Even if Punxsutawney Phil is right, the warm weather is still around the corner. This means it’s time to prepare for outdoor spaces so you can relax as the temperature starts to rise. Since this may include bending your cooking muscles on the grill, it’s time to do a deep clean, so you can take action.
I don’t blame you if you choose to let your grill dormant in the winter, but if so, you may need to adjust before spring arrives. If you have really kept the grill working order over the past few months, this is a good time for scrubs and polishes and then before inspiring heavy use in warm temperatures. Here are some tips and tricks to hopefully make things easier.
Disassemble, scrub, reassemble
A good rule of thumb when cleaning anything you have never used in a while is to take it apart, take it apart as much as you can, and wipe it thoroughly. For a grill, this means removing the grate, any bars or burner covers – basically, nothing you can take out is not a heating element. This gives you the opportunity to check the burner or pellet model of the gas grill for any unsightly wear. If these components are worn or overly rusted, most companies offer alternatives that you can easily exchange with some basic tools.
Once all the debris are out, first scrape the excess debris off all sides of the interior – with the help of some cleaning rooms if needed. For gas grills, this could mean pushing everything out through grease traps. On the pellet grill, you need to remove the grease chute and scrape it into the catch can, but you also need to vacuum the inside with a store – just like after every few hours of use. And, as you use it, continue to empty the hopper of any old pellets you’ve been sitting on since Labor Day. The fuel that sits on the grill for months won’t give you the best results when cooking, so you might as well start fresh.
Thankfully, Pellet Grill Companies has easily cleaned key parts of its design. Webber’s fireworks have a set of metal strips inside that can be quickly removed to open the bottom of the chamber. This is also the design function of the company’s gas barbecue. Just vacuum or push the debris out of the grease chute. All the junk final tone tray is also easy to access from the front of the grill, where you can remove the aluminum lining and replace it with a new one in seconds.
Traeger’s recent pellet grill has also been redesigned for improved cleaning. Most notably, grease and ash ended up trapping in the same “little bucket” that easily disengage from the front of the grill. The company also allows you to quickly remove all internal components, although they are larger than you find in the smoke. Finally, Traeger moved the pellet chutes to the front of the wood and ironwood, making it easier to exchange wood varieties or clear out old supplies.
For some reasons, you will want to get as much leftover food from the grill as possible. First, these things are ancient and over time, a large accumulation can hinder the performance of cooking and can affect the flavor. The last thing you want is that old food or oil burns under expensive rib eyes. Second, as far as grease and dust are concerned, it can be dangerous to not properly remove grease and dust. The temperature of grease burning starts easily, and if there is enough grit dust at the bottom of the grill, it can actually ignite or explode. That’s why the company tells you how to use a vacuum cleaner every few hours.
To actually clean the surface, you need to get an all-natural grill cleaner. There are a lot of options here and it may take some time to find the one you like. I usually use Traeger’s recipe because it’s easy to get where the pellets I buy, and I find it cuts into jam very well. You need to use a pure natural grill cleaner on regular household products as it can be used safely on the surfaces that touch food. They can also be used safely on the outside of the grill without causing any damage to chromium, stainless steel or any other material.
Spray inward and let things work for a few minutes. Wipe it all and return to all super dirty places as needed. Same as above, for grids, bars and any other items you delete. I like to put them on yard waste trash bags (they are bigger than kitchen bags), so everything I scratch or clean doesn’t spread all over my deck. If you want to recycle or tissues, you can use a store towel, but just know that anything you choose will be covered with nasty black dirt so you don’t want to throw it into the clothes washing machine when you’re done. Pre-washing is required in a bucket or sink to make sure you don’t transfer the gun from the grill to a commercial leisure shop.
