Why Is My Grill Showing a White Residue?

Food Residues

• Food is the primary cause of white residue on a grill. Bits of meat—particularly chicken and other white meats—stick to the grill’s surface as you cook and are left behind when the food is done and removed. You can use a wire barbecue brush to remove these particles, or, if you don’t have a brush, use a balled-up piece of aluminum foil to scrape the residue off the grill. Always clean your grill when it is completely cool.

Grease Residues

• Grease is another thing that causes white residue on grills. Grease naturally comes out of meats when you cook them, and some of it sticks, usually with food, to the grill surface. Like food, grease should be removed when the grill is cool. Remove the grill top from the grill and use a degreasing cleanser to get off stubborn grease spots.

Fire Extinguisher Residue

• If you’ve ever had to use a fire extinguisher on your grill, you’ll notice a chalk-like white residue when the fire is out and the grill is cool. This is left over from the chemicals in the fire extinguisher, usually a mixture of baking soda and other elements. To get this off your grill, remove it and soak it in degreaser for about 30 minutes, then scrub with a wire brush and a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Rinse thoroughly until all of the residue is gone.

Metal Fatigue and Failure

• White residue on grills can also be an indication that the metal of the grill is failing and flaking apart. If the buildup seems to be peeling from the metal itself, or appears to be metallic, it’s time to replace the grilling surface.