How to clean burnt stainless barbecue

Learn how to clean burnt stainless barbecue.

How to clean burnt stainless barbecue: If your Cookout barbecue has not been cleaned for long periods, you may notice tea-staining or have black burn marks on your hot plate.

Cleaning your stainless steel barbecue and plate is essential to maintain its functionality and prevent the build-up of grease and food residues. We recommend that all exterior surfaces of the barbecue is cleaned and/or wiped regularly to prevent tea-staining and prolong the high finish of the stainless.

Cleaning a stainless steel barbecue requires gentle yet effective methods to prevent scratches and maintain the surface's appearance. By following the our step-by-step guides you can keep your Cookout barbecue looking clean and shiny.

As we offer a range of different barbecue models, with different finishes and materials we recommend you refer to your barbecues models cleaning guide (link below). This will ensure you clean your barbecue correctly and don't void the warranty.

Step-by-step guide on how to clean each barbecue model:

Click here to view our cleaning step-by-step guides for each barbecue model.

How to clean: *Portable - Classic & Deluxe BBQs:

*Portable BBQ pictured above, cleaning guide for this model only.

Materials Needed:

1. BBQ scraper
2. Mild dishwashing detergent
3. Soft sponge & cloth
4. Warm water
5. Bucket or basin
6. Towel or paper towels
7. Bi-carb soda (optional)
8. White vinegar (optional)
9. Silicone-based stainless polish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Safety Precautions: Ensure the BBQ is turned off and the BBQ plate is completely cool before cleaning to avoid burns.
2. Scrape BBQ Plate: Use a BBQ scraper to remove any stuck-on food particles and debris from the BBQ plate. Use a cloth or paper towel to wipe and remove residue from BBQ plate. Dispose of these residues properly.
3. Wipe Down: With a soft sponge or cloth gently wipe down full exterior of the BBQ. The exterior surfaces of the BBQ should be cleaned or wiped regularly to prevent tea-staining and to prolong the high finish of the stainless steel. If tea-staining occurs, it should be attended to in the early stages as it will be much easier to remove. If left, it will gradually get worse until it turns to rust.
4. Prepare Soapy Water: Fill a bucket or basin with warm water and add a few drops of mild dishwashing detergent. Mix the solution thoroughly.
5. Wash Exterior & Interior: Dip a soft sponge or cloth into the soapy water, squeeze excess water out and gently scrub the exterior and interior surfaces of the BBQ. Pay special attention to areas with grease or stains. For stubborn stains, create a paste with bi-carb soda and water, apply it, let it sit, and then gently scrub. Washing the exterior will help to remove general contamination found in the air such as dust, dirt, and salt. Do not pour water directly over the BBQ controls.
6. Wipe Exterior & Interior: Rinse the sponge or cloth well and wipe exterior and interior clean to remove all detergent and residue from the BBQ. Make sure to wipe thoroughly to avoid leaving any soap/detergent behind.
7. Wash BBQ Plate: Dip a soft sponge or cloth into the soapy water, squeeze excess water out and gently scrub the BBQ plate. Pay special attention to areas with build-up, grease, or stains. For stubborn stains and marks, create a paste with bi-carb soda and water, apply it, let it sit, and then gently scrub. Do not pour water directly over the BBQ controls.
8. Rinse BBQ Plate: Before rinsing check the fat cup is empty. Fill a small cup with water, pour a little bit of water onto the BBQ plate to rinse off the detergent, grease, and residue. Be careful not to pour too much water at once onto the plate - ensure that the fat cup does not overflow. Use a BBQ scraper to scrape the water towards the fat gutter to remove excess water. Empty the fat cup in-between rinses, if needed. Ensure all the cleaning solution is removed.
9. Vinegar Solution (Optional): If there are still stains or residue on the BBQ plate, you can create a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Apply the solution to the affected areas, let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub, and rinse off, as above.
10. Dry Thoroughly: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to dry all stainless steel surfaces of the BBQ; exterior, interior and BBQ plate. Drying helps prevent water spots, tea-staining, and streaks from forming.
11. Blackening Plate: Due to the high heat produced by the appliance it is normal for blackening to occur to the BBQ plate. This can be from the heat of the appliance alone and/or a combination of the food being cooked. To help remove burn marks, mix a small amount of white vinegar and water together (Step 9: Vinegar Solution) and spray or apply the solution to the BBQ plate. Work this into the surface of the BBQ plate with a non-scratch scouring pad to bring the BBQ plate back to its original finish. Rinse with water (Step 8: Rinse BBQ Plate) and dry thoroughly (Step 10: Dry Thoroughly).
12. Polish Exterior (Optional): If you want to enhance the shine of the stainless steel, you can apply a stainless steel polish to the BBQ exterior according to the manufacturer's instructions. Buff the surfaces with a clean cloth after applying the polish. When applied to the external surfaces, silicone-based polishes are ideal to help the stainless steel form a protective layer to prevent tea-staining and rusting. (Do not use silicone-based stainless polish on the cooking surface/BBQ plate).
13. Regular Maintenance: Clean the BBQ exterior and BBQ plate after each use to prevent grease build-up and staining. Regular cleaning will make the overall maintenance easier and subsequent cleanings easier.
14. Covering the BBQ: Consider using one of our portable BBQ covers when your BBQ is not in use to protect it from the elements, which can lead to rusting. We also have a large storage bag to store the BBQ away, if needed.