How to clean a BBQ grill, grates to grease tray
To clean a BBQ grill, heat it on high for 15 minutes to burn off residue, then brush the grates while they're still warm. Once the grill is off and cool, and the gas is shut at the tank, scrape the inside of the lid and firebox, clean the burner covers, empty and wipe the grease tray, and wash the outside with warm soapy water. Do the quick brush after every cook and the deep clean a few times a season.
The grease tray is the part that gets skipped and the part that causes flare-ups.
What do you need?
- A grill brush, a bristle-free scraper or a coil brush
- A plastic putty knife or grill scraper
- A bucket, dish soap and warm water
- A non-scratch sponge and microfiber cloths
- Rubber gloves
- Aluminum foil and a trash bag
How do you clean the grates?
- Burn off. Close the lid and run the grill on high for about 15 minutes.
- Brush warm. Turn it off and brush the grates while they're warm, along the bars.
- Check for bristles if you use a wire brush. Loose ones can stick to the grates and end up in food.
- Deep clean, once or twice a season: take the cool grates out and soak them in hot soapy water in a tub or bin, then scrub and rinse. Cast iron gets dried right away and wiped with a thin coat of cooking oil.
How do you deep clean a gas grill?
- Gas off at the tank, grill cool. Disconnect the tank if you're doing a full clean.
- Grates and flavorizer bars out. Scrub them in soapy water.
- Burners. Brush off debris gently, and clear the ports with a small brush. Don't widen the holes.
- Firebox and lid. Scrape the buildup into the bottom tray with a plastic scraper.
- Grease tray and cup. Empty, scrape and wash. A foil liner makes next time easier.
- Reassemble, reconnect, and check the connections by the maker's manual before lighting.
How do you clean a charcoal grill?
Let the ash go completely cold, at least a day. Dump it into a metal can, never a plastic bin. Brush the grates, scrape the bowl, and wash the bowl and lid with soapy water. Keep the vents clear.
How do you clean the outside?
Warm soapy water on a sponge, rinse, dry. On stainless steel, wipe along the grain with a microfiber cloth. Wipe the side shelves and the handle, which pick up raw-meat juices and greasy fingers.
How do you keep it clean all summer?
- Brush after every cook.
- Empty the grease tray every few cooks.
- Wipe the side shelves after every use.
- Cover the grill once it's cool.
Our patio guide covers the space around it, and our summer checklist covers the house.
Want a cleaning booked?
The grill is yours. For the inside of the house, book House Cleaning online and put your priorities in your booking notes.
FAQ
How often should you clean a grill? Brush the grates every time you cook, empty the grease tray every few cooks, and deep clean the whole grill at the start of the season and once or twice more over the summer, depending on how often you use it.
Are wire grill brushes safe? Loose bristles from a worn wire brush can stick to the grates and end up in food. Replace the brush when it sheds, check the grates before you cook, or use a bristle-free scraper or coil brush instead.
How do you clean grill grates with no brush? Ball up a sheet of aluminum foil and scrub the warm grates with it using tongs. For a deeper clean, soak removable grates in hot soapy water in a tub or bin, then scrub and rinse.
How do you clean the outside of a stainless steel grill? Wipe it with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry it with a microfiber cloth along the grain. A cleaner made for stainless steel finishes it. Skip abrasive pads, which scratch.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
