⚡️Quick Answer: Start with the cover, scrubbing it with a solution of warm water, vinegar, and dish soap, then rinsing and drying it in the sun. Refresh the grates with a natural lemon-and-salt or onion hack, or deep clean them by soaking overnight in a vinegar solution inside a heavy-duty bag. Clean the inside by scraping off soot with a putty knife and cutting the grease with Dawn PowerWash, and don’t forget to empty the grease pan. Finally, wipe down the outside using the three-towel system. Do this before and after grilling season for a grill that lasts.
The sweet smell of flowers, cut grass, and hamburgers on the grill fills the air. There’s nothing like firing up the grill for the first time of the season, that first sizzle, the smoke wafting through the air, and the anticipation of the food about to be cooked. But for many of us, the grill has been hibernating all winter, so before you start cooking, it’s important to make sure it’s clean and ready to go. Here are our best hacks to make prepping your grill a breeze.
Clean the Grill Cover
Cleaning your grill cover is a bit like trying to fold a fitted sheet. First you have to wrestle the cover off the grill, which is no easy feat, almost like removing a giant sheet of cling wrap. Once it’s off, give it a quick shake to remove the debris that accumulated over winter, and if there’s a lot of dust and cobwebs, consider giving it a good vacuuming first.
Next, fill a bucket with warm water, one cup of vinegar, and one tablespoon of dish soap. Lay the cover on the ground and scrub the cleaning solution in with a soft-bristle brush, cleaning both sides, then turn the cover inside out and repeat on the inside. For heavy staining or mildew, let the solution sit on the area for 15 to 30 minutes to break down the grime, and if there’s a lot of grease, add a teaspoon of Dawn PowerWash to your solution.
Once it’s scrubbed, use a garden hose to spray the cover down inside and out, rinsing away all the soap residue. Finally, drape it over a deck railing or lay it on concrete in the sun to dry completely, flipping it (and turning it inside out again as needed) so every surface dries. A clean cover is worth the effort, since it keeps dust and debris away from your cook surface and extends the life of your grill by protecting it from rain, snow, and sun damage.
Clean the Grill Grates
Hopefully your grates are still clean from your pre-winter cleaning. But if you’re like us and occasionally break out the grill and a parka for a quick winter barbecue on a sunny day, they may need a refresh. Here are a few ways to get them ready.
The Natural Approach
Sometimes the simpler the better. For a lemon and salt clean, cut a lemon in half, pour about half a cup of salt onto a small plate, and press the cut side of the lemon into the salt. Rub the salt-and-lemon combination across the grates, using it only on a cold or slightly warm grill. The salt acts as an abrasive while the lemon juice breaks down the grease and grime, and you just throw the lemon away when you’re done.
Another popular hack uses onion juice. As the grill is warming, cut an onion in half, then use a grilling fork to rub the cut side across the grates. As the onion juice starts to steam, it helps break down the grease and grime on the grill. Toss the onion when you’ve finished.
Deep Cleaning the Grates
For a deeper clean, mix a small bucket of warm water, two cups of vinegar, and one tablespoon of dish soap, adding Dawn PowerWash for really dirty grates. Place the grates in a large, heavy-duty, unused garbage bag (a large plastic storage container works too), pour in the cleaning mixture, and seal the top of the bag with a rubber band.
Let the grates soak in the bag overnight. We recommend leaving the bag in the driveway or on the lawn in a safe spot, because if the rubber band comes loose, you don’t want that greasy mess in your garage or on your deck. The next day, wipe away the broken-down grease and grime with a soft-bristle brush or sponge, rinse well, and you’re done.
Clean the Inside of the Grill
You may be wondering who ever sees the inside of the grill. It’s where the fire, grease, and soot come together to create a baked-on mess, and while your guests will never see it, there are good reasons to clean it. A clean interior keeps the grill sanitary and helps keep it in good working order so it lasts longer.
Our most handy tool for this job is a small putty knife. Use it to gently scrape away the top layers of soot and grease, then spray on Dawn PowerWash and, with a bucket of warm water and a sponge, thoroughly clean the inside of the grill lid and the inner sides. You may need to repeat the scrubbing several times to remove as much soot and grease as possible. This is also a great time to remove the grease pan, empty it, and clean it thoroughly with a degreaser.
✨ Pro Tip: Use this time to inspect your grill while you have it open. Check that the igniters are working properly, that the burners are clear of debris and heating evenly, and that the connectors and gas hoses are securely attached and in good shape. Always remember, safety first!
Clean the Outside of Your Grill
After a lot of great grilling, the front and side areas of your grill can quickly get covered with grease and food debris. To clean them, we like to use a bucket of warm water with one tablespoon of dish soap, along with our three-towel system.
The first microfiber towel is dipped in the cleaning solution to clean, the second is a damp water-only microfiber towel to rinse, and the third is a dry microfiber towel to dry and buff. Work your way around the grill, wiping down, rinsing, and buffing the outside until it shines.
✨Pro Tip: Carefully remove the knobs and clean underneath them using the same three-towel process. Soak the knobs in the bucket of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, then buff them dry before putting them back. It’s an easy step that gets rid of the grime hiding in a spot most people forget.
Fire It Up
There you have it! With a clean cover, fresh grates, a degreased interior, and a sparkling exterior, your grill is ready for the season. Go ahead and get your grill on! Look below for more related posts 👇🏼
A Simple Guide to Cleaning Your Grill the Right Way
The Best Way to Clean Your Grill
DIY Cleaners: Easy, Effective, and Affordable Solutions for Your Home
