George Foreman grills are extremely popular. Although these electric grills are super-easy, well-featured, and handy to use, the cleaning process is quite specific. No matter if you are new to the George Foreman grill or have had it for ages, it is still important to clean it properly.
So, we are here to share with you some simple but key hacks on how to clean George Foreman grill.
Contents
How to clean George Foreman grill: Must-know points
To answer this question, you should understand how this grill is set up and how it works.
What types of George Foreman grills can you find?
George Foreman electric grills come in different models. But talking about the difference between them, 3 qualities can differ:
#1. Size
The size of your grill just determines the cleaning time.
#2. Removable/non-removable plates
This point is essential when you choose the cleaning methods. For a George Foreman grill with removable plates, you can use absolutely different methods unlike those used for the attachable griddle plates.
#3. Grill plates material
George Foreman grills and Panini presses mostly come with ceramic plates. All of them have a multi-layer non-stick coating. However, the material of the grill plates can differ, as older models usually come with a Teflon coating, and newer models have a ceramic coating.
Is George Foreman easy to clean?
At the first sight, a George Foreman grill is tough and durable. However, cleaning this grill is quite challenging.
Using the right materials is key if you don’t want to make the grill surface scratched and dented. What is more, you have a great risk to end up with a nasty bacteria build-up!
Since a George Foreman grill has a non-stick coating, forget about scrubbing so as not to damage it.
The drip tray is prone to accumulate grease. So, don’t way until it is full of grease, just always clean it once you’re done cooking.
Can you wash a George Foreman grill in the sink?
If you have ever thought about placing the whole device in the sink and washing it under running water, never do it. As water can get into the heating element inside your grill, it will damage and break your electric grill.
However, you can easily do it with removable plates. Soak the removable grill plates in warm soapy water, and it won’t make any harm.
Can you remove George Foreman grill plates?
Several types of George Foreman grills are featured differently. They can have both removable and non-removable plates. Each of these types requires different cleaning methods, which are described below.
What models of George Foreman grills can you find?
Depending on which model of George Foreman grill you have, there are some different features in each of them.
Basic grills
The main point to know is that basic grills have non-removable plates. It means that you can’t clean these plates separately from the grill.
The best idea to clean basic grill plates is to do it immediately after cooking, while the grill is still warm. This helps you to clean much easier, as the remaining food won’t harden and get stuck on the grill plate.
Advanced grills
Advanced grills have a great advantage as they have removable plates. So, they are much easier to clean. You can simply remove the plates and soak them in the sink.
Premium grills
These grills can be cleaned in a similar way to advanced grills. You can both wash them by hand or clean the removable plates separately. However, premium grill plates are a bit more difficult to clean, especially the waffle plates.
Dual surface griddle
This is an appliance with a premium ceramic surface. Having this extra feature makes the clean-up procedure a little bit easier.
However, another point of these griddles is their non-removable plates. You can remove only two drip trays, while the grill plates require the same cleaning method as the basic grill plates.
Indoor/outdoor grills
These George Foreman grills can be featured with either ceramic or nonstick griddle plates.
How to clean George Foreman grill with removable plates
To clean a George Foreman grill with removable plates, you can use many more methods, including plates soaking in the sink or bathtub. You can easily get the plates out of the grill and wash them without any worrying to make the electrical element wet.
Cleaning steps
STEP 1
Before you start cleaning, unplug the grill from the power outlet, and let it cool completely.
STEP 2
Take out the removable grill plates. Place them in the sink or bathtub.
STEP 3
Clean the plates from the food residue with a help of some degreasing soap and a soft sponge or a nylon scrubber.
STEP 4
If some messy food and grease have baked on the plates, leave them to soak in the warm soapy water.
STEP 5
As soon as you thoroughly clean your grill plates, rinse them under the running water to remove the soap residue.
STEP 6
Wipe the plates dry with a paper towel, and let them completely dry.
STEP 7
Now, you can insert your grill plates back into the item.
Warning
Never insert the wet plates into the grill! Excess water is risky to drip into the grill’s inner workings. This can lead to safety risks and destroy the electric elements. In addition, water is the first cause of rusting.
How to clean George Foreman grill with non-removable plates
For the grills with non-removable plates, the cleaning methods are different. As you can’t pop the plates out of the grill, you have to clean them inside the item.
