Gas grill burners are a great kitchen aid. However, they can build up grease and grime, which can break them down faster. Unfortunately, thousands of grill owners are not taught the correct way to clean these large machines.
And if you’re reading this article, you’re probably having the same issue. Luckily, our guide is here to teach you how to clean and extend the life of your grill!
Signs Your Grill Needs Cleaning
Sometimes it can be hard to tell when grill maintenance is needed. So here are some signs to look out for. For starters, if you’re finding burnt particles in your food, or they’re sticking to the griddle, clean your grill imminently!
Another tell-tale sign is food tasting off or flavors mixing together. This means you have fresh food particles on your flat top. And not only can this be distasteful, but it can also be dangerous to your health.
One of the worst tell-tale signs that people avoid is uncooked food or uneven cooking. This means there’s build-up in certain areas that stopping your food from catching heat. For this problem, you’ll need a deep clean.
Lastly, if your griddle surface has grease buildup, your grill should be cleaned! Grease is the hardest substance to clean especially if it’s dried out. Therefore, clean your grills regularly and do deep cleans at least every week.
What Happens if You Don’t Clean Your Gas Grill Burner
Not cleaning your gas grill could lead to quick deterioration of your grill. This is because your burners begin to catch particles which affect their ability to heat and cool.
That’s why it’s important to clean your flat top surface and your burners! To clean your burners, turn off your gas intake valve and disconnect the grill from the propane tank. Always remember to follow this step as it can be dangerous to clean a gas grill.
You’ll need to take out your burners from your grill. We recommend looking at your owner’s manual for this step! Once the burners are out, use a cleaning rod or a small bottle brush to clean out debris inside the burner tube. This step is important because when the burners are clogged, the propane can't flow to heat and cook your food.
How To Clean Gas Grill Burners
The key to having the best grill longevity is cleaning it and taking care of burners! You should also assess your grills every week to see if it needs cleaning. Lastly, clean the flat top after every use to avoid build-up.
But you might be wondering how to clean a flat top grill and what materials you’ll need! Let’s start with materials. Here is a full list of all the materials you’ll need to extend burner life:
- Stainless steel concealer
- Warm water
- Griddle scraper
- Vegetable oil
- Griddle scrub
- Heavy-duty dish rags
- Soft bristle brush
Now that you have the materials, let’s learn how to clean a flat top grill. This will take some time, so ensure you don’t need your grill for at least an hour.
The first step is to heat your grill to 350 degrees. Once your flat top is hot, carefully take the scraper and remove any grime from the surface. This may take a while especially if you haven’t cleaned your burner in a long time.
Cleaning Steps
Once most of the grime is off, pour warm water over the surface. Your surface top will start boiling but this means the remaining food articles are coming off.
Be sure to only use warm water, as cold water could bend your surface because of thermal shock. Let the water dissolve and then turn off the grill. Once the grill is cool, use your soft-bristle brush to scrub the whole outside of your flat top grill. Then take warm water and rinse off any remaining particles and wipe it clean.
Take your rags and apply a stainless steel cleaner to the grill. Let the spray sit for two minutes and then thoroughly wipe the surface clean. The last step is to re-season the surface, but you’ll be all done after that!
Other Ways To Extend the Life of Your Gas Grill
Cleaning is the most important step to extend the burner life. However, there are other ways to have long grill longevity. For starters, replacing certain parts could extend its longevity.
Many grill owners have trouble igniting their grill. The cause of this could be a bad igniter. Luckily, it’s very easy to buy this part and it will cost you a lot less than a new grill!
Another tip is to remove the ash and debris at the bottom of your grill. When this accumulates, it causes your grill to overwork itself.
You should also move your grill indoors during the off-season. Many grillers choose to move it inside the garage. However, if you don’t have room for your griller anywhere, invest in a grill cover.
This is the best next thing as it will protect your grill from, rain, snow, moisture, air, and other properties! Lastly, you should replace your grates and grids. Just like your igniter switch, these are easy to find. And you can even replace them yourself and save money on a repair person.
Grill Maintenance Made Easy
Now that you know how to clean gas grill burners, you can start grilling more! Always remember to clean your grill after every use and do deep cleans as often as possible.
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