How To Clean a Grill Like a Pro

To clean a grill, scrub the grates with a stiff wire brush (easiest while the grill is still warm), then wipe down the interior with soapy water or a degreaser and oil the grates lightly to prevent rust. Clean after every use to keep food residue from building up, and deep clean once or twice a season. A clean grill isn’t just about looks — it’s a real food-safety measure.

With barbecue season here, it’s time to give your grill a thorough clean — if it’s been outside all winter, it’s overdue for a scrub. Cleaning after each use prevents the buildup that shortens a grill’s lifespan and keeps it gleaming all year for the healthiest results.

Why is it important to keep your grill clean?

You might wonder whether it really matters, since the grill heats to a high temperature next time you use it. Here are some facts to keep in mind.

• The USDA reports that food poisoning cases surge during the summer months, and improperly cleaned grills can be a culprit.
• Grilled meats may not reach a temperature high enough to kill bacteria, so always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp before eating.
• Always close the lid when the grill isn’t in use — leaving it open invites birds, insects, and even mold spores to move in.

Cleaning your grill properly is essential for food safety — the last thing you want is for you, your family, or your guests to get sick.

How do you clean a BBQ grill?

It’s easier to clean a warm grill than a cold one, since heat helps dislodge food and debris. (For a charcoal grill, let it cool and remove the ash first.) But heat alone won’t kill what’s on your grill, so follow these steps.

Step 1: Scrub the grates with a long-handled, stiff wire brush.

Step 2: Once clean, apply a thin coat of vegetable oil to the grates with an old rag.

Step 3: Clean inside the grilling bowl with dish soap and a steel brush (or crumpled aluminum foil).

Step 4: Check for and remove any loose brush bristles stuck to the grill, since these are a fire hazard.

At the end of each grilling season, clean the whole grill with soapy water and towel dry to prevent rust. Use a grill cover to protect it from the elements and it should last for years.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to clean your oven — learn how with our handy guide!

How do you clean a grill with an onion?

You may have heard this BBQ trick — and it really works. The acid in raw onion is a great non-toxic cleaning solution. We don’t use it often indoors because of the smell, but it’s perfect for a grill, and works best when the grill is very hot.

Step 1: Peel and halve a large onion.

Step 2: Use a long-handled fork to rub the cut side firmly against the grates.

Step 3: Stand back from the fumes to avoid getting onion in your eyes.

You’ll still need to clean the grill properly afterward, but rubbing an onion over it quickly removes the worst of any burned-on food — so now you know how to clean a grill without a brush, too.

How do you clean a flat grill top?

If you cook on a flat grill top rather than the rack, you’ve got a larger area to clean, and food can burn onto it if the temperature runs too high. Grease can also build up and become a fire hazard. Here’s how to get a grill top looking like new.

Before you clean:

• Use a spatula to remove as much grease as possible from the grill top.
• Wipe it down with paper towels to absorb the last of the grease and excess food.

Then use one of these methods.

Steam cleaning

One of the best cleaners is simple steam. Heat the grill top until very hot, then pour water onto it — stand back to avoid scalding, and don’t throw the water, which risks splashing. Scrub with a grill brush while the water is hot, and repeat as needed.

With vinegar

White vinegar cleans almost any surface. Mix 50/50 white vinegar and water and spray it onto a hot grill (stand back from the steam). Use a grill brush to loosen debris, and keep spraying and brushing until the surface is covered in what looks like black tar. Then turn off the grill, pour on more solution, and brush away the residue.

With salt

Salt is abrasive and absorbent, which makes it a great cleaner for soaking up spills and residue. Sprinkle the grill generously with salt (let it cool first if it was hot), then scrub with a grill brush — the salt adds extra scouring power. For more cleaning power, use half a lemon as a scrubber; the lemon juice and salt together cut through grease fast.

With dish soap

Dish soap is built to cut greasy residue, so it’s great on a grill top. Let the grill top cool, apply soapy water with a sponge, then rinse with plain water to remove any soap.

With a grill brick

Grill bricks (made from pumice stone) are designed to remove oil from grill tops and won’t absorb grease or odors, so they’re reusable. Heat the grill top gently, pour on a small amount of neutral oil, and use the brick to blend the oil with dirt and residue, moving in circles to avoid marking the surface. Once the debris lifts, turn off the heat and, when cool, wipe away the oil with paper towels.

How do you deep clean grill grates?

If you scrub the grates with a stiff brush after each use, they’re easy to maintain. But soot and debris accumulate over the season, so sometimes they need extra cleaning power. Here’s how to deep clean them.

• Remove the grates once completely cooled
• Place them in a heavy-duty trash bag
• Add 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda
• Seal the bag with an elastic band or tape
• Leave overnight for the mixture to work
• Remove the grates and wash with plain water

This works on both porcelain and cast iron grates. Dry them thoroughly afterward to prevent rust.

How do you clean a gas grill?

Gas is much cleaner than charcoal, but it still leaves residue over time. Here’s how to clean a gas grill.

• Let the grill cool completely before dismantling
• Remove the grates and the metal plates covering the gas burners
• Clean these with one of the methods above, or soak in hot, soapy water for 30+ minutes
• Brush away loose dirt and debris around the burners
• Use a cleaning solution or soapy water on greasy residue
• Flush with plain water and dry thoroughly
• Wipe off the cleaned burner plates and return them to the grill

That’s it. Occasionally taking the burner plates apart to clean underneath prevents the oil and grease buildup that poses a fire risk.

How do you clean a charcoal grill?

Charcoal is the messiest fuel, but it gives food an amazing taste and smell. To clean a charcoal grill, follow these tips.

• Let the grill cool completely and remove excess charcoal and ash
• Scrub the inside with hot soapy water and a firm-bristled brush
• Don’t worry if you see what looks like peeling paint — it’s just baked-on grease and smoke deposits
• Dry the surfaces with an old cloth to prevent rust

How do you clean a grill that’s been sitting?

Whether it’s a public barbecue grill you don’t know the history of, or you skipped cleaning after last season’s final cookout, sometimes you need to clean a grill that’s been neglected. You can still salvage it.

Step 1: Scrape away any old charcoal or food residue.

Step 2: Use very hot soapy water and a firm-bristled brush or scouring pad to remove as much debris as possible.

Step 3: If it’s still grimy, spray with a degreaser and let it sit about 20 minutes (or per the bottle’s instructions).

Step 4: Scrub again with a brush or scouring pad (wear gloves to keep degreaser off your hands).

Step 5: Flush with plain water and wipe down with paper towels or an old cloth.

Step 6: Repeat if necessary until completely clean.

Pro Tip: Did your unused grill go moldy? Find out how to clean mold now!

Final thoughts

Now you know how to clean your grill whatever its condition. Clean it after each use and deep clean once or twice a season — it keeps the grill looking good, improves the food you cook on it, and reduces fire hazards.