If grilling is your go-to method for cooking during summer, it's important to ensure your appliance is ready to be put to work. While the high heat of the grill kills lurking foodborne pathogens, keeping your grill clean will improve its performance. The more debris on the grill, the harder it is for hot air to move around inside, which keeps the grill from heating up quickly. Simply put: A clean grill cooks food better and faster. Ahead, our grilling experts share exactly how to clean your grill and keep it primed to work its best.
- Kevin Kolman, head grill master for Weber, a manufacturer of grills and grill accessories.
- Amy Mills, owner of17th Street Barbecueand co-author of Peace, Love, and Barbecue, a cookbook of 100 recipes and behind-the-scenes stories from pitmasters.
Your Go-To Guide to Grilling the Right Way
How Often to Clean Your Grill
Aim to clean your grill once or twice per month, keeping in mind that you may need to clean it more depending on how often you use it. "The good rule of thumb is for every five to seven cooks, clean your grill," says Kevin Kolman, head grill mater for Weber. You should clean the grates of your grill immediately after every use, while the grill is still hot.
Protect your hands by wearing gloves when you clean your grill. "Smoke, grease, and other barbecue stains are hard to get off of your hands and clothes, so using rubber gloves will make your life easier," says Kolman.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have these materials on hand when cleaning your grill.
- Aluminum foil
- Bucket
- Dish soap
- Water
- Scrub brush
- Stainless steel cleaner
- Small shovel
- Metal spatula or scraper
- Microfiber cloths
- Gloves
If you don't have time to soak your grill grates in water, the best way to clean them is to pre-heat the grill and use a ball of aluminum foil to scrub the grates clean of any built-up debris. Hold the foil in between tongs so you don't risk burning your hands.
How to Clean a Gas Grill
One cleaning benefit of a gas grill is that there’s no ash to vacuum, but the grills tend to get much greasier. "Constantly changing the aluminum drip will help catch grease and eliminate some of the smell from the grease," says Amy Mills, owner of17th Street Barbecueand co-author of the cookbookPeace, Love, and Barbecue.
- Disconnect the gas tank from grill.
- Fill a bucket with water and a few drops of a degreaser, like dish soap.
- Remove the grill grates and flavorizer bars from the grill and place them in the soapy water.
- Dip a scrub brush in soapy water and thoroughly clean the interior of the grill.
- Rinse well with fresh water and dry thoroughly with a clean, microfiber towel.
- Scrub the grill grates and flavorizer bars with a scrub brush.
- Rinse the grates and bars with clean water, dry them, and return them to the grill.
How you clean the exterior of your grill depends on the material, so always consult your manual for proper care. Generally, soapy water and a soft cloth will do the trick, but if it's stainless steel, a stainless-steel-specific cleaner may be necessary.
How to Clean a Charcoal Grill
Remove the ashes from your charcoal grill after every cook. "The ashes will absorb grease and drippings while you cook, so you don’t want that to build up in the bottom of the grill," says Mills. "When you pour burning coals from a charcoal chimney into the grill, if there is too much ash buildup in the bottom of the grill, the ashes will puff up and stick to your food."
- While the grill is cool, use a small shovel and bucket to remove the ashes.
- Fill a bucket with water and a few drops of a degreaser, like dish soap.
- Remove the grill grates from the grill and place them in the soapy water.
- Dip a scrub brush in soapy water and thoroughly clean the interior of the grill.
- Rinse well with fresh water and dry thoroughly with a clean, microfiber towel.
- Scrub the grill grates with a scrub brush.
- Rinse the grates and bars with clean water, dry them, and return them to the grill.
How to Clean a Flat-Top Grill
Flat-top grills should be cleaned and lightly oiled after every use, says Mills.
- Let the grill cool down completely.
- Scrape the surface of the grill with a metal spatula or scraper.
- Use a cloth to wipe up grease and debris.
- Pour a little soapy water on the grill and use a pad or copper cloth to gently clean the grease and any debris.
- Wipe and dry the surface with a clean cloth.
Tips for Keeping Your Grill Clean
Keep your grill clean for longer by following these maintenance tips.
- Clean the grill grates every time you grill.
- Remove ashes and old charcoal from a charcoal grill before each use to prevent buildup.
- Empty the catch pan or tray of a gas grill and any debris to prevent fires or overflow.
- Use a grill cover to keep your appliance protected from the elements.
- Clean your grill cleaning tools and bristle brushes after each use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you clean a grill when it's hot or cold?
Both. You'll need to heat your grill up for some portions of the cleaning process but also let it cool down for others. Cleaning your grill grates is best done when the grates are hot. All other cleaning should be done only when the grill has completely cooled.
Is it safe to clean a grill with vinegar?
Yes, using white vinegar to clean your grill is perfectly safe—and if it's the only cleaning liquid you have on hand, perfectly acceptable to use. An easy, all-purpose vinegar cleaner recipe to use is mixing 2 parts vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle.
Should you oil a grill after cleaning it?
Oiling your grill grates helps create a non-stick surface for your food as it's cooking. It's not entirely necessary, but if you'd like to do it, simply dip a wadded up paper towel in oil and using tongs, brush the paper towel over the grill grates so that the oil is wiped over them evenly.
