Deep Cleaning Your Propane Grill

In our previous blog, we reviewed some safety reminders so you can enjoy an accident-free barbecue season in your backyard. We want to continue this focus on grill safety by taking a deep dive on how to clean your grill in a thorough way.

Be prepared: this is not about doing a few scrapes across your grill with a wire brush. Of course, you should always use a grill brush to scrape off any food residue every time after you finish cooking. This will help avoid flare-ups. But we’re talking here about a deep cleaning.

You should invest some time to do this at least once a year—or more if you use your grill a lot. This will keep it running properly and safely. (About half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns that could have been avoided.)

As you’re cleaning your grill, don’t forget to make sure your propane cylinder has enough propane. It’s always a good idea to have a back-up cylinder on hand in case you do run out. Your propane company may be able to connect your grill to the main propane tank so you can stop worrying about running out of fuel while you’re in the middle of grilling.

What You Need To Clean Your Grill

You don’t need any high-tech tools to do a thorough job of cleaning a propane grill from top to bottom. All you need are some basics: rubber gloves, aluminum foil, a grill brush, and a large bucket of hot and soapy water. Dish soap is recommended.

• Make sure all the grill burners are off and that the dials are in the “OFF” position.
• Turn off and disconnect the propane tank. If you’ve just finished grilling, wait until the grill is barely warm before doing this.
• Take out the grease trap and turn it upside down over a trash can so it can drip.
• Put on the rubber gloves and remove the grates as well as the burner protectors under them. Put the grates and burner protectors in the bucket of hot, soapy water for a good soak. Put the grease trap in as well.
• Use aluminum foil to cover the burner tubes and other heating elements. Then thoroughly clean the underside of the hood and the inside walls. Wipe dry with paper towels.
• Take the grates, burner protectors, and grease traps out of the bucket and clean those. Rinse well.
• Take the foil off the burner tubes and gently wipe the tubes.
• Carefully check burner holes with a toothpick to dislodge any clogs. Replace the burner covers, grates and grease trap.
• Clean the grill exterior with a manufacturer-recommended cleaner.

Please visit this page to read more information and tips on overall propane safety.