How to Clean Your Gas Grill

Step 1: Give Your Grill a Checkup

If your BBQ grill has been sitting idle for months, it's a good idea to take a close look at its components to make sure everything is in proper working order. Examine hoses for any cracks or damage. If a hose seems compromised in any way, replace it.

Inspect burners and their gas tubes and make sure they aren't worn out, rusty or blocked by debris or spider webs. If gas tubes have worn spots, replace them. If they are blocked, use a pipe cleaner, toothpick or paper clip to clear them. Check knobs and other controls to make sure they're undamaged and working properly. Tighten any loose screws or bolts. If your propane tank is empty, refill it at an authorized propane supplier.

Step 2: Clean It

Remove any internal parts that can be disconnected from the grill and soak them for a few minutes in a bucket of hot water and mild detergent, such as dishwashing liquid. (Make sure water won't affect functionality.) Scrub the parts with a rag, sponge or soft scrubbing pad.

Remove porcelain-coated or metal grates and scrub vigorously with a wire brush to remove burnt-on food and debris. You can also run them through the dishwasher after you've scrubbed them. Cleaning chemicals for both the inside and outside of your grill can help remove tough stains and grease build-up, but aren't necessary if you scrub the grates well. Note: Many gas grills have aluminum parts that can be damaged by abrasive cleaning products, like oven cleaners, or tools such as wire brushes or scouring pads. Make sure that the grease tray is clean and replace foil drip pans to help prevent flare ups.

Step 3: Test It

Once all the parts have been cleaned, dried and reassembled, ensure all hoses and components are reconnected correctly and fire up the grill. Close the lid and let the grill burn for 10 to 15 minutes to burn off any cleaning-chemical residue. After you've determined everything is working correctly, you're done. It's time to cook!

Safety Alert!
To avoid serious injury, be sure the propane tank is disconnected from the grill before doing maintenance. Read your BBQ grill's instruction manual for particular safety issues.

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