How to Clean a Grill (Gas or Charcoal)
Before It Cooks Anything Else

Let's be honest about your grill. It's been sitting out in the yard for months, quietly collecting dirt, rust, last season's burger drippings and possibly a family of spiders who have made it their forever home.

You wouldn't fry an egg in a dirty frying pan. So why throw a beautiful steak on a crusty grate? (I didn't think so.)

Whether you're firing it up for the first cookout of the season or putting it to bed for the winter, here's how to clean a grill, gas or charcoal, so it's safe, sparkling and ready to glow.

The short version:

• Brush the grates while they're warm after every use.

• Deep clean at the start and end of grilling season.

• Scrub with warm, soapy water; never use oven cleaner.

• On gas grills, clear the burner tubes and check for leaks before lighting.

• Store propane tanks upright and outdoors, never inside.
  

What You'll Need

•  A grill brush (a bristle-free or brass brush is gentlest; see the safety note below)

• Warm, soapy water and a bucket

• A plastic scouring pad and a non-wire bottle brush

• A toothpick, paper clip or thin wire for clogged burner ports

• Rubber gloves, old towels or a drop cloth, and a garden hose

• Cooking oil and paper towels, for cast-iron grates
  

A Quick Word About Wire Grill Brushes

Those classic wire-bristle brushes can shed tiny metal bristles that stick to the grate, end up in your food and send people to the emergency room.

If you use one, replace it as soon as the bristles start to loosen, and give the grate a once-over (or a wipe with a damp cloth) before you cook.

Better yet, switch to a bristle-free brush, a coil brush or a ball of crumpled aluminum foil held with tongs.

How to Clean a Charcoal Grill

1.     Empty the ashes. Make sure they're completely cold first (ash can hold heat for a day or more), then dump them into a metal container, never a paper or plastic bag.

2.     Scrub the grate. Use your grill brush and warm, soapy water. For stubborn gunk, a plastic scouring pad does the trick. (Skip steel wool on porcelain-coated grates; it scratches the coating.)

3.     Rinse and dry. Lightly oil cast-iron grates to keep them from rusting.

4.     Wash the bowl and lid. Clean the inside and outside of the grill with warm, soapy water, rinse and wipe dry.

Never use oven cleaner on a grill. It can damage the finish, and you really don't want caustic residue on the surface where your dinner goes.

How to Clean a Gas Grill

If you're like most people, you last deep-cleaned your gas grill on the day you bought it. And now you're going to fire up a propane tank without checking it out first? Let's not.

Before you start:

1.     Grab your owner's manual. Your model may have specific cleaning instructions, so take it outside with you.

2.     Lay old towels or a drop cloth under the grill to protect your patio or deck.

3.     Turn off the gas at the tank and disconnect it.

Then clean it, top to bottom:

1.     Remove the grates, flavorizer bars or briquettes, and drip pans. Wash the burner grates and drip pans with soapy water and a plastic scouring pad.

2.     Clear the burners. Following your manual, remove the burners. Poke out clogged burner ports with a toothpick, paper clip or thin wire, and clean the venturi tubes (the tubes that carry gas to the burners) with a non-wire bottle brush. Spiders love to nest in there, and a blocked tube can cause a dangerous flare-up.

3.     Protect the gas openings. Cover the gas openings at the control panel with plastic bags or foil to keep them dry.

4.     Scrub the inside and outside. Use a brass brush and warm, soapy water, rinse with the hose and wipe dry. Remove the plastic or foil when you're done.

5.     Put it back together. Reinstall the burners, drip pans and grates.

How to Clean Grill Grates and Briquettes

Here's the lazy (I mean efficient) way: put the grates and ceramic briquettes back in the grill greasy side down, facing the burners.

Close the lid and "cook" them on high for 15 minutes to burn off the gunk. Once they've cooled, scrub with a brass brush and warm, soapy water, then dry and replace. Oil cast-iron grates to ward off rust.

Ceramic briquettes usually need replacing about once a year, or sooner if they're crumbling.

How to Check a Gas Grill for Leaks

Do this every time you reconnect the tank, and at the start of every season:

1.     Inspect the tank and hoses. Don't use a tank that's dented or badly rusted. Look for cracks, brittle spots and sharp bends in the hoses.

2.     Reconnect the tank with all the grill's burner knobs turned off.

3.     Brush on soapy water. Mix half dish soap, half water and paint it over the hose and every connection.

4.     Open the tank valve slowly.

5.     Watch for bubbles. Bubbles mean gas is escaping. Close the valve, tighten the connection and test again. If it still bubbles, replace the part before you use the grill.

Never check for leaks with a match or lighter. (Yes, people do this. No, it does not end well.)

After Every Cookout

1.     With the grill still hot, close the lid and run it on high for about 15 minutes to burn off drips.

2.     Brush the grates clean.

3.     Lightly oil cast-iron grates.

And treat your grill like any other cooking surface: wipe up spills before they bake on. Your future self (and your grill) will thank you.

How to Winterize a Gas Grill

Give your grill a full deep clean at least twice a year: at the start and end of grilling season. Before storing it for winter:

1.     Burn off the grates and briquettes (greasy side down, high heat, 15 minutes), cool, then wash and dry.

2.     Turn off the gas and disconnect the tank. Wipe the tank with warm, soapy water and dry it.

3.     Clean the burner ports and gas connections.

4.     Clean the outside of the grill and touch up any chips with high-heat paint.

5.     Cover the gas openings with plastic bags to keep spiders and bugs from moving in.

Storing the grill outside? Reconnect the tank, put on the cover and give it a full cleaning before you use it again in spring.

Storing the grill in the garage or shed? Disconnect the tank and keep it outside, standing upright, away from dryer vents and out of reach of kids. Propane tanks should never be stored indoors, including in the garage.

Grill Cleaning FAQs

How often should you clean a grill? Brush the grates after every use, and deep clean the whole grill at least at the start and end of the grilling season (more often if you grill a lot).

Can I use oven cleaner on my grill? No. It can damage the finish and leave harmful residue where your food cooks. Warm, soapy water and a good scrub do the job.

Are wire grill brushes safe? They can shed bristles that end up in food. Replace worn brushes, check the grate before cooking, or switch to a bristle-free brush.

How do I know if my gas grill is leaking? Brush soapy water on the hose and connections and open the tank valve. Bubbles mean a leak.

Put Grill Cleaning on the Calendar

The grill is easy to forget until it's covered in spiders. My book The Daily Home Reset includes a month-by-month deep-cleaning schedule, so big jobs like this get done on time, without taking over your weekends.

Keep Going

Get your whole backyard ready for entertaining with these related guides:

•      Backyard & Garden Guide: Patios & Outdoor Living: Make your outdoor spaces work for the whole family.

•      A Party-Friendly Patio: Get your patio ready for guests.

•      Easy Summer Cleaning Tips: Keep the house clean all summer long.

•      Green Home Cleaning Tips: Clean safely without harsh chemicals.

•      7-Step Kitchen Cleaning: Get your indoor cooking space just as clean.

•      Garage Organizing: Make room to store the grill for winter.

•      Home Maintenance: Seasonal upkeep that saves money and headaches.

•      Safe at Home: Keep your family safe from household hazards.