How to Clean an Outdoor Grill – a Complete Guide

Hosting a barbecue is the perfect way to get together with friends and family during a hot summer day. Cold beers, sodas, salad, and some delicious meat or kebabs can create an ideal weekend—but for that to happen, you also need your outdoor grill ready for the job.

If you haven’t used your grill in a while, the chances are that it won’t be in fit condition to cook your food. The only thing you can do is get your equipment and supplies ready for proper cleaning.

We’ll guide you through a deep clean of your barbecue grill so that you can have it ready to prepare your favorites.

Cleaning Equipment and Materials Needed

Cleaning your outdoor grill should not be a complicated task as long as you have the necessary tools and equipment. Delicate clothes and toothbrushes won’t be enough to deal with accumulated grease, stuck-on grime, and oil.

These are the materials and tools needed for the job:

• Old clothes that can get dirty
• Dish soap
• Grill brush
• Grill cleaner
• Paper towels
• Spray bottle
• Baking soda

If you find a powerful grill cleaner, you can simply use that without a soap and water solution. On the other hand, if you prefer not to use a commercial cleaner, you can combine dish soap and warm water to create a powerful cleaning solution. Adding baking soda to it can also be extremely helpful, especially if there’s accumulated grease on your grill bars and grill bottom.

How to Clean an Outdoor Barbecue Grill

We recommend cleaning your grill after every use to prevent accumulation of food and grime. If you do it correctly, your barbecue grill will be ready the next time you need it—a gift to your future self.

Here’s how to clean your outdoor barbecue grill after use:

1. After using your grill, you’ll need to burn off excess food and grease. Turn the heat on for at least 15 minutes to burn off any residue on the surface. Ashes are easier to remove than oil and grease.
2. Wait until the surface is cool to the touch and remove the grilling grates. Disconnect the gas supply if your grill uses gas and place the grates somewhere you can clean them.
3. Use warm water and dishwasher soap to soak the grates. Warm water will make them easier to clean.
4. Use a brush to remove any excess ash from the grates and other surface parts. This part of the process can take some time, depending on how much you’ve used your grill.
5. Clean the exterior of your outdoor grill with a cloth and some dishwashing solution. You can also use a dishwashing sponge to make the process easier and faster.
6. Let everything dry before covering and storing the grill. If you cover it correctly, you won’t have to do a deep cleaning the next time you have a barbecue.

How to Deep Clean an Outdoor Grill

If you didn’t clean the grill after the last use, you probably have grime accumulated on the surface of the grates and bottom of the grill. When that happens, a deep clean is necessary before using it again.

Here’s what you need to do to clean your outdoor grill deeply and thoroughly:

1. Warm up some water and mix it in a spray bottle with dishwashing solution and baking soda. Mix it well before using it. You can also add some lemon juice to the mix to make it more efficient.
2. Remove the grill’s grates and other detachable parts. Place all the parts in a place where you can clean them properly. Removing them will also allow you access to the bottom of the grill.
3. Spray the solution on every part of the grill where you can see accumulated grease. Let the solution do its job before starting to brush away oil, ash, and grime.
4. With a bristle brush, start scrubbing the grates and the surface of the grill. Use as much strength as necessary to remove the grease and any other substances.
5. Once you’ve removed the grease, pour more cleaning solution over the grill. With a cloth, rub the solution through the entire surface.
6. Use warm water to wash away the solution and dry the grill with paper towels. It is important to dry it thoroughly before storing it.

Once you’ve finished this process, you can start preparing the grill for a new barbecue. Remember always to do an annual check-up of the fuel lines and ignition system. If you notice that there are problems with the internal mechanism of your grill, you should send it for servicing or get a brand-new model.

Cleaning Hacks for Outdoor Grills

If your grill cleaner or dishwashing solution is not working for you, you can try the following cleaning hacks:

• Steam: Fill a metal tin with water and boil it on your grill with the lid down. The steam produced by this will break down grease and grime without needing to do much brushing.
• Vinegar: Vinegar is one of the most versatile substances you can find in a kitchen. It works for cooking, cleaning, and more. If you need help cleaning your outdoor grill, you can use some vinegar and warm water. This combination can break down accumulated grease easily.
• Onion: The enzymes in onions have unique properties that let them break down oil and grease. You only need to cut one onion in half and rub it on the grime and oil.
• Beer: Heat up your grill a little, and then pour half a beer bottle over its surface. The beer can make it easier to remove grease and oil with just a bristle brush.

If your grill is still not clean even after you’ve tried all of these tricks, you may need to consider replacing it. Old barbecue grills get rusty and absorb more grease because their surfaces have been compromised. They can also be hazardous, especially if the fuel lines have not been appropriately maintained. So, when that happens, buying a new one is the best option.

Replace Your Old Barbecue Grill with CAPO Building Specialties

If you are looking to replace your old grill, CAPO Building Specialties has got you covered. We have a wide selection of barbecue grills for all needs, whether you want a charcoal grill or a stainless steel model.

Look through our website or contact us at 747-247-2606 to learn more about our outdoor barbecue grills and other products!