How to Clean George Foreman Grill Plates, Drip Trays and Panini Presses

Knowing how to clean George Foreman grill plates the right way keeps the non-stick plates working for years. The grill sits on the counter in plenty of Dublin flats as a quick way to cook without heating the oven. This guide follows the manufacturer’s care guidance and covers removable plates, fixed plates and panini presses.

What should you do before cleaning a George Foreman grill?

Unplug the grill and let it cool completely before you touch the plates. The George Foreman GRP95 manual says to unplug the appliance before cleaning and to allow it to cool before taking parts on or off. A warm grill is fine for fixed plates, but never a hot one.

The manual also warns never to immerse the cord, plug or grill body in water or any other liquid. That rules out putting a fixed-plate grill in the sink. Work on a dry counter with a towel under the front edge to catch drips.

How to clean a George Foreman grill, step by step

The routine is the same after every use: empty the tray, clean the plates, wipe the outside and dry everything. It takes a few minutes if you do it the same day. Grease left overnight hardens and takes far longer to shift.

1. Unplug the grill and leave it until cool or barely warm.
2. Slide out the drip tray, empty the fat into the bin, then wash the tray in warm soapy water and dry it.
3. Removable plates: press the release handles, lift the plates out and wash them in hot soapy water or the dishwasher.
4. Fixed plates: lay two sheets of damp kitchen paper on the bottom plate, close the lid for three minutes, then wipe.
5. Wipe the outside with a warm, wet sponge and dry with a soft cloth.
6. Dry the plates fully before refitting them or closing the lid.

The manual says to hold the lid open by hand while cleaning, so it does not drop on your fingers. Use a heatproof plastic, nylon or wooden scraper for stuck bits, never metal.

If the grill is greasy, the oven usually is too. A full oven cleaning service in Dublin starts at €75 for a single oven, which takes the worst carbonised job off your list.

What can you use on a George Foreman grill?

Use warm water, washing-up liquid, a soft sponge, kitchen paper and a plastic or wooden scraper. That kit removes nearly all grease from non-stick plates. Stronger products do not clean faster, and most of them shorten the life of the coating.

The aerosol point surprises people. George Foreman’s manual says the chemicals that push spray out of the can build up on the plates and reduce their efficiency. Brush a little oil on with kitchen paper instead.

How do you remove burnt-on grease from grill plates?

Soften burnt grease with heat and moisture, then lift it with a soft tool. For removable plates, soak them in hot soapy water for 20 to 30 minutes. For fixed plates, use the damp kitchen paper method twice. Scrubbing hard with metal only scratches the coating.

A paste of bicarbonate of soda and a little water helps on stubborn brown marks. Tefal, which makes non-stick cookware, recommends sticking to bicarbonate of soda pastes and a soft sponge on non-stick rather than salt or scouring pads. Leave the paste on for 10 minutes, wipe and rinse.

If the coating is already peeling, cleaning will not fix it. Food will stick more and flakes can end up in food. Removable plates can often be replaced; for fixed-plate models the grill itself is due for replacement.

How do you clean a panini press or skillet grill?

A panini press or contact grill cleans the same way as a George Foreman. Unplug it, let it cool, brush out crumbs, then wipe the plates with a damp soapy cloth. The ridges trap melted cheese, so work along them with a soft brush before the cheese sets hard.

For a stovetop skillet grill, the material decides the method. Non-stick versions follow the same soft-sponge rule. Cast iron skillet grills need hot water and a stiff brush, then drying on the hob and a thin coat of oil. The burnt saucepan guide covers each cookware material in more detail.

What mistakes ruin a George Foreman grill?

Most damaged grills come from three habits: cleaning with metal, putting the base in water and leaving grease for days. Each one either scratches the coating or risks the electrics. Avoiding them costs nothing and keeps the plates working for far longer.

• Scraping plates with a metal knife, fork or spatula.
• Using steel wool, scouring pads or abrasive cream.
• Rinsing a fixed-plate grill under the tap or dunking it in the sink.
• Cleaning while the grill is still plugged in.
• Spraying aerosol oil onto the plates.
• Refitting removable plates while they are still wet.

How do you keep a George Foreman grill clean between uses?

Wipe the plates while the grill is still warm but unplugged, and empty the drip tray every time. That two-minute habit stops grease from baking on. Store the grill closed, with a sheet of kitchen paper between the plates to catch dust and absorb leftover oil.

Line the drip tray with a square of kitchen paper if your model allows space, and clean the counter underneath where fat drips. For kitchens where grease has built up across the hob, extractor and oven, a professional clean resets the whole room at once and makes these small habits easier to keep.