How to Clean a Grill Inside and Out in 5 Easy Steps

Whether you’re gearing up for grilling season or looking to clean up the yard before winter, knowing how to clean a grill is an essential task for those who love a cookout. Plus, keeping your grill clean will help it perform its best, so you don’t have to frequently replace this outdoor appliance. No matter where you stand in the propane versus charcoal debate, here’s how to clean a grill of any kind.

Why Do I Need to Clean My Grill?

While you may be tempted to call the charred meat, veggie, or grease buildup on your grill grates “seasoning,” this gunk should be cleaned up. If food isn’t cooked to the correct temperature, these spots can harbor bacteria, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Plus, grease and carbon deposits left behind from grilling can make your future meals taste burnt.

Not only that, but skipping out on cleaning the barbecue can also damage your grill over time. The food buildup may make parts of the grill rust or wear out more quickly, meaning you need to pay for repairs or invest in a new grill altogether.

How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Grill?

You’ll need a handful of tools and supplies to thoroughly clean your grill, and altogether, this will cost about $75 to $300. The most expensive item you may need is a wet-dry vacuum, which you can use to remove ashes and food debris from around the bottom of the grill. This tool costs about $60 to $275. 

Aside from that, you’ll need a grill brush, which costs about $10 to $50. For cleaners, good old-fashioned dish soap and warm water tend to do the trick.

When to Clean a Grill

You’ll want to do a quick wipe-down of the grill after each use, once it has had time to cool off. Then, you should plan to deep clean the grill at least two times per year: once before the start of grilling season, and once when you plan to store the grill for winter. 

If you tend to grill food frequently, you should also consider removing the grill grates and giving them a thorough scrub about every two months.

How to Clean a Grill

You can scrub the grill grates and wipe down the exterior between uses to keep your grill looking fresh. But for stubborn food buildup or a semi-annual deep clean, follow these steps for the best way to clean a grill. 

1. Turn on the Heat

Many grills are easiest to clean with help from a little heat. Whether it’s a flat top grill with the griddle still hot or a propane grill you fire up, plan to let the grill heat up for about 15 to 30 minutes to help burn off any food debris. Turn off the grill, and if it’s a gas grill, be sure to turn the gas off before you start scrubbing the grill parts.

2. Scour and Soak the Grill Grates

While the grates are still hot, use a stiff scrub brush to dislodge the carbonized food bits. You may want to dip the brush into a mixture of warm, soapy water first for even better degreasing power. Wear heat-proof gloves to protect your hands from the residual heat.

After an initial scrub, wait for the grates to cool, then move them to a bucket of hot, soapy water to soak for a deeper clean. After the grill grates soak while you clean the rest of the grill, you can give them a final scrub for the most stubborn messes.

3. Scrub Inside and Out

While the grill grates soak, you can start working on the rest of the grill. You’ll just need a grill brush, a scraping tool, and/or a cleaning cloth, and a bucket of warm, soapy water you refresh as it gets dirty. 

Scrub or scrape tough-to-clean areas, like the flavorizer bar or catch pan. You can use the dampened cloth to wipe other parts of the grill, such as the propane tank on gas grills. 

If you notice any broken components or issues while cleaning, hire a gas grill repair company or another company that specializes in your grill type for help.  

4. Vacuum Up Debris

For debris in the firebox or base of the grill, you can use a wet-dry vacuum to safely suck up these messes. This tool is also helpful for removing ashes from the grill interior.

5. Wipe the Exterior

With all the caked-on messes scrubbed away and ashes and burned food bits vacuumed up, you’re ready to put the final cleaning touches on your grill. Use a cloth or sponge dipped in warm, soapy water to wipe the outside of the grill, such as the lid exterior, knobs, thermometer, and prep areas. 

Avoid using stiff grill brushes on the outside of your grill, since these tough scrubbers can scratch or damage the finish.

Taking Care of a Grill

The best way to maintain your grill and minimize grease and carbon buildup is to keep it clean after every use. Rather than waiting for your semi-annual deep clean to get rid of months of caked-on char, make sure to wipe or scrub the grates and exterior of the grill once it cools down. 

After doing a quick cleanup, add a light layer of vegetable oil over the grates to help reduce food buildup in the future.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Cleaning a grill yourself costs about $75 to $300 and two to four hours of your day. If you don’t want to spend an afternoon scrubbing old food and grease off of your grill, you can hire a local handyperson service or a grill repair specialist to help you. 

Handyperson services cost about $60 to $125 per hour, plus the cost of supplies. A grill repair specialist may charge around $80 to $250, depending on the size of the grill and how dirty it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you hose down a grill?

You can hose down gas or charcoal grills, which will help remove ash. Just be mindful of any ashy runoff that could flow into your flower beds or the neighbor’s yard. Make sure to dry off your grill after to minimize the risk of rust.

Will vinegar clean a grill?

Aside from soapy water, you can also use diluted vinegar or a paste made with vinegar, water, and baking soda to scrub your grill.