Maintaining your charbroiler, whether in a residential or commercial setting, is key to both its longevity and your safety. A charbroiler is a specialized type of grill that uses radiant heat to cook food. The design of a charbroiler allows fat and juices to drip away from the food as it cooks, giving it a characteristic sear.
While you may be used to simply wiping down your home grill with soapy water after each use, commercial charbroilers require more careful and thorough cleaning. In this article, we’ll walk you through the proper way to clean your commercial charbroiler.
How Often Should I Clean My Charbroiler?
As a general rule, you should deep clean your charbroiler at least once a week. This frequency may increase during periods of heavy use, such as the summer grilling season. If you notice any build-up of grease or debris on your charbroiler, it’s time for a cleaning.
What Do I Need to Clean My Charbroiler?
In order to properly clean your charbroiler, you’ll need:
- A stiff wire brush
- A putty knife or scraper
- Cleaning rags or paper towels
- Soap and water
- A degreaser (optional)
How to Clean Your Commercial Charbroiler
Disassemble the Charbroiler
The first step in cleaning your charbroiler is to disassemble it. This will vary depending on the model of charbroiler you have, but most can be taken apart by removing the grates, Radiant panels, and drip pans. Set these parts aside in a safe place.
Clean the Grates
Wire brush the grates to remove any cooked-on food or grease. If you’re having trouble removing tough buildup, soak the grates in a degreaser for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing them again.
Clean the Radiant Panels
Use the putty knife or scraper to remove any stuck-on food or grease from the radiant panels. Be careful not to damage the panels while you’re cleaning them.
Clean the Drip Pans
Soak the drip pans in soapy water to loosen any caked-on grease or debris. Once they’ve had time to soak, scrub the pans with the wire brush to remove anything that’s still clinging on.
Reassemble the Charbroiler
Once all of the parts of your charbroiler have been cleaned, it’s time to reassemble it. Be sure to line up the parts correctly before putting everything back together.
Optional: Season the Grates
Once your charbroiler is clean and reassembled, you may want to season the grates. This will help to prevent food from sticking to them in the future. Seasoning the grates is simple: just rub them down with a high-smoke-point oil, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Then use a paper towel to wipe away any excess oil.
Cleaning your charbroiler may seem like a daunting task, but following these simple steps will help keep your grill in top shape. A clean charbroiler not only looks better and functions more efficiently, but is also safer to use. So don’t be afraid to break out the cleaning supplies and give your grill a good scrubbing!