take the air into any commercial-grade kitchen or backyard BBQ setup , and you ’re likely to spot a raunchy look tan brick near the grill . This on the face of it retiring item is in reality one of the hardest working kitchen tools around . But what exactly is a grill brick made of and why is it a grill master ’s secret weapon ?
In this article , we ’ll explore the authorship and benefits of the versatile grill brick . We ’ll demystify what give this innocent - looking block its potent grime - busting power . Read on to learn why grill brick should be a basic in every grilling tool kit .
A grill brick also sometimes send for a griddle brick is a heavy - obligation cleansing tool plan specifically for grease - busting powerfulness on cooking surfaces . This includes grills , griddle , broilers , and planchas .
Grill bricks typically valuate around 3.5 x 4 x 8 inches and look exchangeable to old , weathered bricks . But they are specially engineered with unique properties that make them idealistic for commercial kitchen cleansing .
Key features that fix grill brick apart :
have ’s look closer at what gives the humble grillwork brick its cleanup major power .
Grill Brick Composition and Material Properties
Grill brick are manufactured from a specialized eccentric of volcanic John Rock called pumice stone . pumice stone forms from lava that is eject and cooled so quickly that it becomes filled with air bubbles and holes . This gives pumice an passing holey , lightweight structure .
However , grill bricks are made from a compressed version of pumice that has had the hole and pore fill in . This make the pumice into a much denser , heavy , and non - absorbent material perfect for cleansing applications .
Here are the cardinal properties of compress pumice grill bricks :
This compounding of forcible trait give grill bricks their cleaning versatility and staying tycoon in hot commercial kitchens .
How Do Grill Bricks Clean So Effectively?
Pumice is a volcanic rock that kind when gassy molten lava rapidly cools . The abrupt cooling traps billions of gas bubbles indoors , impart an extremely porous and lightweight stone .
For grill brick manufacturing , pumice is grind down and mixed with a binder . It is then compressed under intense insistence to annihilate the petite hole and fill in the porous gap , making it non - absorbent .
The condensation also make the pumice stone denser and harder . But it retains just enough abrasiveness to gently scrub aerofoil clean without cause scratches or damage .
When using a grill brick , its rough texture works like all right sandpaper to light abrade off charred food residues and cooked - on grease . The rubbing from call off unite with the mild abrasion force absent layers of soil without harming the underlie grillroom or griddle .
The durability of the compressed pumice permit each grill brick to be used repeatedly over many cleaning . It will slowly wear out down over time until it finally requires replacement after several month of heavy use .
The Advantages of Using Grill Bricks for Cleaning
Restaurant griddles and grills take a major whacking every daytime from lubricating oil , oil , and burned nutrient rubble . Leftover char can add unpleasant flavors and odors . Commercial kitchen bank on grill brick for fast , effective cleanup without damage . Here are the top advantages of using grill bricks :
Powerful Abrasion – The rough texture of pumice safely scours off unregenerate residue without scratching metallic element or other aerofoil . No other scouring tool put to work as promptly and efficiently .
Heat Resistance – Pumice can withstand temperatures up to 1200 ° F , making it ideal for cleaning exceedingly red-hot grill grating , planchas , and broilers .
Chemical - Free Cleaning – Grill brick check zero abrasive or toxic chemicals that can contaminate nutrient or release hazardous fumes at high temperature . They are FDA - approved for safe use around food .
flying and Easy – Just scrubbing with a lactating grill brick speedily clean dirty grillwork grates in minutes with no other tools or cleaners need .
recyclable – A single grillwork brick can be used for months of repetitive cleanings before needing refilling , providing majuscule value .
Biodegradable – pumice stone is an all - natural volcanic rock . Used grill bricks are safe to discard with normal trash once amply expended .
With these advantages , it ’s clean why grill brick have been the MVP of commercial-grade grill cleaning for 10 .
Best Practices for Using Grill Bricks
While grill brick are unsubdivided to use , following some best practices will produce the best cleanup results :
earmark grill to cool – red-hot grills can cursorily dry out and wear down bricks . Wait for temperature under 200 ° F .
fag out gloves – Protect hands from heat and abrasions when scrub .
Wet brick before use – Dampen brick thoroughly to prevent excess dusting while scrubbing .
go for insistence – Firm force per unit area enhances cleaning but countenance up on worn bricks to prolong use .
rinsing after use – lap off food for thought and grease residue after cleaning is complete .
Air dry bricks – Always hive away grill bricks in a unobjectionable , dry positioning to prevent pollution .
tick off condition – Inspect grill bricks periodically and supersede if too worn or falling aside .
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Grill Brick
With heavy use , grill bricks will finally wear down and require alternate . Watch for these signs it ’s clock time to cast out your grill brick :
overleap chunks or large cracks , holes , and indentations
Brick is paper - thin or has broken into several pieces
Residues remain on grillroom after scrubbing
increase lubricating oil absorption or odors
Cleaning performance drops substantially
Excess black rubble is create when scrubbing
Ideally , commercial grill brick should be replaced every 2 - 6 month with modal usage . Household grill bricks may last over a year with minimal broil . Keep unembellished bricks on hand to maintain cleaning performance .
Alternative Uses for Grill Bricks
Do n’t toss out old grill brick just yet ! Here are some substitute uses :
Scrub pots , pans , baking sheets , and oven single-foot
Remove stuck food from utensil , dishes , and countertop
neat tile floors and bathroom surface
Erase crayon , marker , or scuff Mark from walls
Remove rust from metal shaft , grates , and equipment
The modest abrasion of pumice makes grill brick handy for clean jobs all over base and commercial kitchens . Get the most out of every brick !
Frequently Asked Questions About Grill Bricks
Some uncouth question about grill brick composition , usage , and forethought admit :
Are grill brick reclaimable ?
Yes , grill brick are recyclable for many cleanings over months . They lento wear down with use but one brick can clean many time before replacement is needed .
Do you require to clean grillwork bricks ?
Just a rinse after using is sufficient . Ensure no intellectual nourishment or grease residue remain before stash away or the brick may take in odor . Proper storehouse keeps brick white for the next usance .
How often should commercial-grade grille bricks be replaced ?
With frequent professional use , grill bricks typically need substitution every 2 - 6 month . sporadically assure condition and supervene upon brick that are worn , cracked excessively , or cleaning poorly .
Can grill bricks be used on ceramic grills ?
No , grill bricks should not be used on ceramic cookery aerofoil . The abrasive pumice can scratch up and damage the ceramic . Use a non - harsh cleaning pad instead .
What temperature can grill bricks withstand ?
The pumice stone textile can resist temperatures up to 1200 ° F . However , brick tend to wear down quicker when used on extremely live grillwork . Wait for grills to cool below 200 ° F before scrubbing .
Keep Grills Sparking Clean with the Power of Pumice
From grime - encrusted backyard grills to blackened commercial broiler , the humble grill brick keeps cooking surfaces pristine . Made from volcanic pumice stone , grill bricks are peculiarly engineered to provide fast , effective cleaning without any damage . Their abrasive yet gentle scrubbing business leader and eminent rut resistivity make grill bricks a must - have for any grill original . Keep a supernumerary brick handy for grill cleaning made easy !
