Basic Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

Side by side

How to do a basic cleaning

Do this every month or two of regular use. You'll need a grill brush or scraper, a plastic putty knife, paper towels, a bucket of hot water with a little dish soap, and gloves.

1. 1

   Burn off and cool

   Run all burners on high with the hood closed for 15 minutes, then shut everything off, including the gas at the tank or shutoff valve. Let the grill cool until you can touch the grates comfortably.

2. 2

   Grates and heat plates

   Brush the grates, then lift them out. Scrape the heat plates or flavorizer bars with the putty knife and tap them over a trash bag to knock off loose carbon.

3. 3

   Scrape the firebox

   With the grates and plates out, use the putty knife to push debris from the firebox walls and floor toward the grease opening so it drops into the tray. Brush the tops of the burners lightly along their length, not across the ports.

4. 4

   Empty the grease tray

   Scrape the tray into the trash, wipe it with paper towels, and replace the liner if your grill uses one. Never rinse grease into the yard or a drain.

5. 5

   Wipe and reassemble

   Wipe the control panel and hood with soapy water, dry it, put everything back, and light the grill to confirm every burner lights and burns blue.

How to do a deep cleaning

Plan for an afternoon. Add to the basic kit: a biodegradable degreaser, a stiff nylon brush, a venturi or bottle brush, a small wire or paper clip, a large plastic tub or contractor bag for soaking, and a tarp or drop cloth.

1. 1

   Protect the area and remove parts

   Lay down a tarp. With the gas off and the grill cold, take out grates, heat plates, warming rack and grease tray. Remove the burners: most lift out after a cotter pin, screw or clip at the back is removed, then slide off the valve orifices at the front. Take a photo first so you know how they go back.

2. 2

   Soak the heavy parts

   Put grates, plates and the tray in a tub or a doubled contractor bag with hot water and a biodegradable degreaser. Let them soak at least an hour, then scrub with the nylon brush. Porcelain-coated parts should never see a wire brush or steel wool.

3. 3

   Clean the burners

   Brush each burner along its length. Clear clogged ports with a straightened paper clip, pushing gently. Run a venturi brush through the inlet tube to remove spider webs and debris. Shake out anything loose. Look for cracks, holes, or ports that have rusted into slots; those burners need replacing.

4. 4

   Degrease the firebox and hood

   Scrape the firebox down, then apply degreaser, let it work, and scrub. Scrape the carbon flakes that peel off the inside of the hood. Wipe out the residue with paper towels and a small amount of water. Keep water away from igniter electrodes and wiring.

5. 5

   Check igniters and reassemble

   Make sure each igniter tip is clean and sits close to its burner (usually about 1/8 inch). Reinstall the burners with the inlets seated fully over the valve orifices, then the plates, grates and tray.

6. 6

   Test and polish

   Reconnect the gas, do a soap test on the connections you disturbed, and light each burner. Flames should be mostly blue with small yellow tips at most. Finish the exterior stainless with a polish, wiping with the grain.

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