Cleaning and Caring For Stainless Steel BBQs
Whether you already own or you are planning on buying a stainless steel bbq grill, there are some important things to consider. Your stainless grill was not made on the planet Krypton. It is not indestructible and will stain, rust and discolor over time if not properly taken care of. The number one thing you can do to lengthen its life is to keep it clean and keep it dry.
General Cleaning
Stainless steel grills are indeed nice to look at, when they are new at least. They must be cleaned after every use and taken care of like you would an expensive car at times. They have a delicate finish that must be kept clean of leftover food and spills or they begin to stain. The rule is that stainless steel… isn’t.
The metal can be very delicate at times. It is unwise to use abrasive cleaners or tools while cleaning; this will damage the finish. It is best to use either use regular soap and water with a normal dish rag or you can use detergents specifically made for cleaning stainless steel. If you are in doubt about which cleaner to use, it is best to ask someone at an appliance store that sells stainless steel products. Either way, you are still going to need some good old fashioned elbow grease to keep your grill looking great.
Preventative Maintenance
It doesn’t really matter how much your grill cost, you are going to have to show it some TLC. If it becomes too hot, it will start to discolor, especially the lid, so try not to leave it sitting warmed up for too long before cooking. Also, leave the lid open after your done to let it cool down. After you are done cleaning it, make sure to dry it off before storing it. Moisture and your grill are certainly not friends; it will begin to rust if it comes in constant contact with water.
Different Types of Stainless Steel
There are basically two kinds of stainless steel used on commercially sold grills today. 430SS is the most commonly used due to it more affordable price. 430 is definitely prone to discoloration and rust and therefore must be tended to with greater care. 304SS is a cold rolled metal that is likely to be polished to a mirror-like shine and will be considerable heavier and much more expensive. While it may be a bit more durable than 430, it still needs just as much love. It will stain, discolor and rust just like its less expensive cousin. Think of it this way – you had to have paid as much as ten times more for the better steel, so it will cost you ten times more to replace.
Cover It
After you have finished extensively cleaning and polishing your beautiful grill and made sure it is dry you really do need to cover it. Exposure to the elements will certainly destroy it over time. Make sure to buy a heavy, durable cover that keeps moisture out and also lets moisture out. If you buy a cover that traps moisture in, you might as well have left it uncovered.