When it comes to tools, you don’t need much. I’ve tried the barbecue robot that claims to be you doing this job, but I’ve found sticking to the basics more efficient. Honestly, it doesn’t take that long when you master it. It is best to provide wire brushes specifically for the stove you don’t need to clean anything else. After all, this will touch the same surface you put on the food. I recommend another smaller wire brush (that looks like a large toothbrush) for cleaning the burner on the gas grill. If you notice that the flame is not shooting through one of the holes, you can use it to clean the path. Finally, plastic is the scraper, anything else way to do, and you might scratch the surface of the grill. Of course, any damage done will appear inside, but getting involved in your previous investments is still not a great feeling.
Check for updates before you first cook
If you have a smart grill like Traeger, Weber, or another company, you need to plug it in and check for software updates well before the first grill session. You may not have much cooking since last fall, meaning the company has been driving updates to its equipment for months. Trust me, nothing is worse than spending an hour of trimming and seasoning beef ket only going outside and starting the grill, nothing is worse than starting it right away into the update process. This can greatly extend the entire cooking time, depending on how much firmware is added and WiFi intensity.
Thankfully, checking for updates is very simple. All you need to do is open the grill and open the company’s app on your phone. If you are ready to download a model that suits you, the mobile software will notify you and it will usually stand out. If there is no pop-up alert that appears immediately, you can check the Settings menu to make sure. Sometimes, for smaller updates, the company may not beat you to refresh. However, starting a new firmware is always a safe bet and it will ensure your grill is in its best condition when cooking.
Good time every time, clean after every use
I will be the first to admit that I am not following my advice here, but I am happy to have a goal. I will also be the first to tell you every time I pull out Boston ass or other super fat cuts, I wish I could at least quickly clean after a meal. Not only is grease accumulation highly flammable, but it is difficult to clean once it cools and solidifies. Same as the sauce or cheese left on the stove after serving chicken or burger. It’s better to attack these things while the grill is still warm, but cool from the chef.
You don’t necessarily need to break down the store’s photography grill or empty the grease tank every time. However, you need to make sure these things are away from the main cooking area to be safe, so any burning will not affect the taste of the food. A few cups of hot water can clean the grease runoff, and the wire brush I mentioned is best for the grate. There won’t be any harm in wiping down the light with an all-natural cleanser, so when you want to cook again, everything is ready.
New Grill for 2025
Many barbecue companies have announced a 2025 lineup. If you are looking for new gear for the summer, some of them are already available, while others will arrive in the next few weeks. Among the big guys, Weber jumped first, introducing his low-cost Smoque Pellet Grill in early January. At $699, the model offers the same connected grill tools as the company’s more expensive Searwood, but simplified controllers and other design changes have made the price cut. Webber also modified the materials in the cooking room to promote better air (and smoke) circulation. Smoque Grills should be available later this spring.
Traeger’s 2025 models are already available and they offer three new designs to choose from. The new Woodridge line has a similar concept to Weber: balancing functionality and performance at a lower price. The base model starts at $800 and offers Wi-Fi connectivity, but you have to splurge on the Woodridge Pro or Woodridge Elite for things like Super Smoke Mode, enclosed storage, a particle-grade sensor, or a side burner. Even without all the bells and whistles, entry-level Woodridge is a main force, which is a huge upgrade to the aging professional series.
Middleby Outdoors also announced the 2025 model of its Masterbuilt and Kamado Joe Brands. First, the Master Bonuilt Gravity Series 1150 expands the smart, gravity-fed charcoal lineup that provides more cooking space and better storage. Then there is Kamado Joe Konnected Big Joe, a larger version of Konnected Joe that I reviewed in 2023. Here you still get all the benefits of Wi-Fi tools, automatic charcoal starters, and ceramic, Kamado-style grills.
Finally, the Brisk-It Zelos 450 package in the company’s Vera AI cooking platform is for just $399. This smaller simplified model follows the company’s debut in 2024. It remains a versatile smart pellet grill, but varies like a more basic onboard controller, suggesting that the Zelos 450 is designed to offer AI SOUS Chef at a lower price. We felt a theme there.
From our Spring cleaning guide.
