Cleaning expert reveals 80p Sainsbury's buy to get BBQ sparkling for summer – plus common error that poses hygiene risk

The Sun

08-06-2025

A CLEANING expert has revealed a 80p hack to make sure your garden is sparkling all summer long.
Now that summer is finally upon us, and with temperatures set to ramp up again next week, many of us are likely making plans to have friends and family over for BBQs.
And although barbecuing is an easy way to make a delicious dinner, it can be tricky to get grills clean afterwards.
Dirty barbecues interfere with the quality of food, and don't make a great impression when you have guests.
However, experts at HG have revealed some super cheap hacks to get them gleaming again.
Lemon Juice
The experts revealed that one budget friendly hack you can use to get your grill shining, is to use lemon juice.
"Tackle tough BBQ grime by spraying lemon juice and water on the grill", they said.
Lemon juice is super cheap, and you can pick some up from Sainsbury's for just 80p.
If your BBQ is extra greasy, the experts recommend using another budget staple too - an onion.
"For extra cleaning power, rub a hot grill with half a raw onion – the natural acids help lift off grease and food residue", they said.
Aluminium Foil
Another budget-friendly hack the experts recommend is to use aluminium foil.
"Crumple a piece of aluminium foil into a ball and rub it over the grill to remove stubborn burnt-on bits," the experts said.
My DIY BBQ station transformed my yard & my meat – it only cost $100 & makes better ribs than my metal smoker ever did
"Follow with a quick brush to finish the job."
Foil is another super cheap hack, and can be picked up from the supermarket for as little as £1.
Grass
If you're looking for a hack that's extra purse-friendly, using grass won't cost you a penny.
"Place a cooled BBQ grill on the lawn overnight – the dew helps loosen debris for an easy wipe-down", the experts explained.
Government advice on BBQ safety
The UK Government have issued some guidelines for staying safe whilst using a barbecue:
Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.
Follow the safety instructions provided with your gas, charcoal, or disposable barbecue.
Never use a barbecue indoors, in a tent, under an awning or in a caravan.
Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more (normally around 5cms or 2 inches).
Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area.
After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.
Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they're hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.
Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste.
In the countryside or public park areas, only use disposable barbecues where there are specially designated areas and carefully follow the safety guidance.
Enjoy yourself, but don't drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.
Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue; use only recognised lighters or starter fuels on cold coals.
"No grass? Wrap it in a damp newspaper instead.
"Suitable for aluminium and stainless steel grills only."
BBQ warning
However, the cleaning experts revealed that there's one common cleaning hack that BBQ lovers should avoid.
They revealed that it is a common myth that turning on the grill and burning off residue makes the BBQ clean.
'There is a misconception that high heat creates a clean cooking environment, but the truth is that it doesn't thoroughly clean your BBQ" they said.
"Lingering grime can seriously impact both flavour and hygiene."