When summer arrives, the nation is in agreement over one thing - ‘tis the season to barbecue.
Grills get rolled out of hibernation from their sheds and are put to work chargrilling everything that can stand up to the heat, from courgette strips and carrots to juicy prawns, chicken wings, steak and more.
We eat, drink and laugh with friends and family till the sun goes down - and why not? We’ve waited all year for this. But it also may be to put off that tough but necessary chore of cleaning the BBQ once the party is over.
Whether you’re one for wiping down your grill after every use, cleansing with fire in between, or you wait until the season ends for a thorough clean up, keeping your BBQ in good nick is the sure-fire way to ensure it stays in action for longer.
The good news is that there are plenty of cleaning products and tools to help you do the job, with minimal grunting and elbow grease. We’ve gathered the best options below to help you get your grill back to its sparkling best.
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Best BBQ cleaning tools
Grillbot Automatic Grill Cleaning Robot
You had the BBQ to end all BBQs, but there’s one cloud on the horizon - the backbreaking job of cleaning the grill down afterwards.
While mankind may be able to send surveillance tech to Mars and probes to the deepest recesses of the ocean, technology has delivered with another standout piece of tech - a grill cleaning robot.
Non-negotiable for those with BBQs planned every weekend from now until October, this clever gizmo will work off burnt meat and greasy grills while you relax with friends and family.
Place it directly on the grill, even if hot, and it will set about getting it clean as a whistle again. Once the timer is set, it will sound an alarm to let you know the job’s done, after which the only thing you need to do is remove the hardworking brushes and sling them in the dishwasher. Easy peasy.
Buy now £119.99, Amazon
Weber BBQ T-Brush, 30cm
True grill masters know that a good wire brush is your first port of call in the battle against caked-on BBQ grease. Weber’s BBQ brush is super strong thanks to the robust triangular design which sports stainless steel wire on one end to attack the worst of food debris clinging onto both charcoal and electric BBQ grates. The ergonomic handle is easy to hold and can be hung on a BBQ hook - if your machine has one - to keep it close to hand.
Buy now £14.99, John Lewis
Wilko Triangular BBQ Brush
A triple threat to BBQ grease packed into one smart triangular design, this brush features a scraper, brass wire brush and a strong scouring pad to bring your BBQ back up to new, whatever sort of stains and grime you’re faced with. You could pair it with one of the cleaning products in our list below to make the job easier, but for tackling light stains and grease, this tool has the armoury to effectively get them out on its own.
Buy now £3.00, Wilko
Tramontina Plastic Handle Grill Brush
If you’re using a BBQ brush, the handle is almost as important as the bristles. It needs to be comfortable to hold while you’re eliminating tough grease from the grate. Tramontina’s Brazil-version boasts an ergonomic handle and is crafted from polypropylene plastic making it a pleasure to hold. The business end, the brush head, features strong stainless steel bristles coated for black oxide for extra resilience and there are flat and curved edges for scraping your wire racks clean.
Buy now £15.00, Dunelm
Sizzle Buddy - the ultimate BBQ cleaner
The laws of nature state that pleasure and pain are both sides of the same coin. In barbecue terms, that means once you’ve fully feasted on flame-grilled morsels, the torture of waddling over to clean the thing begins.
This gadget features a stainless steel brush head that you can use to clean off the charred and stuck-on remains of your BBQ feast while the grill is still hot. The heat-resistant body holds a 300ml water reservoir which you can use to help remove the grease without any toxins, and the other end features a curved and flat scraping tool to chisel off any built up grease. Using this tool directly on the BBQ means you can avoid messing up the house by bringing any parts of the grill indoors.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Best BBQ cleaning products
Traeger All Natural BBQ Cleaner, 950ml
Made specifically for Traegar’s line of grills and BBQ accessories, this all-natural cleaner will help you return your beloved BBQ equipment back to new. It slices through tough grease easily using plant-based ingredients, all of which are non-flammable, non-allergenic, unscented and biodegradable. Spritz onto the grills once they’re removed from the BBQ and use it to wipe down trays and surfaces too.
Buy now £19.99, John Lewis
HG Oven, Grill & Barbecue Cleaner Spray (500ml)
A great all-round cleaner to keep in your cleaning cupboard, this HG product won’t only get your barbecue looking spotless but it can be used inside the home to make your oven gleam too. The degreasing formula gets to work on stubborn burnt on grime from the first spritz.
Just apply to the desired area, wait and wipe clean - no hard graft required. You may need to repeat the process for really dirty areas, but your patience will pay off. One Amazon reviewer said: “I have been trying to clean the disgusting oven left by previous tenants, after trying every oven cleaner you could think of I found this one and it’s finally clean. I could cry. I’m so happy.”
