Is it time to clean your charcoal grill? Then you're in the right place. In this guide, we outline all the steps you need to follow to clean your charcoal grill. For more tips on how to best care for and maintain your grill, stay tuned.
The frequency of cleaning your charcoal grill naturally depends on how often you use it, but our general recommendation is to perform a simple cleaning after each use and a more thorough cleaning every 5-10 uses. However, if you notice that the grill is not performing optimally before then, it might be time to clean it sooner.
Simple Cleaning of a Charcoal Grill
To save as much time as possible, it's best to get into the habit of scrubbing the grill grate after every use. This ensures that food and fat residues do not build up too much, which makes it easier when it comes time for a more thorough cleaning of the grill later. This doesn't take much time and your grill will thank you in the end.
You'll need:
- Trash bag
- Grill grate brush
1. Let the Grill Cool Down
Grill as usual and enjoy your meal in peace. Let the grill cool down and then start cleaning while the grill is still a bit warm.
2. Scrub the Grill Grate Clean
Scrub off the worst dirt from the warm grill grate using a brass-bristle grill grate brush. The heat helps to burn off the dirt, making it easier to remove food and fat residues.
3. Empty the Ash
Make it a habit to empty the ash after grilling. NOTE: Ensure the ash is completely cool before disposing of it for extra safety.
Thorough Cleaning of a Charcoal Grill
For a more in-depth cleaning, a few more tools and a bit more time are needed to really remove all the dirt.
You'll need:
- Trash bag
- Grill grate brush
- Scraper
- Cleaning sponge
- Soap
- Cloth
- Bucket with water
- Cooking oil
- Optional grill cleaner
- Optional gloves
Empty the Ash
Start by emptying the grill of ash and other debris at the bottom if this hasn't been done already. Many grills have a built-in ashtray that can be removed and emptied, but if not, the grill grate and coal grate need to be removed to access it. Use a small broom or ash catcher to collect the ash.
Then, transfer the ash to a trash bag, seal it, and dispose of it in the waste.
Clean the Grill Grates and Coal Grates
Remove the grill grate and coal grate. Scrub the grates clean on both sides using a grill grate brush and a washing sponge dipped in lukewarm soapy water. Don't scrub too hard; use a steady, gentle pace, up and down along the grate. It's important that the grill grate brush is made of a gentle material like brass bristles to avoid damaging the grate.
For tougher dirt, you may need to complement with a grill scraper. If the dirt is particularly stubborn, soaking the grate in water for 15 minutes before cleaning may be necessary.
(NOTE: A stainless steel grill grate can be washed in the dishwasher if the dirt isn't extreme, but we don't recommend this for other types of grates like cast iron.)
Oil the Grill Grate
Once the grates are clean, dry them thoroughly to ensure no moisture remains. Then, use a piece of kitchen paper to oil the grill grate with cooking oil, restoring the oil layer that was present before cleaning (this step is especially important for cast iron grates). Wipe off any excess oil afterward.
Clean the Grill Inside
Clean the inside of the grill by scrubbing the inside of the grill bowl and lid. Inside the grill, especially on the underside of the lid, there may sometimes be what looks like flaking black paint. This is nothing to worry about, but just dirt that forms from fat and smoke during normal use of the charcoal grill. You can remove this with a cleaning sponge, a little soap, and lukewarm water. Dry all surfaces thoroughly to avoid moisture in the grill.
Clean the Grill Outside
Wipe down the grill's external surfaces, such as the lid, grill bowl, and stand, etc., using a cloth or washing sponge dipped in lukewarm soapy water. For an extra shiny result, use a degreasing spray like Bluegaz cleaning spray for stainless steel (this only applies if your grill's exterior is stainless steel, of course). Once done, dry all surfaces completely.
NOTE: Always be careful to read the back of the cleaning product to avoid using products that are polishing or corrosive (such as steel wool). This can damage and scratch the enamel on the grill.