Owning a gas grill can make summertime barbecue a breeze. But like any outdoor cooking appliance, gas grills get dirty with repeated use. Grease, drippings, and burnt-on food particles accumulate both inside and outside the grill, potentially causing flare-ups, unpleasant smells, and corrosion over time. That’s why regular cleaning and maintenance is a must.
Why Clean Your Gas Grill?
Here are the top reasons to make gas grill cleaning part of your regular routine:
- Prevent grease fires and flare-ups: Grease is flammable, so letting it build up increases the risk of flare-ups and grease fires. Routinely cleaning your grill prevents potentially dangerous grease accumulation.
- Get better performance: A dirty grill can have issues reaching and maintaining proper cooking temperatures. Cleaning improves heating efficiency.
- Extend appliance life span: Over time, grease, grime, moisture and food debris cause corrosion and rust, which can damage key components like burners and ignition systems. Regular cleaning protects your investment.
- Improve flavor: Burnt-on food and grease residues give food an unpleasant flavor. A clean cooking grate imparts better flavor.
- Eliminate odors: Grease also causes unpleasant smells over time. A clean grill simply smells better while cooking.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gas Grill?
Cleaning frequency depends on how often you use your grill:
- After every use: Brush/scrape the cooking grates and wipe down exterior surfaces.
- Every 5-10 uses: Give the grill a deeper cleaning, including burners, grease management system, and other components.
- Twice a year: Do a comprehensive, deep cleaning of all components and features.
Of course, the more you grill, the more you should clean your appliance. Keep an eye out for grease accumulation and clean whenever you notice an excess amount.
Read More: Mice Don’t Grill Well: How to Keep Mice Out of Your Grill
Step-by-Step Gas Grill Cleaning
With a little time and effort, you can keep your gas grill spotless during grilling season. Follow this step-by-step cleaning checklist:
Step 1: Gather Your Grill Cleaning Supplies
Having the right tools makes cleaning easier and more effective. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Grill brush
- Metal scraper
- Clean cloths/paper towels
- Mild dish soap
- Spatula
- Small wire brush
- Grill cleaning spray
- Aluminum foil
- Shop vacuum (wet/dry type)
- Storage containers
Make sure you have all supplies on hand before getting started.
Step 2: Prep the Grill for Cleaning
You’ll need to let the grill cool completely and disconnect any fuel sources before cleaning. Here is the proper way to prep your gas grill for maintenance:
- Turn knobs to “off” and close lid: Make sure all control knobs are turned to the off position. Close the lid and allow the grill to cool completely if recently used. Never clean a hot grill.
- Turn off fuel supply: For propane grills, turn the tank valve to the closed position and disconnect the regulator hose. For natural gas grills, turn off the dedicated gas line shut-off valve.
- Remove cooking grates: Lift grates out of the grill and set aside for later cleaning.
- Remove heat distribution systems: Take out flame tamers, briquette trays, heat plates, or other accessories. Set aside carefully.
- Empty drip tray: Take out disposable aluminum drip pans or reusable collector trays and empty grease.
Once prepped, you can start cleaning all grill components.
Step 3: Clean the Internal Grill Surfaces
With grates and other accessories removed, focus on cleaning inside the bottom and sides of the grill barrel:
- Use a grill brush to loosen any food debris and grease buildup on internal surfaces. Pay special attention to corners and crevices.
- Use a spatula or scraper to dislodge stuck-on grime or food residue. Avoid using abrasive pads/tools that could scratch surfaces.
- Wipe down all surfaces with soapy water or grill cleaning solution using clean cloths. Rinse and dry completely.
- Carefully vacuum loose debris from the bottom and sides of the grill using a wet/dry vacuum on blow settings only. Don’t use vacuum suction as it can damage ignition components.
- Clean out and wipe down vacant accessory slots and holders to remove grease accumulation.
Take your time cleaning all hidden areas of the grill. Missed grease deposits can continue accumulating and create flare-up risks.
Step 4. Deep Clean Burners and Heat Systems
Here’s how to thoroughly clean key grill heating components:
Tube Burners
- Remove burners: Detach any locking pins or fastener clips and carefully pull burners from mounting brackets.
- Clean burner exterior: Use a wire grill brush to gently scrub the outer burner surface to remove food, grease and rust. Avoid damaging gas ports.
- Clear burner ports: Use a thin wire or needle to clear any clogged port openings. Ensure even gas flow.
- Check condition: Inspect burners for any cracks/holes and replace if damaged.
- Rinse & dry: Use dish soap and water to rinse burners. Dry completely before reinstalling.
Flame Tamers and Heat Plates
- Remove all loose debris using a grill brush and scraper. Avoid abrasives that could scratch metal.
- Soak in warm, soapy water. Use a non-abrasive scrub pad to remove stubborn deposits.
- Rinse and dry completely before reinstalling over burners.
Briquette Trays
- Carefully remove ceramic briquettes or lava rock pieces and place in foil-lined containers.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and use a soft-bristle brush to remove soot deposits. Discard broken/damaged pieces.
- Dry completely and replace media in tray before reinstalling in grill.
Thoroughly cleaning all heating components improves heating efficiency and safety.
Step 5. Scrub and Clean Cooking Grates
Greasy grates are unsightly and unhygienic. Here’s how to get them squeaky clean:
- Place grates in disposable foil pan and coat with grill cleaner spray. Allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. The caustic chemicals will help loosen residue.
- Remove grates and scrub vigorously with a grill brush on both sides, using a back-and-forth motion across bars. Focus on sticky, darkened areas.
- Rinse grates clean under hot water. Use a non-abrasive scrub pad for final residue removal if needed.
- Dry cooking grates completely with a clean towel before reinstalling in grill.
Repeat cleaning if grates still exhibit grease staining or residues. Discoloration may require replacing older cooking grates.
Step 6: Wipe Down Outside Grill Surfaces
Don’t neglect the external grill housing and surfaces in your cleaning. Here’s the process:
- Wipe down lid: Use a clean cloth with warm, soapy water to scrub the top and underside of the lid, hinge and handle. Rinse and dry.
- Clean controls: Use a cloth dampened with sudsy water to gently wipe control panel and knobs. Avoid using excess water near controls.
- Scrub side tables: For stainless steel side tables and prep areas, use grill cleaner and paper towels to remove grease and fingerprints. Rinse and dry completely.
- Touch up exterior: Use grill cleaning spray on a damp cloth to wipe down the grill cabinet. For stainless steel, rub in direction of grain texture.
- Check fuel components: Wipe down any propane tanks, valves fittings, lines and regulators to remove grime/grease buildup.
Giving the entire grill exterior a good scrubbing makes your appliance more visually appealing and helps components last longer through reduced corrosion.
Step 7: Give Grease Management System a Deep Cleaning
Grease drainage systems require special attention because of heavy grease load. Follow these tips:
- Remove baffles/shields from hood and walls and scrub away grease using degreaser and small brush
- Empty and wash removable drip trays in hot sudsy water, or replace disposable foil pans
- Use a wet/dry vac to suck up grease in bottom of grill or from drainage channels
- Wipe down the inner walls of grease chutes
Keeping the grease management system clean improves efficiency and reduces flare-up fuel.
Step 8: Do a Final Inspection and Reassembly
Before wrapping up grill cleaning:
- Perform a visual inspection of all components. Ensure no grease deposits or food debris remains.
- Replace any damaged or overly corroded parts like grates or burners.
- Carefully reinstall all internal accessories like heat plates, drip trays, briquettes, in their correct positions.
- Replace cooking grates.
- Reconnect any detached fuel lines or tubes before use.
Take a final walk-around your grill and use your nose too – if odors linger, re-clean any grease hiding spots you may have missed!
Best Practices for Gas Grill Cleaning
Follow these top tips for easy, effective routine cleaning and maintenance all grilling season:
- Disposable foil pans under grates catch drips and make cleanup easier. Change them out regularly.
- Brush grates immediately after preheating and cooking helps prevent residue bonding. It takes seconds.
- Use long-handled cleaning tools for clearing internal debris in hot grill.
- Avoid using caustic oven cleaner sprays on coatings like porcelain enamel. They damage surfaces.
- For stuck-on grime, let grill degreasers or soakers sit for 5+ minutes before scrubbing.
- Place trays of vinegar-water solution inside covered grill overnight to help loosen grease.
- Rinse grates/components with water before rubbing with oil-soaked towel for rust protection.
- Store grates seasoned with oil coating to limit corrosion. Use grill cover for full protection.
Also Read: How to Fix a Gas Grill That Doesn’t Get Hot Enough
When to Call for Professional Cleaning Services
Deep cleaning your own grill takes effort. For convenience or very dirty grills, consider hiring a professional gas grill cleaning company. They use industrial strength degreasers and powerful pressure washers to give grills a factory-fresh appearance inside and out. Professionals can also identify any worn parts needing replacement.
Common signs it’s time to call the pros:
- Grease drips out when lifting lid despite regular cleaning efforts
- Lingering burned/rancid cooking odors you can’t eliminate
- Visible grease accumulation/staining throughout grill
- Rusting external housing or lots of visible corrosion
- Food consistently sticks to grates despite brushing
- Yellow burner flames, uneven heat or frequent flare-ups
Do a Little Cleaning = A Lot More Grilling!
While cleaning your grill takes a bit of effort, it pays off all grilling season long through better performance and safer operation. Just remember to start the season with a sparkling clean grill and dedicate a few minutes after each cookout.
Implement this comprehensive cleaning checklist and you’ll keep your gas grill looking and running like new for many years of barbecue enjoyment!