BRITS’ BBQ BLUNDERS REVEALED – AND THEY COULD BE MAKING YOU SICK, WARNS EXPERT

BRITS’ BBQ BLUNDERS REVEALED – AND THEY COULD BE MAKING YOU SICK, WARNS EXPERT

Nearly a third admit to risky BBQ habits – and 1 in 10 never clean their grill

As BBQ season gets underway, new research from Oven Pride reveals just how grubby Britain’s grills really are – and it’s not a pretty picture.

A poll of 2,000 UK adults found that nearly 1 in 5 (19.6%) admit to not cleaning their BBQ grill after every use, and even more worryingly around 1 in 10 (8.4%) never clean it at all. Meanwhile, 15% wrongly believe that “flames kill bacteria” all over a BBQ grill and more than 11% admit to putting food back on the grill after dropping it.

To bust these dangerous myths, Oven Pride has partnered with Professor Chris Elliott, one of the UK’s top food safety experts and founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast.

“A dirty grill is not a badge of honour or something to joke about – it could be a serious health risk,” says Professor Elliott.
“The black deposits people think ‘add flavour’ are actually a mix of burnt food, grease and harmful chemical residues. They not only spoil the taste of your food but could also make you ill.”

SICKENING STATS: THE GRIMY TRUTH BEHIND BRITISH BBQS

• 31% don’t check the internal temperature of BBQ meat.
• 23.5% just scrape the grill – skipping a proper clean.
• 14.8% don’t cover food to keep insects off.
• 13.6% admit to leaving cooked food out in the open.
• 6.7% say they’ve had food poisoning from a BBQ.

“The belief that fire sterilises everything on a grill is a dangerous myth,” says Professor Elliott.
“Some bacteria – like E. coli or Salmonella – can survive on cooking surfaces if not cleaned properly. Worse still, grease build-up can cause flare-ups that burn your food or even start a fire.” Backed by real stats and expert advice, Oven Pride’s ’Grill with Pride’ campaign aims to clean up the UK’s BBQ game – literally.

“With BBQs, the best flavour comes from the smoke, the heat, and the food – not last week’s leftover burgers and bacon,” adds Professor Elliott.

Oven Pride makes BBQ cleaning effortless with its powerful no-scrub formula that cuts through grease and burnt-on grime – giving you a sparkling grill, without the stress.

“Cleaning your grill is the simplest way to ensure a safe, tasty summer – and as a bonus, you’ll also avoid inviting pests into your garden,” says Professor Elliott. “Your barbecue comes into direct contact with food, just like your oven or frying pan. It deserves the same level of cleanliness.”

PROFESSOR ELLIOTT’S TOP TIPS FOR A SAFER SUMMER BBQ

• Clean it just like any other kitchen utensil – “You wouldn’t fry an egg in a dirty pan, so don’t cook your burgers on a filthy grill.”
• Don’t trust the flames – “High heat doesn’t guarantee a clean surface. Bacteria can survive in cold spots or hidden grease.”
• Don’t consume PAHs – “Burnt residue can release very nasty chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to cancer when ingested regularly.”
• Use safe cleaning products – “Avoid wire brushes that shed bristles. Instead, use effective degreasers like Oven Pride – they’re designed to tackle the grime safely.”

TOP 10 BBQ MYTHS BRITS STILL BELIEVE – WITH STATS

• Flames kill all bacteria – 15% believe this myth
• You don’t need to clean the grill if you preheat it – Implied by 23.5% who only scrape their grill clean
• Char adds smoky flavour – Many confuse burnt carbon with flavour, which is actually tastes very bitter
• You can just “burn it off next time” – 19.6% don’t clean their grill after each use
• You only need to clean once a year – 8.4% have never cleaned their BBQ
• Smoke “sterilises” the grill – False assumption tied to lack of cleaning habits
• Reusing dirty utensils is fine – 11.4% do it
• Dirty grills “season” food – Culturally common but scientifically incorrect
• Dropped food is safe if cooked again – 11.6% admit to this
• No need to check meat temperature – 31% skip this crucial step

TOP 10 BBQ CLEANING BLUNDERS – WITH STATS

• Not checking meat temperature – 31%
• Only scraping the grill, not cleaning it – 23.5%
• Not cleaning grill after each use – 19.6%
• Believing flames sanitize the grill – 15%
• Not covering food from insects – 14.8%
• Leaving cooked food exposed – 13.6%
• Reusing tools and plates between raw and cooked food – 11.4%
• Never cleaning the grill – 8.4%
• Using dirty brushes/tools – 4.3%
• Not thawing frozen meat properly – 5.1%

BBQ CLEANING MYTHS – DEBUNKED BY PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

1. Onions don’t double as disinfectant. “It might smell nice and sizzle impressively on the grill, but
rubbing an onion won’t shift baked-on grease or eliminate bacteria. You’re seasoning the problem, not solving it.”

2. Lemons belong in your drink – not your deep clean. “Yes, lemon is acidic. No, it’s not powerful enough to cut through greasy buildup or kill harmful bacteria. A splash of citrus won’t scrub your BBQ.”

3. Beer and cola are for guests, not grill scrubbing. “Pouring sugary drinks on your BBQ doesn’t clean – it creates a sticky mess. The sugar can caramelise and attract pests such as wasps and ants. It’s a recipe for a sticky, bug-filled disaster.”

4. Flames help, but they don’t do it all. “Grills don’t heat evenly – there are cold spots and areas the flames never reach. So while high heat can burn off some residue, grease and bacteria often remain lurking in the cooler corners.”

5. That ‘authentic BBQ flavour’ might be burnt fat. “What some call flavour is often just charred carbon and rancid grease. It’s not smoky magic – it’s a potential health risk. Hygiene first, flavour later.”

GRILL SAFE, GRILL SMART – WITH OVEN PRIDE

Oven Pride makes BBQ cleaning effortless with a complete range of products designed for both regular maintenance and deep-cleaning power.

Oven Pride Degreasing Spray:

This fast-acting degreasing spray is ideal for daily BBQ wipe-downs, helping to prevent stubborn grease and food buildup on BBQ lids, grill trays, and utensils. Originally formulated for ovens and kitchen appliances, it’s also perfectly suited to outdoor cooking areas, including side shelves, tongs, and prep surfaces.

The spray contains malodour-blocking technology to help eliminate lingering smells that may attract unwanted garden pests such as wasps, ants, mice and foxes—a common issue when leftover food or grease is left outdoors.

Oven Pride Cleaning Kit:

For more intensive cleaning, the Oven Pride Cleaning Kit offers a deep-cleaning solution perfect for restoring BBQ grill racks. Simply place the grates in the included cleaning bag with the solution and leave to soak—no scrubbing required. The powerful formula breaks down burnt-on carbon and grease, reviving your grill for the next cookout.