How to Clean Your Gas Grill So It's Ready for Summer
Before you can start flipping burgers, you need to make sure your gas grill is ready for business. That means no skimping on routine grill maintenance, including cleaning your gas grill. To help you get yours in tip top shape, we consulted Kevin Kolman, a master grilling expert for Weber, who also happens to have more than 30 grills in his own backyard.
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Why You Need to Clean Your Gas Grill
Kolman says if you don't prepare your grill for grilling season, "you'll have more schmutz, and that will mean you won't get the same performance." He explains that a cleaner grill makes for better airflow; when the grill is grimy, energy is absorbed into the debris and your food isn't cooked as well.
Essential Gas Grill Cleaning Supplies
Follow this list to ensure you get a deep clean that won't leave scratches behind. "It's important to use the right tools so you don't damage your grill," confirms Kolman.
You'll need a bucket of warm, soapy water, a sponge, and a clean rag for polishing up the exterior of your gas grill. Plus, a non-lint terry cloth and glass cleaner to tackle stains, as well as stainless steel cleaner and a microfiber cloth for stainless steel shelves or trim.
For cleaning the interior of the grill, you'll want to have a grill brush (Kolman recommends a stainless-steel grill brush) and a rag on hand.
And don't forget to protect your hands. Kolman advises wearing rubber gloves when you're cleaning your gas grill, so your skin doesn't come into contact with grease and debris that may be lurking inside.
How to Clean a Gas Grill
"Start with the exterior, with the lid and the bowl," Kolman says. "If they look neglected, clean them." Use warm soapy water and a sponge, then dry everything with a rag. To remove grease and smoke stains on the exterior, use a non-lint terry cloth and glass cleaner. Many gas grills have stainless-steel tables that require a stainless-steel cleaner. "And be sure to use microfiber or terry towel," he adds. "Do not use paper towel; some can scratch stainless. Always follow the grain of stainless to avoid scratches."
Next, open the lid and take out the flavorizer bars and grates. Brush them with a stainless-steel grill brush and wipe clean with a rag. "Examine the burner tubes. If they have debris on them, use your stainless-steel brush," he says. "Brush up and down or side to side, depending on the direction of the burners. If your burners go north-south, then brush side-to-side." Once you're finished, put the flavorizer bars and the grates back in.
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If you didn't clean the bottom tray after you finished grilling last summer, remove it and empty it into a trash can. Use a paint scraper to remove any remaining debris, then put the flavorizer bars back. Close the lid and turn the grill on high for 15 to 20 minutes. This will burn off any debris that can cause food to stick. Kolman advises doing this high-heat cleaning not just at the beginning of the grilling season, but on a regular basis as well. "It helps reduce the amount of flare-ups," he says. "Think of it like turning your oven on to self clean."
