How to Clean George Foreman Grill – A Useful Guide

Tired of scrubbing and scraping to clean your George Foreman grill after every use? You’re not alone. The beloved countertop appliance, known for its ability to cook delicious, healthy meals in minutes, can quickly become a burden when it comes time to tackle the cleanup. But fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll uncover the secrets to effortlessly cleaning your George Foreman grill, leaving it sparkling and ready for your next culinary adventure.

Do you own or are you thinking of buying a George Foreman grill? Well, this type of grill is a great kitchen appliance when you can’t grill from outside. It is also a nice way to prepare healthy food.

But you need to clean it properly after using it. This helps in keeping it ready for many other future grilling adventures.

Unfortunately, while it is fun to use the grill, cleaning it takes so much time. And if you don’t know how to do it correctly, you could end up damaging the grill. So, in this article, we explain to you how to clean George Foreman grill. Keep reading.

Types of George Foreman Grills

Generally, there are two types of George Foreman grills to choose from including with removable plates and without removable plates. As such, you don’t clean the grill with removable plates the same as that without. That said, let’s take a look at how to clean each of these grills.

Cleaning a George Foreman Grill with Removable Plates

If your Foreman grill has removable plates, then cleaning it is a breeze. Below are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Unplug the grill

Once you are done grilling your food, you should unplug it and give it at least 10 minutes or more to cool down. But if you still feel the grill is still hot after 10 minutes have elapsed, you should give it more time so as to avoid any injuries.

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Step 2: Remove the plates

The next step should be to remove the plates of the grill one by one while placing them on your counter. And for added safety, make sure to put on some oven mitts if you’re not completely sure that they have cooled off.

Step 3: Wash the plates in a dishwasher

The grill plates are designed to be dishwasher-safe. This means you don’t have to adjust any dishwasher settings or even add more detergent.

Step 4: Soak the plates in soapy water

This step is for those who don’t own a dishwasher. Simply submerge the plates in a sink with warm soapy water and let them sit for a couple of minutes. This helps in loosening food debris. Thereafter, use a soft sponge to scrub the plates and then rinse them thoroughly.

Step 5: Dry the grill plates

Once the plates are clean, you should dry them using a soft towel before putting them in the grill. You may also choose to air dry them.

You see, George Foreman grill has electrical wiring inside of it. The wiring can easily short-circuit once it comes into contact with water. That’s why it is important to ensure the plates are completely dry prior to putting them back in the grill.

You can know: How to clean ceramic griddle

Cleaning a Foreman Grill without Removable Plates

This type of grill is not the easiest to clean. So, follow these steps if you would like to keep your grill looking its best and working at peak performance.

Step 1: Unplug the grill

Similar to the grill with removable plates, you need to unplug this grill first after you’re done using it. Then let it cool ​down slightly. The grill should be somewhat warm but not too hot making it uncomfortable to touch.

Step 2: Place damp paper towels on the grill plates

Next, you will need to put at least three layers of paper towels that are slightly damp on the grill plates. Be careful not to get burned while placing the paper towels.

Step 3: Close the lid of the grill

The paper towels will help loosen the grease thereby making it easier to scrub away. So, let the grill sit for a couple of minutes and then remove the paper towels. You may need to place more clean towels once the others get dirty.

Step 4: Spray the grill plates with water

If you don’t want to put paper towels inside the grill, you can instead spray the grilling surface with water. Just use a spray bottle filled with clean water.

You may also use metal tongs to hold a wet paper towel ball to wipe the surface. Make sure not to pour water directly onto the Foreman grill as it could damage its electrical wiring.

Step 5: Scrape off any food chunks or fat

Using the plastic scraper that comes with this grill, chip away at any hard-to-remove food chunks and fat. But if you don’t have the scraper for some reason, simply get a plastic spatula to get rid of the excess food items. Just don’t be tempted to use a metal scrubber as it could damage the grill.

Step 6: Wipe away loose debris with a wet sponge

If your grill still has loose debris, just add a small amount of soap and warm water to a paper towel, sponge or rag. Wipe the inside of the grill using the damp sponge. Make sure to wipe all the parts because grease can get anywhere.

Cleaning the Exterior of the Grill

George Foreman grills should never be immersed in water since they are electrical appliances. Submerging them in water could lead to electrical shock.

So, you should clean the outside of the grill using damp paper towels after unplugging the unit. Simply wipe the exterior and then leave it dry.

Washing the Trays

The Foreman grill comes with drip trays that collect any excess fat and drippings from your food. Simply pour the drippings into your sink and then submerge the trays in a sink full of hot and soapy water. Wash the trays as you would other dishes. You may also wash them in the dishwasher if you have one.

Important Tip

If you don’t want your George Foreman to get messy, you can place a single piece of aluminum foil on the grill. You should do this before you turn it on and start grilling. However, make sure not to use two pieces of aluminum foil because you risk having the grease dripping onto the grill.

If you don’t have an aluminum foil, you can use parchment paper, also referred to as baking paper.

Also Read: How to Cook Frozen Pizza on the Grill

Final Word

That’s all there is to it! Now that you know how to clean George Foreman grill, we hope you have fun preparing all your delicious meals.

Maintaining your George Foreman Grill is essential for its longevity and performance. Regular cleaning not only enhances the flavor of your food but also ensures that no residues or bacteria build up over time. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and avoid harsh chemicals as they can damage the grill surface. Additionally, consider investing in removable grill plates for easier maintenance.