There are a few different ways to clean your George Foreman Grill. However, I feel obligated to start this post by telling you how NOT to clean a George Foreman Grill. A family member recently used a scouring pad to clean her Foreman Basic Grill. She scraped the non-stick coating right off of the grill and basically ruined it.
Another thing you should not do is submerge your entire grill unit in a sink full of soapy water. This could damage the heating elements. You will find YouTube videos of people giving their Basic Grills a bath. I don’t recommend that other than for removable plates.
So, how should you clean a George Foreman Grill? Let’s review this by looking at the different types of grills. Not all Foreman Grills are created equal. However, some of the methods for cleaning will work for all of the electric grills.
The George Forman grill has deep grooves between the grates, is situated on an angle and comes with a plastic grease collection tray that sits at the base of the grill. As your food cooks, the grease drips into the troughs between the grates, runs forward and collects in the tray. So, it goes into the collection tray.
Premium Grills with Broiler and Interchangeable Plates
The Premium Grills can be cleaned similarly to the advanced grills, either with warm soapy water or by placing the removable plates and drip tray in the dishwasher. However, some reviewers claim that certain plates are harder to clean, especially the waffle plates. People report that the batter gets stuck in the grooves.
The best solutions I have found for this is to make sure you coat your grill and waffle plates well with cooking oil or butter before use. After cooking, place them in a sink of warm soapy water for an hour. You can run them through the dishwasher after that. For stubborn food debris you can try using your plastic tongs to loosen it. Be as gentle as possible with the non-stick coated plates.
The griddle plates, muffin cup plates, and the baking pan are relatively easy to clean by hand with soapy water and a soft sponge. I recommend using individual paper baking cups to line the muffin plate and parchment paper when using the baking pan for things like brownies and corn bread.
It is not recommended that you clean the top broiler element. Yet, I think it is fine to completely cool the unit and then wipe the reflector clean with a damp paper towel.
As with all the grill units, wipe the exterior clean with a soft wet sponge and towel dry.
Some of the Indoor/Outdoor grills have a non-stick coating while others are ceramic. Both can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a sponge. Then, rinse them off. What I think works best is to first carefully wipe down the grill surface with a wet paper towel placed in plastic tongs while the grill is still hot.
After the grill cools down, remove the grill section form the stand (if using the stand) and clean it with mild soap and water on a soft sponge. Then, rinse it off well without getting the electrical connection wet or submerged. You can do this with any of the following methods.
- Wipe down well with a clean wet wash cloth or sponge.
- Place the grill plate section vertically in your sink and rinse it with the faucet sprayer, avoiding getting the electrical element wet.
- Rinse with an outdoor hose on low flow.
The lid can be wiped clean the same way. If the lid has a temperature gauge, be careful not to damage it while cleaning. The drip tray can go into your dishwasher or be submerged in soapy water and washed by hand.
Basic and Panini Grills with Non-Removable Plates
There are a few different ways to clean the Basic Grills. Choose one of the 3 methods that will be the safest and easiest for you.
1. After using the grill, unplug it. While it is still hot, place a ball of wet paper towel in your non-metal tongs. Wipe down the hot grill surfaces to get as much grime and debris off of the plates, being careful not to burn yourself. This works well to get in-between the ridges. Enjoy your meal while the grill cools down.
Once the grill is cool, take a soft sponge with mild soapy water and really wipe the inside of the grill, being sure to wipe the edge where any fat as dripped. Wipe again with a clean sponge with only water to rinse away any soap residue. Then, wipe the outside with a wet sponge. You can also dry the grill with a soft dish towel.
The drip tray can be cleaned by hand with soapy water and rinsed. Or, it can be placed in the dishwasher.
2. While the grill is still warm, but not very hot, place about 3 layers of damp paper towels on the bottom plate and close the lid. The steam that forms will help to loosen the food particles and char. Once the grill has completely cooled down, clean it grill with mild soapy water and a soft sponge. Rinse it with just water on a sponge, inside and out.
My personal experience with this method is that it turned my kitchen into a steam bath. And, the paper towels dried out quickly. It did loosen some of the food particles.
3. Use parchment paper or aluminum foil to line the grill before cooking on it. You will need a piece that is large enough to cover the bottom plate and to fold over your food to protect the top plate. This prevents to grill plates from accumulating any food particles. When the grill is cool, just toss the foil or paper and wipe any debris or liquid that might have spilled onto the plates with a soft wet sponge.
How to clean your George Foreman Grill the easy way – like a BOSS!
FAQ
What can I use to catch grease from my George Foreman Grill?
What is a George Foreman Grill coated with?
What’s the best thing to clean a George Foreman?
How do I keep my George Foreman Grill from sticking to the food?
How do I Keep my George Foreman Grill in top condition?
Here are a few tips for keeping your George Foreman grill in top condition: Drip tray: Many George Foreman grills come with a removable drip tray that catches excess fat and grease. Be sure to empty the drip tray after each use to prevent grease fires and to keep your grill clean.
Do George Foreman grills have a drip tray?
Drip tray: Many George Foreman grills come with a removable drip tray that catches excess fat and grease. Be sure to empty the drip tray after each use to prevent grease fires and to keep your grill clean. Removable plates: Many George Foreman grills come with removable plates that can be taken out for cleaning.
How do I know if my George Foreman Grill is on?
Indicator light: Many George Foreman grills have an indicator light that lets you know when the grill is on. Be sure to pay attention to this light and always turn off the grill when you’re finished cooking. Grilling with a George Foreman grill isn’t just for burgers and hot dogs.
What happens if you use spray on a George Foreman Grill?
If you keep using the spray, it will build up over time, turning your formerly nonstick grill into a very sticky grill. The George Foreman Grill user manual itself warns that you should avoid aerosol sprays. Instead, buy a refillable spray bottle — preferably one that delivers a fine mist — and just fill it with your favorite cooking oil.