Cleaning expert hails 30p hack to lift 'lingering grime' from your BBQ – The Mirror
With the weather finally heating up, it’s time to put on your apron and whack on the BBQ. However, if the grill is filled with grease and burnt food from last summer – it’s time to give it a proper clean
Summer is just around the corner which means it's finally time to whack the barbie on.
If you've abandoned your BBQ during the winter months, it may look a little worse for wear when you take off the rain cover and open her up. Scraps of burnt food and grease will have inevitably tarnished the grill, leaving them discoloured and smelly, which doesn't exactly get you in the mood for burgers and sausages.
But cleaning a BBQ and lifting those year-old stains can be a challenge, and usually calls for expensive cleaners that tend to be filled with nasty chemicals. Luckily, there's a natural method that works just as well – and it'll only set you back 30p.
Liam Glennon of garden furniture brand VonHaus hailed onions for being a 'natural solution to lingering grime' on the BBQ. "Lightly turn up the temperature and attach half an onion to a fork to create a makeshift handle," he said. "Rub gently over the hot grill so the onion's water naturally leaks across the BBQ: its antibacterial properties will remove any impurities."
The pro added that, unlike many supermarket-bought cleaners that are laced with chemicals, this method is 'safe' for food preparation. If you don't have any lying around in your kitchen, you can pick up a three-pack of onions for 89p from Aldi. This works out at just 30p per onion.
BBQ enthusiast Arnie Tex raved about the hack on TikTok, inspiring fellow BBQ-ers to give it a go. "Works great," raved one person. "Never heard of this – going to have to give it a try," wrote another – while a third added: "I do this with lemons, works very well also." Others say the method is also a great way to season your grill before adding meat.
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Glennon also recommended using beer on your barbie to cut through grease and lift burnt food from the grill. Simply turn your BBQ onto a medium temperature and pour over a can of beer over the warmed grates. Let it rest for a few minutes before scrubbing it off with a grill brush. If you're too precious to waste your locally brewed IPA – you can pick up a cheap can of booze for just 89p from Aldi.
If you're an alcohol (and onion) free household – you can always rely on the most famous natural cleaner of them all: baking soda. Just mix a bit of the cupboard staple with water to form a thick paste, and apply it to the grates with a brush or sponge. After a few minutes, wipe the paste away and rinse with – et voila! Your BBQ will be back to its sparkling self. Aldi is currently selling a 200g tub of baking soda for just 65p if you need to stock up.
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