Time to Clean your grill… (Gas, Charcoal, or a Pellet Smoker)

A clean grill is a happy grill, and fortunately, cleaning your grill is much simpler than it seems. If you have a gas grill, pellet grill, charcoal grill, or kamado grill, we will show you how to clean it properly so you can get fired up for grilling season!

Whether you are storing your grill for the offseason or you are just maintaining it during the warmer months, you need to follow these steps to keep your grill from rusting — or worse, picking up unwanted bacteria.

Step 1: Remove your grill grate.

The grill grate is one of the most important components to keep clean. Removing it allows you to access the grill’s other internal components.

Don’t forget to put on disposable gloves before you start cleaning. They’re far easier to remove than grease stuck on your hands.

Step 2: Remove any internal grill components and place on cardboard or paper towels.

Almost all grills have internal components that need to be removed and cleaned:

• Gas grills will often have flame diffusers that sit above the burners.
• Pellet grills will often have two heat deflectors that sit perpendicular to each other over the firepot.
• Kamado grills will have an internal fire pot and fire ring you can remove.
• Charcoal grills will have a lower charcoal grate that charcoal sits on.

Step 3: Start cleaning the inside of your grill.

With your internal components removed, use a putty knife or a sturdy spatula to break free any carbonized bits that may be caked on. These bits along with any ash or fallen pieces of metal should be removed and discarded.

A shop vacuum makes easy work of this task but you can also use a stiff brush. Most grills have some kind of an ash or grease collection area that can also be removed and cleaned.

Although it should go without saying if you’re cleaning a charcoal grill, make sure all of the embers are completely extinguished before removing.

Step 4: Inspect your components.

With the grill pulled apart, now’s a good time to do a grill inspection.

If you have a gas grill, inspect the burners and make sure they are still intact.

Kamado grills should have their bands that connect the dome to the main part of the grill inspected and tightened.

Pellet grills should have a firebox that is free from small holes, and you should check to see that your pellet auger is turning freely during operation. Any loud knocking may indicate there is a blockage somewhere between the pellet hopper and the fire pit. Depending on how humid your climate is, you may even want to consider removing any old pellets and replacing them with new ones.

Charcoal grills — especially freestanding ones — should be inspected to make sure that the legs and wheels are in good condition. There’s nothing worse or more dangerous than a charcoal grill’s stand failing and falling over while you’re cooking.

Step 5: Clean your grill grates.

Cleaning your grill grates is something that should be done on a regular basis if not every time you cook.

Scrape as much cooked-on food and grill grit away as you can with a putty knife, firm spatula, or grill brush. If that doesn’t do the trick, soak it in hot water and a degreasing kitchen soap like Dawn for a bit. Then give the grill grate a good scrub.

There are all kinds of cleaning products ranging from all-natural to chemical and caustic made for cleaning grills. The one you choose depends on personal preference and how big of a mess you’re cleaning.

Regardless of how you decide to clean your grill grate, it’s not advisable to put them in the dishwasher.

Step 6: Oil your grill grate and components.

Some grill grates and internal components are made from stainless steel, which can oxidize after cleaning. It’s a good idea to lightly coat oil onto your grill grate and any removable heat deflectors or components to help protect them from rusting.

Step 7: Put the grill back together.

Take care to make sure everything fits back the way it should. But keep in mind that the grill’s high heat can sometimes cause the metal to warp a bit.

A little extra effort now in making sure everything fits and is seated properly will make for a more efficient cooking experience.

Step 8: Fire your grill back up.

Now that the grill is back together it’s time to breathe some life into it. If you can, fire up gas and pellet grills immediately after cleaning.

This serves two purposes: It allows any moisture to burn off and evaporate, and it will burn off the oils and season your grill grate and the oiled components.

Bring the grill up to about 450 F and allow it to burn at that temperature for 30 minutes. SET A TIMER SO YOU DON’T FORGET. This should burn off any oils and assist with seasoning the metal components.

In most cases, you can effectively clean your grill in under an hour. A little bit of grill maintenance today will not only make your grilled food more delicious, but it will help to make your grill last longer. The only thing left to do is invite friends, family, and neighbors over!

Fireplace & Bar-B-Q Center can help you make the right product choice for all things BBQ.  So come on in and see us!  We love talking to our customers about grilling!