Buy now £5.99, Amazon
Garten Glück Gas BBQ Cleaner
After a fun day in the sun with your closest pals, the last thing you’ll feel like doing is scrubbing down your gas or electric grill. Thankfully this German-made cleanser is here to save the day with a heavy duty degreasing formula that will eliminate stains from your grill plate easily. Simply spray on once you’ve finished cooking and let the cleaner, which contains cold pressed lemon oil, get to work. Then it’s simply a case of wiping off the oil, grease and stuck-on meat with your trusty grill cleaning brush. Job done!
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Weber Grill cleaner, 36g Trigger spray bottle
Make your grill grate again (sorry) with this cleaning formula from Weber, the BBQ specialists. Safe to use on all kinds of BBQ machines, it’s free from hazardous ingredients and is biodegradable, adding an extra element of safety for using on cooking devices. The bottle sprays a fine mist from any angle, allowing you to reach awkward spots with ease. Just apply, leave for five minutes for it to work its magic and remove with a wire brush.
Buy now £12.00, B&Q
Elbow Grease BBQ Rack Grill Cleaning Set
Looking for a cleaner that won’t break the bank or leave you with sore muscles? Head to The Range, where you can pick up Elbow Grease’s cleaning set, specifically designed to see to the worst of grill grime. The easy-to-use bottled formula comes with gloves and is the perfect deep clean for BBQ racks at the end of your cookout season.
Buy now £2.49, The Range
Bar-Be-Quick Oven and BBQ Cleaner 500ml
Even the most hopeless grill could be granted a reprieve from the skip thanks to this effective cleaner from Bar-Be-Quick. Suitable on both stainless steel and enamel surfaces, stubborn stains will stand no chance against this hardworking formula - and the best part is that it’ll work on the inside of ovens too, giving it the sort of multifunctionality many appreciate in a cleaning product.
A previous customer said: “I didn’t expect much to be honest. Had a very skanky BBQ that was left out from last year uncovered. Being lazy my partner and I even considered chucking the BBQ. Used some of this and it’s come up like new! Cleaned in half the time expected.”
Buy now £3.00, Wilko
Verdict
Nothing kills a great party like the thought of having to clean up afterwards. That’s why we’re so taken with the GrillBot Automatic Grill Cleaning Robot - it will make quick work of freeing your machine from grease and grime while you flop around on the sofa, cradling your BBQ food baby.
FAQs
How do I make my BBQ grill shiny? ›
We like to rub it around the area and then just go ahead. And. Work it in blue premium is not acid-
How do I make my outdoor grill shine? ›Use a sponge to scrub the side of your grill with dish soap and water. If the stains won't come off, mix a paste with three parts baking soda and one part water. Coat the paste on the side of your grill and wait about 15 minutes. Then, wipe the grill clean.
What is the best tool to use to clean a grill? ›If your grill has classic stainless steel or ceramic grates, Eads strongly recommends using a bristle-free wire brush in tandem with a grate cleaning brick (like the one below). "It's extremely important to choose a bristle-free style of brush," he says.
How do I make my BBQ look new? ›Scrape the biggest pieces of gunk first, then use a wire brush on the top and bottom of the grates to get what's left. Once all debris is removed, spray the grates thoroughly with grill cleaner, then wipe them clean with a heavy-duty disposable shop towel.
How do I make my grill grates look like new? ›The method: Remove cooled grates from the grill. Put them in a garbage bag and add 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda. Close up the bag and let the solution soak for 8 hours or overnight. Then, rinse the grates and scrub off any remaining food bits, using a ball of foil or a scrubby sponge.
Can you use wd40 on grill grates? ›To make a worn old barbecue grill look like new again, spray it liberally with WD-40, wait a few seconds and then scrub with a wire brush. Remember to use WD-40 only on a grill that is not in use and has cooled off.
How do I make my stainless steel grill look new again? ›Sprinkle baking soda all over the stainless steel grate. Next, use a spray bottle to spray white vinegar over the baking soda. After the mixture foams, gently scrub with a wire brush or steel wool. Once clean, rinse the grate well with water and allow it to dry completely before returning them to your grill.
Do you need to clean a BBQ after every use? ›During the height of grilling season, it's important to clean your grill after every use. That means cleaning food particles off the grates as well as cleaning the grill brush or scraper itself.
What kind of BBQ brush is safe? ›A good grill brush is made with brass or food-grade stainless steel bristles. The head of the brush should be hard, food-grade plastic or metal to hold the bristles tightly in place. Avoid any grill brush that warns against use on a hot grilling surface.
Are wire brushes safe for grills? ›It's important to keep your grill clean, but using a wire grill brush can be more dangerous than helpful. Wire grill brushes have always been the standard for cleaning grill grates. However, it's been found that the bristles can actually break off and wind up in your food.
