How to Clean a Grill and Keep It Protected

How to clean a grill comes down to three habits: spot clean it after each use, deep clean it once or twice a year, and cover it when it is not in use. Barbecued burgers, hot dogs, steak, veggies, and ribs are the taste of summer and are delicious all year round. Whether you host grand Labor Day parties or just like to grill for your family, this guide walks through grill cleaning step by step so your grill lasts for years to come.

Tools, Equipment, and Supplies You Will Need

• Scraper to remove large debris
• Wire brush to remove stuck on food that could not be scraped off
• Rubber spatula to scrape off small debris
• Sponges, along with soap and water, to clean more thoroughly
• Empty bucket to put debris in for easy disposal
• Gloves to keep hands clean
• Grill Cleaner & Degreaser for tough stains

No wire brush on hand? You can clean a grill without a wire brush by balling up aluminum foil and gripping it with long tongs, or by using a wooden scraper on cooled grates.

Things You Need to Do Before You Clean Your Grill

If you have a manual for your grill, read through its cleaning instructions. Otherwise, follow the instructions below:

1. Burn off excess food and grease while the grill is still on.
2. Allow your grill to completely cool. If you have an electric grill, let it cool until it is only slightly warm.
3. Disconnect the grill from the power source. Unplug electric grills and disconnect the gas line from gas grills.

How Often Should You Clean Your Grill

Good grill maintenance is mostly about frequency, not effort. A quick pass after every cook keeps the deep cleans short. Use the schedule below as your baseline, then adjust for how often you grill and how exposed your grill is to the weather.

Cleaning Process

Once the grill is cooled, clean the grill grates and the exterior of the grill. Annually or biannually, clean the entire grill including grill grates, burner protectors, burners, venturi tubes, cook box, and exterior. Do this process before storing your grill for winter and a second time if you barbecue often. The steps differ by fuel type, so find your grill below.

How to Clean a Gas Grill

1. Check the fuel lines for any damage.
2. Turn the grill on high for 15 minutes to burn off caked on food.
3. Turn the grill off, disconnect the gas line, and let it cool.
4. Brush the grates and wipe down the exterior of the grill.
5. Pull out the grease tray, scrape it into a bucket, and wash it with warm soapy water.

How to Deep Clean a Gas Grill

Deep clean your grill once or twice a year, depending on how much you use it. If you are not sure what to use to clean a gas grill, warm water with dish soap handles most of the job, and a dedicated degreaser handles the rest.

1. Scrub the top and bottom of the grates with a wire brush and metal scraper.
2. Remove the burner protectors. Wash them with soapy water and a sponge.
3. Clean the burners. If you can easily remove your burners, use soapy water to scrub and rinse them. If they cannot be easily removed, use a damp sponge to wipe them down.
4. Clear the burner ports by brushing along the tube in an up and down motion rather than side to side, which pushes debris from one port into the next.
5. Take out the plates underneath your burners. Use your grill brush to scrape off the large chunks.
6. Pull out the removable bottom tray. Scrape off any chunks with a grill brush.
7. Put your grill back together.
8. Cover it with a grill cover.

How to Clean an Electric Grill

1. Turn off the grill before beginning the cleaning process.
2. Let the grill cool down so it is only slightly warm.
3. Scrape the cooking grates with a stainless steel grill brush.
4. Take the removable liner off from underneath the grates and use a rubber spatula to scrape off debris. Then use a slightly damp rag or sponge to clean. Do not use too much water because you can damage the electrical components.
5. Remove the grates from your grill and wash them with a wet sponge and soap. If they are very dirty, scrape them with a steel brush.
6. Dry the removable liner and grates. Place them back in the grill.
7. Wipe the lid of the grill with a damp cloth.
8. Allow the grill to dry completely and then cover it with a grill cover.

How to Deep Clean Your Grates

Once a year, deep clean your grates to remove all caked on residue.

1. Create a mixture of 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups vinegar.
2. Place the solution and dirty grates in a garbage bag. Seal the bag with a rubber band.
3. Leave the solution overnight.
4. Scrub off the burnt on food residue.

How to Clean a Charcoal Grill

Charcoal grills need the most attention because ash collects every time you cook. Clean charcoal grills after every use to avoid fires from built up ash and debris, and empty the ash catcher before you light the next fire so the vents can pull air properly.