Cleaning tips
- Keep in mind that George Foreman grills with non-removable plates don’t need to cool down completely before cleaning! These electric grills are much easier to clean while they are still warm.
- The heat is essential to help you with the cleaning process. If some food residue gets stuck on the surface of the plates, it can lift this mess and simplify your cleaning work. So, if you are looking for a time-saving method of grill cleaning, just clean your grill until it is still warm enough.
- You can opt for a non-scratch electric grill brush to clean the grills thoroughly. It can help you to reach the tough spots and remove the hidden mess without any damage to the grill’s surfaces.
- The grill brush method is good for removable plates as well.
Cleaning steps
Step 1. Before you start cleaning, unplug the George Foreman grill from the power outlet to work with it safely. Allow the grill to cool down for about 10-15 minutes to be warm enough to touch it.
Step 2. Moist paper towels and place them on the grill. Then, close the lid. This extra step allows the heat to transfer any grease and food onto the wet paper towel. You can also add a bit of mild dish soap to them.
Step 3. Let the wet paper towels sit for several minutes. Then, open the lid and remove the towels along with the collected grease.
Step 4. Repeat the process until you collect as much excess grease and food as possible.
Step 5. Now, you can remove all the grease residue with a damp microfiber towel. Wipe down the plates until you see them completely cleaned. Take a clean paper towel to check if any leftover grease from messy food is still there.
Step 6. If there is still some stubborn grease or food on your plates, and you can’t remove it with a paper towel, use a soft, wet sponge to dispose of the grime.
Step 7. Now, clean the plates well with a bit of degreasing dish soap. Use a soft sponge to remove all the grease covering the plates. Never use an abrasive scrubber so as not to damage the plate surface and remove the non-stick coating!
Step 8. Clean away any soap residue from the plates. When this work is done, let the grill completely dry.
Smart grill cleaning tips
Here are some additional cleaning tips that will help you to clean a George foreman grill.
#1. Aluminum foil method
To simplify your cleaning work, make a covering across the grilling plate! Place aluminum foil or parchment paper as a covering on the grill plate. The cooking time will be the same as for the grilling without the foil or paper.
As soon as you’re done cooking, take away your food and turn off the grill. Let the foil cool off, then carefully lift it off the grill and throw it away.
As you can guess, your George Foreman grill won’t be dirty at all, so you won’t have to clean it!
#2. The damp paper towel method
You can use damp paper towels as well. This method can’t save you from cleaning grills, but it works well to save your cleaning time.
After you finish cooking, let the grill cool down and place several damp paper towels on top of the warm grill, and close the lid. They will easily lift the grease and grime.
Let the paper towels sit for a while. Then, clean the grill down along with the soaked paper towels. All that you need to use is just some soapy water and a wet sponge!
Warnings
- Both these methods are a fire hazard, so never forget to be careful when using them.
- To prevent fires, always make sure that your grill is not too hot before you place the paper towels on it.
Always unplug your electrical grill before cleaning it with water.
How do I get burnt food off my George Foreman grill?
Use a plastic scraper or a grill brush to get rid of the stubborn mess. Then, take a soft sponge and wipe it down with some warm, soapy water. Remember that you can’t use anything abrasive on the plates so as not to damage them!
What is George Foreman cleaning sponges?
You can find a pack of George Foreman cleaning sponges coming along with some grill models. They are specially designed for different surface cleaning.
A scouring side is smartly designed and can’t damage your grill or plates. Grooves on the sponges fit right into your plates to make your cleaning super-easy.
Final thoughts
Now, you know how to clean a George Foreman grill using different methods and techniques. The cleaning methods mainly depend on the types of your plates, whereas you can clean both removable and non-removable plates. And now that the grill is ready to be used again, check out the guide for smoking and grilling here!
We hope this article will be useful for you!
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Hello! In my free time, I like to pamper my family with delicious grilled dinners. In addition, friends often gather with us and a grilled steak is what you need for pleasant company!
I have been working as a salesman in a grill and accessories store for several years. I know all about grills and smokers. My friends and acquaintances always consult with me before buying a new grill. I am a master at this with vast experience!
Recently I was advised to start my own blog and I decided to do it. I hope to be useful to you!