Best Tips for a Clean Gas Grill

July 31, 2021

With the outdoor cooking season in Texas well underway, there’s no doubt you’ve been enjoying tons of burgers, steaks, and barbecue. And after each of these meals, you’re giving your trusty gas grill a thorough cleaning, right? 

Don’t feel bad! If you’re like most people, it’s tough to find the motivation to clean up after a hearty meal with all the fixins. But if you skip too many of these routine cleanings, the grease starts to build up. 

If it’s been too long or never at all, thorough cleaning of your gas grill will not only make a huge difference in its life expectancy but also in the quality of the food you prepare on it. Here are our best tips for a clean gas grill this season.

Why Deep Clean Your Gas Grill

The goal of deep grill cleaning is to remove carbon deposits. This black residue attaches to virtually every surface of your grill, including the grates, hood, interior of the firebox, flavorizing bars, and burner tubes.

Those carbon deposits aren’t just an eyesore. Over time, grease and sugary sauces can stick to them and create colonies of bacteria. Additionally, all that carbon buildup will eventually cause your gas-burner tubes to fail prematurely.

What You Need to Clean a Gas Grill

To make your gas grill easier to clean, it helps to have the right tools. But a quick search online can be a bit overwhelming. You’ll find dozens of grill-cleaning gadgets and gizmos. But which should you choose? Here on the ranch, we like to keep it simple. With just a few household items, you’ll be well on your way to a gorgeous grill. You’ll need: 

• long-handled wire brush 
• wire bottle brush
• putty knife or similar scraping tool 
• hot water and dish soap
• white vinegar and baking soda
• five-gallon bucket
• long-cuffed rubber gloves
• disposable scouring sponges
• some elbow grease

You should avoid using toxic elements when cleaning your gas grill. Remember, don’t buy all of those chemical sprays and solutions. They will leave bad tastes and could poison your family.

Gas Grill Cleaning Steps

Once you’ve gathered all your supplies, it’s time to get to work! 

1. Start by starting your grill and letting it come to full temperature. Allow the flames to singe any stuck-on food or grease from the interior of the grill box. Next, dip your wire brush into the bucket of warm, soapy water and scrub off all the carbon from the grates.

2. Turn off the heat and disconnect your fuel source. 

3. Once the grill is cool, remove all the grates, flavorizer bars, and anything else that you can easily take off, such as burner-control knobs, warming racks, and grease trays. Submerge everything in a bucket of hot, soapy water and soak for at least 30 minutes. 

4. Now the firebox is ready to be cleaned. Use the putty knife to scrape off any caked-on gunk you find and scour the surfaces with hot, soapy water.

5. After the grates and panels have soaked, take them out and scrub them with the wire brush. For really stubborn grime, mix a paste of white vinegar and baking soda. Apply it directly to the worst problem spots. Rinse all surfaces clean and thoroughly dry.

6. Inspect the grill burners for signs of rust or anything blocking the flame holes. Use the wire brush to go over all the holes. Then use the bottle brush to clean the inside of each tube.

7. Once everything is sparkling and thoroughly dry, reassemble all the parts you removed. Take care to fix the burner tubes back in place, ensuring proper positioning. 

8. Finally, reconnect your fuel source and fire up your grill. Let it heat for at least 15 minutes, then turn it off. This initial firing will help burn off any soap residue, season the cast-iron grates, and serve as confirmation that you reassembled everything properly. 

9. Now get some Premium Quality Texas Beef and invite over a few friends.

Regular Gas Grill Maintenance

A little love goes a long way! After every use, scrub your gas grill grates clean. If you barbecue frequently, say at least once per week, thoroughly clean the grates every two months. And twice a grilling season, you should give your grill a thorough cleaning, which will help it cook better and last longer.

Check us out! We offer grass-fed, grain-finished, sustainably raised bulk beef and Premium Quality custom beef boxes. Each one is chock-full of all your favorite cuts. We also have tons of Texas Beef Company merchandise. Show the world that you Eat Better Beef!