Who doesn’t love the smoky flavor of a hibachi-style dinner? But it takes some work to keep your hibachi grill in tip-top condition. After all, a clean grill is a safe and sanitary one.
If your hibachi has been around for a while, chances are it’s seen better days. But that doesn’t mean you have to toss it away and start over. With the right technique, you can restore your grill to its former glory in no time. In this article, I’ll show you how to clean a hibachi grill the right way—and fast!
We’ll cover everything from cleaning techniques to maintenance tips so that you can maximize the lifespan of your beloved hibachi and enjoy many more unforgettable meals in the future.
Gather the Cleaning Tools and Supplies
When’s the last time you deep-cleaned your hibachi grill? Like any other kitchen appliance, it needs regular maintenance to keep it hygienic, safe and functioning properly. Luckily, cleaning a hibachi grill isn’t too difficult—all you need is the right tools and supplies.
Here’s what you need to get started:
- Bristled grill brush
- Metal or plastic scraper
- Bucket or bowl for soaking parts
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Paper towels
- Mineral oil (if desired)
Once you have your cleaning kit ready, you can begin cleaning your hibachi grill.
Clean Off the Food Residue
Now that the hibachi grill is cool, it’s time to clean off the food residue. This will require some elbow grease, but don’t worry—it’s easy! Let’s start by scooping up all the ash and wiping away any grease with paper towels.
Next, use a plastic or nylon brush to scrub off any burned-on food and grime that was left behind. Scrub in circular motions across the entire grill surface—including all four sides of the top grate, and around each bottom vent—to get rid of all that stuck-on stuff.
Once you finish scrubbing, switch over to a damp cloth (or a wet sponge, if you prefer) and give it another pass so that no grime is left in its wake. For tough stains and rust spots, vinegar can help break down rusty metal more quickly and effectively. Focus special attention on those areas when cleaning hibachi grills with this method.
Remove the Grill Top and Clean It
Are you ready to clean your hibachi grill? Let’s start by removing the grill top. This can easily be done with a flat head screwdriver, as long as you’re gentle. There should be two screws in the corners of the grill top that will need to be unscrewed. Once it’s off, give the inside of the grill top a light brushing with a wire brush and then use a damp cloth or paper towels to wipe away any remaining residue.
If there are any tough spots, use baking soda and water to create a paste and carefully apply it to the affected areas. Let this sit for a few minutes, then scrub again with your wire brush before wiping it away.
Finally, you can use oil to season your grill top so food won’t stick when you go to cook next time. To do this, simply wet a kitchen towel with oil and lightly rub it around the inside of the grill top until it is completely coated.
Clean the Hibachi Grill Grates
Your hibachi grates are likely the most essential part of your hibachi grill. They are what hold the flame and transfer heat to the food. Cleaning them is not as hard as you may think—it just takes a few simple steps.
First, remove the hibachi grates from the grill, and brush them off with a hard-bristled grill brush while they are still hot. Be sure to brush in circular motions to get rid of any debris or food particles that may have gotten stuck.
If you find that there is still some buildup on the grates after brushing, you can use soap and hot water with a non-abrasive sponge in order to gently remove it. Be sure to rinse the grates off with warm, clear water after you have finished scrubbing them down.
Finally, if you want your grates to come out extra clean, you can season them by coating them with cooking oil before heat is applied again for cooking. This will help keep your grates looking shiny and new for longer!
How to Season a Hibachi Grill
Now that you know how to clean a hibachi grill, you should also know how to season it. Seasoning your grill every few uses will not only improve flavor and ensure your food isn’t being cooked in oils that have been there since the last time you used it, but will also help prevent rust and make it easier to clean in the future.
Here’s how to season your hibachi grill:
- Preheat your grill for 10–15 minutes at medium-high heat
- Once preheated, let it cool down until safe to touch (do not use water to cool down)
- Rub a generous amount of vegetable or canola oil on the cooking surface using a lint-free cloth or paper towels
- Spread out the oil evenly across the entire surface
- Let excess oil drip off into the firebox
- Return grate back onto hibachi
- Turn heat up again for 10-15 minutes, allowing oil to set into the grates and burn off any remaining residue
- Let cool before using again
How to Extend the Life of Your Hibachi Grill
Regular cleaning and maintenance are key if you want to make your hibachi grill last longer. Thankfully, it’s easy to do, and if you take the time for a couple of extra steps, you’ll be able to keep it looking as good as new. Here are some tips on how you can extend the lifespan of your hibachi grill:
Clean after each use
It’s really important that you clean your hibachi grill after each use. This will help prevent buildup of grease and grime, both on the cooking surface and on the outside of the grill. After each use, make sure to wipe down the cooking grates with an aluminum foil ball or a damp cloth.
Prevent Rust
To prevent rust from forming on your hibachi grill, make sure to give it a coat of oil after each scrubbing and every few uses. You can also cover your grill when not in use to protect it from moisture.
Check for Damage
It’s also important to regularly check for damage on your hibachi grill—from dings or scratches that cause rusting, to shifting of the legs that can cause uneven cooking and difficulty in cleaning up spills. If you catch any of these issues early, you can take care of them before they become bigger problems.
