Clean Your BBQ Grill Before Cooking for Safe, Tasty Meals

Before you throw that first burger on the grill, let’s talk about something important: cleaning your grill before you use it.

Whether it’s brand new or just coming out after a long winter, a clean BBQ grill helps keep your food safe, your flavor great, and your cookout stress-free.

Even if your grill looks clean, it might still have leftover grease, dust, bugs, or gunk from last time.

And trust us—no one wants that near their hot dogs.

Let’s walk through why this matters, what you need, and the easiest way to do it—plus a few quick cleaning hacks that’ll make your next cookout even smoother.

Why Cleaning Before Use Matters

Cleaning your grill before using it isn’t just a good idea—it’s one of the best BBQ tricks out there. 

Here’s why it matters:

• Food safety: Old food bits, bugs, and dust can hang out on your grill grates. Give them the boot before you start cooking.

• No more flare-ups: Grease left behind can cause flames to shoot up, which can burn your food (or your eyebrows)

• Tastier food: Nothing ruins a juicy steak like tasting last week’s fish on it.

• Longer life for your grill: A well-cleaned grill lasts longer and performs better over time.

Read More: Simple and Effective Guide to Clean Your BBQ Grill - Behind The Grill

Supplies You’ll Need

Cleaning your BBQ grill doesn’t take a ton of stuff. 

Here’s a short list of what works best:

• Grill brush or scraper

• Mild dish soap

• Sponge or cloth

• Bucket of warm water

• Optional helpers: white vinegar, baking soda, vegetable oil

Helpful Tool Alert: 

• For an easy, eco-friendly option, try the Easy Function wood grill scraper. It’s made from pine wood and shapes itself to your grill grates over time, giving you better results with every use. 

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• For a deeper clean, the Easy Function bristle-free grill brush offers strong scrubbing power without the usual risks of wire bristles.

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How to Clean BBQ Grill Before Using – Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning a BBQ grill isn’t hard—but doing it the right way makes a big difference. 

These steps work for both gas and charcoal grills.

Step 1: Start with a Cool Grill

Always start cleaning when your grill is cool. 

It’s safer for your hands and better for soaking off the grime.

Step 2: Remove Grates and Soak If Needed

Take out the grates and place them in a sink or tub with warm, soapy water. 

You can also add a little vinegar to help break down grease.

If you’re in a hurry, a quick spray of vinegar and baking soda can help loosen gunk fast.

Step 3: Scrub Grates Thoroughly

Grab your grill brush or scraper and scrub away. 

The Easy Function bristle brush is great here—its 3-in-1 design gets deep into grooves and comes with an ergonomic grip for easy handling. 

Plus, it has a built-in scraper and uses our eZclean™ tech that helps make the cleaning process smoother.

If you’re dealing with stuck-on food, go gentle but firm. 

The right tool makes this easy.

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Step 4: Clean the Interior and Lid

Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the inside of the grill. 

Don’t forget the lid! Grease splatters love to hide up there.

If your grill has flavorizer bars or heat shields, check them too. 

Wipe them down or give them a soak if they’re super grimy.

Step 5: Empty Ash or Grease Trays

Charcoal grill? Dump out those ashes. 

Gas grill? Slide out the grease tray and clean it with soap and water. 

This helps prevent flare-ups and weird smells when you’re cooking.

Related Read: Eco-Friendly Grill Cleaning Methods for a Greener BBQ

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

If you used soap or cleaner, rinse everything off with clean water and dry it completely. 

Wet grates can rust—especially cast iron ones—so don’t skip this step.

Step 7: Heat It Up

Before you cook, turn on the grill and let it run for 10–15 minutes. 

This helps burn off any leftover cleaning residue and preheats your grates for cooking.

Special Tips for New Grills

Got a brand new grill? It’s still important to clean it before your first BBQ. 

Here's why:

• Remove factory oils and dust: Most new grills come with protective coatings from the factory. Cleaning them off keeps your food safe.

• Season the grates: For cast iron or steel grates, coat them lightly with cooking oil and heat them up for 15 minutes. This helps prevent sticking and rust.

• Check the manual: Some grills have specific instructions for first-time use.

Quick Cleaning Hack if You’re Short on Time

Don’t have time for a full scrub? Try this BBQ cleaning hack:

• Heat up your grill on high for 10–15 minutes.

• Use the Easy Function wood grill scraper to remove burnt bits—it’s safe to use on a hot grill and great for quick cleanups.

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• For extra shine, rub a halved onion (cut side down) across the hot grates. It cleans and adds flavor.

Fast, easy, and chemical-free!

What NOT to Do

Now that you know how to clean your grill right, here’s what not to do:

❌ No harsh chemicals – They can leave behind stuff you don’t want in your food.

❌ No steel wool – It can damage coated grates and scratch up surfaces.

❌ Don’t skip the rinse – Even mild soap should be washed off before cooking.

Always clean smart and safe.

Conclusion

Cleaning your BBQ grill before using it is one of the best ways to enjoy safe, tasty food and keep your grill running smoothly.

Whether you’re firing up for the first time this season or getting ready for your fifth weekend cookout, a quick clean makes a big difference.

Use safe, reliable tools like the Easy Function wood grill scraper or bristle-free brush to make the job simple and safe.

These tools are designed to clean thoroughly without damaging your grill or risking bristle fallout.

And remember, if you're stocking up, our bristle brush comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee and some great discounts:

• Buy 2 = 10% off (code: GOGRILL2)

• Buy 3 = 15% off (GOGRILL3)

• Buy 4 = 20% off (GOGRILL4)

Want more BBQ tips, tricks, and guides like this? Stick around Behind the Grill. 

And if you're curious about our full product line—from safe scrapers to grilling guides—click the image below to see what Easy Function has for you.

Happy grilling! 🔥🍔