While everybody loves a good barbeque during the hot summer months, no one enjoys the hassle of cleaning a greasy barbeque grill. Cleaning your grill regularly will make your grill perform better, last longer, and will make your future grilled meats and veggies taste better.
Cleaning and maintaining your grill aren’t difficult. The type of grill you have may determine what gets cleaned and how, but the basics are the same, no matter the type or brand of the grill.
The tools you’ll need to clean your grill are very simply a grill brush or scraper, some rags or paper towels, and soap and water(plus a little elbow grease!).
Scrape the Grates
- The best time to start cleaning your grill is immediately after using it, scraping off food particles while the grates are still hot. When the grates are hot, the food comes off much more readily, which means less effort will be required on your part. After scraping the grates, you should use a rag or paper towel soaked in vegetable oil to season the grates. This will help to keep your food from sticking the next time you barbecue. Then let the grill cool completely.
Beyond cleaning the grates, the methods for cleaning your grill will vary by type.
Charcoal Grills
- Charcoal ash gathers at the bottom of the grill every time it’s used, and you should remove the ashes when they’re completely cool. Leftover ashes can block the air vents and can cause flare ups.
- Clean the inside and outside of the lid and bowl with soap and water, then towel dry.
Gas Grills
- Empty the drip pan
- Clean the inside of the grilling lid using mild dish soap and a steel brush
- Remove the heat deflectors located over the burners, wash them with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly
Pellet and Kamado Grills
(The basic cleaning instructions for these two types of grills are virtually the same.)
- Remove the grates and place them in a bucket of warm, soapy water.
- Take a wet-dry vac and clear out the ash and debris from the grill’s interior.
- Use a scrub brush or abrasive sponge to clean the drip pan.
- Remove the chimney cap and clean the inside with a scrub brush.
- Wipe down all of the parts with a damp cloth.
Tri-County Hearth & Patio is a family-owned and operated business located on Old Washington Road in Waldorf, Maryland, and has been serving the area for over 30 years. We offer our customers the largest selection of patio furniture, fireplaces, inserts, stoves, BBQ grills, and outdoor accessories in all of Southern Maryland. Plus, all of our sales and service professionals are proficient in all things patio and hearth. Visit our website or contact us now for more information, or if you’re ready to optimize the enjoyment of your home, give us a call at 301-843-1771.