How To Clean a Gas Grill (Step-by-Step Cleaning Tips)

Ready to get your grill looking (and cooking) like new? In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to clean a gas grill—from scrubbing the grates to degreasing every last corner—so you’re prepped and ready for grilling season.

Last fall, we added a brand new grill to our outdoor kitchen setup, and let me tell you—it’s amazing. Finn uses it no less than 3–4 times a week (Yes, even in the dead of winter!), whipping up everything from salmon to roasted veggies like a pro.

Me? I’ve never actually used it myself, but I do get to enjoy the delicious results, so I’m not complaining.

When I was doing some spring cleaning and prepping our backyard for the season (You can check out that full post here), I popped the grill open and—yikes. The inside was looking rough. Grease, grime, mystery gunk… You name it; it was in there.

So, I did what any determined DIYer would do – a little research, a lot of scrubbing, and a deep clean that left it looking shiny and almost new. Finn was impressed, and I’m feeling pretty proud, too.

How to Clean a Gas Grill (Step-by-Step Cleaning Tips)

I waited for a warm day and blocked off a few hours for some deep cleaning. At first, I was wearing a cute jacket, but I quickly realized that you want to wear clothes that can get dirty. You will be getting very dirty during this project!

Our new grill is hooked up to a natural gas line, so I turned it off, both at the grill and in the house, before I got started cleaning away. The same goes for a propane tank grill; make sure everything is turned off before you begin.

Step 1: Scrape and Scrub The Grates

The first thing I did was use Finn’s grill brush to scrape both sides of the grates. After that, I took a plastic scraper and really went to work getting off any residual grease. The underside is often much worse than the top, so be sure to flip over each grate and scrape away.

For cast-iron grill grates or porcelain grill grates, be gentle to avoid damaging the surface.

Step 2: Mix Up a Degreasing Solution

Fill a bucket with hot water, dish soap, and a splash of grill cleaner or degreaser like Zep. This mixture will help break down grease and loosen stuck-on food. I couldn’t find a bucket that could hold all of our grill parts, so I ended up using a clear storage organizer for this task. Not fancy, but it got the job done.

Step 3: Remove Internal Parts and Soak

I took out the three small cooking grates and one long one and added them to the bucket. You may also be able to remove your flavorizer bars and heat shields. If so, take them out and put them in the bucket too. You can also pre-treat any areas with extra Zep to get rid of heavy grime.

Step 4: Clean Ceramic Briquettes

Our grill has ceramic briquettes, it’s a different kind of flavorizer. I followed the instructions that came with the grill to clean these. I flipped them upside down and turned the grill on for 15 minutes. This allowed the food and particles to burn off. I then turned off the grill and let it cool back down before lightly brushing them.

Step 5: Scrape The Sides & Shop Vac

Once the grill was cool, I scraped the sides and bottom using the plastic scraper. I then got out my favorite shop vac and went to town sucking up the gunk and debris on the bottom.

Step 6: Tackle the Grease Tray and Drip Pan

I then slid out the grease tray and gave it a good wash. Mine doesn’t accumulate much gunk, but on many grills, this is where all the stuff goes from the bottom of the grill. Regularly emptying this and maintaining it is key to preventing grill fires and flare-ups.

Step 7: Spray and Wipe the Interior

Use oven cleaner or degreaser to spray the inside of the grill. Let it sit for 30 seconds, then wipe down all of the grill’s surfaces with a clean cloth or paper towel. Make sure to get the inside of the lid and firebox corners where grease hides.

Step 8: Scrub The Internal Parts

By now, the grates had been sitting in the solution for a good amount of time. I got to work scraping and brushing them again. I thought the grime would come off pretty easily, but it was really caked on there! This took some muscle to get them looking better.

I then rinsed everything with clean water (our garden hose) and let it dry in the sun. Make sure to let everything dry well before reassembling. Moisture is a rust magnet, so make sure every part is totally dry.

Step 9: Reassemble and Season the Grates

Put everything back in place and coat your stainless steel or cast iron grates with a light coating of vegetable oil or cooking oil. This protects the surface and keeps food from sticking. I actually had no clue this was a thing until I researched this. Pretty cool, huh?

Step 10: Clean the Exterior

Finish up by wiping down the outside of your grill using grill-safe cleaner or warm soapy water and a damp cloth. I used more Zep to get the greasy parts clean again and then polished it up!

How Often Should You Clean Your Gas Grill?

A good rule of thumb is to deep clean your grill at least twice a year. Once in early spring and again at the end of grilling season. Or you can do it more often if you’re like Finn and grill year round!

In between, I would do a light clean to prevent food particles and grease buildup from getting out of hand. We’ve had a few grease fires before, and Finn has had to break out our handy dandy fire extinguishers for those. (Side note: Make sure your kitchen is stocked with a pack of these!)

Regular maintenance not only makes each deep clean easier, it also keeps your grill in good condition and ensures better-tasting food. Heck yes!

Quick Tips for Ongoing Maintenance

Here’s how to keep your grill in tip-top shape between deep cleanings:

• Burn off stuck-on food: After each use, turn the grill on high for 10–15 minutes with the lid closed. This helps burn off food debris and residual grease.
• Brush the grates regularly: Use a brush, or a foil ball if you’re in a pinch, to clean the grilling surface while it’s still warm. Finn swears by this brush that uses steam! This helps prevent buildup and makes your next cookout easier.
• Empty the drip tray: Check and dump your drip tray often to avoid overflow and nasty surprises.
• Cover it up: Always use a grill cover when your grill isn’t in use. It protects from weather, dust, and critters, especially in colder months.
• Check your gas: If you use a propane tank, give it a quick once-over before grilling. For natural gas lines, check fittings, seasonally, to ensure they’re secure.
• Use cooking oil: Apply a light coating of vegetable oil to the grates every couple of weeks to keep rust away, especially if you’re working with cast-iron grates.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your grill might not be the most glamorous task on your to-do list, but trust me—it makes a huge difference. Not only will your grill last longer, but your food will taste better and your outdoor kitchen will feel so much more put together.

I was honestly intimidated to clean ours at first (I mean, I’ve never even turned it on.) but once I did a little research and got my hands dirty, it wasn’t nearly as hard as I expected. It just took a bit of elbow grease, some good cleaning supplies, and a solid plan.

Now that it’s done, I’m feeling super proud and even more excited for grilling season. If you’re staring at a dirty grill right now, let this be your sign to give it some love. Future you (and your taste buds) will be so glad you did.

Oh, and while you’re at it, why not deep clean your oven? I didn’t touch mine for five years, and it actually wasn’t that terrible to deep clean!