How to Clean Your Natural Gas Grill

Whether you’ve spent the season searing steak or barbecuing burgers, your natural gas grill has likely been well-loved – but not very well-cleaned. With ash, food, and grease piling up after each use, a dirty gas grill can impact food taste, cooking efficiency, and even overall safety.

With just a few simple ingredients and about 20 minutes of time, you can transform your natural gas grill from sooty to spotless in ten simple steps. So grab those rubber gloves and grill brushes – it’s time to get to work. Here’s how to easily clean your gas grill:

Feeling inspired to clean? Let’s break down those steps to a sparkling grill:  

1. Stock Your Supplies: For the best results, you’ll need the following: a spray bottle, water, white vinegar, baking soda, a long-handled grill brush, a stiff wire brush, a putty knife, cleaning rags or paper towels, a container for ashes (this will get dirty!), and vinyl or dishwashing gloves. Once gathered, create your grill cleaning solution by mixing 1 ½ cups of white vinegar with 1 ½ cups of water, then adding 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda. Beware – this solution will bubble! 
   
   Once complete, pour the mixture into your spray bottle. If you don’t have these supplies on hand, don’t fret; a combination of water and dish detergent will do. 
   
   
2. Turn Up the Heat: Loosen up food debris for easier cleaning by running your grill on high for 15 minutes. Keep the lid closed to contain the heat. 
   
   
3. Cool the Cook Box: Turn off all the burners and then locate your gas shut-off valve, which may be behind or beneath the grill. Turn the valve to the closed position by rotating it a quarter turn perpendicular to the pipe, forming a “T.” Once complete, open your grill lid and allow to fully cool before moving on to Step 4. 
   
   
4. Scrape the Grates: To clean your gas grill grates, use your long-handled grill brush to scrape off any remaining bits of food and grease. Repeat this to cleaneach gas grill grate, moving across your grill. Then, wipe down the grates with your cleaning solution and rag before removing them from the grill. 
   
   
5. Bring out the Briquettes: Beneath the grates, you’ll find either briquettes or heat plates covering the burners. Remove each of these items from the grill, shaking off any leftover ash or debris into your container, and then cleanse them with your cleaning solution. 
   
   
6. Brush the Burners: Use the stiff wire brush to scrub off any grease or debris from the burners, being mindful of any burner holes that are covered or clogged. Brush side-to-side to ensure debris is not being pushed into the ports. Then, wipe down the valves with your cleaning solution or, if you’re able to remove the burners completely, use a garden hose to run water through the valves. This will clear away any leftover debris, preventing uneven heating and hot spots. 
   
   
7. Clean the Cook Box: With the cook box now empty, scoop out any leftover food, ashes, or other debris from your grill. Your putty knife can also help address any caked-on food or grease. Once complete, either wipe down the cook box with a damp cloth or use a garden hose to wash out the interior, depending on your grill’s drainage system.  
   
   
8. Collect the Collection Bin: Remove the collection bin from underneath your grill; this should slide easily out. Dispose of any ash or food debris and if there is any grease, be sure to let it harden before putting in the trash – not down the drain.
   
   
9. Extend to the Exterior: Wipe down the outside of your grill with your cleaning solution and rag. Vinegar is safe to use for stainless steel, but you can also use a stainless-steel cleaning solution. 
   
   
10. Get Ready to Grill: Reassemble your gas grill parts, first placing the burners back in place, then following with briquettes and grates. Once complete, turn the natural gas back on at the gas shut-off valve, rotating the valve a quarter turn so that it’s parallel to the pipe. Now, put on that apron – you’re ready to grill!  

You May Also Like

At Your Service: How to Find a Natural Gas Provider Near Your Home

How to Clean a Natural Gas Oven (the Natural Way)

The Benefits of Cooking with Natural Gas