Cleaning might not be the glamorous part of grilling, but it’s definitely one of the most important. Keeping your BBQ grill clean doesn’t just make your food taste better – it also helps it last longer and ensures you avoid any greasy flare-ups while cooking.
The good news? It’s not that hard if you know the right steps!
We’ll walk you through cleaning a grill properly – from gas, charcoal, and propane to pellets and smokers. Plus, we’ll share tips on getting rid of rust and keeping your BBQ grill looking (and working) like new!
Grill Cleaning – What You Need and How Long It Takes
If you give your grill a quick clean after every use (and trust us, it’s worth it), you’ll be done in 5 to 10 minutes tops. For those deeper, seasonal cleanings, set aside 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your grill type.
As for what you’ll be needing: when it comes to the best way to clean a grill, having the right tools makes all the difference!
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for effective grill cleaning:
Grill brush: A good wire brush is excellent and the classic go-to for scraping your grates. Looking for a DIY option? Grab a curly steel scour pad or even ball up some aluminium foil. Just use a pair of 12-inch tongs, and you’ve got yourself a makeshift grill brush!
Scraper tool: Got stubborn gunk inside your grill? A scraper is a real lifesaver. Don’t have one handy? No problem – any painter’s multitool can get the job done, too.
Dish gloves: Between the hot water, soap, and sharp edges inside the grill, protecting your hands is a smart move. Grab a sturdy pair of dish gloves to avoid cuts and irritation.
Scour sponge: A good scour sponge is tough on stuck-on grease but gentle enough that it won’t scratch up the more delicate parts of your grill.
Dish soap or degreaser: For everyday grease, a clear dish liquid should work wonders. If you’re dealing with some seriously baked-on grime, try an all-purpose cleaner – it works wonders (just make sure to buy one that is safe for food surfaces!).
Cleaning a Grill – 6 General Cleaning Steps
A Quick Go-To Checklist If You’re in a Hurry:
✅ 1. Safety first – make sure the grill is cool before you get started. But if you’re cleaning after cooking, leaving it slightly warm makes it easier to scrape off gunk.
✅ 2. Remove the grates, flavorizer bars, drip trays, and anything else that comes off. This will make cleaning much easier.
✅ 3. Grab a grill brush and get scrubbing to remove stuck-on food and grease from the grates and inside the grill.
✅ 4. Grill cleaner or soapy water works wonders. Use it to give everything a good scrub. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the grill, too!
✅ 5. Once you’ve scrubbed everything, rinse with water and dry the parts thoroughly to prevent rust.
✅ 6. Put everything back together, and voilà – your grill is clean and ready for the next BBQ!
Gas grills are great for quick and easy cooking, but they do need some extra TLC when it comes to cleaning.
Here’s how you can keep yours clean:
Burners: These tend to get clogged with grease and food particles. Take them out and scrub them with a wire brush to keep the flames even and reduce flare-ups.
Heat deflectors: These plates sit above the burners and catch a lot of grease – so be sure to give them a good scrub!
Grease trap: Don’t forget the grease tray underneath. Empty it regularly to avoid buildup, and clean it with warm soapy water.
If you see buildup on the grill hood, a quick wipe with hot, soapy water and a scour pad should clear it up – luckily, this doesn’t need to be done too often.
While you’re at it, take a look at the burner ports. If any of them seem blocked (no flames where there should be), turn off the burners, close the propane tank, and use a wire poker (or a metal wire or cake tester) to clear any obstructions.
Need replacements for parts like burners or heat deflectors? Check our gas grill parts to find what you need.
How to Clean a Charcoal Grill
Charcoal grills have a simple design, but they can get pretty dirty after just a few uses.
Here’s how to keep them clean:
Ash and leftover charcoal: After each cook, empty out the ash and leftover charcoal. This keeps your grill clean and ready for the next cookout.
Scrape grates and bowls: Use a wire brush to get rid of any stuck-on food or grease. If your grates are super dirty, a soak in soapy water will help.
Tackle residual ash: Before you start any deep cleaning, vacuum or brush out as much dry ash as possible. A shop vac works wonders for this!
Scrub it down: After clearing the ash, hose down the grill, both inside and out. Then, scrub the firebox and grates using hot water, a plastic scour pad, and some dish soap or a food-safe degreaser. If you’re using a degreaser, let it sit for about 20 minutes before scrubbing, then rinse everything thoroughly with hot water.
No hot coals and water: Never extinguish hot coals with water! This can create lye, which can damage your grill and even cause chemical burns.
Prevent rust: Avoid leaving your grill out in the rain to prevent the rust from creeping in. If you see any, scrub it away and coat the grill with a light layer of vegetable oil to help protect the metal.
For tips on how to keep the grill grates clean, check out or post about it here!
How to Clean a Propane Grill
Propane grills work just like gas grills, with the added bonus of needing to take care of the propane tank:
Turn off the propane: Make sure the propane tank is disconnected before you start cleaning.
Soak the grates and plates: Remove the grates and heat deflectors, and soak them in warm, soapy water while you clean the rest of the grill.
Burners and deflectors: Clean these just like a gas grill. Check for any leaks or loose connections while you’re at it.
Clean the venturi tubes: Remove and clean the venturi tubes with soapy water. Use a wire to clear any clogged holes, then rinse and let them dry before reassembling.
Reassemble and connect: Once everything is dry, replace the parts and reconnect the propane tank. And now, you’re ready to grill again!
How to Clean a Pellet Grill
Pellet grills need some special attention than your average charcoal or gas grill – but the flavor payoff is worth it!
Since you can’t just hose down a pellet grill (too many electronics!), you’ll want to remove the grates and grease pan to clean them properly. Plus, wet wood pellets can expand, leading to dreaded auger jams – so definitely keep the garden hose away!
Follow these guidelines to be safe:
Empty the pellet hopper: After each use, empty out any leftover pellets. They can absorb moisture and cause issues down the line.
Clean the auger: The auger feeds pellets into the firebox, so make sure to keep it clean and free of jammed pellets.
Scrape the inside: These grills can get greasy fast, so give them and the smoker box a good scrub inside to remove grease and soot.
Grate cleaning: After every use, clean those cooking grates. Pellet grills don’t get super hot, so food debris tends to be stickier and more gummy than charred. Start with a grill brush, but if they’re really stuck, soak the grates in hot, soapy water for a bit then scrub them with a scour pad.
Grease pan: The grease pan needs attention after every session, especially after smoking fatty meats like brisket or pork belly. Built-up grease can lead to fires, and trust us, that’s a mess no one wants. While the pan is still warm (but not too hot), use a scraper to remove the gunk. If it’s not squeaky clean, give it a wash with hot, soapy water and a scour sponge. Just don’t forget to protect your hands with gloves!
Check the grease chute: Make sure the chute between the grease pan and the collection bucket isn’t clogged with food debris. A cheap wooden paint stirrer (or something similar) can help keep it clear. This is also a good time to empty the grease bucket hanging off the side of the grill.
Smokers can get pretty dirty due to the long, slow cooking process. Follow these guidelines to keep them clean:
Wipe down the walls: Smoke can leave a residue inside, so give the walls a good wipe with soapy water after each use.
Clean the drip pans and ash traps: Grease and ash build up quickly in smokers, so empty and clean them regularly to keep everything running smoothly.
How to Clean a Rusty Grill
Got a bit of rust? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us – but it doesn’t mean your grill is doomed!
Here’s how to bring it back to life:
Scrub the rust: Grab a wire brush or steel wool and get scrubbing. It might take a little elbow grease, but you’ll get there! Just be sure not to use steel wool on stainless steel grates – stick to a soft cloth or sponge for those.
Oil it up: After you’ve scrubbed away the rust, coat your grates with a thin layer of oil to keep future rust at bay.
Got a stubborn rust spot? Try one of these easy fixes:
Soda: Got some cola? Soak rusty parts in soda overnight – the phosphoric acid will help break down the rust. Then, rinse and scrub clean.
Lemon juice and detergent: Lemon juice is great at dissolving rust! Mix it with some powdered detergent to form a paste. Apply, leave it overnight, and scrub with warm water the next day.
Vinegar and baking soda: Mix baking soda and vinegar into a paste, apply it to the rust, and let it sit for 20–30 minutes. Scrub it off with a soft cloth and warm water, then rinse.
Commercial rust remover: If all else fails, grab a commercial rust remover and follow the package directions. Your grill will be rust-free in no time!
Whether you’ve got a gas, charcoal, pellet, or propane grill, cleaning it regularly is key to better-tasting food and a longer-lasting grill. It might seem like a hassle at first, but once you get into the groove, it’s easy!
Keep your grill clean, and you’ll always be ready to fire it up for that next backyard BBQ.
FAQs
What’s the easiest way to clean a grill?
The easiest way is to scrub the grates with a grill brush while they’re still slightly warm, then wipe them down with a damp cloth. For a deeper clean, grab some soapy water or a grill cleaner.
How often should I clean my grill?
Give the grates a quick scrub after every cook. For a deep clean, once a season should do the trick, depending on how often you grill.
How do I remove rust from my grill?
Tackle the rust with a wire brush, then mix up some vinegar and baking soda to scrub it off. Rinse it well and let it dry before firing up the grill again.
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