How to Clean Your Grill

Grilling season is upon us, and you may have just opened the cover to your grill to find you forgot to clean it last fall before storing it away. Or you want to ensure you always stay on top of keeping your grill looking spotless. Either way, the process is the same when cleaning a grill.

Several grills are out there, and they are not all created equal. Figuring out how to clean your specific grill can feel like a daunting task. Some grills are more challenging to clean than others based on the grill type or the grill grates. Our trusted guide will lay out how to clean various grills and make your grill look new.

Grill Cleaning Brushes

A wire brush was the gold standard for cleaning a grill for the longest time. They are durable brushes that work great for cleaning grills but should be used cautiously. It was found that the bristles could break off over time and get lodged in grill grates, causing them to end up in food and leading to injury. If using a wire brush, check your grates after cleaning to ensure no stray bristles are stuck. Also, double-check your brush frequently for damage. Replace the brush immediately if any loose bristles are found.

Several alternatives to the traditional wire grill brush include palmyra brushes with all-natural bristles that soften and burn away if they fall out. You can also use a nylon or stainless steel grill brush. For bristle-free cleaning, wood grill scrapers have notches that will contour around grill grates over time, so they will work perfectly with any setup you have.

How to Clean a Charcoal Grill

Charcoal grills are one of the easiest cleans but require cleaning after every use. Charcoal bricks must be replenished each time, and the vents at the bottom of the grill must be naturally blocked as they turn to ash. Eventually, this will increase the chance of a fire and lead to fluctuating cooking temperatures. Here is how to clean a charcoal grill after each use:

1. Dump any leftover bricks and ash into a metal container. (Wait until the bricks have cooled)
2. Use a grill brush to remove excess charcoal dust and debris inside the bowl.
3. Clean the grates with a grill brush. (A ball of aluminum foil and tongs can also be used)
4. Apply vegetable oil to the grates with a rag or paper towel. (Prevents food sticking and rust buildup)
5. Clean the exterior and interior of the grill bowl and lid with mild dish soap and a steel brush.

Cleaning the grill before and after each season is simple if you keep up with the regular maintenance mentioned above.

1. Wipe down the entire grill inside and out with soap and water. A grill cleaner can be used instead.
2. Towel dry to prevent any rust during storage.

How to Clean a Gas Grill

Gas grills, considered natural gas or propane-fueled, are much more involved when cleaning before and after grilling season. The main reason for the intense cleaning is the number of parts on a gas grill. Cleaning after each use is remarkable, like cleaning a charcoal grill.

1. Scrape with a grill brush to remove any larger pieces of food.
2. Coat the grates with vegetable oil using a rag or paper towel.
3. Clean the inside of the grill lid with soap and a steel brush.
4. Use a grill brush or degreaser to clean the heat shields over the burner tubes. If the shields are ceramic, avoid using a degreaser.
5. Dry everything thoroughly with a rag to prevent rust.

Cleaning a grill at the beginning or end of the season is much more involved and intended to remove everything built up inside the grill over time.

1. Remove the grates and heat shields and lightly scrape them with a grill brush to remove any larger pieces. (If you have porcelain grates, use a nylon brush so you do not scratch their surface)
2. Put the grates and shields in a large tub or sink filled with soap and water and let soak for one hour.
3. Use a grill brush to clean the burner tubes. Scrub horizontally versus vertically, as you could risk getting debris inside the tubes. (This can be done by removing or leaving the tubes in place. Removing them will make the next step easier)
4. If there is a drip pan under the base of your grill, place a bucket underneath the opening.
5. Use a grill scraper or putty knife to remove any caked-on grease and food from the bottom of the grill. Then, vacuum it out with a shop wet-dry vacuum.
6. Clean up any leftover grease with a grill brush and a rag.
7. Remove the grates and shields that have been soaking and scrub them thoroughly to get any of the caked-on grease.
8. Use soap and water to clean the exterior of the grill. For stricter grease and stains, you may need to use a combination of baking soda and vinegar as a cleaning solution. Degreaser can also be used, but check your owner’s manual to ensure it is safe to use on the material of your grill.
9. Dry everything off as best you can and reassemble all the parts of the grill.

How to Clean a Pellet Grill

Pellet grills have been smoking the competition lately, so you must know how to clean your new grill. Whether you have a Traeger, Pit Boss, Weber, or one of the many other pellet grills, this method applies to all of them.

1. Start by cleaning the inside of the lid with a putty knife and nylon brush.
2. Take out any removable parts inside the grill, such as grates, drip pans, and the deflector plate. Scrape them thoroughly with your putty knife, then place them in a tub with soap and water if you have one large enough.
3. Scrape every inch of the inside of the barrel, especially any areas where any smoke escapes, such as a chimney or exhaust system. Ensure any blocked vents are as straightforward as possible.
4. Scrub the grates with a nylon brush after they have soaked. You can also use a ball of aluminum foil and tongs.
5. Clean the internal thermometer. This is important as it dictates what makes the grill work properly. Scrape out the grease chute to prevent a potential grease fire.
6. Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove any debris you have removed inside the barrel.
7. Use a degreaser or stainless steel wipe to wipe down the grill’s exterior.

How to Clean Flat Top Grill

Flat-top grills have been more common in restaurants but have become a hot item for the home market. Due to their design, they have a much different cleaning process than a traditional grill.

1. Turn the grill as high as possible to loosen any food and grease.
2. Scrape more significant bits off the grill into the grease trap.
3. Cover the grill with water, scrape again, and use tongs and paper towels to clean it off.
4. Spray your preferred cleaning solution on the grill and let it sit for a moment, then use a scouring pad to scrape off any remnants.
5. Wipe up any leftover debris with a paper towel.
6. Season with oil again.

Different Ways to Clean Grill Grates

There are several ways to clean your grill grates, ranging from an inexpensive, quick option to a deep clean that is a little more time-consuming. Depending on how often and how well you have cleaned the grill grates, you will determine which method is best for you.

Quick and Easy Method

1. Remove the grates.
2. Cover the grates with vinegar using a spray bottle and let sit for about 10 minutes.
3. Use a rag to scrub the grates. It may require a grill brush and a little challenging work, depending on how long it has been since they have been cleaned.

Steam and Clean Method

1. Heat the grill as hot as possible, then turn off the gas supply.
2. Dip a grill brush in water and scrub the grates. (This will produce plenty of steam, so be careful. Dish soap can be added to the water to remove any stubborn grease)
3. Once the grates are excellent, wipe them down with a damp cloth.

Everyday Method

1. Scrub the grates with a bristle-free grill brush.
2. Wipe clean with grill wipes.

Deep Clean

1. In a tub large enough to fit the grates, mix two parts vinegar and one part baking soda. Mix sufficiently to cover the grates fully.
2. Let the grates sit for at least an hour, but the longer, the better.
3. Remove them from the tub and scrub them clean.
4. Pat dry with a rag.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a Traeger pellet grill, check out our overview of the many features and styles of grills they offer.

Shop our grill options from Traeger, Weber, Pit Boss, Blackstone, and more at Acme Tools.