Welcome to the world of outdoor cooking! Pellet grills are a fantastic addition to any outdoor gathering, whether you’re camping, tailgating, or just cooking up a storm in your backyard. But with great grilling power comes great responsibility – you need to keep that grill clean and tidy.
That’s where we come in. As experts in all things grilling, we’re here to teach you the best way to clean your pellet grill. So grab a cold one and let’s get started!
How often should you clean your pellet grill?
First things first: You should clean your grill grates after every use.
The answer to how often you should deep clean your grill is… it depends. If you’re a regular griller and use your pellet grill multiple times a week, you should aim to deep clean it every 2-3 months.
If you’re more of a weekend warrior and only fire up the grill occasionally, you can get away with deep cleaning it annually. Of course, if you notice any excessive buildup of ash or grease, it’s time to give your grill a good scrub, inside and out.
Here’s the step-by-step for cleaning your grill grates
Step 1: Turn up the Temp
Turn your grill up to the hottest it will go. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, once any stuck-on food is blackened, you can srub off the grates.
Step 2: Open the Grill and Turn it Off
Let your grill cool for a couple of minutes. Once it’s not smoking hot, grab your grill brush and scrub each grate back to front.
Here’s the step-by-step for deep cleaning your grill
Step 1: Make Sure Your Grill is Cool and Disconnected
You’re about to be touching all parts of your grill, so be sure it’s cool and disconnected from it’s fuel source first.
Step 2: Remove the Grill Grates and Heat Components
If your grill grates aren’t clean, refer to the step-by-step instructions above, then head back to Step 1.
If you have clean grill grates (gold star for you!) you can take them out and put them aside. Next, pull out your heat diffusers and internal components and place them with your grates.
Step 3: Empty Your Pellet Hopper & Clear the Ash
You’re likely going to see a ton of ash inside your grill, depending on when your last deep clean was. You can scoop them out or use a specialty vacuum, like a shop vac, to remove them. Wipe out the interior of your grill with a damp rag. Be sure your pellet hopper is empty so you don’t get your fuel wet.
Step 4: Wash the Internal Components
The best pellet grill cleaner is the simplest. Fill up a bucket with warm soapy water, grab your grill brush and your rag, and scrub your heat diffusers and internal components. Let everything dry completely, then return the inner components in reserve order from how you removed them.
Step 5: Clean the Exterior
Grab your rag and bucket and give your smoker a nice rub down. The cleaning supplies you’ll use will depend on the material your pellet grill is made out of. Check your manual for recommendations on safe cleaning products.
So there you have it – our guide to cleaning a pellet grill. Whether you’re an experienced griller or just starting out, it’s important to keep your grill clean and in top shape.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to keep your grill looking and performing its best for years to come. Shop Halo for some of the easiest pellet grills to clean! Happy grilling!
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