How to Clean a BBQ Properly Before Summer

Adelaide summer means one thing for outdoor living: the BBQ comes out. And after sitting through winter — possibly months without use — it's almost certainly in worse condition than you left it.

Old grease hardens and carbonises. Moisture during storage promotes rust on cast iron. Spider webs and insects make their homes in the venturi tubes (the tubes that carry gas to the burners) — blocking them and creating a genuine fire and explosion hazard. And when you fire up a dirty BBQ for the first time, all of that old, contaminated grease heats up along with your food.

This guide covers a proper pre-season BBQ clean — including the safety check that most people skip.

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The Safety Check: Do This First

Before cleaning anything, and certainly before turning on the gas after a period of storage, perform a safety check.

Check the venturi tubes: The venturi tubes are the L-shaped or straight tubes that run from the control valves to the burners. Spiders — particularly in Adelaide — love to build webs inside these tubes over winter. A blocked venturi tube causes gas to backfire out of the control valve area rather than burning at the burner, which can cause a fireball near the gas connection.

Remove the burners or access the venturi tubes according to your BBQ's manual. Use a venturi tube brush (a long, flexible brush available at BBQ and hardware stores) to clear each tube completely. Clear any debris, webs or spider egg sacks.

Check the gas hose: Inspect the flexible hose from the gas bottle to the BBQ for cracks, brittleness or signs of rodent damage. A damaged gas hose is a serious safety risk. If there are any visible cracks or if the hose is more than 5 years old, replace it — they're inexpensive.

Check burner holes: Remove the burners and inspect the small holes along each burner. Blocked holes cause uneven heating and can cause dangerous flare-ups. Clear blocked holes with a toothpick.

Pressure test the gas connection: With the gas on and the BBQ controls off, apply soapy water to all gas connections. Bubbles indicate a gas leak. Tighten connections or replace components as needed. If there's a significant leak, have it inspected by a licensed gas fitter before using.

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What You'll Need

• Stiff wire brush or grill brush
• Non-scratch scrubbing pad
• Dish soap or BBQ degreaser
• Bucket of hot water
• Microfibre cloth or old towels
• Cooking oil (for seasoning cast iron)
• BBQ cleaner spray (optional but helpful for heavy buildup)
• Rubber gloves

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Step 1: Remove and Soak Grates and Plates

Remove the cooking grates, hot plates, and any removable flavouriser bars or heat plates.

For gas BBQs with cast iron grates: soak in a large tub or laundry tub with hot water and a generous amount of dish soap. Leave to soak for at least 30 minutes — longer for severely soiled grates.

For stainless steel grates or plate warmers: same approach.

While they soak, clean the rest of the BBQ.

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Step 2: Clean the Burners

With the burners removed (if your BBQ design allows removal — check the manual), inspect and clean them:

• Brush off any debris with a stiff brush
• Use a toothpick or wire to clear any blocked burner ports
• Wipe with a damp cloth

If burners are showing significant corrosion or if holes have enlarged from corrosion, consider replacing them. Burners are inexpensive and are genuine safety items.

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Step 3: Clean the BBQ Interior

The inside of the BBQ hood and the cook box accumulate carbonised grease.

Hood interior: Apply BBQ degreaser or a solution of dish soap and hot water to the interior of the hood. Leave to dwell for 5 minutes. Scrub with a non-scratch pad and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Carbonised buildup on the hood interior can flake off onto food during cooking.

Cook box (the area around and below the grates): This is where grease drips accumulate and where the real fire hazard exists from grease buildup. Scrape out any hardened grease and debris. Apply degreaser and scrub. Wipe thoroughly.

Grease trap/tray: Most BBQs have a removable tray underneath that collects dripping grease. Remove it, dispose of solidified grease, and wash the tray with hot soapy water. Relined with aluminium foil after cleaning, it's easier to maintain going forward.

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Step 4: Scrub the Soaked Grates and Plates

By now the grates have soaked long enough. Remove them from the water and scrub with a wire brush or stiff brush.

For cast iron grates:

• Scrub off loose debris and old grease
• For very heavily carbonised grates, a propane torch briefly applied to carbonised spots converts the carbon to ash that brushes away — then clean normally
• Rinse thoroughly
• Dry immediately and completely — cast iron rusts quickly when wet

For stainless steel:

• Scrub with a non-scratch pad and dish soap
• Rinse and dry

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Step 5: Season Cast Iron

Cast iron grates should be seasoned after cleaning to prevent rust and create a non-stick surface.

1. Ensure the grates are completely dry
2. Apply a thin layer of cooking oil (vegetable, canola or flaxseed) to all surfaces of the grates using a paper towel
3. Heat the BBQ on high for 20–30 minutes
4. The oil polymerises and creates a protective coating
5. Allow to cool. Apply a second thin layer of oil and store.

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Step 6: Clean the Exterior

Wipe down the exterior of the BBQ with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Rinse and dry.

For stainless steel exteriors: wipe with the grain of the steel using a microfibre cloth. Finish with a stainless steel polish or a tiny amount of mineral oil buffed with a dry cloth.

For painted exteriors: wipe with a damp cloth and dry. Don't use abrasive cleaners on painted surfaces.

BBQ cover: If you have a BBQ cover, wipe it down or hose it off. A mouldy or dirty cover goes back onto a clean BBQ and defeats the purpose.

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Step 7: Check Gas Supply

Replace the gas bottle if it's low — better to do this now than halfway through a cook.

Check the gas regulator (the component that connects the hose to the gas bottle) for age and condition. Regulators typically last 5–10 years. If yours is old or has been exposed to the elements without a cover, consider replacing it.

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Maintaining the BBQ Through Summer

The easiest way to keep a BBQ clean is to clean it after every use while it's still warm:

• While the BBQ is still hot after cooking, use a grill brush to brush the grates clean
• Close the lid and run on high for 10 minutes to burn off remaining food residue
• Turn off gas and allow to cool
• Wipe down any splatter on the exterior while still slightly warm

A 5-minute post-cook clean is far easier than the pre-season restoration described above. Build it into the cook routine.

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For professional BBQ cleaning as part of an outdoor cleaning service in Adelaide before summer entertaining, contact PF Cleaning Adelaide.

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Written by Victor Jacon — Master Cleaner & Home Detailing Specialist, Founder of PF Cleaning Adelaide.