Brushing up on your grilled steak technique and acing your burger temperature is important, but the most critical steps of grilling occur after you use the appliance. Learning the best way to clean a grill (yes, you need to do it every time) makes it easier to achieve the fresh yet smoky flavors of your favorite grilled recipes.
Whether you prefer cooking with charcoal or gas, these Test Kitchen-approved tips for cleaning a grill will help you achieve professional-level results at your backyard barbecue. We’ll show you the best way to clean a grill, including charcoal grills, outdoor electric grills, and griddle grills for your best backyard burgers.
Jacob Fox
How to Clean a Charcoal Grill
The best way to clean a grill and prevent food from sticking to it is by cleaning the grates after each use.
What You’ll Need
- Heat-resistant mitts
- Stainless-steel grill brush
- Mild soap
- Steel Wool
Step 1: Let Coals Cool and Scrub Grill
Allow the coals to die down a bit before cleaning, but keep in mind that particles release easiest when the grate is still warm. For safety, slip on heat-resistant mitts or grill gloves to clean charcoal grills. Scrub steel racks with a long-handled, stainless-steel grill brush or a bristle-free grill brush to avoid dangerous bristles in food.
Step 2: Dispose of Coals
Once the charcoal grill is cool, dump out the burned coals and dispose of them carefully.
Step 3: Wash and Thoroughly Dry
After the grate and grill are fully cooled, wash both using mild soap and steel wool. Then allow all pieces to dry (or wipe dry with a towel) before topping the grill with the lid and storing away from the elements. (The drying portion of this grill-cleaning process is essential, so you won’t have to learn how to clean a rusty grill!)
Jacob Fox
How to Clean a Gas Grill
The best way to clean a gas grill starts by cranking up the heat after every use.
What You’ll Need
- Stainless-steel grill brush
- Soft cloth
- Warm, soapy water
- Buckets
- Handheld vacuum
- Hose with sprayer
- Towel
Step 1: Remove Residue from Grill
Turn your grill to high for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid closed to burn off any extra bits—similar to how you’d clean your oven. Next, turn off the grill and let it cool slightly, then loosen the residue from the grill rack with a stainless-steel grill brush. This prevents sticking and helps avoid flare-ups (surges of flames) the next time you cook.
Step 2: Clean Inside and Outside Grill
Once your gas grill is completely cool, wipe the inside and outside surfaces with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water.
Step 3: Clean Caked-On Grime
If the grime is caked on, remove the grill grates and soak them in buckets of soapy water for 15 minutes or more. Then, rinse with clean water and wipe the grates dry.
Grab a handheld vacuum or shop vacuum to clean the inside of a gas grill. Use a grill brush to dislodge the soot, then suck it up with the vacuum. Next, spray clean with a hose and wipe with a towel to dry.
How to Clean a Griddle Grill
If you’ve cooked on a cast-iron skillet, you’ve probably heard the advice not to use soap—and the same applies to your griddle grill. Using soap or chemicals will strip away the seasoned surface of your griddle, which means food will stick to it and won’t taste as good. However, it’s still essential to properly clean a griddle grill after each use.
What You’ll Need
- Metal spatula
- Grill tongs
- Towel
- Boiling water
Step 1: Add Water and Scrape Residue
Once you’re done cooking, take a metal spatula and scrape away any remaining food or grease. While the griddle is still hot, pour water on the metal surface. The water will boil and steam off any remaining food particles, so it can help to continue scraping with the spatula as you pour the water. Then, use grill tongs to wipe a cleaning towel over the hot surface to soak up any leftover water and remove the remaining food bits. Repeat the process until the griddle is clean, then let it dry completely before using it again.
Step 2: Re-Season Grill
You might choose to re-season the grill after cleaning it. To do this, let the griddle cool off a bit. You want it warm but not so hot the oil sizzles and smokes. Then, pour a minimal amount of seasoning oil (about the size of a nickel or smaller) onto the warm surface and use a clean cloth to spread it around. The cloth will soak up some of the oil as you rub it into the griddle, leaving you with a seasoned surface that’s not oily to the touch.
How to Clean a Smoker Grill
Also similar to cast-iron skillets, many smokers are seasoned with an oily coating that protects the interior from rust. When cleaning a smoker, it’s important to maintain this coating while removing ash and excess buildup.
What You’ll Need
- Grill brush
- Damp cloth
- Putty knife
Step 1: Clean After Each Use
Remove and dispose of ashes and leftover grease from the smoker after every use.
Step 2: Scrub and Scrape
Scrub the grates with a grill brush, and wipe up grease or spills with a damp cloth. Scrape away large deposits of grease or cooked-on food from the cooking chamber with a putty knife or similar tool.
How to Clean a Flat-Top Grill
Although most commonly found in restaurants and other commercial kitchens, flat-top grills can also make a great addition to your outdoor cooking setup.
What You’ll Need
- Griddle Scraper
- Warm water
- Scouring pad
- Towel
Step 1: Scrape and Steam
To clean a flat-top grill, start when the surface is still hot. Use a griddle scraper to clear away bits of food and grease. Carefully pour warm water onto the surface (be prepared for steam) to help boil off the additional buildup.
Step 2: Scour and Dry
Use a scouring pad attached to a scrub handle to clear away any residue, then rinse the surface and wipe clean with a towel.
How to Clean a Grill Without a Brush
If you don’t have a grill brush handy, try a long-handled metal spatula or grip a ball of foil with a pair of tongs and rub the grates. Either works well to clean a grill without a brush, allowing you to scrub the grates to make them grime-free.
How to Clean Grill Accessories
Grill accessories, including brushes, spatulas, tongs, and other cooking utensils, also need cleaning after each cookout. The best way to clean grill utensils is to wash them by hand, even for technically dishwasher-safe utensils. Tossing greasy grilling tools into your dishwasher can lead to clogged plumbing and an even bigger mess. Instead, soak grilling utensils in hot water and a few drops of dish soap designed to cut through grease. Use a scrubbing sponge or bristled brush to loosen cooked-on food and grime, then rinse the utensils and dry well with a clean cloth.
Best Products for Cleaning a Grill
The right tools are key to the most effective cleaning. An all-in-one grill-cleaning kit, such as the Weber Grill Cleaning Kit, makes it a cinch to clean a BBQ grill. However, if you prefer to stock up on individual elements or need a few cleaning tools to round out your barbecue tool kit, consider these items:
- Grill brush: We like the GRILLART Grill Brush.
- Degreaser: Cut through burnt-on messes with a degreaser like Easy-Off BBQ Grill Cleaner.
- Hand vacuum: Try DEWALT’s Wet-Dry Vacuum for a tool to clean a grill and your DIY project area.
- Stainless-steel polish: To leave a pretty shine and help dry, snag Therapy’s Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish with Microfiber Cloth.
With these tips, you’re armed with the best way to clean a grill, no matter what tools you already have. If you cook grilled recipes regularly, make life a bit easier and stock up on all the cleaning tools. On the other hand, if you only pull out the grill a couple of times a year, stick to soapy water and use our tips on cleaning a grill without a grill brush. However you tackle it, cleaning your grill after each use and before and after grilling season is essential to keep your equipment in peak condition for outdoor cooking.
