how to clean a george foreman grill

How to Clean a George Foreman Grill

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A George Foreman grill, which is also known as the George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine, is one of the bestselling infomercial products of all time. It first came out in 1994 and is a portable electric grill that is typically used to make burgers. The name comes from boxing champion George Foreman.

The way it works is that you put your burger on the grill, and the grill cooks it while ridding the grease and fat at the same time. It takes about five to eight minutes to make a burger, and the grill provides a healthy alternative to a regular cooked burger. The infomercials claim that it removes the fat, thus providing a leaner cut.

The grill can also be used for foods like pork and lamb chops, steak, shrimp, fish filets, sausage, eggplants, asparagus, pineapples and much more. You can use it to fry an egg, make quesadillas, heat up tater tots, make frozen pizza and make low-fat French fries.

The Best Way to Clean the George Foreman Grill

The grill contains George Foreman removable plates that can be taken out and cleaned as well as a drip tray for the fat. After you unplug the unit and it has cooled down, take out the plates and put them in warm, soapy water. They should soak in there to loosen up the food that's stuck on them.

Use a soft sponge – not a scouring sponge – to clean them. Otherwise, you could end up stripping them. You can follow the same process for the drip tray as well. You should be able to put your plates and drip tray in the dishwasher; just double check first by looking at your owner's manual for the product. If you want to keep your grills and your drip tray cleaner for longer, then use parchment paper or aluminum foil on the George Foreman grill.

To clean the outside of the grill, simply wipe it with a damp sponge and then clean the water off with a dish towel or paper towel. You don't want to leave your George Foreman grill sitting for days with residue left on it. As soon as it finishes cooling off, it's best to clean it immediately. Otherwise, the cleaning process is going to be a lot more difficult.

George Foreman Grill Cleaning Solutions

There are a few George Foreman cleaning solutions in which you can invest to make it even easier to clean your grill. For instance, the George Foreman grill sponge comes in a set of three and was designed to be compatible with the grill. However, you can also use it with any nonstick surface, and it won't leave marks or scratches.

The company also sells a dual-sided grill brush that can be used if you have one of the George Foreman full-sized grills. It has a nonscratch cleaning pad that you can replace once it becomes worn out. If you've used your grill for years on end, and it's simply too hard to clean it anymore, then you can buy replacement parts like a new drip tray or George Foreman removable plates.

Other Considerations for the George Foreman Grill

When choosing a George Foreman grill, go with a size that is big enough for just you or for you, your friends and your family. They come in a variety of sizes, and the biggest one can be used for a family cookout. If you usually dine alone, you'll want to go with the smaller option instead.

If you're using the bigger grill, you'll want to keep it outside. To protect it, you'll need to get the indoor/outdoor round grill cover for it. This will also keep it clean and free of debris, dirt and insects.

Cleaning your George Foreman grill regularly will keep it functioning properly and will ensure you have healthy, tasty meals every time. Happy grilling!

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Writer Bio

Kylie Ora Lobell is a lifestyle, food and beverage writer for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles.