Weber grills are awesome for getting that perfect sear – but to keep them performing their best, regular cleaning is key

Whether you’re firing it up for a summer BBQ or winding down after a cookout, keeping your grill clean is important to ensuring its longevity – and cooking up tasty food every time.

Ready to show your Weber grill some love? Then, let’s roll up those sleeves, grab your grill brush, and get to work!

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Weber Grill

First things first: Gather your cleaning gear! You’ll need:

Need Grill Cleaning Gear? We’ve Got You Covered!

Running low on grill cleaning supplies? No worries – we’ve got everything you need!

From basting brushes to grid cleaning brushes and venturi cleaning brushes, we’ve got all the tools to keep your grill in top shape. Plus, we’ve got touch-up paint, grill cleaner, and more!

3 Easy Steps – How to Clean the Exterior of Your Weber Grill

Your Weber’s shiny exterior deserves some TLC – and keeping the outside of your Weber grill in top shape helps protect it.

Before you get started, make sure your grill is cool to the touch! We don’t want you burning yourself.

1. Wipe it Down

Start by washing the grill’s exterior with warm, soapy water and get scrubbing. Water and soap is gentle enough for all surfaces – whether it’s stainless steel, painted, or porcelain-enamel coated. 

Make sure to give the grill a good rinse and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth.

2. Polish Stainless Steel Parts

Use a non-toxic stainless steel cleaner and a microfiber cloth to buff the grill, always moving in the direction of the grain. This is to make sure you don’t scratch the surface.

Skip the paper towels for this one – they can leave scratches on your stainless steel grill!

3. Special Care in Tough Environments

Do you often take your BBQ with you to the beach? Sounds fun! But if your grill is near the ocean (and salt water), you should clean the exterior more often. You may want to use a stainless steel cleaner weekly to prevent surface rust.

Want to make sure your grill is as good as new? Check out our complete guide to cleaning grills for more tips and tricks!

Bonus Tip: Take Inventory While You Clean

Grill parts wear down over time. So while you’re sprucing up your grill, we recommend you take a mental note of any parts that might need replacing

Need new cooking grates, flavorizer bars, or even a burner tube? No problem! Replacing them is easy, and it’s a sure way to keep your grill working like new for years to come.

Head over to our grill parts selection and find replacement parts for your Weber grill. We have parts for over 2037 models!

How to Clean the Interior of Your Weber Grill

The inside of your grill needs a little tender care, too. A clean interior not only helps your food cook evenly but also prevents pesky flare-ups caused by grease build-up.

1. Clean the Lid

Ever noticed flakes on in the inside of your grill’s lid? Don’t worry, that’s not paint! It’s carbon buildup from grease and smoke, which eventually peel and look similar to paint. 

Though it’s not toxic, it’s good to clean it on a regular basis. It helps keep your grill performing at its best and keeps those flakes from landing on your food.

  • Use your grill brush to scrub away the carbonized grease from the lid.
  • Wash it down with warm soapy water and a sponge to leave it fresh and ready for your next cookout.

Notice any discoloration? Use the soapy water and a sponge with a non-lint cloth to remove any of that excess residue.

Pro tip: Clean the inside of the lid with a paper towel after grilling each time (when it’s warm, not hot).

2. Scrub Those Grates

Time to focus on the business end – the grates! It’s best to clean them after each use.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Start by preheating your grill on high for about 15 minutes with the lid closed. This helps burn off any food remnants.
  • Use your grill brush – wait until the grill has cooled – then use a greate cleaner and a scouring pad to get those grates sparkling.

Need more tips on grate cleaning? Check out our post on how to clean grill grates for a detailed guide!

3. Show Some Love to the Flavorizer Bars

Your flavorizer bars catch all those tasty drippings, but they need a little cleaning every now and then. 

  • After grilling, let your grill cool completely, then scrape the bars with a plastic scraper to remove any stuck-on food.
  • Use a stainless steel grill brush for any stubborn spots then wipe clean with a rag and warm water.
  • Does your grill have heat deflectors? Then follow the same instructions as with a flavorizer bar.

Don’t forget to check for cracks or holes. If your flavorizer bars are looking worse for wear, it might be time to replace them! 

4. Clean the Burner Tubes

For excellent grill performance, your burner tubes need some attention, too! They’re essential for safe and even cooking, so don’t skip this step!

Cleaning them regularly keeps your grill firing on all cylinders.

  • Remove the cooking grates and flavorizer bars to get to the burner tubes. You’re going to have to clean each tube individually.
  • Clean the burner ports by brushing up and down (never side to side!) with your grill brush to avoid pushing debris into the ports – otherwise, you might cause gas flow issues.
  • If your Weber grill has control knobs on the front (like the Genesis models), brush left to the right. For models with knobs located on the right side (like the Spirit or an older Genesis model) brush up and down.

Need help cleaning a more specialized grill? Check out our guide on how to clean a flat-top grill or griddle for the best tips on getting those surfaces sparkling clean!  

5. Deep Clean: The Cookbox and Grease Management

Weber grills have a nifty grease management system that helps prevent flare-ups by catching grease in a drip pan. But you still have to keep it clean!

  • Scrape the cookbox: Use a plastic scraper, a putty knife, or a straight-edged object to scrape any grease or food buildup from the siders and bottom of the cookbox. Let the debris fall into the opening leading to the grease tray.
  • Clean the grease tray and drip pan: Slide out the tray and scrape off any grease. Clean it with soapy water and a scoring pad. Don’t forget to replace the disposable aluminum drip pan regularly to prevent grease fires!

Pro tip: Never line the bottom tray with foil – this can restrict airflow and affect performance! 

And There You Have It!

That’s all we’ve got for now! With a bit of elbow grease, your Weber grill will be looking shiny and new – and ready for your next BBQ! 

Remember: regular cleaning means fewer repairs and a longer grill life.

With these simple steps, your grill will not only last longer but also cook like a dream, keeping those burgers and steaks tasting as good as ever.

Now go fire it up – and happy grilling!

October 19th, 2024

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance