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Your Grill Is Disgusting—Here’s How to Deep Clean It Before Summer

When your grill is clean, it's not only safer, but performs better, too. And food cooked on a grill free from leftover oils and burnt seasoning just tastes better. We're willing to bet your grill hasn't gotten a good scrub in a while. Even if you cleaned it before putting it away for the season, it's likely been collecting dust over the winter, and could use a good refresh before you put it to use this summer.

What other times should you clean your grill? Regardless of whether you have a gas grill, charcoal grill, or pellet grill, regularly cleaning it after every use is a good idea. This quick clean will remove oils, fats, and other food debris, preparing your grill for the next cook. However, you will also want to deep clean the grill about once or twice a grilling season to get rid of grease buildup and food bits from the grates, grill components, and the interior of the grill. Use this guide to learn how to clean a grill, so you can enjoy delicious food all season long without worrying about nasty flavors, grease fires, or flare-ups.

Why Cleaning Your Grill Is Important

Cleaning your grill is essential to prevent dangerous grease fires, remove harmful carcinogenic buildup, stop rust, and ensure food tastes fresh rather than like old carbon. Regular cleaning, such as performing a burn-off after cooking, also extends the grill's lifespan and prevents pests from being attracted to leftover food residue.

Shannon Snell, head pitmaster at Sonny’s BBQ, says that “a dirty grill can be downright dangerous and can cause grease fires and can also lead to bacteria growing on the grill. Keeping it clean extends the lifespan, and cleaning frequently leads to less work overall in the long run.”

What You’ll Need to Clean a Grill

Before you can clean your grill, you will need to gather the tools and products necessary to get the best results. “A high-quality wire brush is needed to keep it clean, and one of my favorite cleaners is the Caron and Doucet Cast Iron Set—it’s plant based and is great for washing and restoring,” notes Snell. Alternatively, you can use a wooden scraper, or even a couple of natural cleaning items, like an onion, vinegar, or a simple ball of aluminum foil.

If you are doing a deep clean, then you will want to have a bucket, dish soap, and warm water available to soak the grates and component parts. You will also need a degreaser to use on the interior and exterior of the grill, as well as a brush or sponge to scrub the grill. After soaking the grates and grill parts, you can use a microfiber cloth to dry them thoroughly before reassembly. Some grill enthusiasts may also use a shop vac to quickly suck up bits of debris from inside the grill bowl.

Tools and materials for quick grill cleaning:

Wire brush
Grill cleaning products
Wooden scraper

Tools and materials for grill deep cleaning:

Bucket
Dish soap and warm water
Degreaser
Wire brush
Microfiber cloth
Shop vac

How to Clean a Grill

1. Preheat the Grill to Burn Off Excess Residue

Turn all burners to high, or ensure a full load of hot coals for charcoal grills, then close the lid and let the grill heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until smoke stops emerging. This process turns food particles into white ash.

2. Turn Off the Grill and Let it Cool Down

After burning off excess residue, turn off the grill and give it about 45 minutes to an hour to cool down. Ensure the grill is cool and disconnected from the gas tank, or that coals are cold before you proceed.

3. Remove Grates and Internal Parts

Remove grates, warming racks, and heat plates and any other component parts from the grill so that you have better access to thoroughly clean these parts and the interior of the grill.

4. Scrub Grates Thoroughly

Use a brush to scrub both the top and the underside of the grates to remove any loose debris that may still be clinging to the grates after you burned off most of the excess residue.

5. Soak Parts in Warm, Soapy Water

Even after burning off residue and scrubbing the grates, there may still be stuck-on fat and grease. To ensure the parts are properly cleaned, soak them in a tub or bucket of hot water. “Fill a large bucket with Dawn soap and hot water (large enough to submerge grates under water) and let the parts soak for at least 30 minutes,” says Snell.

6. Scrape Interior and Remove Debris

While the parts are soaking, use a putty knife or scraper to remove burnt food and grease buildup from the inside of the lid and the firebox. At this point, you can also use a shop vac to suck up the food debris if you have one available.

7. Clean Grease Tray and Drip Pan

Remove the grease tray and drip pan, then scrape them clean and wipe down these parts to clean away remaining residue. Replace the disposable drip pan liner if needed.

8. Wipe Down Interior and Exterior

Use a degreaser to wipe down the inside and outside of the grill. The degreaser will cut through the grease making it far easier to remove with a brush, sponge, or cloth. After the interior and exterior of the grill have been degreased, wipe them down with soap and water.

9. Dry and Reassemble

After soaking, scrub the grates and grill parts with a grill brush or scouring pad, then dry them off with a microfiber cloth. Once the grill parts and the grill are fully dry, reassemble the grill.

10. Lightly Oil Grates

To prevent rust, Snell recommends that you “re-season the grates with vegetable or canola oil.” This can typically be done with a paper towel or a clean cloth.

Doing a quick cleaning after every time you use your grill means you'll need to do less deep cleanings, and they won't be as hard.

