How to Properly Clean and Maintain Your Gas Grill

Gas grills are an excellent cooking choice, but they require regular maintenance to stay in top condition. This guide will help you properly clean and maintain your gas grill so it lasts longer, cooks better, and looks its best.

Begin by taking out any grates or metal pieces covering your burners. Doing this will give you access to the burners, heat deflectors, and other components that need deep-cleaning.

Clean the Grates

Few tasks are more tedious than trying to clean your grill grates, especially when they’re caked with food and grime. On the other hand, a few minutes of hard work can make all the difference between having a dirty grill and one in top working condition.

Thankfully, there are several methods you can quickly and effectively clean your grill grates without breaking a sweat. Start by cleaning the inside lid and sides of your grill first to prevent any greasy water from leaking onto the floor, giving you a clear view before beginning to wash with soapy water.

You can use a rag or grill brush to scrub away any stubborn residue. If the grates are particularly dirty, soak them in two cups of vinegar and one cup baking soda for several hours to dissolve all stains and dirt.

Once you’ve soaked the grates, let them cool before scraping and rinsing them clean. Finally, apply a thin coating of high-smoke point oil (we suggest palm or grapeseed) to keep everything shiny and ready for next time you fire them up.

To extend their lifespan, you can also brush the grates with a wire brush or roll up some aluminum foil into a ball and scrub each one individually. Doing so will reduce the amount of baked-on food that accumulates in corners, helping them stay cleaner longer.

In addition to cleaning the grill grate, it’s also wise to clean your burner tubes periodically throughout the year. Clogged tubes can lead to uneven heating and inconsistent results, so getting them clean now will prevent any future issues in the future.

Before you begin cleaning your burner tubes, inspect the flame-emitting holes to make sure they’re free of rust and any obstructions. If they appear heavily coated with gunk and/or grime, consider replacing them.

Finally, make sure to clean the tray underneath your grill’s burners to catch any leftover food or debris. Doing this prevents a clogged drip tray which could lead to a flare-up involving burned up parts of your grill and potentially damaging them.

Clean the Burners

Grilling food on a regular basis requires keeping your gas grill clean and functioning optimally. Over time, its burners may become clogged with gunk and rust, decreasing their effectiveness at producing flames and cooking food. To ensure optimal performance, regularly clean and inspect your grill to prevent this from occurring.

To properly clean your gas grill, you’ll need several essential tools. In addition to a grill brush, you will also require a drill bit or toothpick (for cleaning the burner ports), putty knife and some cleaning rags or paper towels.

First, turn off the gas valve to your grill. Doing this can help avoid any leakage while you’re cleaning the burners.

Next, remove the grates from your grill to make it easier to access the burners. Once they are off, take off any metal plates or covers over your burners and scrub them clean using a sponge or scouring pad dipped in soapy water.

Food and drippings can accumulate on the burners of your gas grill, especially those producing infrared heat. This could lead to uneven heating and even premature burner failure.

To prevent this, regularly brush your burners after each use to clear away any food residue or other particles that have built up. Once you’re finished cleaning them thoroughly, reattach the grates and make sure everything is dry.

In addition to preventing food scraps from falling down the burner tubes, cleaning your gas grill’s burners helps protect them against corrosion by clearing away buildup of grime. Doing this will extend their lifespan and increase their efficiency at heating up food.

Once you’ve cleaned your gas grill’s burners, be sure to inspect them for cracks or holes that could indicate an issue. Doing this will allow you to determine if it’s time for replacements.

In addition to cleaning the burners on your grill, it is important to inspect its gas valve orifices and igniter location. If these aren’t functioning correctly, the grill won’t light up properly. In such cases, reopen the gas line or reconnect propane tank valves before restarting barbecue again.

Clean the Lid

No matter if you’re just a casual griller or an expert pitmaster, it is imperative to regularly clean and maintain your gas grill. Not only does a dirty grill look unappealing, but it could also cause serious damage if not maintained correctly.

Koleman advises that the lid of a gas grill is an especially vulnerable spot for dirt and grime to accumulate, particularly if you use it frequently. To clean it effectively, take out paper towels and use either glass cleaner or special metal cleaner on porcelain-coated lids; for stainless steel grills, he suggests using special cleaner specifically designed for metals.

A greased lid on your gas grill can prevent it from venting properly, leading to smoke or trapped vapor and grease that makes the cooking area smell bad.

First, remove any burner valves and heat tents (if your grill has them) from the top of the lid. Doing this will allow you to thoroughly clean inside of both lid and sides.

Once the lid has been taken off, Koleman recommends turning all burners to high for 15 minutes to burn off any leftover food residue and make it easier to scrub the inside of the container.

Next, use a plastic scour pad and either dish soap or degreaser to scrub the grates and firebox clean. If using degreaser, spray it on then let sit for 20 minutes before using your scour pad to scrub.

After cleaning the firebox and grates with hot water, rinse them clean and air-dry them thoroughly. You could also set your shop vac to work on this part of the grill; just be sure to wear gloves as it may contain abrasives.

Once you’re finished cleaning the grill, Koleman suggests replacing its burner covers and grill grates. If your grill has a removable grate system from the top of the lid, make sure they’re in their proper order using any groves or ledges as guidance.

Maintaining your gas grill’s cleanliness and free of debris can protect it from rusting, as well as prevent dangerous grease fires. In addition to the inside of the lid, other places to inspect include its bottom tray and grease catch pan beneath it; both can become clogged with particles which attract unwanted animals or pests. These areas should be cleaned on a monthly basis to keep your grill working optimally.

Clean the Exterior

Maintaining your grill’s exterior is an effective way to keep it looking good and ensure it remains a reliable cooking tool. Regularly cleaning can prevent rust or deterioration from taking hold, while also extending its life expectancy.

No matter if you use your gas grill daily or just occasionally, it’s a wise idea to clean its outside at least once or twice a year. This easy step can restore your BBQ’s shine back to new.

Before you begin cleaning the grill’s exterior, it is wise to turn off the gas and take away all removable parts from the barbecue. This includes control knobs, burners and warming racks.

Additionally, you may wish to clean out the grease tray if it’s getting dirty. If your grill has one, put it in a bucket and fill with hot, soapy water to effectively scrub away food residue and grime.

Next, you should clean your grill’s burners and heat plates. Doing this can extend its life expectancy as well as improve the flavor of grilled foods.

To do this, you’ll need a grill brush or other non-metal coarse cleaning brush and warm, soapy water. Additionally, baking soda paste can be used to eliminate tough stains or dirt on the grates or burners.

Once the exterior has been cleaned, you can put it back together and start cooking! Just be sure to inspect the burners and heat plates regularly for signs of rust, deterioration or holes that indicate it may be time for replacement.

If your grill features a heat deflector, you can clean this off after every three to four uses. These thin steel plates separate the burners from the cooking chamber and help prevent food from falling directly onto the gas flames.

You can also use a wire brush to scrub the burners, but avoid metal ones as they could leave tiny pieces of metal in your food. If you’re uncomfortable using a wire brush, try using either soft plastic or wooden instead.