How to clean George Foreman Grill? – A common question asked by those who own it. But before that, what makes it so popular?
Millions of customers are sold on two key aspects of the grill. The first one is that most of the fat is drained out of the burgers or meats while cooking. This makes the food lean and healthy for the consumers.
Another advantage is that the grill cooks the food both from the upside and downside simultaneously. Hence, removing the need to flip food. Plus, the grill cooks faster and doesn’t cover a lot of space.
However, cleaning this magic maker is where you will be required to put in some effort and that’s why we’re here. Keep reading to know the answer.
How to Clean George Foreman Grill with Removable Plates – Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Unplug the Grill after Cooking
Once you are done cooking in your Foreman Grill, unplug it. Leave it to lose heat for around 10-15 minutes. Check if the grill has cooled down or wait until it is safe to touch. Put on the oven mitts as additional care to avoid burns.
Step 2: Pull Out the Grill Plates
Do wear kitchen mitts if the grill is not completely cool. Remove the plates one by one from the grill. Lay a cloth or paper towel on the counter. Place the plates over it so that it does not leave any marks on the counter.
Step 3: Clean the Grill Plates
You can use many methods for washing the plates. The easiest among them is to toss them in a dishwasher. Yes, most of the Foreman Grill plates are dishwasher safe with no special steps required. Use the same quantity of detergent you use for washing dishes. Just try washing with less load so better cleaning is ensured.
In case you don’t have a dishwasher, go with cleaning the plates in soapy water. Fill your kitchen or washroom sink halfway with water. Pour some drops of dish soap and mix. Submerge the grill plates in it and let them sit in there for some time.
Step 4: Dry and Reattach the Grill Plates
After the stuck-on food has loosened, wipe it using a soft sponge. Do not use a scouring sponge for cleaning or you will end up stripping the plate’s surface. Now, take a soft towel to scrub away any leftover dirt and wipe the soapy water.
Let the plates dry completely in the air or the moisture in them can lead to short-circuits as the Foreman Grill has electrical wiring in it. So, don’t rush and wait until every drop of water evaporates. Next, reattach the plates back into the grill.
How to Clean George Foreman Grill without Removable Plates – Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Unplug the Grill after Cooking
Once you are done cooking in your Foreman Grill, unplug it. Leave the grill until it becomes warm but not completely cold. This is necessary to move on to the next step or the damp paper towels can extinguish after coming in contact with a hot plate.
Step 2: Place Damp Paper Towels on Grill Plates
Soak the paper towels slightly in water. Put at least three layers of paper towels on the grill plates as only a single towel will not be helpful. The moisture in paper towels works to lift the built-on grease from the plates.
Step 3: Close the Grill
Close the grill with paper towels inside. Let the grill sit for 30 minutes or more. The moisture in towels will loosen the accumulated grease which makes the scrubbing task simpler. Though the grill shouldn’t be scorching hot while cleaning, do not let it lose all the heat. As the combination of warm grill plus moisture is proven to be more effective for removing grease.
If you do not have paper towels, start by adding some water to a spray bottle. Spray the water thoroughly on the grilling surface but make sure the grill is unplugged.
One more thing you can do is make a ball of paper towel and put it in water. Hold the damped ball between metal tongs and wipe it on the surface. This way, you can damp the deeper areas of the grill rather than wiping the surface only.
However, there’s one thing which we cannot recommend i.e., pouring a glass of water directly over the grill. As Foreman Grill contains electric wiring, the water can cause damage if it finds a way through the grill plates.
Step 4: Scrape Away the Stubborn Food or Fat
The Foreman Grill comes with a scraper. Using it for this step would be the safest option. But if you don’t have one, take a plastic spatula to chip away the dirt. Avoid using a metal spatula, as it can damage the surface.
Step 5: Time to Wipe the Loose Debris
Prepare a mixture of warm water and soap. Soak a soft sponge, paper towel or clean rag in it. Next, wipe and rub the grill. Keep on cleaning every part of the grill until there’s no residue left behind. Your Foreman Grill is clean and ready to use again.
Step 6: Clean the Drip Tray
The drip tray collects all the extra fat that melts out of the food being cooked. So, chances are that it will contain a good amount of grease after every cooking session. To remove it, hold the drip tray tilted on a sink and let the grease pour out of it. Submerge a rag in a warm soapy mixture and rub it on the tray to clean away any remaining residue.
Instead of a rag, you can also use a paper towel to scrub residue. Though your drip tray will be clean after this, if you want to make your drip tray as clean as possible, toss it in the dishwasher before reusing.
Safety Tips
- Fortunately, some tips that can make the cleaning task simpler for you. For this, place a long aluminum piece over the grill plate before plugging it. You can also use parchment paper (baking paper) in case of the unavailability of aluminum foil. Just use a long single piece or the debris will find its way to the grill.
Note: Lining the grill plate with foil or baking paper will not affect the cooking time, so follow the same timings as before.
- No matter how stubborn the residues are, never use a scouring pad to remove them. You will end up ruining the grill by scraping its non-stick coating.
- Do not immerse the entire grill into a water bath. Remember there’s a heating element and wiring inside it. By submerging in water, you may be able to clean the grill, but it will be at the cost of losing its performance.
- The best time to start cleaning is soon after cooking. Since the debris does not get enough time to harden, removing it right away will be easier than delaying the task for days and letting the debris become stubborn.
- Turn off the grill as soon as you finish cooking, or the leftover food will overcook and harden.
- For George Foreman Grill, there is a big no for metal cleaning objects and harsh chemicals. Use plastic or wood utensils and mild detergents to avoid scratching the surface.
- Rub a lemon over cleaned grill plates to get rid of unwanted food odors.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning your George Foreman Grill after cooking is ideal to ensure the proper functioning for years. Besides, if you are an avid foodie, consuming tasty and healthy food will be your first priority. This is not possible with a greasy grill having stuck-on debris and an unpleasant odor. So, take eating good food as a motivation to clean up the grill every time after cooking.