How to Clean Weber Grill Grates

Co-authored by Filip Boksa and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: March 25, 2022 References

Like any outdoor appliance, your Weber grill grates need a little TLC each month to keep them from getting gunky. If you have a gas grill, set your appliance to a high temperature so you can brush off any stuck-on residue. Once the obvious gunk is gone, spray a specialized Weber cleaner over your grates to get rid of any leftover grease. If you have a charcoal grill, clean off the grates with a brush before scrubbing them with a sponge. All it takes is a few spare minutes and some elbow grease to keep your Weber grill in good condition!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Extra Residue from Gas Grill Grates

1
Set your grill to 550 °F (288 °C). Turn the knobs on the front of your grill clockwise to heat up your gas grill. Choose a high temperature, so any stuck-on residue will begin to burn.^{[1]
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- Don’t leave your grill unattended after turning it on.
2
Brush down your grill grates with a steel brush. Take a steel-bristled tool and scrub down your grates in long, vertical motions. Try to work from left to right, so you can cover the entire surface of the grill grates. As you work, watch for ash falling from the grates to the bottom of the appliance.^{[2]
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- Try to brush off as much of the burnt residue as you can.
- To prevent rust, consider preheating and brushing off your grates each time you grill something.^{[3]
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3
Turn off the grill to let it cool completely. Rotate the grill knobs counter-clockwise to turn off the gas source. Wait several minutes for the grill’s surface to become cool to the touch.^{[4]
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Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.} As you wait, hold your hands several inches or centimeters above the grill grates to check if they’re cool.^{[5]
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- In the minutes after you turn off your grill, don’t touch the grates directly.
- It may take at least 10 minutes for your grill to cool off completely.^{[6]
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4
Spray down the grill grates with Weber’s cleaning product. Twist the nozzle on your spray bottle so it reads in the “on” position. Next, spritz the product heavily over the surface of the cooled grates. Don’t worry about applying too much spray—the formula is designed specifically for Weber grills, and works well in large amounts.^{[7]
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- Try to drench the grates completely with spray.
- You can even use Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Filip Boksa
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.}
- Keep the grates on the grill when you spray it down.
Tip: If you don’t have the Weber cleaning spray on hand, you can let the grates soak in hot water. Next, use mild dish soap and an abrasive pad to clean them off. Once you’ve rinsed off the grates and dried them off with a paper towel, leave them in an open area for several hours so they can air-dry.^{[9]
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5
Wait 1 minute for the cleaner to work properly. Step away from your grill for a few seconds, or set a timer for 60 seconds. In order for the cleaner to work properly, you need to give the formula time to cut through the grease and gunk on your grates.^{[10]
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6
Scrub the grates with a steel brush. Take your steel-bristled brush and begin rubbing over the spray.^{[11]
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Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.} As you clean, try applying a bit of elbow grease to the brush to get better results. Work from left to right, so you can clean off the entire grate.^{[12]
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7
Wipe off any excess cleaner with a moist paper towel. Soak a paper towel or rag beneath cool tap water, then wring it out completely. With this damp towel, wipe down the grill in slow, vertical motions.^{[13]
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Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.} Work from the back of the grill the front so you can pick up any extra grease.^{[14]
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- Don’t be discouraged if there’s still leftover grease on the grill! It might take a few rounds of cleaning before you notice any results.
8
Spritz and wipe off more cleaner until the grates are free of residue. If the grill still looks greasy or grimy, spray down the grates again with a Weber brand cleaner. After letting the product sit for 1 minute, use another damp paper towel to clean off the grates. Keep repeating this process until you see obvious results!^{[15]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Scrubbing Your Charcoal Grill Grates

1
Mix a pea-sized amount of dish soap into a bucket of warm water. Fill a plastic bucket halfway with warm water, and set it near the charcoal grill. Next, squeeze a small amount of dish soap into the warm water. Mix the soap with a stirring utensil until you see suds forming.^{[16]
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- You don’t want to use a harsh cleaner on your charcoal grill grates.
- When cleaning off tough surfaces like a grill grate, you might want to wear rubber gloves.
2
Brush off the grate with a steel grill brush. While the grate is still on the grill, use a steel-bristled brush to clean off any visible residue. As you make your way around the grill, try cleaning with forceful, even strokes. At this point, burnt gunk and ash may fall to the bottom of the grill.^{[17]
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- If you want to skip the dish soap, try cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it over the cool grill grates to remove crease. Then, wipe down any residual grime. That way, you can use the grill within 10 minutes and don't need to deal with chemicals.^{[18]
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  Fabricio Ferraz
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}
- Unlike gas grills, you can’t burn any grease or residue from charcoal grill grates.
Warning: Make sure that the grate is completely cool before washing or handling it.
3
Remove the grate from the charcoal grill. Use your fingers to pull the circular grate from the surface of the grill. After you’ve lifted the item away from the grill, transfer it to a flat surface, like a table.^{[19]
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- Place the grate on a surface that you don’t mind getting dirty.
- If you’re working outside, consider using a portable pull-up table.
4
Use a sponge to clean off the grate with soapy water. Dip your sponge into the sudsy mixture so it can soak completely. Next, wipe down the grate in long even strokes, applying pressure when necessary to remove portions of grease. If necessary, soak the sponge in the bucket multiple times to clean the grate more thoroughly.^{[20]
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5
Rinse off the grate with clean water. Using a faucet, hose, or damp paper towel, clear off any remaining suds or soapy water from the grate. Continue rinsing the each grate opening until the item completely soap-free.^{[21]
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6
Set aside your grate for several hours so it can dry. Leave your grate on a flat surface, or hang it up along the side of your grill. If you’re planning on grilling that day, wait at least 30 minutes for the item to air-dry completely. If you see any extra suds or moisture on the grate, wipe them off with a dry paper towel.^{[22]
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