What is the best way to clean cast iron grill grates? ›
Use a soft bristle or a nylon grill brush. Burn off any food leftover on the grates. Then let the grates cool and scrub them with the nylon cleaning brush. Cast iron grill grates are very durable, tolerate high temperatures and create an even cooking surface.
How do you deep clean a BBQ? ›How to Clean Your Gas Grill | Once a Year Deep Clean - YouTube
How do I get rid of carbon build up in my grill? ›Using a wire brush, scrub it gently along the grate or cooking plate to knock of as much debris as possible. You can also brush down the inside of the grill to remove carbon buildup. If you find that the buildup is too tough to conquer with the wire grill brush alone, use a putty knife to shift the caked on grime.
How do you clean the bottom of a BBQ grill? ›How to Clean a Gas Grill | The Home Depot - YouTube
How do you polish a grill? ›How to Restore and Polish your stainless steel grill - YouTube
How do you restore a BBQ grill? ›How to Clean and Restore your Gas Grill - YouTube
What is the best thing to clean a gas grill? ›Dish soap and water is the most reliable way to clean a gas grill without chemicals. You can always reapply dish soap and water to break down the tough grease. Using chemicals like baking soda and water or vinegar and water is the more efficient way to clean your gas grill.
Can I use a magic eraser on my grill? ›Firmly swipe the Magic Eraser across the desired surface areas of the grill. In just a few swipes, you should be able to see the magic start to tackle tough grill messes! Burnt-on food pieces and grease will practically disappear in no time.
Can you soak grill grates in soapy water? ›Clean with Hot, Soapy Water
Lightly scrub your grates. Soak in soapy water for an hour and rinse. Return the grates to your grill, close the lid and warm it up. After it's warmed, use your grill brush to scrub any additional residue off the grates.
After washing, make sure to dry the grates off entirely with a towel. Using a paper towel or brush, brush the grill grates with cooking oil. We recommend vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, or bacon fat. After the grates are coated, you can place them in a 400-degree oven for an hour or on a 400-degree grill for 40 minutes.
How do I protect my stainless steel grill? ›
How To Protect Stainless Steel BBQ Grill From Rusting - YouTube
Can you use stainless steel cleaner on a grill grates? ›It's safe to clean your grill when it's cool to the touch. For regular cleaning, Weber and Char-Broil, both big sellers of gas grills, suggest using a dedicated stainless steel cleaner. But Char-Broil agrees with other manufacturers that you can also use a mild liquid dish detergent mixed with warm water.
How do you clean grill grates with Coke? ›The second method that lots of people swear by is soaking your grill grates in Coca-Cola. So we grabbed a small plastic tub, put the grate in and poured in the Coke until the grate was entirely covered. After letting it sit for another 20 minutes, we pulled the grate out and used a grill brush.
How do I get the brown off my stainless steel grill? ›- Mix Baking Soda and Dish Soap. Mix half a cup of baking soda and a squirt or two of liquid dish soap to create a thick paste. ...
- Rinse and Towel Dry. After rubbing, rinse the stainless steel surface thoroughly and towel it dry.
Ideally, you should aim to season it once a week or after each use. Simply brush away any food bits off the grill and lightly coat the grates with oil when the grill is still warm after a BBQ session. Additionally, it's also recommended to re-season your grill once it has shown signs of rust and corrosion.
How do you remove discoloration from a stainless steel grill? ›Rub some club soda, vinegar, and polish with a soft cloth. Using the soft cloth, going with the grain of the stainless steel, rub until the discoloration has been removed. Rinse with warm water and dry.
Do you clean a grill when it's hot or cold? ›Except for flat tops, the best way to clean a grill is to start while the grilling surface is warm. Make sure to wait until the surface has cooled enough that it will not burn you.
What temperature kills bacteria on BBQ? ›One argument people use to defend using high heat to clean a barbecue is that the flames will eliminate bacteria. Their cleaning method often involves heating the grill for 15 to 30 minutes at a top temperature of 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
When lighting the grill should the lid be open or closed? ›The lid should be open while you arrange and light your charcoal. Once the coals are well-lit, close the lid. Most charcoal grills are hotter right after lighting. The heat then tapers off.
Does grill gleam work? ›Grill Gleam - As Seen On TV - YouTube
How often should I replace my grill brush? ›
You should replace your grill brushes at least every season or more often for frequent grillers. Before each use, check your brush for damage such as loose bristles. If loose bristles are found, immediately discard and replace the brush.
Are you supposed to wash a grill brush? ›Are You Supposed to Clean a Grill Brush? A proper grill brush cleaning is a must. Grease, oil, and grime get stuffed into the wire bristles of the brush where they are the perfect incubator for everything from bacteria to bugs.
What can I use instead of grill brush? ›If you don't have a grill brush on hand, one of the best alternatives that works in a pinch is a ball of aluminum foil. When you're done cooking your last burger, simply crumple up aluminum foil into a ball that's large enough to easily hold with a pair of tongs.
