Whether you've just purchased a brand new George Foreman Grill or you're a veteran George griller, knowing how to clean a George Foreman Grill is essential.
If you use the wrong materials, you can end up with scratched and dented surfaces, or even worse, a build-up of yucky bacteria!
Ensure your George Foreman Grill safety with these following hacks!
Instructions on How to Clean A George Foreman Grill
There are a couple of different ways to clean a George Foreman Grill. Though, the best place to start would probably be with what NOT to do to George Foreman Grills.
Never use a heavy-duty scrubbing pad, and never take your George Foreman for a bath. Completely submerging your grill in water filled with dish soap will most likely damage the heating element. [1]
The only time it would be good to go is when the plates are completely removable.
It's highly recommended that you give your grill a good and thorough clean after every use. Doing so will ensure your Foreman a long and healthy grilling life.
Not all George Foreman Grills were created equally, though. Some George Foreman grills have a removable plate, while others do not. Both of which are relatively easy to clean if you know how to do it right.
Basic George Foreman Grills (Non-Removable Plates)
The secret to cleaning George Foreman grills with a non-removable plates is to do so while the grill is still warm. This allows you to clean with ease before any remaining food hardens and gets stuck.
Step 1:
After you've finished cooking up some delicious grub, unplug the grill. Get a wet paper towel (or use a spray bottle) and place it between your non-metal tongs.
While the grill is still hot, wipe down the surface to get rid of as much debris and grime you can.
Be careful not to burn yourself - the plate is still hot! Give the grill 10-15 minutes to cool down. Enjoy your meal while you wait!
Step 2:
Once the grill has cooled, using mild soapy water and a soft sponge, begin wiping down the inside of the grill.
Drippings often sit under the bottom of the grill and on the edges, so be sure not to miss those places too.
Take a clean sponge and with only water, rinse away the soap remaining on the grill. The drip tray can either be cleaned by hand or placed in the dishwasher - it's totally up to you.
Step 3:
While the grill is slightly warm, place several damp paper towels on the bottom of the plate and close the lid. This will help loosen the remaining grime.
When your Foreman Grill has completely cooled down, grab a soft sponge and give it a clean with soap water once again. Remove the soap with a clean sponge and fresh water.
Remember to avoid using harsh scrubbers and chemicals as you may damage the nonstick surface. Just warm soapy water with nylon or a nonmetallic scrubbing pad will suffice.
Advanced George Foreman Grills (Removable Plates)
Cleaning up a George Foreman Grill with removable plates is a lot more straightforward than ones without. Advanced George Foreman Grills and Panini Presses feature nonstick removable plates.
Step 1:
Unplug the unit and let it cool completely. If you're not sure they're completely cooled off, you can use an oven mitt to remove the removable plates.
Once the removable plates have been removed, submerge them in hot, soapy water. Let them soak for a good 15-20 minutes to help loosen food particles and food residue.
Step 2:
Take a soft sponge and scrub off the remaining dirt and grime. Rince the plates and leave them out to air dry. You can also clean the drip tray the same way.
The removable plates are also dishwasher safe. This way, you can pop them on the top of your dishwasher rack if you'd prefer to do it that way.
Step 3:
Wipe down the exterior of the grill with soap and warm water.
Premium Grills with Interchangeable Plates and Broiler
Premium Grills can be cleaned the same way as advanced grills. You can either wash them by hand with warm soapy water or pop the removable plates and drip tray in the dishwasher.
That being said, it has been said that they may be a little harder to clean, especially the waffle plates.
Step 1:
Unplug the grill and let it cool completely. Once the plates have been removed, submerge them in hot, soapy water.
Let them soak for a good hour or so to help loosen grime and food particles. You can also run them through the dishwasher for some extra help.
Step 2:
If any food or grease residue is still stuck to the grill, you can use a plastic spatula or tong to loosen it. Again, be careful not to scratch or damage the nonstick surface.
Step 3:
Use warm soapy water to wash down the plates containing soap residue and the exterior of your George Foreman Grill.
If you're having trouble washing your premium grill and waffle plates, try coating your grill in butter or cooking oil before use.
Dual Surface Griddle
The Dual Surface Griddle features a premium ceramic surface. This means clean-up time is a little bit easier.
Although, the griddle does not contain a removable plate, and you can only remove the two drip trays.
Therefore, the best way to clean the griddle plates would be the same way as the Basic Grill Plates.
Outdoor Griddles
The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Grills feature either ceramic or nonstick grill plates.
Step 1:
When the grill is hot, wipe down the grill surface carefully with damp paper towels, placed in between plastic tongs.
Leave the grill to cool down, removing the grill section from the stand (if using one) when cool.
Clean the grilling plates with a soft sponge and mild dish soap to get rid of the grease.
Step 2:
Without getting the electrical element wet or submerged, rinse the grilling plates well.
You can either do this by wiping it down well with a clean sponge or wet washcloth or placing the grilling vertically in your sink, avoiding the electrical element.
Step 3:
You can clean the lid by wiping it with dish soap and warm water. Be careful not to damage the temperature gauge when cleaning.
Related Articles:
- Great Methods for Cleaning Flat Top Grills
- What's the Best Way to Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates?
- What's the Best Way to Clean an Electric Griddle?
George Foreman Cleaning Sponges
Some grills and griddles come with a handy pack of George Foreman Cleaning Sponges.
These are ideal for cleaning grill plates and are perfectly designed to clean various surfaces. The scouring side won't damage your grill plates.
The sponges have handy groves that make cleaning inside the grill plates much easier.
Are George Foreman Grill Plates Dishwasher Safe?
Yes, the grill plates and drip trays are dishwasher safe. When cleaning these removable parts, you can simply place them in your dishwasher with warm, soapy water and run it like you would.
Make sure to dry the plates and the drip tray completely before placing them back to your Foreman grill.
Additional George Foreman Grill Cleaning Tips
Give these tips a go to make cleanup on your George Foreman Grill that much easier!
1st Method - Place aluminum foil or parchment paper on your removable grill plates before cooking.
Simply lay a piece of foil or parchment paper across the grilling plate. You can cook your food for the same amount of time as you would without the foil.
Once you're done grilling your food, remove your food and turn the grill off.
Once the foil has cooled off, carefully lift the foil off the grill and throw it away.
Using this foil method means your grill won't even become dirty in the first place!
“The mild warmth, along with the moisture in the paper towels, is a necessary combination for gently lifting away the grease left behind on the grills plate.”
- Joshua, Writer for The Fun Times Guide
2nd Method - Place a damp paper towel on a warm grill after cooking.
Placing a moist paper towel on your warm grill will help lift the grease and grime. Once you've finished cooking your food and your grill has cooled down, lay down a few paper towels on top of your grill and close the lid.
Once you've let the paper towel sit for a while, clean the grill down with some soapy water and a wet sponge.
Always be careful when using these methods. To avoid fires, make sure the grill isn't too hot when placing the paper towels.
Also, be sure to unplug the electrical plug when using water to clean your grill.
So, How Do You Clean A George Foreman Griddle?
Cleaning up your George Foreman grill, griddle, baking pan, etc., is pretty straightforward as long as you know the right methods and steps to take. The cleaning process heavily relies on whether or not your grill features a removable plate or not.
Always take care when you clean a George Foreman. Never use a harsh wet sponge and never clean when the machine is still plugged in. Doing so can damage the broiler element.
Cleaning your griddle after every wash will preserve the longevity of your grill, making delicious food for you and your family for years to come!
Reference:
- https://foremangrillrecipes.com/how-to-clean/
