How to Clean a BBQ Before Summer (NZ Homes): Step-by-Step
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- How to Clean a BBQ Before Summer (NZ Homes): Step-by-Step
A BBQ that has sat under a cover since last summer usually needs more than a quick wipe before its first cook of the season. Here is how to clean one properly, from the gas connections to the grease trap, without reaching for anything harsh.
A BBQ that has sat covered since last season collects grease residue, dust and sometimes insects inside the burner tubes. That build up can cause uneven flames, more smoke than usual and a higher chance of grease flare ups, so a proper clean before the first cook makes the BBQ safer to use and helps food cook evenly.
Even a BBQ that looked reasonably clean when it was covered up in autumn will not still be clean by the time the warmer weather rolls around.
Grease left in the tray or on the plates slowly hardens over the cooler months, and it is common for spiders and other insects to build webbing or nests inside the burner tubes while a gas BBQ sits unused. A blockage like this shows up as a weak, uneven or yellow flame instead of a strong, even blue one, and it is one of the more common reasons a BBQ will not light properly at the start of the season.
LPG bottles need a bit of attention too. They should be stored upright in a well ventilated outdoor spot, away from anything that could burn, with the valve turned off when the BBQ is not in use. If a bottle has been sitting through winter, it is worth checking the connection and hose before you rely on it for your first cook.
None of this takes long to sort out, and it pairs well with a wider seasonal deep clean of the house if you are already in that mindset. A proper BBQ clean is really just working through a handful of parts in the right order, so nothing gets missed.
Warm water, a squeeze of dish soap, a stiff bristled grill brush and a couple of old cloths will handle most of the job. For hotplates with heavy, caked on grease, a mild degreaser made for BBQs will cut through it faster than soap and water alone.
You do not need anything specialised for a seasonal BBQ clean.
Skip steel wool or anything highly abrasive on hotplates and grates with a non-stick or enamel coating. It will scratch the surface, and a scratched coating tends to attract more sticking over time, not less. The same gentle approach is worth keeping in mind when getting the rest of the house ready before a cleaner arrives, too.
Start with the gas connections, then work from the outside in: exterior, grease trap, grates and hotplate, then burners, finishing with a quick reseason of the cooking surface before you use it.
Brushing the cooking grates while they are still warm, right after you have finished cooking, is fine and actually makes food residue easier to lift off. Do not spray cleaner or pour water onto a BBQ that is still alight or very hot, since that risks a burn or a grease flare up. Turn it off and let it cool to a safe temperature before doing anything more than a quick brush.
This is also why the fuller seasonal clean covered above is best done with the BBQ cold and the gas turned off at the bottle, rather than partway through cooling down.
Give the grates a quick brush while they are still warm after every cook, empty the grease tray regularly instead of letting it fill up, and cover the BBQ when it is not in use. Repeating the fuller clean above every four to six weeks over a busy summer stops grease building back up. Some households find it easiest to fold this into the same rhythm as their regular house cleaning schedule.
Check the gas bottle, hose and connections for damage, clear out the burner tubes, then clean the grease trap, grates and hotplate before lighting it. Finish with a light coat of cooking oil on the grates and a quick high heat burn off before you cook on it.
You can brush the cooking grates while they are still warm right after cooking, which actually makes residue easier to remove. Do not spray cleaner or pour water onto a BBQ that is alight or very hot, since it can cause a burn or a grease flare up. Wait until it is turned off and cooled before doing a deeper clean.
Warm water with a little dish soap and a stiff grill brush handles most of the job. For hotplates with heavy, caked on grease, a mild BBQ degreaser will cut through faster, just rinse it off well before cooking.
Once properly at the start of the season, then every four to six weeks if you are using it regularly through summer. A quick brush of the grates after every cook and a regular grease tray empty will keep it clean in between.
Yes. A hose that is cracked or perished, or fittings that have loosened over winter, are a safety issue rather than just a cleaning one. Brushing a little soapy water over the connections and watching for bubbles is a simple way to check for leaks before you use the BBQ again.
A stiff grill brush is fine for cast iron or stainless grates, but check for any loose bristles before and after use so none end up on your food. On non-stick or enamel coated grates, a softer brush or scraper is a better choice, since wire bristles can scratch the coating.
A BBQ that has been sitting covered since last season needs more than a quick wipe before its first cook. Check the gas connections, clear the burner tubes, clean the grease trap and cooking surfaces, then reseason before you use it. Keep brushing it down after every cook and it will stay in good shape for the rest of summer. For more seasonal jobs like this one, see our Home Maintenance guides.
Stephanie founded Clean for Good to bring a healthier, more thoughtful approach to home cleaning on Auckland’s North Shore, using low-tox, effective methods and a team that treats every home like their own.
@cleanforgoodnz
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