What can I use instead of a wire grill brush? ›- Half-onion scrub. ...
- Crumpled tinfoil. ...
- Wooden scraper. ...
- Bristleless brush.
- Use a Leftover Onion. It might seem a little strange, but you can use half an onion to clean your grill. ...
- Clean up with Aluminum Foil. ...
- Snag a Nylon Scouring Pad. ...
- Use Your Steamer. ...
- Mix Vinegar & Ammonia. ...
- Oil the Grill in Advance.
Let the grates soak in a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water for at least half an hour, then scrub the grates to remove any residue. Repeat the process as needed until your grates are clean.
How do you get baked on grease off of cast iron grates? ›- Mix a Cleaning Solution. In a small bowl or plastic container, mix two cups of hot water and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid containing a degreaser. ...
- Scrub the Grates. ...
- Rinse and Dry. ...
- Reseason the Cast Iron. ...
- Remove Rust Spots.
If you are cleaning cast iron, never use steel wool or a metallic scouring pad as this will scratch the grates. Instead, use a heavy-duty non-metallic brush or non-scratch pad. If using a strong-smelling cleaning product such as ammonia, always rinse well in hot soapy water and dry thoroughly to prevent rust.
How do you polish a grill? ›How to Restore and Polish your stainless steel grill - YouTube
How do I make my stainless steel grill look new again? ›Sprinkle baking soda all over the stainless steel grate. Next, use a spray bottle to spray white vinegar over the baking soda. After the mixture foams, gently scrub with a wire brush or steel wool. Once clean, rinse the grate well with water and allow it to dry completely before returning them to your grill.
How do I restore my grill grates? ›
Combine 2 parts vinegar to 1-part salt into a spray bottle. Thoroughly cover the grates in the vinegar solution and store in an old plastic bag overnight. Once the grill grates have soaked overnight, wipe the grates with an old cloth to remove all the rust residue.
Can you use wd40 on grill grates? ›To make a worn old barbecue grill look like new again, spray it liberally with WD-40, wait a few seconds and then scrub with a wire brush. Remember to use WD-40 only on a grill that is not in use and has cooled off.
Do you need to clean a BBQ after every use? ›During the height of grilling season, it's important to clean your grill after every use. That means cleaning food particles off the grates as well as cleaning the grill brush or scraper itself.
Can you wax a gas grill? ›NEVER line the bottom tray with foil, as grease can accumulate in the creases in the foil and cause a grease fire. Never do the following to your gas grill: Never wax or paint the lid. The finish on your grill is baked-on porcelain enamel, so you never have to wax or paint it.
How do I get the brown off my stainless steel grill? ›- Mix Baking Soda and Dish Soap. Mix half a cup of baking soda and a squirt or two of liquid dish soap to create a thick paste. ...
- Rinse and Towel Dry. After rubbing, rinse the stainless steel surface thoroughly and towel it dry.
Whether you have food that won't come off with a grill brush or you're doing your annual deep cleanse, soak the grates in a mix of vinegar and baking soda. The vinegar and baking soda will work together to break apart burnt-on food.
Do stainless steel grill grates need to be oiled? ›Ideally, you should aim to season it once a week or after each use. Simply brush away any food bits off the grill and lightly coat the grates with oil when the grill is still warm after a BBQ session. Additionally, it's also recommended to re-season your grill once it has shown signs of rust and corrosion.
Is it OK to grill on rusty grates? ›Grilling your meal on a rusty surface won't do any harm—as long as it's only once in a while. Rust is made of iron oxide, which can be harmful when consumed in large quantities. That's why it's in your best interest to keep your cooking grates as clean as possible.
How do you make cast iron grates look new? ›Let the grates soak in a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water for at least half an hour, then scrub the grates to remove any residue. Repeat the process as needed until your grates are clean.
Can I use CLR on grill grates? ›EASY TO USE - Simply spray CLR Clean & Ready Grill, let it soak for 2-3 minutes, rub with a cloth or brush and then rinse thoroughly with cold water.
What is the best oil to season a grill? ›
The Best Oil to Use
Most grill manufacturers recommend canola or peanut oil because they have a smoke point over 450° F. You can also use vegetable oil, sunflower oil or avocado oil.
Do not line the bottom of your charcoal or gas grill with aluminum foil. While it might make cleanup easier, it can accelerate grease buildup. This increases the risk of a grease fire. Don't line the grill grates with foil either.
Should I oil my BBQ grill? ›Oiling the Grate
Oiling your grill grate helps prevent food from sticking when cooking. To to this, dip a wadded paper towel in a little oil and, using tongs, wipe the oil evenly over the grate. Be careful not to use too much oil, because that's a sure fire way to start a good flare-up—a little goes a long way here.