Turn off the grill and let it cool
Now that you have removed the grates and have your ingredients for scrubbing, it’s time to turn off the hibachi grill and let it cool. If you’ve been using it on high temps, give it at least 15 minutes to cool down.
Once it has cooled down, use a damp towel or paper towel to wipe away any remaining residue. Don’t forget to clean inside the hood of the grill as well as outside and find any burning embers that are still left.
Make sure to also give the grates extra attention when cleaning as they tend to collect more dirt than other parts of the grill. Scrub them with a wire brush and an all-purpose cleaner or dish soap and warm water.
After scrubbing, you can dry them by wiping them off with a dry cloth or spraying them with cooking oil and wiping off any excess oil with a paper towel. This will help keep them from sticking if and when you have to use your hibachi again for cooking food—the last thing you want is for your food to stick!
Take the hibachi grill outside
The next step in cleaning your hibachi grill is to take it outside, where there’s plenty of room for you to work. Make sure you’re outside and away from any buildings, so that you don’t risk burning them.
Once the grill is outside, the next step is to remove all of the removable parts — like the grates — and place them in a big bucket of warm soapy water. If there are stubborn foods caked on to the grates, try using a stiff brush or a steel wool pad to loosen them.
When everything has been removed and soaked, you can then begin spraying down the interior and exterior of the hibachi with either a gentle dish soap solution or an all-purpose cleaner. When spraying down, make sure that every single part gets hit with some suds — including those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies!
Finally, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the entire surface area of your hibachi with clean water.
Scrub the grill with a wire brush
Now that you’ve removed all the big chunks, it’s time to tackle the tougher stuff. Before starting, make sure to put on gloves for protection and wear a face mask if necessary.
Grab your wire brush and get to work scrubbing the grill with it. You’ll want to get into all those hard-to-reach corners and crevices that were hiding beneath the debris. The wire bristles should help remove anything that’s stuck or caked on so you can get a nice, clean surface.
If any areas are extra tough to clean, you may need to use some elbow grease and a bit of strength. You can also dampen a cleaning cloth in warm water and baking soda before wiping down the grates, then use the brush again with more force if needed.
Once you’re confident everything is in tip-top condition and no dirt or ash remains, you can move on to the next step!
Rinse the grill with a hose
Finally, after you’ve thoroughly scrubbed your hibachi grill, it’s time to rinse away all the leftover residue. Turn on your hose and spray down the grill really well, making sure to get all those nooks and crannies. You don’t want any dirt particles left behind — you want the surface of your grill to be as pristine as possible!
If you have a particularly large or dirty hibachi grill, you may want to invest in a pressure washer, which can help you get into those hard-to-reach places much quicker and more easily. That said, using a hose is an effective way to give your grill a good rinse.
If you’ve still got some residue that just won’t budge when cleaning with water alone, go ahead and give it one more scrub with a cloth dampened with white vinegar. The highly acidic solution helps loosen dirt and break down any grease that may be lingering on the surface.
Once you’re done rinsing your hibachi grill, use an old cloth or paper towels to dry off any excess moisture. If you plan on cooking again soon after cleaning, consider leaving the lid off until any remaining water evaporates fully — no one likes soggy food!
Dry the grill with a clean towel
You’ve done the hard work and your hibachi grill is now sparkling clean. Now it’s time to dry it off.
Take a clean towel—a paper or cloth one will do—and wipe away any remaining moisture on the surface. Make sure you focus on hard-to-reach areas like around the vents and between the grates. You don’t want any food debris or bacteria lingering around.
It’s important to take this step seriously, as leaving moisture behind can lead to rust forming on your hibachi grill over time; rust not only looks unsightly, but it can also be harmful if you cook with it, as it can easily flake off and get mixed in with the food.
Once you know that the grill is totally dry, you can put it away for later use.
Apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the grill
Your next step is to apply a thin layer of cooking oil to your hibachi grill. This helps prevent any food residue from sticking to the surface and making it difficult to clean. You can use a variety of oils including vegetable, olive, coconut or avocado oil. Just make sure you use a paper towel or brush to spread the oil evenly across the surface.
It’s also important to reapply cooking oil after each use so the surface is smooth and ready for your next barbeque session. Don’t forget to check the hibachi grill’s temperature before you start cleaning it – if it’s still hot, wait for it cool down before continuing!
Put the hibachi grill away
And that’s it! You have now successfully cleaned your hibachi grill. Now it’s time to put it away.
First, make sure it’s cool before moving it. Once it’s cooled down, you can wrap the grill with a cloth and place it in a covered area or storage unit. This will help keep dust and debris off the grill and keep your grilling space neat and orderly.
You should also check your hibachi on a regular basis to make sure it’s in good working order. Regularly clean the inside of the hibachi—generally once every two months—by removing any buildup of ash, fat or grease that may have accumulated over time. This will help extend the life of your hibachi by preventing rust or other corrosion from occurring on its surface or inside the body of the grill.
Conclusion
Taking the time to clean a hibachi grill properly really pays off. Not only does it prevent build-up that could affect taste, it also helps preserve the life of your grill and keeps it looking great for longer.
By following these simple steps you can keep your hibachi grill in top condition. It’s easy to do, and if done regularly, will only take a few minutes. And for a perfect finish, remember to season your grill every time you use it, as this will help it cook food evenly, keep it non-stick and prevent rusting.
