Deep cleaning your grill once or twice a year keeps it safe, efficient, and ready to deliver great flavor. For gas grills, deep cleaning means scraping and soaking grates, clearing the cookbox and burner tubes, and emptying the grease tray. For charcoal grills, you’ll need to thoroughly clean the grates, clear out ash, and make sure the vents can breathe. A little scrubbing now saves you from flare-ups, rust, and bad-tasting food later.
Labor Day has come and gone, which means a few things: School buses are back, pumpkin spice everything is suddenly unavoidable, iced coffee season is up for debate, and for many, grilling season is winding down. That makes it the perfect moment to face the chore we all avoid until the grease is practically dripping onto our shoes: deep-cleaning the grill. Yes, it must be done. No, you can’t skip it.
Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Need convincing? A few years ago, my neighbor set her grill—and nearly her back deck—on fire. My husband bolted over with a fire extinguisher, and once the smoke cleared, she looked at us earnestly and said, “But I always clean my grill.” The problem? Her definition of “clean” was brushing the grates once in a while and swapping the grease trap when it was about to overflow. That’s surface-level cleaning, not a true deep clean. Without a proper scrub-down at least once a year (and ideally every few months if you grill as often as I do), you’re courting flare-ups, uneven heat, and a grill that sputters when you need it most.
So roll up your sleeves. Whether you cook on gas or charcoal, here’s how to give your grill the deep clean it deserves.
Why Bother Deep Cleaning?
As presented above, the safety reasons are obvious: Built-up grease can (and does) cause flare-ups and fires. But that’s not the only reason to deep clean:
- Better performance. Clean burners and vents mean steadier heat and more reliable ignition (for a gas grill).
- Longer life. A neglected grill dies young; a clean grill is an investment that lasts.
- Flavor payoff. Char is great. Acrid, carbonized chicken skin from three cookouts ago? Not so much.
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The Tools You’ll Need
Before you start, gather your cleaning arsenal. Having everything ready makes the job faster and prevents you from having to rush inside once your hands are covered in grease.
- One or two big plastic bins (for soaking grates and trays)
- Dish soap and warm water
- Rubber gloves (trust me)
- Grill brush or heavy-duty bristle brush
- Paint scraper or putty knife
- Stainless-steel wool
- Rags
- Tarp or trash bags to protect your patio
- (Optional) Grill “floss” for getting between bars, and grill grease spray for finishing
Deep Cleaning a Gas Grill
To begin, make sure the grill is completely cooled. For gas grills, double-check that the propane is turned off. For charcoal grills, confirm the coals and ashes are fully extinguished. Once it’s safe to handle, here’s how to tackle a gas grill:
- Set up your station. Lay down a tarp or trash bags. Fill one bin with hot, soapy water and one with clean water. This keeps the mess contained.
- Scrape the grates and flavorizer bars (the A-frame-shaped metal coverings over the burners). With gloves on, brush and scrape everything directly into the cookbox )the cookbox is the bottom of the grill where all the debris collects). This is the easiest way to contain the mess, since you can just empty it later with the grease tray. Dump the tray as needed.
- Soak the grates and flavorizer bars. Drop the scraped grates and bars in your soapy water bin. Once softened, scrub with steel wool and a brush. Rinse in the clean water bin, then dry. The goal here is clean, but not showroom-shiny.
- Clean the cookbox and burner tubes. Start high and scrape everything down into the tray. A paint scraper is an excellent tool for this. Lightly scrape the burner tubes and wipe igniters clean with a wet rag so they can spark properly. Finish with a wet rag.
- Deal with the grease tray. Empty it, scrape it, soak if needed, rinse, and dry. Replace the disposable pan inside if your grill has one.
- Wash the exterior. Use hot, soapy water and a rag to scrub the outside of the grill, including the knobs, side tables, and cabinet doors. Don’t forget to chase away any cobwebs and tackle those sticky knobs.
- Dispose responsibly. Dump the water bins well away from your house and grilling area. The greasy, debris-filled water can attract curious critters if left nearby. And don’t pour it down your sink; there’s likely enough grease in there to clog your pipes. Tie up the bag of scrapings and toss it in a covered trash can to keep pests out.
Deep Cleaning a Charcoal Grill
Charcoal grills don’t have a gas grill’s grease trays or burner tubes to worry about, but they get messy in their own way. Here’s how to tackle one:
- Scrape the grates. Use a stiff brush to knock off carbon buildup. If they’re extra gnarly, soak them in that soapy water bin just like with a gas grill, then scrub.
- Clear out the ashes. Wait until the grill is completely cool. Remove the cooking grates, then scoop or vacuum out all the old ash and leftover briquettes. Built-up ash holds moisture and causes rust.
- Scrape the inside bowl and lid. Use a paint scraper or putty knife to chip away at carbonized grease. Wipe down with soapy water and a rag.
- Check the vents. Make sure the top and bottom vents are clear of debris. If they’re clogged, your grill can’t breathe, and you’ll never get proper airflow.
- Wipe the exterior. As with a gas grill, you need soap, water, and a rag. If your grill is enameled, avoid abrasive cleaners. If it’s stainless steel, you can polish it up with a specialized cleaner if you want.
Tips to Keep Your Grill Cleaner, Longer
- Brush after every cook. While the grill is still hot, scrape the grates to prevent buildup.
- Empty ash/grease regularly. Don’t wait until it’s overflowing.
- Cover your grill. The combination of rain, grease, and ash will cause it to rust faster.
- Schedule deep cleans. Once a year, at the very minimum, but more often if you grill frequently. Post–Labor Day or pre–Memorial Day are natural markers.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning your grill isn’t fun, but neither is sprinting across your yard with a fire extinguisher. So take the hour or two, scrub until your arms are sore, and set yourself up for success. That way, when grilling season returns (or if you’re a year-round griller, when the next urge hits), your grill will be ready to fire up without surprises.
