Americans say an easy clean up is one of the most pleasurable parts of grilling food outdoors. In fact, in a recent survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) a majority (70 percent) responded that the they find "a lot" of pleasure in having few or no pots and pans to clean up when grilling as opposed to indoor cooking.

To ensure that outdoor grilling clean-up is even easier, HPBA offers the following tips:

•  • BEFORE lighting the grill, apply non-stick spray on the grates. The protective spray cuts down the clean-up time afterwards.
•  • For charcoal grills, line the bowl with aluminum foil. After grilling, and once the grill and coals are cool, simply discard the foil with the coals and ash, then wash and reline with foil for next time.
•  • Use a wire brush or even crumbled aluminum foil to scrub away buildup on the grates once the grill has cooled.
•  • Squirt grease-cutting dishwashing detergent on grill and grates (once cool). Scrub with brush or abrasive pad, then rinse. A repeat may be necessary.
•  • Don't forget to place a grill pad or splatter mat beneath your grill before cooking. These naturally heat resistant pads will protect your deck or patio from any grease that misses the drip pan and will make it a lot easier to keep your outdoor living area clean and looking like new.