Summer BBQ Cleaning: How to Get Your Grill Garden-Ready

There's nothing quite like the first BBQ of summer. But if your grill has been sitting in the shed or under a cover since last September, it's going to need more than a quick wipe before you start cooking.

Here's how to get your BBQ properly cleaned and ready for garden season.

Why Clean Your BBQ Before First Use?

Over winter, grease and food residue left on your grill oxidise, go rancid, and attract pests. Flavouriser bars and grates can develop rust spots. And that old grease? It'll make your first burgers of the season taste like last year's sausages.

A proper spring clean also gives you a chance to inspect for wear and tear — rusted burners, cracked grates, or blocked gas jets that need attention before you fire up.

What You'll Need

• A stiff wire brush (brass or stainless steel)
• Warm soapy water
• A plastic scraper
• Microfibre cloths
• White vinegar (for stubborn spots)
• Baking soda (for a natural degreaser paste)

Step-by-Step BBQ Cleaning

1. Remove and Soak the Grates

Take off the cooking grates and flavouriser bars (the metal plates above the burners). Soak them in hot soapy water for 30–60 minutes. This loosens baked-on grease and makes scrubbing much easier.

2. Clean the Burners

Carefully remove the burners (if your BBQ allows) and brush them clean with a wire brush. Check the gas holes aren't blocked — you can clear them with a paperclip or pin. Blocked burners cause uneven flames and dangerous flare-ups.

3. Tackle the Grease Tray

This is the part most people dread — and skip. Remove the grease tray and scrape out all the old fat and debris. Wash it with hot soapy water and dry it thoroughly. Consider lining it with foil for easier cleaning next time.

4. Clean the Interior

With the grates and burners removed, scrape the interior walls and floor of the BBQ. A plastic scraper won't damage the finish. Wipe down with soapy water and rinse.

5. Polish the Exterior

Use stainless steel cleaner or warm soapy water on the hood, side shelves, and cabinet. For stubborn water spots, a mix of vinegar and water works wonders. Dry with a microfibre cloth to prevent streaks.

6. Reassemble and Season

Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble your BBQ. Light it and let it run on high for 15 minutes — this burns off any remaining residue and seasons the grates.

How Often Should You Clean Your BBQ?

• After every use: Quick brush of the grates while still warm
• Monthly (during BBQ season): Deep clean of grates and grease tray
• End of season: Full strip-down before winter storage
• Start of season: Full clean before first cook (as above)

When to Call a Professional

If your BBQ hasn't been cleaned in years, or if you've got a large 5+ burner grill or a kamado, professional cleaning can save you hours of scrubbing. At Fordwell, we deep clean:

• Grates and burners
• Flavouriser bars and heat tents
• Grease management systems
• Full exterior restoration

Prices start from £80 for a small BBQ, £100 for medium, and £120 for large models.

BBQ Cleaning Quick Tips

• Clean while warm — grates are much easier to clean when slightly warm (not hot enough to burn you)
• Use foil on the tray — makes future cleaning far quicker
• Cover it — a good quality cover prevents rust and extends the life of your BBQ
• Don't use oven cleaner on stainless steel — it can damage the finish; use dedicated BBQ cleaner or natural alternatives

Want your BBQ professionally cleaned before summer? Book Fordwell's BBQ cleaning service — we cover Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, Essex, and West Sussex.