How to Properly Clean a Pellet Grill

When it comes to cleaning, pellet grills may be the appliances you overlook most often. Over time, food, dirt, and grease accumulate, making it a strenuous endeavor to scrub away the debris. To keep your pellet grill in optimal condition and ward off unpleasant odors, it’s best to clean it regularly. Follow our comprehensive step-by-step guide to make the cleaning process easy and enjoyable:
1. Prepare the Grill
Unplug your grill and allow it to cool down. Handling the grill while still hot can cause burns. Cleaning with water while your grill is still plugged in could cause shocks or short-circuit your appliance. Before cleaning pellet grills, remove any pellets from the hopper and burn the remaining pellet debris in the auger. Wet pellets can “jam” the auger, slowing heating times and extinguishing the flame.
2. Clean the Lid
Dish soap, degreasing products, or a homemade baking soda paste helps remove grease and smoke buildup on a grill’s lid. Use a grill brush or putty knife to scrape off any stuck food or debris. Wipe the lid down and dry it with a cloth. Repeat as needed.
3. Deep-Clean the Grates
Most pellet grills are outfitted with removable grates that sit right above the burners. After removing the grates from the grill, give them a quick scrub with a grill brush to remove excess buildup. Once the visible debris has been removed, soak the grates in a bucket of soapy water for about 15 minutes. This helps break down grease and makes it easier to remove. After cleaning, be sure to rinse and wipe the grates thoroughly. Allow them to dry fully in the sun before returning them to the grill.
5. Remove Remaining Debris
As before, scrape any large deposits of grease buildup on the inside of the grill and wash with a degreasing solution. The back of the pellet grill, where the chimney is attached, is a high buildup area and should receive focused attention. Be sure to clean the chimney thoroughly as well. Consider using a wet/dry vacuum to remove any remaining particles from inside the grill. Remove and empty the grease bucket and ash drawer of your pellet grill. Soak these in soapy water before scrubbing clean. Wipe down the grill’s interior thermometer with a paper towel to prevent sudden temperature swings.
6. Clean the Exterior
Clean your grill’s exterior with a degreasing solution to remove any drips or carbon buildup from the cooking process. Windex can help return the shine to a grill’s surfaces. For stainless steel grills, use a stainless steel spray or wipes for an as-new shine.
Schedule Cleanings for Your Pellet Grills
Many grillmasters don’t clean their grills after every use. While this can add flavor to the smoking process, over time, grease and carbon buildup can decrease a grill’s efficiency. Add grill cleaning to your BBQ routine to help regulate the appliance’s temperature and achieve consistent cooks. Contact a pellet grill supplier today for extra know-how on cleaning your grill.