, your java can make cleaning your grill a lot simpler and much gentler on the environment.

Brew up a pot of your favorite blend, making sure to use coffee grounds and not instant. The reason coffee is so effective at cleaning a grate is that its acidic nature helps break down the sticky grease and bits of food that have latched onto the metal. Meanwhile, the coarse texture of the grounds  helps remove what's left behind without causing damage. Once your pot is ready, pour it into a container that is large enough to hold the grate, ensuring it can be completely submerged. If one pot of coffee isn't enough, then get another one ready. You may as well have a cup yourself. Leave the grate in the coffee for about one hour.

Next, you'll use some of the saved coffee grounds to clean the grate. A sponge is going to work best here, but you could also use a cloth. Adding some of the grounds to the sponge, scrub off whatever is left behind. This is where the coarseness of the coffee starts to work, gently rubbing off the persistent grease and grime. It's best to do this outside, as it can be quite messy. Make sure you get into every little bit of the grate and then give it a good rinse with fresh water. Once you're done, you'll be ready to fire up the grill again.