How to Clean a Grill: Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning your grill regularly is crucial for safety and flavor. Accumulated grease and food scraps can spark dangerous fires, and residues, combined with charcoal remnants, become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold that can contaminate your food. In this guide, you’ll discover how to clean a grill to ensure the best flavor in every cookout. You’ll learn everything from choosing the right tools to performing a deep cleaning that prolongs the lifespan of your barbecue.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

• Wire Brush (Stainless Steel or Brass Bristles): For scraping off stuck-on food without damaging enamel-coated grates.
• Stainless Steel Spatula: For prying off stubborn grease and debris from grates and flavorizer bars.
• Razor Blades: For scraping carbonized residue.
• Mild Dish Soap or Grill Cleaner Spray: Choose a non-abrasive grill cleaner or a mild, biodegradable dish soap. Avoid harsh chemicals that can leave residue.
• Resistant Gloves: To protect your hands from heat and sharp edges.
• Large Bucket or Container: To soak removable parts (grates, flavorizer bars, heat deflectors) in soapy water.
• Soft Cloths or Paper Towels: For wiping down surfaces and drying components.
• Pumice Stone (Grill-Safe): A mildly abrasive stone that removes carbon buildup from cast-iron grates. Wet the stone and gently rub stubborn, burnt-on spots effective without scratching the metal.

Optional:

• White Vinegar: Natural degreaser.
• Baking Soda: Helps lift stains and odors.
• Ball of Aluminum Foil: Emergency scrubber if you lack a brush.
• Onion: Natural cleaner.

How to Clean a Charcoal Grill: Deep Cleaning

1. Ensure all coals are fully extinguished before starting.
2. Start by scraping off the cooking grates.
3. Soak in a bin of hot water, mild soap, and degreaser for 30 minutes (for very greasy buildup, leave them 1–2 hours).
4. After soaking, take each piece and scrub with a wire brush or a heavy-duty scouring pad.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove soap residue.

Scrub the Grill Interior

• Use your stainless steel spatula or a grill-specific scraper to remove accumulated grease from the bottom of the grill, the firebox, and burner covers.
• Clean or Replace the Drip Tray: Many grills have a removable drip tray or grease cup that collects fat. Empty, scrub with soap, rinse, and let it dry completely before reinstalling.

Wipe Down the Exterior

• Use a damp cloth with mild soap to clean the lid, side shelves, and control knobs.
• For stainless-steel exteriors, unroll a microfiber cloth and buff in the direction of the grain for a streak-free shine.

Dry and Reassemble

• Before putting grates and bars back, ensure all components are 100% dry to prevent rust.
• Reattach burner covers, flavorizer bars, and grates.

Final Heat Cycle

• Light the grill on medium heat for 10–15 minutes to burn off any remaining residue and re-season the grates.

How to Clean a Gas Grill: Deep Cleaning

1. Turn Off and Disconnect: Ensure all burners are off and the propane tank valve is closed (or, if your grill is hooked to natural gas, shut off the gas valve).
2. Scrape off the cooking grates to make cleaning much easier.
3. Use a stainless steel brush to remove all debris and gunk from the briquettes.
4. Get a bin, hot water, and degreaser; soak the cooking grates and all removable parts (up to 1–2 hours), except the burners. Scrub them with stainless steel scrubbers.

Clean the Grill’s Interior

• Use a putty knife or stiff grill brush to scrape away grease and food debris from the bottom of the firebox.
• Vacuum the inside.
• Inspect each burner port (the small holes where gas emits). If you see blockages, use a thin piece of wire (like a paperclip) or a dedicated burner port tool to clear them be very gentle to avoid widening or deforming the orifices.
• After warming up the grill, spray degreaser (you can use Zep). Let it sit for 60 seconds, then scrub with a stainless steel scrubber and microfiber towel. Repeat this step until you achieve the desired result.

Clean the Exterior Surfaces

• For painted or stainless-steel exteriors, use a mild dish soap solution and a soft cloth to remove fingerprints, grease spots, and dust. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth and dry with a lint-free towel to prevent water spots.

Reassemble the Grill

• Ensure all components are completely dry.
• Place the burner tubes back.
• Reinstall the flavorizer bars (or lava rocks/briquettes) over the burners.
• Put the cooking grates back in place, ensuring they sit level and stable.

How to Deep Clean Grill Grates

1. Always start by scraping the cooking grates with a contour scraper and stainless steel scrubbing brush.
2. Soak everything in a bucket of hot water and degreaser.
3. After soaking, use a wire grill brush, stainless steel scour pad, or pumice stone to scrub away any remaining carbonized food and grease. For stubborn spots, you can gently use a razor blade.

Extra Tip

Use an angle grinder with a stainless steel wire brush attachment to make sure all the gunk and debris are off. Note: This can be very hazardous if not used properly , only on stainless steel grates.

How to Keep Your Grill Clean After Every Use (Pro Tips)

• Wait until the next time you’re going to use it (might be in a day or two).
• Use a nylon grill brush and a pumice stone.
• Remove loose ash or grease.
• Check and wipe down heat deflectors (flavorizer bars or lava rocks).
• Quick wipe down of the interior with a damp cloth, water, and mild soap.
• Apply a light coat of oil to cool grates.

How to Clean a Grill with an Onion: DIY

1. Turn on the grill and let it warm up.
2. Slice an onion in half.
3. Put the onion on a grill fork.
4. Use the fork to rub the onion on the grill grate.

The heat will activate the onion’s natural juices, helping remove bits of charred food and debris.

FAQ

Is It Better to Clean a Grill Hot or Cold?

It’s ideal to clean your grill when it’s hot especially the grates because the heat helps loosen burnt-on food and grease. Cleaning other sections of the grill, such as the exterior or inner lid, should be done once the grill has cooled.

How to Clean a Grill Brush

To clean a dirty grill brush, soak the bristle head in hot, soapy water for 15–20 minutes (do not submerge any wooden handle). Then, use a stiff nylon brush or rag to scrub between the bristles. Rinse under hot water, shake off any excess moisture, check for loose bristles, and allow it to air-dry completely before storing.

How to Clean a Grill Cover

Start by hosing down any loose material. Next, use a soft brush or sponge with warm water and mild dish soap to scrub the cover. Let the soapy water sit on stubborn stains for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Finally, make sure the cover is completely dry before storing it.

Miami’s Expert Deep Grill Cleaning Service by Arion Clean

At Arion Clean, we know your time is valuable, our expert grill cleaning team in Miami handles everything. Our deep grill cleaning service takes about 4 hours and includes full disassembly, degreasing, scrubbing, and reassembly, leaving your BBQ looking like new. While our professional grill cleaning experts restore your grill to optimal condition, you can focus on your most important tasks. Whether you need a deep cleaning, a standard cleaning, or a one-time service, Arion Clean is ready to help.

Are you ready to request an estimate for a deep cleaning of your home? Contact Arion Clean today!