How to Clean 10 Outdoor Grill Brands
Outdoor grills can make outdoor cooking a breeze when entertaining friends and family. Like any appliance, however, they get grimey and must be cleaned regularly for sanitary reasons and cooking efficiency. And, food just looks more appetizing to guests when they see that your grill is kept clean.
Every make of grill is different. They do share some cleaning procedures in common such as
1. Make sure the exterior surfaces are cool before attempting to clean
2. Use only non-caustic cleaning products
3. Use non-abrasive sponges and brushes on scratchable surfaces
4. Clean grates after every use
5. Rinse and dry thoroughly before reuse
Most every manufacturer has specific recommendations for cleaning their grills. In this post, we will tell you how to clean 10
different brands of outdoor barbecue grills in the most complete and efficient way.
How to Clean a George Foreman Indoor Outdoor Grill
The George Foreman grill has fewer parts to clean than other grills you might own, but they still can get very grimey. The portable
Foreman outdoor grill will get just as dirty no matter if you use it indoors or outdoors, for 1 or 15-servings.
To clean a George Foreman electric grill, begin by
1. Unplugging the unit from the power source and removing the temperature control probe from the probe receptacle.
2. Let the grill unit and probe cool completely.
3. Wipe down the completely cooled temperature probe with a damp cloth. The probe may become grease spattered while cooking so it needs
to be wiped down after every use. Never emmerse the probe or electrical cord in water.
4. Remove the cooled grill plate.
4a.The non-stick surface should never be scrubbed with abrasive cleaners or sponges. Use a wooden or rubber spatula to dislodge
stubborn, large food particles.
4b. Use a nylon sponge or a Scotch-Brite blue scrubbing pad on the non-stick surface to remove the remainder of the baked-on food
residue. Gentle rubbing with a soft sponge or paper towels should be all you need to achieve complete food removal.
4c. If some grease or oil remains, use Dawn dish soap to eliminate the greasy oils.
4d. The grill plates may be washed in the dishwasher, but hand-washing will yield better results.
5. Remove the drip pan and properly dispose of any grease. Use Dawn to make a soapy water solution to soak the drip pan. Remove the
drip pan from the soapy water and wash by hand with Dawn. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
6. You can wipe down the inside and outside of the clamshell construction with a damp washcloth or paper towels and a mild cleaner such
as clear Windex or baking soda and water. You don’t want to use any harsh cleaners because they might emit an odor when you heat up the
grill the next time…or worse, flavor your food.
7. Eliminating all the grime after using your George Foreman grill each time will make sure each successive clean up is easy as
possible. Removing food residue and grease will ensure that these won’t bake on the cooking surfaces to the point where it is difficult
to get them off. Further, a clean grill grate will ensure that the non-stick coating will do its job perfectly the next time you use
the grill.
How to Clean a Viking Outdoor Grill and a Lynx Outdoor Grill
Stainless steel grills are a sight to behold when they are new. To keep your Viking or Lynx grill looking showroom new, it is best to clean it frequently so that grease and grime don’t build up. Stainless steel, even the 304 stainless that Viking and Lynx use, can scratch, so you need to be careful when selecting cleaning products and cleaning implements.
The cleaning instructions for these two brands are the same because Viking now makes Lynx grills.
To clean a viking outdoor grill follow these steps for each part of the grill:
Cleaning the Stainless Steel Exterior
You will need these supplies to clean your Viking grill:
Barkeeper’s Friend (spray)
Microfiber cloths
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
1. After the grill has cooled completely, use a micro-fiber cloth and mild, soapy water to wipe down the exterior of the Viking grill.
Follow the direction of the brushed finish with the cloth to remove all dirt, grease, splatters and debris from the unit.
2. We like BarKeeper’s Friend spray for occasional spruce-up of the stainless steel finish. It is both a cleaner and a polish and does a
good job of removing fingerprints as well as putting the shine back on the finish. It is much easier to use than the powdered option by
the same manufacturer.
Keeping the hood, sides, back, front and the control panel with the knobs clean will help keep your grill looking its best for many
years to come. You can also cover your grill to keep it clean in between uses.
Cleaning the Racks on your Viking Grill
Supplies needed to clean the Viking grill racks:
Brass bristle brush
Boiling water
Oven mitt
1. To save on elbow grease, clean the grill racks right after you turn off the burners before they cool. A brass bristle brush is best for this task. Dip the brush in hot water and scrub the rack. This will produce steam which helps remove the food residue so you don’t have to scrub so hard. Keep dipping the brush into the hot water to produce more food-lifting steam as you work across the racks. Wear a long, elbow length oven mitt to keep from scalding your arm as you brush.
2. Grill racks may be further cleaned in a dishwasher, but we prefer soaking them in Dawn liquid and then gently cleaning them with a sponge.
We use cooking spray made for grills to keep food from sticking to the grill racks before we turn on the grill. While it does not keep
all food from sticking, it helps and makes it easier to clean up after each use.
