The oils from the onion can discourage food from clinging to the grate. “It creates a nice film on the grill that prevents it from sticking,” Lopez explains. “So it's not only cleaning but it's also creating a nonstick surface.” So, next time you're preparing to grill, make sure you're stocked up on onions.
“Take the onion half and rub it all over the grill grates. You'll see the onion juice steam and work magic on the grime,” says Knoll. The onion will help you remove any grease, grime or bits of food left from other grill jobs. Repeat this process until your grates look nice and clean.
Slice an onion to shine cutlery, clean grills, overcome paint smells, and perform other non-cooking miracles. Onions are great for sauteing, but the vegetable also is a cheap and effective green cleaner, mosquito repellent, and deodorizer -- just a few non-cooking jobs onions can do.
Pierce the onion half with a fork and rub the cut-side down along the grill grates. The onion's juices will release and produce steam to remove the charred bit of debris on the grill grates. 🍔Don't allow your food to stick to the grill and ruin your dinner. 🍔Do use a half of a potato to create a non-stick surface.
Hose down your grill and lid, inside and out, to rinse out any residual ash. Now start scrubbing (with gloves on). You need hot water, a plastic scour pad, and either dish soap or degreaser. If you use dish soap, just scrub the entire firebox and grates with hot, soapy water, then rinse them well and dry.
You can enjoy them as a side dish or add them to your favorite recipe. Grilling brings out the flavor of the onion. The high heat of the grill caramelizes the sugars in the onion, resulting in a sweet and savory flavor.
Cleaning your grill with a potato works, but it's not the only way to keep your food from sticking to the grill grates. McCormick senior culinary director Chef Kevan Vetter says that the most effective way to keep your grill clean and nonstick is to clean it regularly before and after you cook on it.
With just a freshly halved onion, you can break down char and stuck-on gunk in seconds, without all the scrubbing and brushing. All you need is a white onion and a grilling fork. Follow these step-by-step directions on how to clean your grill with an onion, and other general tips to care for your grill all summer long.
Soak both the cooking and charcoal grates in warm soapy water for an hour or so. If the shape or size means they won't fit in a bucket, try a large plastic storage bin. While your grates soak, clean the bottom of your grill and the lid. Brush any loose debris and dirt into the ash catcher first.
Be sure to use a very sharp knife.
“The best and easiest way to not tear up while you are cutting an onion is to always make sure you have a very sharp and reliable knife,” insists chef/owner Jacob Bickelhaupt of Stone Flower Restaurant in Chicago.
Before you add onions to salsa or guacamole, it's a good idea to tone down the intense flavor, lest your dip be overwhelmed. A simple and quick way to do that, according to chef Rick Bayless, is to pour boiling water over the chopped onions. That's pretty much all you need to know.
Dan Cooper, Head Grill Master at Weber, explains that you should use stick half a raw onion (cut side down) on the end of your BBQ fork or tong – then scrub the grates back and forth until clean.
All you have to do is heat up the grill, and then, using half a potato skewered cut side out on to a fork, rub it across the grill. It's thought that the starch in the potato creates a barrier that prevents the food from sticking.
Onions - Onions contain proteolytic enzymes, which break down protein. This has a tenderizing effect on meat, but the onion needs to be in contact with the meat for this to happen.
In some cases, the chicken is brined in water and salt while it sits in the fridge. This promotes flavor and moisture. Sometimes the brine includes other seasonings, including monosodium glutamate (MSG). In other cases, restaurants pound the chicken before it heads for the grill—creating a more tender product.
One argument people use to defend using high heat to clean a barbecue is that the flames will eliminate bacteria. Their cleaning method often involves heating the grill for 15 to 30 minutes at a top temperature of 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most are made of stainless steel, cast iron or coated cast iron. No matter the material, keeping your grill grates clean and well-maintained will help it last longer and perform better (no stuck-on food). Stainless steel is light which makes it easy to handle when cleaning, and it's affordable.