While summer days and the festivities are nearing, it is important that you have all your December essentials ready. Nothing tops up a good summer day like a braai with fired-up coals, all fueled up and ready for marinated meat.  

Nothing discourages a braai master like a dirty braai stand, as these can get quite messy and clogged up by tiny bits of meat. Having to clean off the grease and pieces on a braai stand is no fun and can be a hassle.  

Believe or not, a clean braai stand does mean a much more defined and delicious steak chop or chicken dust. 

Many may opt to purchase cleaning detergents that are catered for braai stands, however we will provide you with tips and tricks that will not require anything besides what you already have in your home. 

Here are 4 easy cleaning steps brought to you by Sweepsouth – a South African home service platform – on how to keep your braai stand clean:  

1. Heat and scrub

Place your grid on hot coals and allow the residue to burn and melt away. This step will assist towards softening and melting away all the remaining food and stubborn grease. Remove from heat and allow to cool down. Once cooled down, begin to scrub with a wire brush. Once clean and dry, apply vegetable oil to the braai grid.  

2. Newspaper

Follow the same steps as mentioned above of heating the grid and allowing it to cool down. This step, however, provides an alternative method for those who do not have a brush as scrubbing the braai grid off with newspaper will provide the same result.  

Braai stand 1

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3. Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar paste

In a bowl, mix these two ingredients until they form a paste like consistency. Once again, the step of preheating your grid is crucial as it removes all unnecessary residue from your braai grid. Once the grid reaches a warm temperature, remove it from the fire and allow it to cool down. Evenly distribute the paste on the braai grid. Scrub it with a wire brush and rinse thoroughly. Splash the grid with vegetable oil. 

4. Dishwashing liquid and vinegar

This step requires a suitable container that is big enough for the braai grid to fit in as the braai grid will need to be soaked in the solution for at least 20 minutes.  

Once the grid is in the container, pour in dishwashing liquid and vinegar and allow to soak for at least 20 minutes. Scrub the braai grid with a wired rush. Once clean, rinse thoroughly, dry it and moisture it with a layer of vegetable oil.  

Note that the two last steps will have a much more effective result as they provide a deep cleansing process for your braai grid.  

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Article compiled by Dideka Njemla

Feature image: Pexels