how to clean Weber gas grill grates

If you treated your Weber gas grill as carefully as you treated your indoor appliances, you would have much fewer problems with your Weber grill over time. Sure, it's tough. After you're full of juicy steak or slow-grilled chicken, it's tough to go back outside and carefully clean your grill. I know, it's not easy for me. The last thing I want to do after I'm stuffed is to get up and clean. Plus, the grill is outside on my patio.

"I'll get to it in the morning sweetie!"

That used to work until my grill started to build up an alien looking gunk that seemed to grow everytime I looked at it. Plus the food I grilled didn't seem to taste as good.

Go figure!

So I finally gave in and followed the directions and set up a simple step by step strategy for keeping my grill clean and my food tasting great.

10 Things to consider when cleaning your Gas Grill

1. Start with the Grill Grates

This is the step that will make or break your Weber Grill. If you do nothing else, you must absolutely clean your grill grates fully each time you grill. Bonus points if you do it while your grill is still hot. It will make it easier to get the food off and will make your next grilling outing 100% easier.

2. Barriers above the burners

After every 3 or 4 grillings, you should lift up the grill grates and clean the barriers between the grill. You will find food particles and grease there that over time can build up and make your grilling outing a little less pleasant. No need to do this everytime though (and yes it can be a pain), but it's nice way to take care of your gas grill over time.

3. Sides and Lids

Seems obvious, and it only takes a second. Be sure to clean out any particles that may fall into the grill as you clean the lid and sides. I really should have listed this grill cleaning technique first but I wanted to highlight the importance of cleaning your grill grates.

4. Annual Cleaning

Before each summer's grilling season begins, you should try to give your grill a nice full cleaning. You will need to carefully disconnect the gas and removing the grill layers one at a time. This is a lot easier than it sounds. Clean the inside of the grill and pay special attention to the burners. Get all the gunk out of there and make sure that nothing is blocking the flow of gas. There is nothing that will cause uneven cooking as much as a blocked burner. If you can't get all of the gunk out of there, get a new burner. It's inexpensive and easy to slot in.

5. Soap and Water

There is no need for anything super special here. Just regular dishwashing liquid and water should be enough. Stay away from the harsh stuff. Weber gas grills are tough, yes, but treat them like you love them.

6. Paint your grill

After a few years, and especially if your grill is kept outside, a bit of rust may start to build up under the grates. No good. A trip to your local hardware store ( do tell them that you need paint for your grill) and you can get a small can of paint for a few dollars. Do this at the first sign of rust and you can add years to the life of your Weber gas grill or natural gas grill.

7. Grill covers

If you have a stainless steel grill then this is a must-have. It's a small investment to keep your grill in tip-top shape. Take the cover off when you're ready to grill, and put it right back on as soon as the grill cools down. The better grill covers let moisture out and thus there is little chance of rust building up.

8. Cleaning Materials

This is not the time to break out the high-powered buffing cleaning that you saw on Home Improvement. Metal brushes are a no-no. Steel cleaners. Never. Simple rag or dish washing sponge and you can give your Weber gas grill a solid cleaning (without scraping your stainless steel off)

9. Oil Your grill fasterners

Grills are built with fasteners or pop rivets (depending on the manufacturer). No amount of care can fully stop these from rusting over time. But a good idea is to clean and dry your grill and then apply a little oil to the rivets and fasteners on the grill. Do this consistently and you will keep rust at bay for years.

10. Put your grill grates back in and fire up a juicy one! Read about other weber gas grills here.