Clеaning a Gеorgе Forеman Grill & Griddlе is a crucial yеt oftеn ovеrlookеd aspect of maintaining this popular kitchеn appliancе.
As somеonе dееply committеd to culinary еxpеrtisе and kitchеn appliancе maintеnancе, I'vе invеstеd a substantial amount of timе rеsеarching thе bеst practicеs for clеaning thеsе grills.
To provide you with a comprеhеnsivе guidе, I drеw upon various sources of information, including product manuals, еxpеrt opinions, and pеrsonal еxpеriеncеs.
In this guidе, I'll sharе sеvеn provеn mеthods to clеan your Gеorgе Forеman Grill & Griddlе еffеctivеly.
Quick Summary
- To clean a George Foreman Grill, unplug, remove grill plates, gently scrape, and soak in warm, soapy water.
- Methods vary based on grill type—basic, advanced (removable plates), premium (interchangeable plates), dual surface grill, and outdoor griddles.
- Additional tips include using foil, damp paper towels, or George Foreman cleaning sponges for easier cleaning.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL
To clean your George Foreman Grill, follow these simple steps:
- Unplug the Grill and ensure it's completely cooled down.
- Take out the removable grill plates carefully.
- Using a plastic scraper or spatula, gently remove food residue.
- Submerge the grill plates in warm, soapy water for easy cleaning.
- Use a damp cloth to clean the exterior and control panel.
- After soaking, rinse and dry the plates thoroughly.
- Put the plates back in place.
- Give it a final wipe to remove any remaining residue.
Remember to refer to your grill's manual for specific instructions. This routine upkeep will keep your grill in great shape.
When cleaning your grill, never:
- Use a heavy-duty scrubbing pad
- 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]
Basic George Foreman Grills (Non-Removable Plates)
The secret to cleaning George Foreman grills with a non-removable plate is to do so while the grill is still warm.
This allows you to clean before any remaining food hardens and gets stuck easily.
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 eliminate as much debris and grime as possible.
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 to take advantage of those places too.
Take a clean sponge and rinse away the soap remaining on the grill with only water. The drip tray can be cleaned by hand or placed in the dishwasher - it's 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 George Foreman Grill has completely cooled down, gently clean a soft sponge 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. 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 the 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 15-20 minutes to help loosen food particles and residue.
Step 2
Take a soft sponge and scrub off the remaining dirt and grime. Rinse the removable 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 George Foreman 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.
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 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.
However, 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 Grills feature either ceramic or nonstick grill plates. It applies to both indoor and outdoor grills.
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 remove the grease.
Step 2
Rinse the grilling plates well without getting the electrical element wet or submerged.
You can 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 with dish soap and warm water. Be careful not to damage the temperature gauge when cleaning.
Related Articles:
GEORGE FOREMAN CLEANING SPONGES
Some grills and griddles come with a handy George Foreman Cleaning Sponges pack.
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?
George Foreman grill plates and drip trays are dishwasher safe. Feel free to put your grill plate and drip trays in the dishwasher with warm, soapy water and run it as you would.
Dry the grill plates and the drip tray completely before placing them back into 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.
You can cook your food simultaneously 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 it 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.
This will help lift the grease and grime. Once you've finished cooking your food and your grill has cooled down, lay a few paper towels on top of your grill and close the lid.
Once you've let the paper towel sit, clean the grill with some soapy water and a wet sponge.
Always be careful when using these methods. To avoid fires, ensure the grill isn't too hot when placing the paper towels.
Also, unplug the electrical plug when using water to clean your grill.
Also Read: How to Clean an Electric Grill
Reference:
- https://foremangrillrecipes.com/how-to-clean/
