If you enjoy using your backyard grill, it’s important to keep it clean to prevent accidents and cook delicious burgers, veggies, and hot dogs. Grease build-up and the accumulation of food particles can result in a burned taste to your grilled food. To get the best results when cooking out, here are a few tips for cleaning your grill.

Scrub the Grates When Cleaning Your Grill

Start your grill cleaning project by removing the grill grates and cleaning them. Depending on the amount of buildup, you may be able to scrape them clean with a grill brush. With stubborn, baked-on grease, you’ll need to soak the grates. Create a solution of dish detergent and warm water and soak the grill grates for several hours or overnight. This will loosen the grime and you should be able to easily clean the grates clean with a brush. Take care not to get bristles in the grill box and replace your grill brush when it shows signs of wear.

Clean the Grill Box

Food and grease that accumulates inside the grill can affect the flavor of your food and will reduce the airflow necessary for cooking. Use an old spatula or scraper tool to remove these particles from the sides of the grill box. After scraping it clean, you can use a shop vac to vacuum the loose debris. If your grill has a drip pan, empty it. To make future cleaning easier, line the drip pan with aluminum foil.

Check Hoses and Connections

To keep your propane grill safe, make sure the fuel tank is properly and securely connected. Inspect the connection points and check the hose for leaks. An easy way to test for leaks is by rubbing the hose and connections with a solution of soapy water. Turn on the gas. If you see bubbles, this indicates a leak. Tighten the connections or replace the hose if there is a gas leak.

Clear the Burner Tubes

Your gas grill’s burner tubes can be affected by food and grease. Keeping them clear allows for more even cooking and safer use of the grill. Check your owner’s manual about the best way to clean the burners. Turn off the propane and see if the burner tubes are removable. Using a brush, gently clean the holes in the tubes, taking care not to push debris into the holes. If the burner tubes are damaged or excessively dirty, you may be able to replace them to refurbish your grill. 

Cleaning the Exterior of Your Grill

When getting your grill back in shape, make sure you also clean the exterior. To remove grease and debris, use dish detergent and water. Clean the lid and sides of the grill to remove food splatters, pollen, and dust. If dish detergent isn’t strong enough, a commercial degreaser product will do the trick.

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