How to clean a BBQ – the best ways to keep gas and charcoal grills in pristine condition

It’s peak outdoor cooking season, but knowing how to clean a BBQ will guarantee safe, delicious grilling all summer long.

Whether you’ve invested in one of the best BBQs on the market or you’ve gone for a budget version, regularly cleaning your grill is key to keeping it in tip-top shape and ensuring hygienic cooking.

We’ve put together a step-by-step guide on cleaning gas BBQs and charcoal BBQs, so no matter what type of grill you have, we've got you covered. We’ve also included some product recommendations if you’re looking for some trusty BBQ cleaning tools.

What you'll need

• A BBQ cleaning brush, like the Grill Guard BBQ Grill Cleaning Brush & Scraper from Amazon
• Some BBQ cleaner, like the Jeyes BBQ Cleaner from Amazon
• Washing up liquid
• A sponge, like Weber's Cleaning Sponges
• Some BBQ cleaning wipes, like the UltraGrime XXL BBQ Cleaning Wipes from Amazon

How to clean a gas BBQ

One of the most important things to know before buying a gas BBQ is the best method for cleaning it – so here's a step-by-step...

1. Use heat

One of the most common ways to clean a gas BBQ is by using what’s known as the burn-off method – and if you've got one of the best gas BBQs on the market, heating up your BBQ quickly shouldn't be an issue.

‘A great habit to put into practice is scraping off any residue whilst the grill is still hot after cooking, as this makes it easier to clean and requires less elbow grease,’ says Joanna Humphreys, fire and stove specialist at Direct Stoves.

Heat your grill for around 15 minutes before turning it off, disconnecting the gas and letting the grates cool until they’re warm (but not hot).

2. Soak the grates

Once the grates have cooled to a safe temperature, you can start cleaning them with a brush. You could combine it with a natural cleaning solution, like the lemon and salt BBQ cleaning hack, for even better results.

‘Brush clean the grates and use a wire brush to scrape off residue while the grates are warm,’ says Caroline Morris from BBQ Brand Bar-Be-Quick.

You can find affordable BBQ cleaning brushes on Amazon.

3. Or, soak them for a deep clean

If your BBQ grates are really grimey, you can soak them before you get started with the brush.

‘For gas BBQs, always disconnect the gas first, then soak the grates and clean the burners with a soft brush, checking for any blockages,’ says Adam Oldfield, director of outdoor living retailer StovesAreUs.

‘Don’t forget the drip tray and internal surfaces, which should be wiped down with mild detergent.'

4. Rinse, dry and reassemble

Once you've completed all of the above steps, it's time to put your BBQ back together. But before you do, it's crucial that you dry all of the parts to prevent corrosion.

'Rinse and dry thoroughly before reassembling,' says Adam.

You could also give the exterior of your BBQ a wipe down with something like the UltraGrime XXL BBQ Cleaning Wipes from Amazon.

How to clean a charcoal BBQ

If you've got your hands on one of the best charcoal BBQs on the market and you're keen to keep it in pristine condition, here's how to do just that...

1. Let it cool completely

It’s important that you let your charcoal BBQ cool down completely before you clean it. This not only guarantees safety while cleaning, but also makes it easier to dispose of the ash.

‘If necessary, cool it quickly with water and then leave it to naturally cool down before handling the BBQ,’ says Caroline Morris from Bar-Be-Quick.

Then, take the cooking grates out of the BBQ.

2. Empty the ashes

As soon as your barbecue is cool, tip away leftover ash into a bucket before it collects moisture from the air.

Use damp kitchen roll to pick up the final bits, or use an outdoor vacuum.

‘Scoop or vacuum out the ashes into a metal container or bin bag,' advises Caroline. 'Why not use them as pot ash?’

3. Clean the grates

The grates are likely the most grimey parts of a charcoal BBQ, so start by giving those a thorough clean.

‘Wash the grates in warm, soapy water or a BBQ-specific cleaner, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely before reassembling,’ says Adam from StovesAreUs.

Warm, soapy water is a good choice for gentler jobs, but if you’re tackling a lot of grease and debris, it’s a good idea to invest in a dedicated cleaner like the Weber Grate Cleaner from Amazon.

Or, you could learn how to clean a BBQ with beer, if you've got some going spare.

4. Clean the bowl and lid interior

Now, it’s time to clean the bowl of your charcoal BBQ, and its lid, if it has one.

‘Scrape off built-up carbon with a putty knife or scraper,’ says Caroline. ‘Wipe with soapy water or vinegar solution, then rinse with clean water and dry.’

5. Give the exterior a clean

If you’re learning how to clean a BBQ for the first time, don’t forget about the exterior. That’s the part that stays on show, after all!

Bar-Be-Quick's Caroline says you should use a damp sponge and a mild soap to gently clean the outside of the BBQ, and then dry it well to prevent it from rusting.

If your barbecue is stainless steel, use a specialist polishing spray. It’s also worth giving the exterior of your BBQ a light coating of mineral or baby oil to protect it from the elements and give it a lovely shine all summer long.

FAQs

How do you get baked on grease off a BBQ?

Besides using a dedicated BBQ cleaning product to remove grease from your BBQ, there are a few natural remedies you can try.

Baking soda is a popular solution, in tandem with a cloth or scraper.

'A damp cloth with baking soda can help tackle any stubborn grime,' says Liam Cleary, BBQ expert at Old Railway Line Garden Centre.

Are you supposed to clean a barbecue after every use?

Experts recommend cleaning your barbecue after every use to keep on top of grime build-ups and leftover food particles.

If you don't clean your BBQ, you could face food hygiene and flavour issues as well as a grill that doesn't perform as well as it should, so it's definitely worth cleaning your barbecue after every cooking session.

Keep your grill in tip-top condition and it should reward you with plenty more tasty alfresco dishes!