How To Clean Your Barbecue: Top Tips And Tricks

Is It Time For A New Barbecue?

Before we dive in, it’s worth considering how to tell if there’s life in the old grill yet, or if you should invest in one of the great new options available. If your BBQ’s showing signs of wear and tear, including chipped finishes, rusting, cracks or ongoing ignition issues, it may be time to start looking for your next model.

“The barbecue’s a staple in most Aussie backyards, and if yours is old and worn it won’t deliver the best results,” says The Good Guys Seasonal Buyer, Scott Bazley. “Today’s barbecues really do have something for everyone. From a compact electric barbecue for a balcony to an extra-large gas grills for entertaining, the newest models make it easy to cook outdoors.”

If you think your current model’s still up to the task, read on for our handy guide to easy BBQ cleaning.

Shop Barbecues

Weber Family Q Black LPG

BeefEater 1600 Series SS 5 Burner BBQ and Trolley

Weber Pulse 2000 Electric BBQ

Top Tip #1: Accessorise Wisely

The most efficient way to clean a barbecue is to have the right tools for the job. “To keep your barbecue in prime condition, it’s worth investing in the basics,” says Scott Bazley. “You should have a heavy-duty metal scraper to remove grease and grime, as well as a plastic scraper, a nylon scourer and a wire brush that can get into the most difficult-to-reach places.”

Top Tip #2: Temperature Matters

Next up, make sure you’re striking when the iron’s hot – literally. The best time to clean dirty BBQ plates and grills is when they’re warm, which is when the grease and grime are easiest to remove. Scrape the surfaces with your spatula, then use a wet cloth or paper towel – hold them with long-handled tongs to avoid burns! – to soak up excess grease (don’t worry about removing every last bit of oil, as this actually does the handy job of protecting your plates from rust).

Shop Barbecue Accessories

Weber Pulse Cover 2000

Selleys BBQ Exterior Clean and Shine

Weber Q Cookbox Scraper

Top Tip #3: Care For Every Element

Every now and then it’s important to check the contents of your drip tray and empty it if it’s looking full. The same goes for your cookbox – it doesn’t need cleaning every time, but look out for a build-up of grease and debris, and scrape this off as required. While you have your plates and grills removed, it’s worth giving them a quick wash with soapy water. If you have a gas BBQ, this is a great time to gently clean your burner tubes with a wire brush.

Top Tip #4: Don’t Ignore The Outside

When it comes to barbecues, it’s not just what’s inside that counts. If you’re entertaining guests, you won’t just want to dazzle them with your culinary skills – you’ll also want to keep the exterior of your BBQ sparkling clean. This can be done with soap and water, but for best results it’s worth investing in specially designed BBQ cleaning products – solutions that can be sprayed onto a cold barbecue before being removed with a microfibre cloth.

Top Tip #5: Consistency Is Key

If you want to keep your barbecue working well for as long as possible, it’s important to develop good habits. To extend the life of your barbecue (and save yourself time in the long run), clean your grills and plates each time you cook. To maximise your barbecue’s longevity you can also move it to a sheltered spot, and use a full-length barbecue cover to protect against harsh conditions.

Is it time to upgrade your barbecue? Explore our barbecue range online or, if you need a little extra help, visit us in-store and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.