Ditch the dirt, grease, and bacteria — here's our guide to how to clean a grill

Step 1: Gather up your cleaning supplies

Before you begin cleaning your grill, gather all the necessary cleaning supplies. You'll need a scraper or metal spatula, a grill brush, a ball of fine steel wool, a cleaning solution (homemade or store-bought), dishwashing liquid, baking soda, white vinegar, and a toothpick or flossing stick. You might also need gloves and a face mask to protect your hands and face from the cleaning solution's fumes.

Remember, harsh chemicals can damage the surface. If you need clarification, check the manufacturer's instructions for recommended cleaning products. Once you have all your supplies, you're ready to begin the cleaning process and get your barbecue grill looking brand new. You'll also need cleaning rags or paper towels, a bristle brush or putty knife, soap, and water.

Step 2: Remove and soak the grates and burner covers

Start by removing the grill grates and burner covers. Soak these parts in a mixture of soap and water to help loosen any stuck-on grime. Once well-soaked, use a grill brush or fine steel wool to scrub the grates and burner covers thoroughly.

Clean both sides of the grates to remove any debris or bacteria. If there are any stubborn stains or burned-on food, you can use a scraper or metal spatula to remove them gently. After scrubbing, rinse the grates and covers with clean water and dry them with a clean cloth. 

If your grates or covers are dirty or rusted, you can create a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the surface and leave it on for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing clean. Once you're done cleaning, you can reattach the grates and burner covers to the grill.

Step 3: Vacuum the inside of the grill

Using a vacuum to eliminate any loose dirt, charcoal, and food particles from the inside of your grill is an important step. This ensures that these materials do not hinder the grill's performance. You can opt for a handheld or regular vacuum with a hose attachment to remove any loose debris, ash, or other particles that may have accumulated inside the grill. Before vacuuming:

1. Ensure the grill and the ashes are entirely cooled down before removal.
2. Remove the grill grates and burner covers to access the inside of the grill.
3. Clean all the corners, edges, and hard-to-reach areas using the vacuum to ensure a thorough clean.
4. Once done, wipe the inside of the grill with a gentle cleaning solution and a ball of fine steel wool to remove any remaining dirt or stains.

Step 4: Apply your cleaning solution

You can clean your grill with a store-bought product or a homemade cleaning solution. If you prefer a homemade solution, mix baking soda and water in a 3:1 ratio to make a paste, or try mixing water, baking soda, and white vinegar.

You can also use dishwashing liquid. Once you've prepared your cleaning solution, apply it to the grill's interior, including the burners, flavoring bars, and hood.

Use a ball of fine steel wool or a cloth to scrub the surface, not scratching it gently. Thoroughly clean the corners, edges, and hard-to-reach areas. After washing, rinse the surface with clean water and dry it with a clean cloth.

Step 5: Spray the cleaning solution with vinegar

After applying the baking soda paste, spraying it with vinegar can help break down stubborn grime. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can kill any remaining bacteria or germs on the grill's surface. Once you've applied the cleaning solution to the grill's interior, burners, flavoring bars, and hood, spray it with vinegar. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, depending on your preference.

The vinegar will react with the cleaning solution and create a foaming effect, which will help remove any stubborn dirt or stains. Leave the solution on the surface for a few minutes to let it work, then use a ball of fine steel wool or a cloth to scrub the surface gently. After washing, rinse the surface with clean water and dry it with a clean cloth.

Step 6: Give the solution time to work

Allow the cleaning solution to sit on the grill for at least 30 minutes to allow it to penetrate and loosen the grime accumulated on its surface. The recommended time to let the solution sit may vary depending on whether you use a homemade cleaning solution or a store-bought product. For homemade solutions, it's best to leave it for at least 15-20 minutes. Once the solution has had enough time to work, gently scrub the surface with a ball of fine steel wool or cloth. After washing, rinse the surface with clean water and dry it with a clean cloth.

Step 7: Wipe the entire grill clean

Use a clean cloth or paper towel and wipe the grill's interior, including the burners, flavoring bars, and hood. Remove any remaining dirt, cleaning solution, or debris, and thoroughly clean the corners, edges, and hard-to-reach areas. If there are any stubborn stains or burned-on food, you can use a scraper or metal spatula to remove them gently. Once you have wiped the grill clean, you can reattach the grates, burner covers, and any other parts you removed. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process until your whole grill is clean.

Step 8: Clean the burner protectors

Cleaning your barbecue grill also involves removing the burner protectors or flavorizer bars from the grill and giving them a good scrub down. Accumulated grease and grime on the burner protectors can be easily removed with soapy water and an old sponge. To clean the burner protectors:

1. Remove them from the grill and soak them in warm soapy water.
2. Use a grill brush or ball of fine steel wool to scrub them thoroughly, careful not to damage the surface.
3. Rinse them with clean water and dry them with a clean cloth.

For particularly dirty or rusted burner protectors, create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the surface, leave it on for a few minutes, and then scrub and rinse clean. Once clean, reattach the burner protectors to the grill.

Step 9: Rinse, dry, and reassemble

After cleaning all the parts, including grates, burner covers, burner protectors, and the interior:

1. Rinse them with clean water and dry them with a clean cloth.
2. Make sure you remove any remaining cleaning solution or debris.
3. Reattach all the parts to the grill, including the grates, burner covers, and burner protectors.
4. Double-check that all the parts are correctly assembled and in the correct position.
5. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for reassembling the grill to ensure it's safe and functional. Once everything is in place, you can light up your grill and let it heat up for a few minutes to burn off any remaining debris or moisture.

Step 10: Heat the grill

Heating the grill is an essential step after cleaning and reassembling it. Once you have cleaned and dried all the parts and reassembled them, it's time to light up the grill and heat it for a few minutes. This will help to burn off any remaining debris or moisture and ensure the grill is ready for your next barbecuing session. Heat your grill for at least 10 minutes before grilling to ensure any remaining cleaning residue is burned off. This also helps to season the grill grates.

Whether it's a gas or charcoal grill, you can light it up according to the manufacturer's instructions. Turn on the burners for gas grills and let them heat up for 10-15 minutes on high heat. For charcoal grills, light up the charcoal and let it burn for about 10-15 minutes until the coals are white-hot. Once the grill is heated, use a grill brush to clean the grates and remove any remaining debris.