How to Clean Grills with Baked-On Gunk

Summer is on the way. It’s a time of sunshine, sports, and, of course, barbecues. The flip side? It’s also the time for grill maintenance. If you pop open the hood to find blackened residue covering the grates, you’re not alone. Between greasy residue and baked-on gunk, grills can seem like an intimidating cleaning project. Don’t sweat it; Charlie’s Soap is here to help. Here’s how to get your grill in tip-top shape for the summer season. 

Materials 

• Charlie’s Soap Indoor & Outdoor Surface Cleaner
• Grill brush, steel scrubbers, or aluminum foil and a pair tongs 
• Clean cloth or sponge 

1. Hit the Heat 

It may seem counterintuitive, but the secret to tackling that baked-on residue is burning it off. High heat turns the residue into ashy carbon, which is much easier to remove from grill grates than soft and sticky build-up. 

Start by turning all burners to high and closing the lid of your grill. For best results, allow your grill to heat through for 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, open the grill hood, turn off the burners, and, if necessary, disconnect the gas. It’s best to stick on the side of safety—before cleaning, allow the grill to cool completely. 

2. Remove Grill Components – Deep Cleaning

If you’re looking for a deep clean on your grill, it’s a good idea to remove the inner components so you can clean them all individually. This step is optional. For surface cleaning, feel free to skip to step 3. 

For a deep clean, lift the grill grates and set them aside. Below the grill grates, you should see several metal plates called burner hoods. These hoods protect the burners from dripping grease. That means they’re likely covered in gunk and grime. You should be able to carefully lift these and wash them separately for a deep clean.

3. Apply Powerful Cleaner

As you stare down the charred residue on your grill, your hand may be creeping towards your stash of caustic bleaches. Though chlorine bleach may seem like the best option for this tough cleaning project, it actually spells bad news for your grill. The harsh chemicals in traditional bleach can eat at the surfaces of your grill, resulting in significant breakdown and long-term damage. 

That means you need a powerful yet gentle cleaner that can handle grease and grime. Charlie’s Soap Indoor & Outdoor all-purpose cleaner is perfect for grill cleaning. It’s tough enough to take on built-up residue and charred remains without harming grill surfaces. In a spray bottle, simply mix our Indoor & Outdoor surface cleaner in a 1:1 ratio with warm water. It’s safe for all grill surfaces, from grates to burners to hoods. Spray the cleaning solution in an even layer across all grimy surfaces. If you’re doing a deep clean, it’s best to set the grates out on an even surface and spray them on both sides. You can even soak removable components such as burner hoods or caps in the Indoor & Outdoor solution. 

The longer Charlie’s Soap is left to work its magic, the better. We recommend allowing the cleaner to sit for at least 30 minutes. While you’re waiting. Charlie’s Soap is hard at work separating the grime from your grill’s surfaces. 

4. Scrub the Grime Away

After letting the cleaner sit, it’s time to tackle that hardened residue. Traditional grill brushes work perfectly for getting into the nooks and crannies of grill grates and hoods. However, a well-loved grill brush is at risk of losing one of its steel hairs along the way—which could end up as a dangerous surprise in your next burger. If you’re looking to avoid the grill brush, you can switch it out with a metal scrub brush. You can also use a wad of aluminum foil with some tongs for the hard-to-reach areas. 

Scrub your grill gently, targeting areas with baked-on residue. You can use these tools to clean the underside of the hood and all inside surfaces. For areas with less grime, such as the exterior, a clean cloth or sponge may be enough to lift any residue. 

5. Rinse Thoroughly

Once you’ve adequately scrubbed the grime away, thoroughly rinse all surfaces with cool water. As you rinse, you may find additional residue and grease. Repeat these steps as necessary until your grill is good to go. If you deconstructed your grill for cleaning, now’s the time to put everything back in its natural place. Just like that—you’re ready for grilling season. 

Powerful Cleaners for Big Messes

From oily grill residue to sticky watermelon stains, the summer season is full of big messes. Enter: Charlie’s Soap. Whatever the mess, we’ve got what you need to take it on. A household cleaner for muddy footprints? A pre-spray for grass stains? Even a solution for hard water laundry struggles? We’ve got your back. Shop Charlie’s Soap.