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Hosting a backyard barbecue is one of summertime’s greatest joys. But for all the fun that comes with grilling up succulent steaks and beefy burgers, scrubbing down the grill the next day can be a massive headache.
That caked-on grease doesn’t come off easily, leading many people to resort to wire brushes for cleanup. Unfortunately, these tools come with the risk of the small metal bristles breaking off and ending up in your food. The bristles can puncture your mouth or throat, and in severe cases, perforate the gastrointestinal tract.
The good news is, there’s a safer, inexpensive alternative that’s likely already in your kitchen: an onion.
Why Onions?
Onions are a clever cleaning hack for several reasons. First, the veggie’s natural acidity works to break down stuck-on food, making grime easier to dislodge. Onions also have antibacterial properties, which helps sanitize the grates. This makes them an excellent, nontoxic alternative to more harmful chemical cleaners.
You’ll need to gather three things before giving this hack a try. The most important, of course, is an onion — any bulb onion will do, though white is the best due to its higher water content. You’ll also need a grill fork, as well as a spray bottle filled with distilled white vinegar.
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Here’s How It Works
The first step is to spray any grimy parts of the grill grates with white vinegar — the higher acidity will work with the onion’s natural juices to break down the gunk. Next, crank up the heat to high to burn away as much of the greasy food bits as possible. While the grill heats up, cut your onion in half crosswise and skewer it with the grill fork, leaving the flat, fleshy side facing down.
Rub the exposed end of the onion along the hot grill grates. The heat should activate the onion’s natural juices, which are essential for removing leftover food. As you rub the onion along the grates, it will dislodge those greasy bits, sending them to be burned by the flames below. Once the grill is sufficiently clean, simply toss the used onion half and save the other for burger toppings.
Don’t have an onion? No worries — you can also use a lemon, which is even more acidic. Slice a lemon in half crosswise and coat its flesh with coarse salt for extra scrubbing power. (Tip: A sprinkle of salt benefits onions, too.) Then use the lemon to scrub the grates just as you would an onion.
This home hack is part of Summer Spruce Up Week — seven days packed with ideas to get you ready for the season ahead. We’ll be sharing our best tips for stress-free grilling, memorable outdoor gatherings, and thriving summer gardens.
