19 February 2025
How to Clean Your BBQ: The Best Way to Keep Your Grill in Top Shape
Keeping your BBQ and its parts clean is essential. In our latest blog, learn how you can keep your BBQ in tip-top shape in 8 easy steps!
19 February 2025
Keeping your BBQ and its parts clean is essential. In our latest blog, learn how you can keep your BBQ in tip-top shape in 8 easy steps!
19 February 2025
The humble BBQ is an important part of Australian food culture, with almost two-thirds of households owning one in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Food Safety. Whether you're cooking steaks, sausages, or tofu, there's nothing better than firing up the gas for a backyard meal. Food cooked on a BBQ is full of flavour, and the equipment used is also easy to maintain. If you're like many Aussies, however, you may struggle with the ins and outs of BBQ cleaning.
If your BBQ is looking a little worse for wear after the weekend, the following guide is a great place to start. Regardless of your make or model, following these three steps will have your BBQ looking like new.
Before you break out the BBQ cleaning brush and get to work, it's important to understand why cleaning is so important. While outdoor cooking gear doesn't have to be spotless, there are many reasons to start a regular BBQ cleaning routine.
This is the number one reason to clean your BBQ, with excess grease and food particles possibly causing health problems. Cleaning BBQ surfaces and surrounds on a regular basis helps to avoid the risk of food contamination.
When you break out the BBQ on a hot day, every mouthful should be delicious. This is only possible with regular cleaning, which prevents old food and grease from hitting the plate. Dirty BBQ plates can leave an acrid and unpleasant taste.
Not only does a clean BBQ make food taste more delicious, but it performs better too. When you learn how to clean a BBQ plate properly, your grill will be completely free from blockages. Faster and more efficient cooking leads to better results.
Cleaning your BBQ helps to extend its lifespan. If you want to enjoy years of amazing food from a single BBQ, it's vital to remove grease, food debris, and rust from the surface. Along with lasting longer, this also helps to reduce BBQ maintenance.
Before you start cleaning your BBQ, it’s essential to prepare the area and gather the necessary tools. Here are some steps to follow:
Ensure your BBQ is in an open space, away from any flammable materials. This will help prevent any accidents and make the cleaning process more comfortable.
If you have a gas grill, make sure to turn off the gas supply and disconnect the propane tank to avoid any leaks or accidents.
Use a grill brush to scrape off any leftover food debris and residue from the grill grates and hot plates. This will make the cleaning process more effective.
Remove the drip tray and empty its contents into the bin. This will prevent any grease buildup and potential fires.
Make sure you have all the necessary cleaning tools, including a wire brush, grill brush, microfiber cloth, and a bucket of hot soapy water. Having everything ready will make the process smoother.
Remove the burner tubes: If you have a gas grill, take out the burner tubes and set them aside for cleaning. This will ensure that every part of your BBQ is thoroughly cleaned.
Before you get to work cleaning your BBQ, it's important to buy the right tools for the job. From gloves and detergent to a dedicated BBQ cleaning brush, the right cleaning gear makes your job faster and easier.
Once you've got the right equipment by your side, it's time to get busy. Cleaning a BBQ is not difficult, with the entire process consisting of just a few steps. If you tackle this simple job in the right order, your BBQ will be looking fresh and clean in no time.
Whether you're running on gas, charcoal, or wood, cleaning should always happen after cooling down your equipment. Turn everything off and wait until the BBQ is cool to the touch before you get started. Remember to remove gas lines before every deep clean.
The cooking grill and grates need to be removed and placed on a flat surface. Scrub all hot plate surfaces with a wire BBQ brush, and apply a BBQ cleaner or natural soapy solution. Rinse the grill and grates and let them air dry.
For stainless steel BBQs, it is important to use specific cleaning tools and techniques to safely remove stubborn stains without causing damage which we’ll cover in another article about how to clean your stainless steel BBQ.
Burner bars and heat plates can be found underneath the cooking surfaces. When cleaning a gas BBQ, it is crucial to disconnect the gas supply before cleaning the burner bars and heat plates. These elements are responsible for heat distribution, and they also need to be cleaned. You can use a scraper or soapy water to clean the bars and plates but read your manual first.
