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 master 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.
I’ve found that sticking to a regular cleaning schedule keeps my grill in top shape, especially during the summer when I’m firing it up almost every weekend. Based on my experience, cleaning the grates right after cooking—while they’re still hot—makes scraping off stuck-on food a breeze. For deeper cleans, I’ve noticed that grills used more than twice a week might need a full scrub every two weeks to prevent grease buildup. A study from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association suggests that 70% of grill owners clean their grates after every use, which aligns with Kolman’s advice and helps maintain consistent cooking performance. Wearing gloves, like Kolman recommends, also saves you from scrubbing your hands raw to get rid of that stubborn smoky smell.
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 preheat 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.
Having these tools ready makes the cleaning process so much smoother. I keep a dedicated bucket and scrub brush just for grill cleaning—it’s a small investment that saves time. The aluminum foil trick is a lifesaver when I’m in a rush; I’ve used it a few times when I didn’t have time to soak the grates, and it works like a charm. For those with stainless steel grills, I’d add that investing in a quality stainless steel cleaner (around $10-$15) is worth it to keep the exterior looking sharp. Also, consider eco-friendly dish soaps—some brands I’ve tried cut through grease just as well as harsher chemicals but are gentler on the environment. A quick tip: store your microfiber cloths in a ziplock bag after use to keep them clean for the next round.
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 of 17th Street Barbecue and co-author of the cookbook Peace, 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.
I’ve been cleaning my gas grill this way for years, and Mills’ tip about swapping out the drip pan regularly is spot-on—it really cuts down on that lingering grease smell. One thing I’ve learned is to check the burner tubes while cleaning the interior; a quick brush can prevent uneven heating, which I noticed when my burgers were cooking unevenly last summer. According to grill manufacturers, grease buildup can reduce a gas grill’s efficiency by up to 15%, so staying on top of this routine is key. For stainless steel exteriors, I’ve found that wiping in the direction of the grain prevents streaks, and a $5 bottle of cleaner goes a long way. If you’re short on time, keep a spray bottle of soapy water handy for quick touch-ups between deep cleans.
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.
Mills’ advice about ash removal is critical—last summer, I skipped this step once, and my steaks ended up with a gritty texture from ash dust. A small metal shovel, which you can grab for about $8 at a hardware store, makes ash cleanup quick and easy. Charcoal grills can lose up to 10% of their heat efficiency due to ash buildup, according to barbecue experts, so this step is non-negotiable. I also like to give the interior a quick rinse with a garden hose (low pressure) to make sure no soap residue is left behind. For stubborn grease spots, I’ve found that letting the soapy water sit on the grates for 10 minutes before scrubbing saves some elbow grease.
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.
I’ve got a flat-top grill for making smash burgers, and Mills’ advice to oil it lightly after cleaning is a game-changer for keeping it non-stick. I’ve found that a copper cloth works better than a regular pad for tackling tough grease without scratching the surface. Flat-top grills can accumulate grease faster than other types, so cleaning after every use prevents a big mess later. A quick cost-saving tip: reuse clean cloths from other household chores to wipe down the grill—it’s one less thing to buy. Also, if you’re grilling for a crowd, scrape the surface midway through cooking to keep it in good shape for the next batch.
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.
These tips have saved me so much hassle over the years. I learned the hard way that skipping the catch pan cleanup on my gas grill led to a small flare-up—scary moment! A good grill cover, which you can find for as little as $20, also keeps rust and debris at bay, especially if you store your grill outside. According to industry stats, using a cover can extend a grill’s lifespan by up to 30%. I also make it a habit to clean my grill brush right after use; a quick soak in soapy water keeps it from gunking up my grates next time. One extra trick: store your grill in a dry spot to avoid moisture buildup, which can lead to rust.
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.
How do you clean a grill brush?
Cleaning your grill brush is an important part of maintaining a clean grill. These tools can collect a lot of grease and grime over time, which can transfer back onto your grates. After each use, tap the brush to knock off any loose debris, then soak in hot, soapy water. Alternately, you can spray the bristles with a degreasing cleaner. Let the brush dry completely before storing.
I’ve tried the vinegar cleaning trick when I ran out of dish soap, and it worked surprisingly well—plus, it’s super cheap at about $1 per bottle. The hot-versus-cold cleaning question always comes up with friends at cookouts, and I tell them to hit the grates while they’re hot for easy scraping but wait for the rest to cool to avoid burns. Oiling the grates after cleaning is something I do occasionally, especially for delicate foods like fish, and it really helps with cleanup afterward. For grill brushes, I’ve noticed that a quick spray with a degreaser is faster than soaking, especially if you’re cleaning up right after a barbecue. Keeping these habits consistent makes grilling way more enjoyable and less of a chore.