Getty Images

How to Clean Grill Grates

Burn-Off Method

To clean grill grates using the burn-off method, turn all burners to high for 10 to 25 minutes with the lid closed to carbonize food residue. Once the debris turns to white ash, turn off the grill, allow it to cool slightly, and scrub the grates with a stiff nylon or metal grill brush. This process loosens debris and kills bacteria, ensuring your grill is safe to use the next time you decide to grill.

Brush Vs. Soak Method

Cleaning grill grates with a brush or safe alternative is best for routine maintenance while the grill is warm, using heat to burn off any leftover bits of food before brushing the grill grates. Soaking is superior for deep cleaning, using a mixture of soap and warm water to remove heavy, baked-on grease, though it requires more time and cleanup.

Even after soaking the grates and component parts of the grill, Snell explains you can “remove the grates from the water and with a grill brush, brush excess debris away from the grates, then rinse the grates with fresh warm water and immediately dry.”

When Special Care is Needed

Certain materials can be vulnerable to common cleaning methods, such as cast iron, which should not be soaked. Instead, clean cast iron grill grates by heating the grill to high for 10 to 15 minutes to burn off residue, then scrub with a stiff wire or nylon brush. After cooling slightly, wipe the grates with a high-smoke point oil (avocado or canola) to prevent rust and maintain seasoning.

Similarly, if your grill grates are stainless steel or porcelain, you will need to adjust your cleaning method to suit the specific material. Stainless steel handles high heat and sturdy brushes well, while porcelain-coated grates require soft tools to avoid chipping the coating. The best method is to burn off debris at 500°F+ for 10 to 15 minutes, then follow this up by using an appropriate brush (stainless steel for steel, nylon or brass for porcelain) to remove any leftover debris while the grill is still warm.

How to Clean a Gas Grill

Cleaning a gas vs charcoal grill differs mainly in the management of ash versus grease. Charcoal grills require regular ash removal to prevent airflow restriction and moisture buildup, while gas grills require focusing on clearing burner tubes, heat deflectors, and accumulated grease trays to prevent flare-ups.

Prepare the Grill for Cleaning: Turn off the gas at the tank and disconnect the regulator, especially if you plan to move the grill.
Soak Removable Parts: Remove cooking grates, heat deflectors, and the warming rack. Soak them in a large tub with hot water and dish soap.
Clean the Interior and Burners: Use a plastic scraper or putty knife to scrape charred gunk off the inside of the lid and down the walls of the cook box, directing it into the bottom tray area. Gently scrub the burner tubes side-to-side (not up-and-down) with a wire brush to clean the ports, ensuring the holes are clear for proper gas flow.
Vacuum or Manually Remove Debris: Use a shop vac or hand broom to remove all loose debris and grease from the bottom of the cook box.
Clean the Grease Tray: Remove the grease tray/drip pan, empty it, and scrub it clean. Replace the disposable drip pan liner if your grill uses one.
Scrub Soaked Parts: Scrub the grates, heat deflectors, and warming rack, which have been soaking, with a stiff brush or steel wool.
Clean Exterior and Reassemble: Use a sponge with hot, soapy water or stainless steel cleaner to wipe down the exterior, including the lid, knobs, and cabinet. Reassemble the grill once all parts are dry.
Final Burn-Off: Reconnect the gas, turn all burners to high, and let the grill heat up for 15 to 20 minutes to burn off any remaining cleaning residue.

How to Clean a Charcoal Grill

When it comes to cleaning charcoal vs gas grills, charcoal grills require frequent ash removal to prevent moisture buildup and rust, whereas gas grills need grease to be managed, burner tubes to be cleaned, and flavorizer bars to be maintained. Both require regular grate scrubbing, but charcoal grills often allow for easier, thorough cleaning of the entire firebox.

Remove Ash: Use the grill’s cleaning system (like a one-touch system) to drop old ash into the ash catcher and dispose of it, as ash collects moisture and creates corrosive cement-like paste.
Clean the Grates: Remove the cooking grates and scrub them with a wire brush, soap, and water, or use a grill stone.
Clean the Interior: Scrub the inside of the lid and bowl with a brush or nylon pad to remove carbon buildup, letting it fall into the bowl.
Wash and Rinse: Use warm soapy water to clean the bowl, then rinse thoroughly and dry.
Clean Bottom Vents: Use a stiff wire brush, small brush, or putty knife to scrape away built-up grease and ash from the air vent holes.
Clean Top Vents: Remove any buildup on the lid vents that could impede airflow.
Maintain: Lightly oil the grates with vegetable oil to prevent rust.

Best Methods (Quick Clean vs Deep Clean)

Quick Clean (After Every Use)

Follow up a cook by increasing the heat to burn-off excess grease and oils for about 10 to 15 minutes, then let the grill cool slightly before using a brush to physically clean the grill grates. The heat of the grill will make it much easier to remove food bits and other debris that may otherwise cool and become caked-on. You should also take this opportunity to empty your grease tray, especially if you didn’t do it after your previous cook.