Most BBQs have a grease tray to collect excess fats and oils. While this component is typically out of sight, it needs to be cleaned to prevent grease fires. Remove and wash the grease tray with soapy water, and dry thoroughly before putting it back in the BBQ.
Most interior and exterior elements are not involved directly with the cooking process, but they still need to be cleaned. Remove leftover food debris from the bottom of the BBQ, use soapy water and liquids for stubborn grease, and wipe down the walls and lid.e bottom of the BBQ, use soapy water and liquids for stubborn grease, and wipe down the walls and lid.
Deep cleaning your BBQ is an essential step to remove any stubborn food residue and grime. Here’s how to do it:
Create a cleaning paste: Mix a solution of hot soapy water and baking soda to create a thick paste. This mixture is excellent for breaking down tough grime.
Generously apply the paste to the grill grates, hot plates, and any other areas with stubborn food residue. Make sure to cover all the dirty spots.
Allow the paste to sit for 30 minutes to an hour. This gives it time to penetrate and loosen the grime.
Use a wire brush to scrub away the loosened grime and food residue. Apply some elbow grease to ensure all the stubborn spots are cleaned.
Rinse the BBQ with warm soapy water to remove any remaining grime and paste. Make sure all the cleaning solution is washed off.
Use a microfiber cloth to dry the BBQ thoroughly. This will prevent water spots and keep your BBQ looking shiny and new.
If you’re looking for alternative cleaning methods, here are a few options:
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the grill grates and hot plates, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, scrub with a wire brush to remove the loosened grime.
Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply the paste to the grill grates and hot plates, and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Scrub with a wire brush to remove the grime.
Use a steam cleaner to loosen any stubborn food residue and grime. Be careful not to use too much steam, as it can damage the BBQ’s finish. This method is effective for deep cleaning without harsh chemicals.
To be effective, BBQ cleaning needs to be done on a regular basis. Food debris and grease can build up quickly, so it's vital to inspect your BBQ often. It's particularly important to check the burner bars and grease trap, as they can lead to fires if you're not careful. Also check for gas leaks periodically, and review your BBQ manual for specific maintenance and cleaning instructions.
When your BBQ is not in use, it makes sense to cover it. Protecting it from the elements helps to avoid moisture and rust, which can be a problem in coastal environments or during rainy weather. While each location and BBQ is different, it's normally a good idea to perform a deep clean every three to six months.
Cleaning your BBQ regularly has several benefits, including:
Regular cleaning prevents food residue and grime from building up, which can cause health hazards. A clean BBQ ensures that your food is safe to eat.
Keeping your BBQ clean prevents damage to the grill grates and hot plates, ensuring that your BBQ works efficiently.
Regular cleaning prevents rust and corrosion on cast iron grill grates and other metal parts, extending the lifespan of your BBQ.
A clean BBQ looks more appealing and prevents discolouration, making it a pleasure to use.
Cleaning removes food debris and residue that can attract pests and rodents, keeping your BBQ area hygienic.
Regular cleaning prevents cross-contamination and food residue, ensuring that your food tastes fresh and delicious.
Regular maintenance and cleaning extend the lifespan of your BBQ, preventing costly repairs and replacements.
By following these steps and maintaining a regular cleaning routine, you can keep your BBQ in top shape and enjoy delicious, safe meals every time you fire it up.
The best way to clean a BBQ is not always the most obvious, so it's important to get some help. By following the steps in this guide, you will have your BBQ looking fresh and your food tasting amazing. The Outdoor Chef supplies a huge range of outdoor cooking products, including quality BBQs, outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, and cooking accessories. If you have any questions about our great products, please contact our team to learn more.
Will baking soda and vinegar clean a barbecue grill?
A. You can learn how to clean a BBQ grill with natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar. For a deep clean or extra dirty grill, however, you may need specialised detergents along with warm, soapy water.
How to clean a rusty barbecue plate?
A. If your BBQ has rust, it's important to remove it prior to cooking. Scrub the rusty areas with a BBQ grill brush, soak the affected areas to loosen rust, and scrub again before rinsing.
Is it safe to clean your grill with a wire brush?
A. Wire brushes designed for BBQ cleaning are totally safe to use. Regular brushes are not necessarily safe, however, as individual wires can break off and cause contamination.
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