How To Clean Any BBQ Grill (and Cook Better Tasting Food!)

The cleanliness of your BBQ grill makes an impression on your cookout guests — and the taste and quality of your hot dogs and shish kabobs. Is one burger burned and the other still pink? If your food is cooked unevenly, it may be a sign that your burners are clogged. Or that you have too much ash and not enough coals.

Whether you have an electric, gas, or charcoal grill, it’s important to keep it clean and dry as much as possible. A quick cleaning of the grates after each use and an annual deep clean of the whole grill at the end of each grilling season should keep your grill in tip-top shape.

Here’s how to clean your BBQ grill whether you’re cooking on porcelain, cast iron, or steel grates.

Not All Grates are Created Equal

Porcelain, cast iron, and stainless steel grates all require a different approach. Here are two easy ways to clean each, so you can use what you have on hand or experiment with different methods.

Two Ways to Clean Porcelain Grates

Be careful: Avoid using any metal tools, as this can cause chips and scrapes making porcelain grates vulnerable to rust and water damage. Porcelain is both rust-resistant and a great conductor of heat, but it’s important to clean it with care.

Use a soft nylon brush (no metal or wire brushes here!) Burn off any leftover food, allow them to cool, and then scrub with a nylon brush, running the brush diagonally across the grates.
Combine one-half cup baking soda and one-quarter cup of warm water. Apply the paste to the grates and allow it to sit for twenty minutes. Then, brush with a nylon brush. Be sure to remove all paste before your next cooking.

Two Ways to Clean Cast Iron Grates

Avoid using water on cast iron grates, as they are prone to rust. Instead, burn off any food left on the grates by turning the heat up to high. Allow grates to cool and scrub them with a nylon brush. Then, apply a generous coating of vegetable oil to prevent rust.
If you do end up with rusty grates, create a thick paste using kosher salt and water. Scrub the grates with the paste mixture and follow-up with steel wool or a nylon brush.

2 Ways to Clean Stainless Steel Grates

Cover the grates with a sturdy aluminum foil. Turn the heat up to high for about 10 minutes. This will burn off any leftover food or residue. Allow the grates to cool and scrub with a nylon cleaning brush.
After cooking, allow the grates to cool. Create a mixture of warm water and dish detergent in a bucket. Make sure the water is nice and sudsy. Apply the mixture to the grates with a rag or paper towel then follow up with steel wool, scraping each rung individually.

Again, be sure to clean each grate after every use in order to prevent stuck-on food, rust, and grease fires—yikes!

Deep Clean Your Grill to Keep it Fresh for Years

Once a year, give your grill a thorough scrub to get a clean slate. This will also keep your grill in great condition for years, and ensure that accumulated grease and gunk don’t interfere with your food. Follow the guidelines for cleaning your gas, electric, or charcoal grill below.

Gas Grill

After cleaning grates, remove from grill. Turn OFF the gas. Next, remove the heat deflectors that are located over the burner ports. Clean the deflectors using dish-soap and a wire grill brush and rinse and dry thoroughly with a towel.
Next, remove the burner valves. Brush horizontally across the ports (the little holes found along the valve) using a stiff wire brush and hot, soapy water. This will help remove any blockages and allow for even burning. Do NOT brush length-wise, as it may cause more blockages.
After scrubbing, flush the burner valve with cold water from the hose. Allow the water to run down through each port, removing any excess soap and debris.
REMOVE the propane tank before cleaning the cook box/ drip tray. Once the cook box is empty, scrub the tray with hot soapy water and a large, stiff grill brush. Place a bucket underneath to catch the water, and flush with a garden hose.
Towel-dry all parts and place back inside the grill.

All other exteriors can be washed with soap and water, but stainless steel exteriors should be wiped clean with a microfiber towel and an eco-friendly stainless steel cleaning spray (or simply use vinegar). Be sure to clean the stainless steel exterior by wiping with the grain of the steel.

Electric Grill

Always make sure your grill is switched OFF. After cleaning the grates, remove them from the grill. With electric grills, you will likely be able to remove the grates and wash them in the sink with a sponge or steel brush.
Remove the removable liner from underneath the grates. (Most electric outdoor grills will have this.)
Scrape off any excess food with a rubber spatula, or wipe with a soapy sponge.
Wipe down the lid with a damp cloth. Do NOT immerse the lid in water.
Towel-dry all parts. Once thoroughly dry, replace the grates, liner, and lid.

Charcoal Grill

Clean and remove grates.
Remove leftover ash from the base of the grill. Simply lift the charcoal grate at the base and dump ash and charcoal into a sturdy garbage bag.
Clean the remaining ash from the cook-box, by scooping the remaining ash out with a shovel.
Once ash is removed, use a dish soap and wire brush to scrub the inside of the box. Flush with water.
Once all parts are dry, replace the charcoal grill grates.
Clean exterior with soap and water. Rinse carefully and towel dry.

Rules to Grill By

Finally, keep these tips in mind every time you fire up your grill:

Replace all grill brushes and cleaning tools at the beginning of each season. This will prevent bacteria growth and will allow your tools to work at their maximum potential.
Always cover your grill after it’s been cleaned. This will shield your grill from the weather and other debris.
Coat your grill grates with vegetable oil after cleaning. This will ward off rust, and you’ll be ready for your next grilling.
Pay attention to the taste and quality of your food. They may be telling you it’s time to clean your grill!

Ready to Have Friends and Family Over for a BBQ?

Now that you know how to keep your grill clean, it’s time to have the Lily’s Cleaning experts come to your home to make sure it’s as clean as your grill. We offer free quotes directly from our website. All you have to do is fill out this form (click here) or give us a call at 678-644-4855. Our services are available in the Metro-Atlanta area and we look forward to hearing from you.