Electric Grill Care and Maintenance

Give your electric grill a longer life Electric grills - including outdoor grills, indoor grills, portable grills, and tabletop grills - provide years of reliable service. Like any appliance, an electric grill needs a certain amount of care and maintenance to ensure smooth operation and clean cooking. Normal cleaning is important Outdoor electric grills don't require nearly as much maintenance as a gas or charcoal grill. Gas and charcoal grills leave accumulating soot and food byproducts that must be removed. An outdoor electric grill needs only periodic cleaning. Here are some tips to keep in mind when cleaning a George Foreman electric grill: Don't use abrasive cleaners on the grill's outside surface Don't use an oven cleaner to clean any part of the grill Don't place a grill part in a self-cleaning oven When cleaning the grill's outer surface, use mild dishwashing detergent or baking soda. For stubborn stains, use a citrus-based degreaser and a nylon scrubbing brush. Rinse the unit with clean water. Make sure the grill is completely dry before using.

One electric grill component that will get a workout is the unit's grease cup. It should be emptied after each grilling and washed either by hand or in a dishwasher.

Other products help keep your grill clean

There are aerosol spray products available to help resolve carbon buildup issues. Simply spray the remover on your grill and wipe off the debris. Liquid carbon-removal products also can be used against accumulating grease.

For cleaning of a stainless steel grill, a tool named Grillfloss can clean areas that a regular barbecue brush can't. With a dual-sized cleaning head, the Grillfloss effectively removes leftover food with a simple push, pull, and turn. The tool can even be used while using your electric grill.

It's a good idea to spray your grill's grate with cooking oil after it has been cleaned. Just make sure the surface is completely cool to ensure the oil won't ignite. For outdoor grills, consider a grill cover that will protect it from the elements.

Looking for an inexpensive method for grill grate cleaning? Try aluminum foil. Gently rubbing rolled-up foil over the surface will produce surprising results.