How Do You Clean Your Coal/Charcoal BBQ's?

[Leeds2]

Just that really. I had a BBQ last weekend, and have just been out to clean/empty it. Realised I had never cleaned a BBQ before, and wondered if there was a better way to do it which would prevent me from getting filthy and with ash all over the lawn. I ended up picking all the old coals out by hand, and putting the grill bit in the dishwasher, but am I missing something?

Tip out the ash into the bin or similar (obviously once completely cool). No need to wash the grill. Just scrub it with a wire brush next time it’s hot. Depending on what sort of metal the grill is made from, you can also wipe it down with veg oil next time before you use it and that will keep it well seasoned. (We make BBQs and this is what we’d tell our customers).

Tip the ash into compost heap when cold.

don’t do anything else. Burn off the grill next time it’s used.

Oh. Sounds like I have been mistakenly trying to clean the grill which I will avoid doing next time!
Unfortunately, I can't tip the ash into the bin/compost, as the bit you cook on doesn't come apart from the stand and it is too heavy for me to lift.

We just scoop excess ash out. We don’t bother washing the grill - any nasties will be incinerated anyway.

In ours you turn the bit at the bottom, where you let the air in to adjust the temperature, and the ash falls out the bottom into a tray/bucket.