Deep Clean Your Grill in 12 Easy Steps
Now that we’re roughly halfway through summer, we’re betting your grill has been in use quite a bit lately. And if you haven’t done so already, now is the perfect time to show it a little TLC and give it a deep cleaning.
Photo by cavetools via Flickr
Deep cleaning your grill not only makes your food taste better, but it’s safer and prolongs the life of the grill as well. After a few uses, grease starts to build up in the grill, which can lead to flare-ups.
For this project you will need:
- A bucket
- Hot water
- Dish soap
- Aluminum foil
- Grill brush
- Hose
- Paper towels
- Rag
Time required: about 15 minutes.
Before you begin:
Make sure the grill is off and has completely cooled down. If it is a gas grill, disconnect the propane tank.
Step 1: Remove grates and metal plates and soak them in a bucket of hot, soapy water.
Step 2: Remove the grill’s drip pan and dump its contents into the trash can; place in bucket of soapy water.
Step 3: Cover the grill’s heating elements with aluminum foil to protect them from debris while cleaning.
Step 4: Take your grill brush and scrub the underside of the hood to remove built up grease and smoke.
Step 5: Scrub the inside walls above the heating elements with the grill brush.
Step 6: Wipe the interior walls down with a damp paper towel.
Step 7: Remove the grates and drip pan out of the bucket and scrub them with the grill brush. Once done, lean them against a wall and rinse them off with the hose. Let dry.
Step 8: Remove the aluminum foil from the heating elements and lightly go over them with the grill brush.
Step 9: If the grill has any cabinets or drawers, remove any debris that may be inside.
Step 10: Scrub the outside, cabinets and drawers with a rag and hot, soapy water. Dry with paper towels.
Step 11: Replace metal plates, grates and drip pan. Reconnect propane tank.
Step 12: Turn the grill on and allow it to cook for 10 minutes to burn off any residual cleaning products.
That’s it! This project is super easy and won’t take up your entire weekend, so you can get back to entertaining and grilling delicious food right away.
We recommend deep cleaning your grill roughly two times per year—halfway through grilling season and right before storing it for winter.
