Scrub down thebarbecue grillafter every use, whether it’s a high-end or cheaper model.

A clean grill will cook food better and be free of residue and soot that could contaminate it.

Give it a detailed cleaning once a year.

barbecue grill in use

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Here’s how to maintain a gas or charcoal grill to keep it working great.

Clean the Heat Deflectors (Gas Grills)

Clean the heat deflectors after every fourth grill use.

Use warm or hot, soapy water and a stiff nylon brush or fiber scrub pad.

materials for cleaning a barbecue grill

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Wipe dry to prevent rust.

Grill burners, heat deflectors, and other parts can eventually wear out.

Warning

see to it to disconnect the gas hookups before removing the burners.

using a bottle brush tool to clean the grates

​The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Also, grills stay dryer under a cover, which helps reduce corrosion of the metal parts.

You should clean all food particles from a grill after each use.

Plus, leftover char can impact the taste of your food and prevent it from cooking properly.

scraping off grill grates

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Built-up grease can also be a fire hazard.

You canhosedown a grill to remove food particles, dirt, pollen, and other debris.

However, youll still likely need to brush the surfaces to get them clean.

using a scrubber on the grill grates

​The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

A steam cleaner with a metal brush attachment can also quickly clean your grill.

Ensure the grill is cool before hosing, which can create dangerously hot steam.

soaking grates in a basin with vinegar

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scraping ashes off of the grill

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Heat deflector from gas grill being inspected

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Gas grill heat deflectors scrubbed with soapy water and nylon brush

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Gas grill grates cleaned with brush after cooking

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Side walls of gas grill cleaned with soapy brush

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Wiping down the outside of a grill

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Visible grime coming off of a charcoal grill

​The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Outdoor grill covered with black cover

The Spruce / Almar Creative