Keeping Your Grill Clean

 

To give your grill a thorough cleaning, remove the grates before scrubbing with your wire barbecue brush. Once done, carefully rinse with a hose. Allow them to dry before putting them back on the grill.

 

Be careful that no bristles from the wire brush remain on the grate. Every year more than 100 Americans visit emergency rooms with serious puncture wounds to the throat, stomach or intestines caused by accidentally swallowing these bristles.

 

Fast, healthy grill-cleaning alternative: Using a barbecue fork, “scrub” your heated grill with half a fresh onion to remove grime and grit without unhealthy chemicals. It’s easy and adds flavor too!

 

Avoiding Toxins

 

Tasty as grilled meats are, the cooking process can create health hazards.  One is the smoke that gets inhaled as you stand next to the grill. When meat drippings hit the heat source (charcoal or flame), they emit toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Minimize exposure by stepping away from the grill as the meat cooks.

 

The “char” (the dark marks created by placing meat on a hot grill) that add rich flavor also creates harmful byproducts called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). These are known carcinogens.  The good news is, you can almost eliminate these compounds (reducing them up to 96%) by marinating meats for at least 30 minutes before grilling in a DIY marinade that includes rosemary, thyme and olive oil (feel free to add other ingredients too).  Plus, it tastes great!

 

Grill Fruits and Vegetables Too

 

Cooking fresh vegetables on your grill doesn’t create the same dangerous compounds. Drizzle first with a bit of olive oil and salt to bring out the flavor. Wrap in foil or place on a special grill basket for cooking. Turn them regularly to ensure even cooking without burning. Popular choices include corn, peppers (all colors), potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms and onions – but pretty much anything works.

 

Instead of dessert, consider grilling fruit.  Try peaches or nectarines drizzled with a bit of honey and butter.  Brush apples and bananas with olive oil.  Pineapple and watermelon are crazy-delicious too! 

 

Note: Fruits cook quickly, usually in two to three minutes/side.