How to Clean Your Oakford Pellet Grill
How to Clean a Pellet Grill: Oakford Edition
The Oakford line of pellet grills stands out as champions among pellet grills. With a 6-in-1 cooking system, and innovative features like SureTemp™, it’s designed for those who take barbecuing seriously. And, like any prized possession, it deserves the proper care and maintenance. Learning how to clean a pellet grill not only ensures optimal performance but also preserves those delicious flavors and extends its lifespan.
In this step-by-step guide, we’re walking you through deep cleaning your Oakford . From the grates to the grease system, we cover all the nooks, crannies, and pellet grill accessories you need to ensure your grill remains the star of outdoor cooking adventures for many meals to come.
Why Deep Cleaning Your Nexgrill Pellet Grill Matters
A well-maintained Oakford Pellet Grill is a hot commodity at any and every cookout. To keep it performing efficiently, you want to follow a strict post-BBQ cleaning regimen. After all, it’ll make a world of difference to your next grilling experience.
Optimal Performance
When your Nexgrill pellet grill is full of ash and grime, it has to work that much harder to properly do its job. Not cleaning it out on a regular basis will hinder essential functions like its temperature control, causing foods to cook unevenly due to restricted airflow.
Enhanced Flavor
Every time you use your Oakford, its pellets turn to ash and build up in the firebox. With each subsequent use, the ash pile continues to grow. Ultimately, this buildup will start to circulate around the grill, leading to unappetizing, ash-covered (and flavored!) food – one of the various reasons you want to find out how to clean a pellet grill properly!
Extended Lifetime
Any object left neglected, to wallow in its own filth for a prolonged period, will suffer the consequences. The same is true for your Oakford. Leave it grimy and unclean long enough, and it’ll start showing wear and tear far sooner than normal or even become a safety hazard.
How to Clean a Pellet Grill in 4 Easy Steps
After your next epic grilling session, take the time to show your Oakford the love it deserves. Begin by ensuring the grill has completely cooled down. Once it’s safe to touch, unplug it from any power sources. With safety precautions in place, you’re now ready to embark on a thorough cleaning journey from top to bottom, inside and out.
Step 1: The Cooking Grates
- Grab a wire-bristled brush and scrub both sides of the cooking grates
- Remove stubborn food residue with a scraper
- Completely remove the grates and wash with a simple pellet grill cleaner consisting of warm water and dish soap, then dry thoroughly
Step 2: The Grease System
- Take out your grill’s cooking grids to access the grease tray, then use a scraper or wire-bristled brush to loosen any food and grease residue
- After removing the excess grime, wash the grease tray with the simple pellet grill cleaner from before and dry thoroughly
- PRO TIP – Streamline future grease cup cleanup by adding a foil liner, and remember to empty it once it’s ¾ full
Step 3: Remaining Interior Surfaces
- Closely inspect the rest of the grill’s inside and remove any built-up debris using a wire-bristled brush or scraper
- Vacuum the ash and debris from both the firebox and firepot
- Wash the interior surfaces with a mild degreaser or soapy water as necessary and dry thoroughly
Check out this two-in-one 20-inch grill brush-meets-scraper, one of our favorite pellet grill accessories that combines two essential functions.
Step 4: Coated, Plastic & Stainless Steel Exterior Surfaces
- Use a mild, soapy mixture for wiping down all coated and plastic surfaces – under no circumstances should you use an abrasive cleaner – and dry thoroughly
- For stainless steel components, opt for an appropriate stainless steel pellet grill cleaner and dry thoroughly with a non-abrasive and lint-free cloth
- PRO TIP – When drying the stainless steel sections, rub in the direction of the grain to avoid scratches, and never use paper towels
Keep your grill spotless between cookouts with an Oakford Pellet Grill Cover that fits like a glove.
Safety First: Take Care When Cleaning Your Oakford Pellet Grill
We said it before, and we’ll say it again: always ensure your grill is fully cooled down and unplugged from its outlet before starting to clean it. Cleaning a still-warm grill with a wet cloth or sponge can result in severe steam burns, while some cleaning agents create toxic fumes and even combust when exposed to heat. Keeping your Oakford plugged in is another risk, as wiping certain elements down with a damp cloth can be a serious safety hazard.
Now that you know how to clean a pellet grill in an efficient way, you won’t just prevent damage to your grill, but also keep yourself safe and able to enjoy plenty more barbecues in the future. Happy cleaning!
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