1. Confirm the coals are completely out. Close the lid and vents for at least 48 hours after cooking before you handle old coals, since coals that are still live can start a fire in the trash.
2. Remove the grates and scoop out the old coals and ash into a metal container.
3. Scrub the grates with a grill brush, or soak them in a mixture of 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups vinegar for tougher buildup.
4. Brush loose debris off the inside of the bowl and the lid.
5. Wash the interior and exterior with warm soapy water, then dry every surface to prevent rust.
6. Wipe a light coat of cooking oil onto the clean grates before you put them back.

How to Clean a Pellet Grill

Do not let wood pellets get wet when cleaning your wood pellet grill. The wood pellets can turn into a cement like substance that will clog the grill. Pellet grill maintenance is otherwise straightforward if you keep ash out of the fire pot.

1. Empty the hopper if you are storing the grill, and keep the remaining pellets in a sealed, dry container.
2. Vacuum ash out of the fire pot and the barrel once the grill is completely cool.
3. Scrape the grease drip tray and replace the foil or bucket liner.
4. Brush the grates, then wipe the interior of the lid to remove flaking carbon.
5. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly.

How to Clean a Smoker

For smokers, you need to be careful about using too much water. Water can damage the electronic interior or cause the wood pellets to disintegrate and damage the grill. Clean smoker grates with a brush after each cook, and let the interior seasoning stay in place rather than scrubbing it back to bare metal. Cover it with a smoker grill cover, especially if rain is in the forecast.

Kamado Grills

Depending on the brand, some Kamado grills are self cleaning, so be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions.

How to Clean Grill Grates by Material

Knowing how to clean grill grates matters less than knowing what your grates are made of. The wrong brush can strip a coating or leave bare metal exposed to moisture, which is how rusty BBQ grill grates start.

Stainless Steel Grates

Stainless steel handles a stiff wire brush. Burn off residue first, brush while the grates are warm, and scrub stubborn spots with a fine steel wool pad and soapy water. Rinse and dry fully.

Porcelain Coated Grates

Porcelain chips easily. Use a nylon or brass bristle brush instead of steel, and never scrape with a metal tool. Once the coating cracks, the steel underneath will rust.

Cast Iron Grates

Cast iron rusts fast when it sits wet, so use as little water as possible. Scrub with a soft nylon brush, dry immediately, and re-oil. If the grates already have surface rust, scrub it off with a steel wool pad, wash, dry completely, and season them again.

How to Season Grill Grates

Seasoning is the step most people skip, and it is the one that prevents rust. Once the grates are clean and completely dry, wipe a thin coat of high smoke point oil over every surface with a paper towel, then run the grill on medium for 15 minutes until the oil stops smoking. Repeat this any time the grates look dull or dry.

How to Clean the Grill Exterior

The outside of the grill is what tells you whether the grill has been cared for, and it is quick to clean. To clean a stainless grill exterior, work with the grain of the metal, not across it. Wipe the panels down with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, rinse, and dry immediately to avoid water spots. For fingerprints and streaks, finish with a stainless steel cleaner or a small amount of vinegar on a cloth. Painted and powder coated cabinets need nothing more than soapy water and a dry towel. Avoid abrasive pads anywhere on the exterior, since scratches hold moisture and turn into corrosion.

How to Store and Protect After Cleaning

Once your grill is clean, you should cover it if you are not planning on using it for several days.

1. Make sure your grill is completely dry before covering.
2. Cover the grill. Make sure all straps are secured so that no animals or dirt can get in under the cover.
3. If you live in a climate with extreme temperatures, store fuel sources in your garage.

Benefits of a Grill Cover

Protect your investment from dirt and weather damage with a grill cover. A grill cover keeps your grill clean so it is ready for your next barbecue. It also extends the life of your grill by protecting it from structural damage caused by the sun. It is also the easiest way to keep your grill clean between cooks, which cuts down how often you need to deep clean it.

Protection From the Elements

Snow, rain, hail, sun, and high winds can all damage the exterior and the working elements of your grill. Moisture can rust the exterior of your grill and damage the knobs. Winds can cause dirt and dust to get inside your grill, making you have to constantly clean it before barbecuing.

If you live in an area with harsh sunlight, a cover will protect your grill from structural damage, fading, and cracking.

Protection From Insects and Animals

Insects and animals make their homes in protected areas, like your grill. When making their nests, they can destroy vital parts of the grill's infrastructure. A grill cover resists critters from getting inside your grill and causing damage.

The cover itself needs the occasional wash too. Here is how to clean a grill cover in a few simple steps. For more information, learn what features are most important in a grill cover.

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