Deep Clean (Seasonal)

Once or twice a year, depending on how heavily you use your grill, you should fully disassemble the grill and soak the grates and component parts in warm, soapy water. Use a degreaser on the interior of the grill to remove built up grease and fat, then scrub it clean. Remove the grates and parts from the soak and use a microfiber cloth to dry them thoroughly before reassembling the grill. “If you do a regular quick clean before or after each cook, you shouldn’t need to frequently deep clean, but I recommend doing a good, thorough cleaning at the beginning of the season,” says Snell.

Natural Ways to Clean a Grill

Natural grill cleaning relies on acidic, abrasive, and heat-activated methods. These methods safely remove grease and grime, eliminating the risk of wire bristles.

Onion Scrub Method: Preheat your grill, cut an onion in half, and rub it with a fork over the hot grates to remove grime.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Paste: Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of water to make a paste, apply it, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then spray with white vinegar and scrub.
Aluminum Foil Ball: Crumple a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil into a ball and use tongs to scrub the grates while they are warm, which removes stubborn residue.

Common Grill Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

There are certain mistakes that many home grill cooks make simply because they don’t know better. To make grill cleaning easier and reduce the risk of accidentally damaging your grill, avoid these common grill cleaning mistakes.

Cleaning While the Grill is Too Hot or Too Cold: Avoid cleaning a grill that is searing hot or completely cold to prevent safety hazards and damage. The best approach is to clean grates when they are warm, roughly 30 to 60 minutes after cooking, to allow residue to release easily without causing warped metal or burns.
Not Drying Parts: Failing to dry grill parts after cleaning is a major mistake that leads to rust, corrosion, and damaged components. Always thoroughly dry grates, burner tubes, and heat plates, ideally using a microfiber cloth or by running the grill on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, before reassembling and applying a light coating of oil.
Skipping Grease Tray Cleaning: Skipping the grease tray is one of the most dangerous grill cleaning mistakes, often leading to severe flare-ups, grease fires, and pest infestations. The grease tray and catch pan should be checked and emptied every three to five uses to prevent hazardous accumulation.
Using Harsh Tools On Delicate Grates: Avoid using wire brushes, steel wool, or harsh oven cleaners on delicate grates (porcelain/stainless steel) to prevent scratching, rusting, and ingestion of metal bristles.

How Often Should You Clean Your Grill?

The frequency with which you clean the grill depends on the type of cleaning you are doing and how heavily you use your grill. For a simple light cleaning, “you should clean a grill before or after every cook—this will help prevent the need for a deep clean,” notes Snell. This also prevents buildup and improves the overall performance of the grill.

Once or twice a year, you should take the grill apart and perform a full deep clean on all the parts, as well as the interior and exterior of the grill. If you regularly use your grill three to four or more times per week, then you will need to do a deep cleaning on the grill more frequently. Plan to deep clean the grill every 10 to 15 cooks.

Pro Tips to Keep Your Grill Clean Longer

There are simple ways to keep your grill clean for longer. Regularly using these easy pro tips will reduce the amount of debris buildup and make the grill easier to clean after use.

Burn Off Residue After Cooking: Immediately after cooking, turn all burners to high for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid closed to burn off residue.
Brush While Warm: Scrub the grates with a high-quality stainless steel brush or bristle-free alternative while they are warm (roughly 300°F+) immediately after cooking to easily remove grease and residue.
Use Grill Cover: Cover the grill with a high-quality, breathable cover to protect against rust, moisture, and debris when the grill is not in use.
Line Drip Tray: Lining the drip tray with heavy-duty aluminum foil or using disposable aluminum liners make it easier to quickly clean the drip tray by replacing this liner about once every three to five uses.

FAQs

What is the easiest way to clean a grill?

The easiest way to clean a grill involves a high-heat burn-off followed by brushing while warm. Turn all burners to high for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid closed to turn residue into ash. Once cooled slightly, scrub the grates with a sturdy grill brush, nylon brush, or crumpled aluminum foil.

Can you clean a grill without a brush?

You can absolutely clean a grill without a wire brush using common household items like aluminum foil, onions, or scrapers. To use aluminum foil, crumple a piece into a tight ball, grab it with tongs, and scrub the hot grates. To use an onion, cut it in half, impale it with a fork, and rub it along the hot grill grates. Alternatively, a wood scraper or spatula can scrape off debris without damaging the grate coating.

Should you clean a grill hot or cold?

The heat on a warm grill will make it easier to dislodge stuck on grime, so the best time to do a light grill cleaning is while the grill is still warm. However, for a deep clean, you will need to remove and soak multiple parts of the grill, in which case it is better to be working with a cold grill. Similarly, if you are emptying ashes from a charcoal grill, you should wait until they are completely cooled, which may take 8 to 24 hours.

How do you remove heavy grease buildup?

When it comes to removing heavy grease buildup from your grates, remove cool grates from the grill and soak them for at least 30 minutes in a mixture of hot water, dish soap, and baking soda to break down oils. For the grill itself, apply a heavy-duty grill degreaser or oven cleaner to the interior and grates, let it sit, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.