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There’s nothing better than firing up the grill on a sunny afternoon — until you lift the lid and find last summer’s burnt-on mess staring back at you. Knowing how to clean a BBQ properly isn’t just about appearances: a clean barbecue cooks more evenly, tastes better and is far safer to use. Old grease left on the grates can trigger dangerous flare-ups, harbour bacteria and even attract pests. The good news? Learning how to clean a BBQ takes far less elbow grease than you’d think. Follow these seven simple steps and your grill will be gleaming in no time.
Why It’s Important to Clean a BBQ Regularly
A dirty grill is more than an eyesore. Built-up grease is the number one cause of flare-ups, while leftover food residue can develop mould and bacteria that end up on your next meal. A clean barbecue also heats up faster and more evenly, and looking after the grates and burners helps your BBQ last for years.
How often should you clean a BBQ? A quick clean after every use, plus a proper deep clean two or three times during grilling season (and one big scrub before winter storage), keeps things under control.
| Clean type | When | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Quick clean | After every cook | Grates only, while still warm |
| Deep clean | Every 4–6 weeks in season | Grates, burners, interior, exterior |
| Seasonal clean | Spring & before winter | Full strip-down, rust check, reseason |
What You’ll Need to Clean Your BBQ
Before you start, gather your kit. Most of it is already in your kitchen cupboard:
- Rubber gloves and a bucket of hot, soapy water
- Bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar for stubborn, burnt-on areas
- A scrunched-up ball of aluminium foil or a bristle-free brush (skip the old wire brush)
- A sponge, cloths or old rags, plus a little cooking oil to finish
If you prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, simple natural cleaning products like bicarb and vinegar handle almost everything a barbecue can throw at you.
Step 1: How to Clean a BBQ After Every Use
The easiest time to clean is straight after cooking, while the grates are still hot. Close the lid and turn the heat to high (or, for charcoal, use the remaining embers) for 10–15 minutes to burn off any food residue. Once it’s cooled slightly but is still warm, scrub the grates with a scrunched ball of aluminium foil held in tongs. Make this a habit and your deep cleans will be far quicker.
Step 2: Cleaning a Gas BBQ
For a deep clean of a gas barbecue, safety comes first:
- Disconnect the gas bottle before you do anything else.
- Remove the cooking grates and flavouriser bars and soak them in hot, soapy water.
- Carefully clean the burners with a soft brush, using a paperclip to clear any blocked holes.
- Brush out the inside, wipe down the walls and empty the grease tray to prevent flare-ups.
- Rinse, dry, reassemble and reconnect the gas bottle.
Step 3: How to Clean a Charcoal BBQ (and After Winter)
With a charcoal BBQ, start by removing old charcoal, briquettes and ash, then empty and wipe out the ash tray. Soak the grates in hot, soapy water, then scrub with a soft brush. If your barbecue has been shut away all winter, expect heavier grime — a soak in warm water with bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar will loosen even the most stubborn deposits before you scrub.
Step 4: BBQ Grates Cleaner with Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is the natural method that works brilliantly on burnt-on grates. Mix equal parts bicarbonate of soda and water into a thick baking soda paste — the same trick you’d use to clean an oven. Spread it over the grates, spray with white vinegarand leave it to fizz for 20–30 minutes. The reaction lifts grease and grime, so you can wipe most of it away with a sponge. Rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards. (And yes — if you’ve ever wondered, bicarbonate of soda and baking soda are essentially the same thing.)
Step 5: How to Clean the Inside of a BBQ
The inside of the lid and walls collect a flaky build-up of carbon and grease. Scrape it down with a plastic scraper or soft brush, then wash with hot, soapy water and dry. Don’t forget the grease tray underneath — emptying it regularly is one of the easiest ways to avoid flare-ups.
Step 6: Best Way to Clean a Rusty BBQ Grill
Most rust can be rescued with a little effort. Scrub away loose rust with a stiff-bristled brush, then apply a paste of equal parts bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar. Leave it for up to an hour, scrub again, then rinse and dry. Once dry, heat the BBQ for 20 minutes and wipe the grates with cooking oil to season them and stop future rust.
Step 7: How to Clean a BBQ with an Onion (No Wire Brush Needed)
For a chemical-free finish, halve an onion and rub the cut side over warm grates — its juices loosen grime and leave a pleasant aroma. This is also the safe answer to cleaning without a wire brush, which is no longer recommended because loose metal bristles can shed and end up in your food. Aluminium foil, a wooden scraper or an onion all do the job safely.
Best Barbecue Degreaser
Sometimes baking soda and vinegar won’t cut it — particularly after a heavy season of cooking. That’s when a dedicated barbecue degreaser earns its place in the shed.
Look for a spray labelled food-contact safe once rinsed, such as HG Oven, Grill & BBQ Cleaner (available at Tesco) or the Jeyes BBQ Cleaner, both well-regarded for tackling tough stains and burnt-on carbon on stainless steel grates. Spray onto cold or warm surfaces, leave for the time stated on the pack — usually a few minutes to an hour — then wipe away with a soft cloth.
Don’t forget the drip pan underneath. It’s often the grimiest spot and the one most people skip. A quick spray and wipe here goes a long way.
What Not to Clean a Grill With
A few things to keep away from your barbecue:
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Wire brushes | Bristles can break off and stick to food |
| Harsh degreasers | Can taint food and corrode metal over time |
| Oven cleaner on grates | Too aggressive; leaves residue on cooking surfaces |
| Cold water on hot grates | Sudden shock can warp or crack metal |
FAQ
What is the best way to clean a barbecue?
The best way to clean a BBQ is to burn off residue on high heat, then scrub the warm grates with foil or a bristle-free brush. For deep cleans, soak the grates in hot, soapy water and tackle burnt-on bits with a bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar paste.
Is baking soda and vinegar safe for cleaning barbecues?
Yes. Bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar are non-toxic, food-safe and excellent at lifting grease and rust. Just rinse and dry the grates well afterwards before cooking.
Do you need to clean a BBQ after every use?
A quick clean of the grates after every use is ideal — it only takes a few minutes while they’re still warm and saves you a much bigger job later. A full deep clean is only needed every few weeks.
How do I stop food sticking to clean grates?
Once your grates are clean and dry, wipe them with a little cooking oil. This seasons the surface, guards against rust and stops food sticking next time you grill.
Can I put BBQ grates in the dishwasher?
Small grates and most BBQ tools are usually dishwasher-safe, but check with the manufacturer first. For large or cast-iron grates, hand washing in hot, soapy water is safer.
