How to clean a grill - top tips for gas charcoal and more Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. How to clean a grill - top tips for gas charcoal and more By Katie Mortram published 26 July 2022 How to clean a grill - everything from the grates to the plates (Image credit: Shutterstock) Summer is here and the perfect time for grilling up tasty BBQs. And if you own one of the best grills, you'll need to know how to clean a grill before you get cooking. Cleaning a grill properly can make all the difference to your grilling results. This is especially the case if there is rust forming on the plates. Luckily, we've pulled together a comprehensive guide on what to do, so you can rest assured that your barbecue will be on point. So before you get cooking, here's how to clean a grill. Before you follow any of the below advice, you should first refer to your manual for exact instructions on how to clean your grill. If no instructions are given, or you can't find the manual, the below should guide you. How to clean a grill - the grates  What you will need Metal brush or microfiber cloth/sponge Dish soap Stainless steel or enamel cleaner (optional) Plastic scraper (optional) Protective gloves Soft scouring pad Whatever type of BBQ you have, you should always start with the grates - here's what we recommend: 1. Firstly, you should run the empty grill on full temperature for 10-15 minutes. This will burn any remaining food residue to a charred state, making it easier to remove. At the same time, this will also kill any bacteria. 2. Wait for the grill to completely cool before you start to clean. 3. The next step depends on the type of grates you have. With the exception of porcelain, cast iron and stainless steel grates, most can be scrubbed with a metal brush or spatula. Scrub in the direction of the grates, and make sure you cover the underside as well. Stainless steel, cast iron and porcelain can scratch easily, so for these use a sponge, microfiber cloth or dedicated cast iron brush. (Image credit: Shutterstock) 4. If this doesn't shift the residue, you can submerge the grates in hot, soapy water and leave them to soak overnight before scrubbing, rinsing and drying. If you've got a cast iron grate, do not leave this to soak as it will leave it vulnerable to rust. You can rinse this grate under hot, running water, but make sure you thoroughly dry it afterwards and coat it in a layer of oil for protection. The easiest way to make sure it's dry is to place it back on the grill and run it on full temperature for 10 minutes. Your grates should now be spotless again! How to clean a gas grill  1. If you've got a gas BBQ, then the next step is to turn off the gas and remove the propane tank. 2. While wearing protective gloves, remove the plates as well as the Flavorizer bars (if your grill has them) and wash in warm soapy water. Make sure you scrub away any fat and grease. You can also use a dedicated cleaner, such as the Weber Grill Cleaner Spray (opens in new tab) from Amazon. 3. Remove anything else you can from your grill, including the hot plates, warmer racks and drip tray. These can also be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush or sponge. 4. While these are all drying, you can tackle the body of your BBQ. First, place an empty bucket under the firebox to collect residual water if you don't want to make a mess. 5. Using hot soapy water and a soft scouring pad, give the firebox a thorough scrub. You can use a plastic scraper for any stubborn spots. Then rinse and leave it to dry. 6. To clean the outside, you should apply the appropriate cleaning spray (enamel or stainless steel), and polish with a microfiber cloth. Remember, with stainless steel you need to scrub in the direction of the grain. You can use hot, soapy water and a sponge on any other external parts. 7. Once everything is dry, reassemble and run the grill for 15 minutes to burn off any remaining residue. (Image credit: Shutterstock) How to clean a charcoal grill 1. For charcoal grills, once you've cleaned the grill grate following the above steps, remove the charcoal grate (if you have one) as well as any ash from the base. 2. To clean the charcoal grate, you can scrub it with a ball of aluminium foil. Scrape in the direction of the grates and cover the underside too. 3. Next, clean the inside of the grill using warm soapy water and a brush. Give it a thorough scrub and rinse with water. 4. Give the inside of the lid a scrub as well using the same method. You can use a plastic scraper to tackle tough residue. 5. The outside can be cleaned using warm soapy water, or a dedicated cleaner. 6. Reassemble your charcoal grill and make sure it's thoroughly dry before closing the lid and storing away. (Image credit: Shutterstock) How often should I clean my grill   This largely depends on how often you use your grill. You should give it an everyday clean after each use, but a deep clean should only be required every 2-3 months. You should also give it a deep clean before you store it away for a long period of time. For more outdoor summertime or warm evening fun, check out our Ukiah Tailgater II fire pit review. 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Her favorite thing to test has to be stand mixers as she loves to bake in her spare time. See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1I'm an avid Google Maps guide - here's why it's my favorite place to post2High-yield savings account - what it is and how to open one3I tested iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max cameras - and the results are surprising4Hyundai IONIQ 6 first drive: A killer EV that delivers range and comfort5This is the Prime Day 2 TV deal I am desperate for1Hell Let Loose is too good for its own good2I'm an avid Google Maps guide - here's why it's my favorite place to post3High-yield savings account - what it is and how to open one4I tested iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max cameras - and the results are surprising5Hyundai IONIQ 6 first drive: A killer EV that delivers range and comfort