How to clean a grill — top tips for gas, charcoal and more

Man grilling sausages and vegetables outside in front of guests

(Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

Most of united states know the basics of how to clean a grill, simply many of us don't take the time to give it a thorough clean, fifty-fifty if we own one of the all-time grills. As the summer draws to a close, you might be set up to store your barbecue away until the springtime. But, earlier you do, accept a proficient await at it. If there'southward burnt residuum on the grates, or rust forming on the plates, you should deal with this before storing so information technology doesn't atomic number 82 to damage.

Not sure where to start? Luckily, nosotros've pulled together a comprehensive guide on what to exercise, then you tin can residual assured that your barbecue will be in pristine condition for next twelvemonth's melt-ups. Hither's how to clean a grill.

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Before you follow any of the below advice, you lot should first refer to your manual for exact instructions on how to clean your grill. If no instructions are given, or you tin't find the manual, the below should guide you.

How to clean a grill — the grates

What you volition need

Metal castor or microfiber cloth/sponge

Dish soap

Stainless steel or enamel cleaner (optional)

Plastic scraper (optional)

Protective gloves

Soft scouring pad

Any type of BBQ you have, you should always start with the grates — here'south what we recommend:

1. Firstly, y'all should run the empty grill on full temperature for x-15 minutes. This will burn down any remaining food balance to a charred country, making it easier to remove. At the aforementioned fourth dimension, this will also kill any bacteria.

two. Await for the grill to completely absurd before you start to clean.

3. The next stride depends on the type of grates yous have. With the exception of porcelain, bandage atomic number 26 and stainless steel grates, most tin be scrubbed with a metallic brush or spatula. Scrub in the management of the grates, and brand sure you lot cover the underside likewise. Stainless steel, cast iron and porcelain can scratch easily, so for these use a sponge, microfiber cloth or dedicated cast iron brush.

Grates being cleaned with a metal brush — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

four. If this doesn't shift the residue, you can submerge the grates in hot, soapy h2o and leave them to soak overnight before scrubbing, rinsing and drying. If you've got a bandage iron grate, do non leave this to soak equally it will get out it vulnerable to rust. Yous can rinse this grate under hot, running h2o, just make sure yous thoroughly dry it afterwards and coat it in a layer of oil for protection. The easiest mode to brand sure information technology's dry out is to identify it back on the grill and run information technology on full temperature for ten minutes.

Your grates should now be spotless again!

How to make clean a gas grill

1. If you've got a gas BBQ, and so the adjacent step is to turn off the gas and remove the propane tank.

2. While wearing protective gloves, remove the plates besides every bit the Flavorizer bars (if your grill has them) and wash in warm soapy h2o. Make sure y'all scrub away whatsoever fat and grease. You can also use a dedicated cleaner, such as the Weber Grill Cleaner Spray from Amazon.

3. Remove anything else you tin from your grill, including the hot plates, warmer racks and drip tray. These can also be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush or sponge.

4. While these are all drying, you lot can tackle the body of your BBQ. Showtime, identify an empty saucepan nether the firebox to collect remainder h2o if you lot don't want to make a mess.

5. Using hot soapy water and a soft scouring pad, give the firebox a thorough scrub. You can use a plastic scraper for any stubborn spots. Then rinse and leave information technology to dry.

6. To clean the exterior, you should apply the appropriate cleaning spray (enamel or stainless steel), and shine with a microfiber fabric. Call up, with stainless steel y'all need to scrub in the direction of the grain. You can utilize hot, soapy water and a sponge on any other external parts.

7. Once everything is dry out, reassemble and run the grill for 15 minutes to fire off any remaining balance.

Someone grilling vegetable skewers and burgers on a gas grill — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

How to clean a charcoal grill

1. For charcoal grills, once you've cleaned the grill grate following the above steps, remove the charcoal grate (if yous take one) as well as any ash from the base.

two. To clean the charcoal grate, you tin can scrub it with a ball of aluminium foil. Scrape in the direction of the grates and cover the underside as well.

three. Next, clean the inside of the grill using warm soapy water and a castor. Give it a thorough scrub and rinse with water.

4. Requite the inside of the chapeau a scrub as well using the same method. Y'all tin can employ a plastic scraper to tackle tough residue.

five. The exterior tin can be cleaned using warm soapy water, or a defended cleaner.

6. Reassemble your charcoal grill and make sure information technology's thoroughly dry before endmost the lid and storing away.

A hot charcoal grill with dirty grates — (Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

How often should I make clean my grill?

This largely depends on how often y'all use your grill. Y'all should give it an everyday clean after each use, only a deep clean should only be required every two-three months. You should besides give it a deep make clean before y'all store it away for a long catamenia of time.

Katie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She also covers smart dwelling house products too, so is the best bespeak of contact for any household advice! She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over half-dozen years, so she knows what to look for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to examination has to be stand up mixers every bit she loves to bake in her spare time.