How do I clean a barbecue?

Cleaning grates, burners and the inside of a barbecue, and the wire brush risk worth knowing about.

Difficulty: beginner
Time: 1 hr
Read: 2 min
Safety: caution

Short answer

Burn off residue on a high heat for fifteen minutes, then scrape the grates while still warm. Clean the inside and the grease tray separately when cold. Avoid wire brushes — bristles break off and end up in food — and use a scraper, a wooden scraper or a balled-up sheet of foil instead.

A barbecue cleans most easily while warm, because the residue is soft. The main safety point is the brush: loose wire bristles from cheap brushes have caused serious injuries when swallowed, and safer alternatives work just as well.

Safety

Wire barbecue brushes shed bristles that can stick to grates and be swallowed with food, causing serious internal injury. Use a bristle-free scraper, a wooden scraper or foil instead, and always inspect the grate before cooking. Never clean a gas barbecue with the gas connected — disconnect the cylinder first. Charcoal ash can stay hot for over 24 hours, so treat it as live.

What you'll need

Bristle-free scraper or foil
Warm soapy water
Cloths
Degreaser (optional)
Bin bag for ash (optional)

Step by step

For a gas barbecue, run it on high with the lid down for ten to fifteen minutes.It carbonises the residue on the grates, which then scrapes off far more easily.
Scrape the grates while they are still warm.Use a bristle-free scraper or a balled-up sheet of foil held with tongs. Warm residue releases; cold residue does not.
Turn the gas off at the cylinder and let everything cool before going further.Disconnect the cylinder before any deeper cleaning.
Remove the grates and any heat deflectors and wash them in warm soapy water.A soak in hot water with washing-up liquid handles most of it.
Clean the burners and check the ports are clear.Blocked burner ports cause uneven flames. A soft brush or a toothpick clears them.
Empty and wash the grease tray.This is the fire risk. Accumulated grease in the tray is a common cause of barbecue flare-ups.
Wipe out the inside of the lid and body.The flaking black material inside a lid is carbonised smoke rather than paint. Scrape it out.
For charcoal barbecues, dispose of cold ash in a metal container.Ash stays hot for over 24 hours. Never put it in a plastic or wheelie bin the same day.

Tips

Oiling the grates lightly before cooking makes cleaning far easier and stops food sticking.
Cleaning after each use while warm takes two minutes and removes the need for any deep clean.
Cover the barbecue when not in use, but only once completely cold, or you trap moisture and cause rust.

Common mistakes

Using a wire brush — Loose bristles stick to grates and have caused serious injury when swallowed. Bristle-free scrapers work just as well.
Ignoring the grease tray — Accumulated grease is the most common cause of barbecue flare-ups and fires.
Disposing of ash too soon — Charcoal ash stays hot for more than 24 hours and has started bin fires.

Questions people ask

Are wire barbecue brushes dangerous?

They can be. Bristles break off, stick to the grate and can be swallowed with food, causing serious internal injuries. Bristle-free scrapers or a balled-up sheet of foil are safer and work well.

How often should I clean a barbecue?

Scrape the grates after every use while warm, and do a full clean including the grease tray at the start and end of the season, or more often with heavy use.