You’ve Probably Been Using It for a While Now, so How Clean Is Your Grill?

Nothing says summer like dragging out the grill. Most people simply pull it out of the garage, dust off the cover, wipe away any six or eight legged creatures that may have been calling it home and throw your favorite steak or burger and dogs right on the grates. I have even seen my neighbor clean out a bird's nest (or two) and then throw on some brats.

But stop! How many people actually CLEAN their grill before making supper for the family or throwing a party for the whole neighborhood? That thought might just make you not accept that perfectly grilled piece of chicken from your friend who lives next door.

Grilling is one of the easiest, healthiest and tastiest ways to cook. Adding different rubs and marinades to your favorite cut of meat along with the smoky flavor of grilling not only gives your food a different taste, but can also be healthier for you.

But after taking the time to select just what you want for dinner, doesn't it seem gross to just throw it on the grates of that grill that has either been sitting in a corner of the garage or next to your favorite pot of petunias on the deck? And don't even think about that grill that has been used by tons of people under the picnic shelter at your favorite park!

So just how dirty and unsafe is that grill? According to Steven A. Porcelli, the chair of the department of microbiology and immunology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, it might not be as bad as you think. Porcelli says,

The heat involved in grilling should rapidly destroy any microbes that grow on it between uses, essentially sterilizing it before any food comes into contact with the surface.

That is a comforting bit of information to know, but what about that burnt residue that might still be sticking to those grates? The best advice would be to scrape them with a good grill brush, or if one is not available, trying balling up a piece of aluminum foil. If the gunk simply will not budge from the grates, turn the grill on. Higher temperatures can help loosen up the buildup. But remember to wear some gloves or use tongs to protect your hands from the heat.