DIY Network

The Grill Drill The Grill Drill From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-152

It's a ritual of outdoor parties to use the grill -- although if guests got a look at the grill, they might want to head to the nearest fast-food joint. That's because cleaning grills is such a chore. Most people sling soot and grease everywhere when they clean the grill and the rack. We're going to show you how to make the cleaning process simple and neat.

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Grill Rack

Materials
Ammonia
Plastic bag (garbage bag)
Paper towels
Spray bottle

1. Cover the rack with paper towels. Partially slide the rack into the plastic bag (make sure the bag is big enough to cover the rack really well).

2. Fill the spray bottle with ammonia and use it to saturate the paper towels. Securely close the bag around the rack and leave overnight.

3. When you open the bag, the fumes will be strong, so point it away from your face and stand way back. Carefully remove the dirty paper towels.

4. Wash the grill with hot soapy water, and you're done. Be sure to heat the rack on the grill for about five minutes before you use it again.

• Another recipe for cleaning grill rack: Take a cool grill rack out and place on it on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, shiny side toward the rack. Wrap the rack in foil and place it inside a closed grill for 15 minutes to a half-hour on high heat. Cool and unwrap it -- the burned-on food comes right off. Be sure to open the foil so that the burned-on food stays in the foil and not all over you and everything else.

• Turn over cold briquettes that are dirty and greasy. Close the grill and turn it on high for about 15 minutes to burn off the dirt and grease.

• Cleaning up after you grill: Don't use a dirty grill brush. Take a ball of aluminum foil and scrub the warm grill rack, using it just like you'd use a brush. Be careful: dDon't burn your fingers!

• Cleaning outside of grill: Use waterless hand cleaner. Buff it onto the outside of a cool grill with an old rag or paper towel, working it into the metal well and paying special attention to grease and sauce spots. Don't rinse: buff it with a clean rag or towel and watch it shine!

• Cleaning before you grill: To keep the grill rack clean, apply nonstick cooking spray before lighting. And if you plan on using a pan on the grill while cooking, take a bar of soap and coat the bottom and sides: makes the soot easy to wipe off.

Tip: To get rid of grill spills on the patio, coat the grease stains with salt and let it sit until the grease is absorbed. Sweep it off, then use oven cleaner to remove any residue.