Clean the Viking Grill Drip Tray
You will need Dawn, and oven cleaner to clean a Viking drip tray.
1. Remove the tray from the grill when the grill has cooled completely.
2. Discard the grease and drippings safely.
3. Soak the tray in a soapy Dawn solution. For stubborn stains, use oven cleaner that is safe to use on stainless steel.
4. Dry the tray and re-install it in your grill.
Clean the Inside Cover of a Viking Grill
You will need Dawn, a non-metallic abrasive cleaning pad such as Scotch Brite, and oven cleaner to clean inside the hood of your Viking grill.
1. Using a sponge and a soapy Dawn solution in warm or hot water, wipe all the baked on grease from the hood cover and inside sides of the grill. This may take several passes to get all of the baked on grease off.
2. Remove the remaining tough spots with an oven cleaner that is safe for use on stainless steel.
3. Wipe the entire surface again with a fresh soapy Dawn solution and rinse thoroughly.
The insides of the grill can quickly become caked with baked-on grease. The way to avoid a huge cleaning project is to wipe down the insides of your grill after every use.
How to Clean a Jenn Air Outdoor Grill
Jenn Air grills will clean easily with these supplies: grill brush, Dawn dishwashing liquid, stainless steel cleaner (we recommend Barkeeper’s Friend spray).
1. Disconnect the fuel supply from the grill, whether LP or NG.
2. While still hot from cooking, use a grill brush to dislodge and brush away any food residue on the cooking grids. Jenn Air grates are not cast iron, so you don’t need to season the grates as you would cast iron grates.
3. Clean the stainless steel hood and sides with soapy Dawn water and a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. You can also use a stainless steel cleaner if the soap solution is inadequate.
4. Clean the inside and outside stainless steel after every grill use.
How to Clean a Wolf Outdoor Grill
You will need these supplies to clean a Wolf outdoor grill: microfiber cloth, Barkeeper’s Friend spray, Penny Brite cleaning paste, Scotch Brite pad, Dawn soap, and spray degreaser.
Clean the Exterior of the Wolf Grill
1. Remove any stains from the exterior of your outdoor barbecue with a lint-free or microfiber cloth and stainless steel cleaner. Then, to keep the luster and shine, use Barkeeper’s Friend spray to also protect the surface from further stains. Remember to always clean and polish in the direction of the stainless steel grain.
2. To remove burn marks and heat stains, apply a small amount of Penny Brite cleaning paste on a sponge and lightly rub with the grain. Use a damp cloth to remove any residue that remains and then you can reapply the polish.
Cleaning a Wolf Grill Interior
1. Remove the smoker box from the grill and leave the grates and briquettes in place.
2. Turn all burners (not the rotisserie) to High and let the grill heat up for 20 minutes with the hood closed. Turn the burners to the Off position and let the grill completely cool.
3. Use a Scotch Brite pad with Dawn liquid to scour the stainless steel parts of the grill. Always work with the grain. You can also use a spray degreaser instead of the soapy solution.
4. Wipe all residue with a clean wet sponge.
Clean a Pit Boss Outdoor Grill
To clean a Pit Boss outdoor pellet grill you will need a vacuum, a grill scraper, and a degreaser. You should clean your grill lightly after every use and then do a deep cleaning after you’ve used 40 to 60 lbs of pellets.
1. After the grill has cooled completely vacuum up the ash that has accumulated in the bottom of the grill and fire pot.
2. Scrape all the grease from the flame broiler.
3. Wipe down the grill with a mild degreaser.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
How to Clean a Bull Outdoor Grill
You will need a stiff wire brush, Dawn, paper towels, vegetable oil, tongs, and BarKeeper’s friend spray supplies to clean a Bull.
1. After cooking, turn the heat to high which will burn off all the extra drippings.
2. Turn off the burners and brush the grates with a stiff wire brush to remove any residue.
3. When cool, wipe down the outside with a paper towel and stainless steel spray.
4. To clean the grates, wait until they are cool and wash with mild soapy water. Use the wire brush if any residue remains.
5. To minimize after-cooking clean-up, use paper towels dipped in oil and brush onto the grates before you cook.
How to Clean a Hamilton Beach Indoor Outdoor Grill
You will need Dawn dishwashing liquid and a nylon or plastic scouring pad to clean your Hamilton Beach grill.
1. After unplugging your grill and letting it cool completely, remove all grease and water and dispose of them properly.
2. Set aside the variable heat power cord.
3. Wash the base and grill plate in soapy Dawn water. Use the scouring pad to dislodge any residue. Rinse and dry.
4. You may put the grill plate in the dishwasher on a fragile setting, never use the SANI cycle.
How to Clean Kitchenaid Outdoor Grill
To clean the entire Kitchenaid outdoor grill you will need Dawn, soft cleaning cloth or sponge, microfiber cloth, Barkeeper’s Friend spray, vinegar, ammonia, degreaser, glass cleaner such as Windex, and a brass bristle brush.
Make sure all controls are turned off and the grill is cool before cleaning. Use cleaning products according to manufacturer’s directions.
