Grilling is a favorite pastime, but cleaning up afterward—especially removing stubborn grill gunk—can be frustrating. After trying countless methods, nothing worked as well as a simple trick my nana shared with me.
1. What Is Grill Gunk?
Grill gunk is made up of burned food, grease, and carbon buildup. It affects flavor, draws pests, and can even pose health risks if not cleaned regularly. Over a summer, your grill can collect up to a pound of this mess.
2. Nana’s Secret Hack
Her solution? Aluminum foil. No chemicals, no scrubbing—just foil and heat. Here’s how it works:
3. How It Works
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Heat your grill to 500°F.
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Cover the grates with a sheet of aluminum foil.
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Close the lid and let it sit for 4 minutes.
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Turn off the grill and remove the foil (use a glove if needed).
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The heat turns gunk into ash, and the foil traps the debris.
4. What You’ll Need
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Aluminum foil
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A grill with a lid
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Heat-resistant gloves (optional)
5. Step-by-Step
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Preheat the grill to 500°F.
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Cover grates with foil.
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Close the lid for 4 minutes.
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Remove and toss the foil.
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Enjoy your clean grill!
6. Why It’s Great
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Fast: Done in 4 minutes
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Safe: No harsh chemicals
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Eco-friendly: Recyclable foil instead of disposable brushes
7. Tips for Best Results
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Make sure the foil fully covers the grates.
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Don’t leave it on too long—just 4 minutes is enough.
8. Tried and True
Grillers everywhere swear by it. John from Texas says his grill looked brand new after trying it. If you’re tired of scrubbing, give Nana’s hack a try—it just might change your grilling game.