Cleaning raclette: With these tips you can get the device perfectly clean!

Just like Christmas cookies, eating raclette is simply a must for us at Christmas or New Year's Eve. But after feasting, the question also comes – how to clean raclette? How do you get the stone plates and pans really clean?

Foto: shutterstock/Phovoir

A long and cozy round of raclette has become a real tradition during the holidays for many groups of friends and families. But the enjoyment also has disadvantages and the apartment smells of grease for days afterwards. If you don't know exactly how to do it correctly, cleaning the raclette machine can be particularly tedious. After all, that's what we're here for and we're about to give you the best tips on how you can quickly and easily get your raclette clean again.

Cleaning raclette: How to do it right

With itthe raclette food always tastes good, you should know how to clean the device properly. The most important thing is the correct order and before you start cleaning, everything should be completely unplugged and cooled down. Next, remove any coarse dirt on the top with kitchen paper and remove the grill plate.

How do you get the raclette stone plate clean?

Photo: envatoelements/NataliaRuedisueli

How you clean the raclette depends on the material, otherwise it can be severely damaged. Is it a grill plate made of natural stone or?with non-stick coating?

  • To get the raclette stone plate clean, you should never soak it in water or put it in the dishwasher. If the water supply is too high, the stone becomes full of water and becomes unusable over time.
  • Use may cause discoloration of the stone slab and this is completely normal - so do not attempt to scrape or scrub this away.
  • Sharp and pointed objects such as knives damage the surface and are therefore not suitable for cleaning the stone plate from the raclette.
  • To remove stubborn stains, briefly soak the burnt-in stone slab with detergent foam and then wipe gently with a sponge.
  • The best way to clean the stone plate of the raclette is with a little dish soap and a damp sponge.

How to clean grill plates with non-stick coating?

Photo: shutterstock/Jannissimo

You should also be very careful when cleaning grill plates with Teflon or other non-stick coatings.

  • To avoid damaging the non-stick coating, never scratch any encrustations or grease residue with sharp objects. Steel wool or the rough side of dishwashing sponges can also scratch and severely damage the coating.
  • Burnt-in residue from grill plates with a non-stick coating is best removed very carefully with a wooden spatula.
  • Scouring milk and other cleaning agents with small abrasive particles are also not suitable for non-stick grill plates.
  • While the grill plate is still warm, you can remove any remaining grease with kitchen paper or a heat-resistant silicone spatula.
  • On some models you can easily clean the grill plates in the dishwasher. If this is not the case, soak them in soapy water and remove any remaining dirt with a soft sponge or cloth.

How do you get the raclette pans clean?

Foto: shutterstock/Michael Ebardt

Unfortunately, the small pans where all the magic happens carry the most dirt with them and should therefore be cleaned thoroughly. Burnt-in items and residue burn into the material over time and make the raclette completely unusable. And we don't want that, do we? Fortunately, the raclette pans are easy to clean. First remove any incrustations with a wooden spatula and soak the pans in hot water for about 1 hour. If the dish is too dirty, add a little more detergent. You can then remove the remaining dirt with a soft sponge or clean the pans directly in the dishwasher.

Clean the raclette heating coil

In order to clean the raclette and get it completely clean, you should also pay attention to the other parts and of course this includes the heating coil. Especially if the pans are loaded too high, cheese often gets stuck on the heating coil. Please note, however, that it must not come into contact with water. The best way to remove cheese residue is with a degreasing spray and some kitchen paper. Very important - before you start cleaning, make sure that the raclette is switched off and completely cooled down. If the incrustations are too severe, a mixture of oven spray, degreaser, baking powder and a little water will help. Remove food residue in the gaps with a damp cloth.

How often do you clean your raclette grill?

Foto: shutterstock/Bernd Juergens

Grease residue is unhygienic and can cause serious damage to the material in the long term. We would therefore recommend that you clean the raclette thoroughly after each use. If there are still leftover food the next time you use it, it will have a negative effect on the taste and can ruin our entire meal. To prevent the fat residue from settling so quickly, you can lightly brush the raclette with oil before using it. However, this method is only suitable for grill plates with a non-stick coating.