Maintaining an iron barbecue

 Cast iron is a very delicate material to treat, especially when cleaning it. Therefore, if you have a cast iron barbecue, it is better that you do a proper cleaning from time to time, to prevent it from spoiling. In this article we explain in detail how to clean a cast iron barbecue, take note!

Maintaining an iron barbecue

Maintaining barbecue

How often does a cast iron barbecue have to be cleaned?

A barbecue that has been designed with cast iron has to be cleaned in two ways: after each use and once every two years. The first is to prevent fat and food remains from sticking together after cooking. The second, to prevent it from deteriorating due to climatic changes in the environment, in addition to removing any trace of rust.

Cleaning a cast iron barbecue

When cleaning a cast iron barbecue, you have to dedicate a couple of hours to the process, so that it is impeccable. These are the steps you will have to follow:

Maintaining barbecue

Maintaining barbecue

Necessary materials:

A pair of gloves
A face mask
Vinegar
Steel bristle brush
Baking soda (optional)
Potato (optional)
Hot water
Degreaser

Start with the grill

First of all we are going to start by cleaning the grill, from which we will have to remove the grease and rust that may have formed during cooking. So, follow these steps:

To remove the fat, heat the barbecue as if you were going to use it for cooking, and let the remaining fat burn on the grill (for this you can use the embers that are left over after cooking).
Once hot, use a brush with steel bristles, which will help to remove the remains of rust, being very careful with the detachment of the bristles.
Use vinegar to spray it on the grill grates, making sure to remove all the rust. Then wipe the remains of the vinegar and rust mixture with a damp cloth to remove any remains that may have stuck.
In the event that you find it difficult to remove the remains, you can use a little baking soda, sprinkling it on the affected area and leaving it exposed to heat, to have its effect.

The next thing is to clean the barbecue

While the grill dries, you have to take over the barbecue. This takes a little more work, and for safety, you should put on gloves and a mask.

The first of all will be to rinse the barbecue with hot water, filling at least half of the barbecue. This will help loosen large food residues. You only have to rinse it once, with the water well boiled.
Taking advantage of the hot water on the barbecue, use a wide spatula to remove the remains of the food from the bottom and sides of the barbecue. Once all the remains are removed, pour the water into a bucket and then pour it down the toilet.
Next, proceed to moisten some paper towels and clean the surface of your barbecue. You will notice how the paper towel is impregnated with a dark layer, that is that you are cleaning it well. You can also use a degreaser that you have at home.
Now, you will apply a layer of grease, using vegetable oil, with a spray mist. Use a cloth or napkin to scrub this layer well, and you will have your barbecue ready. 

Maintaining barbecue

Maintaining barbecue

The cast iron barbecue is in very bad condition, how can you restore it?

If you are a careless person, you will surely end up finding that your barbecue is in very bad condition when you want to use it again. Due to rust or very stuck food remains. 
In these cases, what can you do? Well, a process known as "curing the barbecue", in which with a few steps you can get it to be almost like new.

Recommendations when cleaning a cast iron barbecue

When you want to clean the cast iron barbecue in your home, it is recommended that you follow these tips:

Maintaining an iron barbecue

Maintaining barbecue

  •     Always wear gloves and a mask, even if you are not going to use toxic products. It is better to work safely than in fear that you might burn yourself or inhale something toxic.
  •     Don't use products that you would use to clean a pan or dishwasher product. This is not for cleaning cast iron barbecues.
  •     When you cook with the barbecue, if you want to have to avoid problems when cleaning it, avoid liquid fuels. Although they help barbecues to light up earlier, it costs more to clean later.
  •     By removing the ash, you don't have to get rid of it. Ash is very good for growing, and is sometimes even used as a home trick to clean shabby barbecues.
  •     Before you start cleaning your barbecue, take it outside. Do not clean it inside a garage or closed environment. It is better to be outdoors.
  •     Clean the grill and barbecue separately. It is not the same to remove the fat from the grill than the barbecue.
  •     Ideally, the barbecue could be disassembled, so you can only deal with the area of ​​the embers separately. In addition, it is good to check the pieces from time to time, cleaning them well at least once a year.
  •     The cast iron barbecue you bought may be able to withstand changes in the environment, but that does not mean that it is good for it to be outdoors all the time. If you're not going to use it, buy a barbecue cover or remove it to put it in the box until you need to use it again.

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