A CLEANING expert has revealed the 12p item everyone has in their kitchen which is perfect for cleaning your BBQ.
With summer on the horizon, thoughts will soon turn to warmer weather and long balmy nights spent around the barbecue.
But cleaning the barbie afterwards can fill many with dread with over a third of Brits confessing to a dirty barbecue.
That's why home and garden furniture experts, VonHaus, have revealed the handy DIY tip to homeowners to keep your grill squeaky clean.
There's no need to fret though as effective cleaning techniques don't have to break the bank.
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And it could cost as little as 12p to clean your BBQ with a common household ingredient.
Liam Glennon, senior outdoor leisure buyer at VonHaus explains: “One novel, natural solution to lingering grime is to clean the bars with an onion.
“Lightly turn up the temperature and attach half an onion to a fork to create a makeshift handle.
"Rub gently over the hot grill so the onion's water naturally leaks across the BBQ—its antibacterial properties will remove any impurities.
“What’s more, unlike many chemical-laden cleaners, it’s safe for food preparation."
At 12p a pop, cleaning hacks don’t come much quicker than this.
Liam was also quick to detail some other tips for cleaning your BBQ which are also very affordable.
Though homeowners, may be stunned, a refreshing pint could go a long way in cleaning your barbie.
Beer isn’t just for sipping on during those balmy summer evenings as its natural acidity can help cut through grease.
Meanwhile its carbonation will help dislodge any stuck-on food particles.
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Simply rev up your BBQ to a medium temperature and pour a can of beer over the warmed grates, advises Liam.
Let it settle for a few minutes before scrubbing off with a grill brush to leave your surfaces sparkling.
Liam adds: "Any old can of beer will do. No need to waste the good stuff on cleaning duty."
BBQ aficionados can also use the commonly found baking soda to clean their grill as it possesses remarkable cleaning properties.
Simply mix it with a bit of water to form a paste, then apply it to the grates with a brush or sponge.
Let it sit for a few minutes to work its magic, then scrub away the dirt and rinse with water.
Last but not least, tin foil could also be a life-saver when cleaning your BBQ on the cheap.
For those hard-to-reach spots, a little aluminium foil can work wonders.
Crumple up a sheet of foil into a ball, then use it to scrub away stubborn residue on the grates, says Liam.
The abrasive texture of the foil will help loosen dirt and grime while its flexibility allows it to adapt to the contours of your grill.
Liam added: "Plus it's cheap, disposable and eco-friendly making it a win-win for both your BBQ and the planet."
This comes as another cleaning whizz revealed how vegetable oil is great for stopping your BBQ from getting rusty after repeated uses.
Washing up liquid should still be used after cooking, but then rinse and dry before rubbing oil across the grill.