Cleaning Stainless Steel Parts
1. Important: Do not use abrasive cleaners on stainless steel surfaces, or soap filled scouring pads such as Brillo, abrasive cleaners, stove top polishing cremes, steel wool, rough cloths or paper towels.
2. Rub the stainless steel cleaner or soapy water with a soft cloth directly onto the surface.
3. Rinse with clean water.
4. Use vinegar to get rid of hard water marks.
5. Use glass cleaner to remove fingerprints.
Cleaning KitchenAid Grill Grates
1. After cooking, use a brass bristle brush to loosen food accumulation during cooking. Do not use a steel or fiber scraper.
2. Turn burners to HI for ten to 15 minutes with the hood closed to burn off residue.
3. Turn off the burners, open the hood and allow the grates to cool.
4. Remove the ash from the grill grates using the brass bristle brush.
5. Grill racks can be removed once completely cool for more thorough cleaning. You can use the soapy Dawn water to clean them with a soft sponge.
6. If the grates have a lot of baked-on residue, you can use one cup of ammonia in one gallon water to soak the grates for 20 minutes. Rinse the grates and dry them thoroughly afterwards.
Cleaning KitchenAid Grill Warming Shelf
Check to make sure that the gas supply is turned off and the controls are also in the off position.
1. The shelf can be cleaned with Dawn detergent or an all purpose cleaner.
2. After cleaning, rinse completely and dry with a soft, lint-free towel or microfiber cloth.
3. A commercial heavy duty degreaser made for stainless steel will work for tough spots or baked-on residue.
Cleaning the Exterior of a KitchenAid Grill
1. This material’s high quality resists most stains and pitting as so long as the surface is clean, polished and protected.
2. You can use stainless steel polish on all areas that are not cooking surfaces.
3. Rinse all surfaces with clean, warm water and dry with a soft cloth after cleaning.
Cleaning the Interior of a KitchenAid Outdoor Grill
1. Use Dawn or an all purpose cleaner on surfaces.
2. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
3. For stubborn grime, a heavy-duty scrub sponge can be applied with the grain using mild cleansers.
4. Heavy grease should be removed with a commercial stainless steel degreaser.
Clean KitchenAid Grill Burners and Grease Tray
1. Using a wire brush, clean the exterior of the burner.
2. Use a paperclip to unclog burner ports. (Do not use a toothpick.)
3. Remove grease tray and set on counter.
4. Wipe away grease with paper towels.
5. Clean with Dawn and warm water.
6. Rinse and dry completely.
How to Clean a Lion Outdoor BBQ Grill
1. To clean the cooking grids, use a mild soap and warm water solution such as Dawn. Use a washcloth or vegetable brush so as not to chip the porcelain coating.
2. The flame tamer can be cleaned in a soap and water solution. You may use a wire brush to remove baked-on residue. Dry the flame tamer completely before you reinstall it in the cooking bowl.
3. When cleaning the burners, make sure all knobs are in the off position and the fuel line has been disconnected. Remove the burners and wire brush the entire exterior surface of the burner. Clogged ports may be cleaned with an opened paperclip. Reinstall the burners correctly inside the ends of the burner tubes and spark electrodes.
4. Clean the grease tray with soapy water and dry thoroughly before replacing.
How to Clean an Outdoor Stainless Steel Weber Grill
To give your Weber Grill a thorough cleaning you will need a mild spray cleanser or Dawn solution, a nylon brush, a plastic scraper, a grill brush and Scotch Brite pads.
1. Use only a microfiber cloth on Weber grill stainless surfaces. Paper towels may scratch the finish.
2. Weber does not recommend stainless polishes for their grills as the heat will discolor the finish. You can use a Scotch Brite pad on the porcelain surfaces, not on the stainless. Check in an inconspicuous area first to make sure you aren’t scratching the finish.
3. Run the grill on Hi for 10-15 minutes to loosen backed on food particles. While still warm, use the grill brush to clean the grill grates.
4. Don’t use any chemical cleaners on the grill grates as this will destroy the seasoning you have accomplished.
5. Clean the inside of the lid with the plastic scraper. Gather up any of the debris you’ve scraped.
6. Scrape off the flavorizer bars with the plastic scraper. Then do the sides of the unit.
7. Use the nylon brush to get into the hard to reach areas.
8. You can also use the nylon brush to clean the burners, always brush in the direction of the slits to avoid getting debris in the slits which will clog them.
9. Clean the heat deflectors after removing from the grill with a scrubbing pad until all grime is removed.
10.Clean the drip tray by disposing of the loose particles. This is porcelain coated so be careful to clean with a gentle Dawn solution and a soft pad.
As with any brands of gas grills or bbq grill, you want to test small areas before you begin to clean to make sure you are satisfied with the results and the grill cleaners you are using do not damage the surfaces. When you clean the outside of your grill, or do a deep cleaning on the inside, you will be helping your grill last longer while it provides you endless opportunities for grilling creativity.