Ad. This “how to clean your gas grill” post is sponsored by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board in support of our Arkansas soybean farmers. #ArkansasSoy #ArkansasSoybeans

Once a year, at the beginning of summer grilling season, it is always a good idea to clean your gas grill. If you’ve always wondered how to clean your gas grill, then bookmark this post, print off the instructions, and review the step-by-steps. My goal is to have you thoroughly equipped, ready to get to work, and most of all… ready to get grilling!

From start to finish, it should take you forty-five minutes to an hour to accomplish this project. Extra-credit if you pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade to made the task extra fun.

How to clean your gas grill – printable instructions

How to clean your gas grill – visual instructions

How to clean the outside of your gas grill.

Always start off with cleaning the outside of the grill, from top to bottom. You will find that my method is as chemical-free as possible. So that means we start off with a cool grill. No preheating needed.  

Fill a bucket with hot, soapy water and spray down exterior of grill.

Thoroughly clean outside of grill with sponge, using lots of hot, soapy water. The key is LOTS of soapy hot water. This is not a time to get stingy! Rinse well and rinse as you go. If knobs come off, remove them and wash them, too.

Steel wool (very fine grade 0000) heavily stained stainless steel spots. A quick PSA on this point… only use this very fine grade of steel wool on the stainless steel areas and go with the grain of the stainless or you will end up with scratch marks. And no one wants scratch marks so be careful! You’ll want to focus on the heavy areas of stainless steel that may have a stain. Of course, there will always be wear and tear discoloration on the plastic parts. That just means you are great at your grilling game!

Dry exterior with rag. This makes the stainless steel shine. You’ve paid for the stainless, so make it look good.

Apply stainless steel wipes and buff with rag. I’m personally in love with Weimans. Using these wipes on the stainless will give it a little shine and make it look extra nice and provides a bit of luster and protectant. Buff with rag if need be.

How to clean the inside of your gas grill. 

Even though we aren’t using dangerous chemicals, you still want to protect your hands and nails from grease. I recommend wearing heavy-duty disposable nitrile gloves.

Lay down trash bag to protect deck.

Scrape grilling grates and remove, place on trash bag.

Scrape flavorizer grates with putty knife, place on trash bag. This scrapes off all burned fats and reside that comes with frequently grilling.

Scrape inside of grill and place scrapings in disposable grocery bag. No need to get it OCD spanky clean because you’ll be getting it dirty again with the first grilling.

Wire-brush flame bars. When these holes plug up, they give a sloppy flame. Wire-brushing will unplug them. Side note: if you notice your flames are getting sloppy, you can wire-brush them as needed.

Put flavorizer grates back in place and replace as needed.

Put grilling grates back in place.

Replace grease tray.

Dispose of gloves, grocery bag, grease tray, and trash bag.

Heat up grill to 400 degrees for five minutes and turn off heat. This high heat will loosen up the stuck-on debris so that it will be easier to clean.

Wire-brush grill grates.

Use flat-head screwdriver on corner build-up.

Apply soybean vegetable oil to grates with tongs and paper towel. This is a super important final step that protects your grills from rust and also seals it in preparation for grilling. Soybean oil is an excellent choice as it can handle the high heat that a grill provides. 

Clean up any remaining debris and rinse deck floor.

Fire up the grill and invite the friends and family over for dinner. You’re ready to go!

Did you find anything intimidating about this how-to? Please let me know so I can help alleviate any concerns!

Happy grilling!

Eat well, my friends.  

Lyndi