When the sun’s out, there’s nothing better than getting some sizzling pieces of meat on the BBQ or outdoor grill, but on the practical side of things, you will more than likely need to invest in the best BBQ cleaner to keep your grill clean. Whether you have a hybrid BBQ, gas BBQ or charcoal grill, leaving it dirty and unmaintained will not only make a harder job for you in the long run, but it can ruin the taste of your beautiful BBQ food and, worse, cause flare-ups.
We have rounded up the best BBQ cleaners that will help you out this summer, so you can continue to show off your alfresco cooking skills. BBQ food from a dirty, greasy, burnt-in grill does not sound appealing in the slightest. When you find the right cleaner for your BBQ, you can clean it up until it's sparkling and, then, start cooking all over again.
Best BBQ cleaners at a glance:
A heavy-duty cleaner will sort out a year's worth of burnt-in food, grease and bacteria, it works quickly to break down grease and grime. If you don’t fancy risking the non-stick on your grill racks with harsh chemicals, then something plant-based, biodegradable and less harsh could be the ticket.
There's a range of the best BBQ cleaners available, all designed with different purposes and surfaces. We've rounded up the best products that come in convenient and usable packaging, a range of sizes and have a pleasant or neutral scent. Plus, we’ve got some great cleaning tips, whether you're firing up in your outdoor kitchen or portable camping grill. So get those BBQ tools at the ready.
Best BBQ cleaners to prepare for your next cookout
Best overall BBQ cleaner
Multi-purpose, this tough cleaner removes caked-on and burnt-in grease from ovens, grills, barbeques and baking trays. Not only that – it's quick and thorough. Plus, it's tough on stains and gentle on surfaces: suitable for cast iron and ceramic. Easy to use with a simple spray, you'll be saying goodbye to all that mucky grease in no time.
This is an Amazon's Choice recommended product, with over 19,955 reviews rating HG 4.3 out of 5. Customers praise this BBQ cleaner for its ability to get rid of caked-on grease. It's quite a foamy product, so less is more. Some reviews comment that having tried other products, this HG Oven, Grill and BBQ Cleaner is the most effective in cleaning tough grime.
Pros
- Multipurpose, use on a range of appliances
- Degreaser that removes stubborn grease
- Easy to use and effective results
Cons
- Less is more as it creates a lot of foam
| Suitability: | Ovens, grills and BBQs (gas or charcoal) |
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Format: | Liquid |
- Food-safe
Tested
Best BBQ cleaner for stainless steel
WeberContaining white mineral oils, this Weber Stainless Steel Cleaner will bring out the best in your barbecue whether it’s raining, snowing or when the sun is shining. Designed to protect and clean the external stainless steel parts of your barbecue, this easy-to-use spray makes your barbecue shine – and keeps you smiling. We love Weber's BBQ accessories.
Weber are also an Amazon's Choice recommended brand, and has over 530 reviews rating their products 4.3 out of 5. Customers highly praise the effectiveness of this stainless steel cleaner, saying it results in a good shine. It has an oiliness to it, so take care not to use too much.
Modern Gardens tried and tested the Weber Cleaning Kit For Stainless Steel Gas Barbecues. Our tester recommends Weber BBQ cleaning products and said the total clean up time took less than 15 minutes. You can read more in our Weber Lumin Electric BBQ review.
Pros
- Restores shine to stainless steel
- Fast-acting; achieve a clean grill in less than 15 minutes
- Resistant to weathering
Cons
- Use on the outside of the BBQ only
| Suitability: | Outside of stainless steel BBQs |
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Format: | Mist spray |
Best for burnt-on food
McklordsThis BBQ Genie cleaner from McKLords can be used on all kinds of BBQs, grills, ovens and even baking trays. It works by loosening fat, stubborn food residue and baked on grease. It has a handy spray mechanism for easy application and is a fast-acting solution – great for those who don't have the patience to spend hours scrubbing their BBQ.
With over 460 reviews rating McKLords 4.2 out of 5, this Amazon's Choice recommended product is effective at cutting through grease. Plus, at around £5 it's super value for money.
Reviews comment that they were really impressed by how quick and easy the Genie Grill Cleaner was to use – plus – the sparkling results. However, critical reviews comment that there are more effective BBQ cleaner products out there. For the price (and a bit of elbow grease) it's worth a shot.
Pros
- Can be used on multiple cooking surfaces
- Fast acting and super value for money
Cons
- Need to use a fair amount for it to work
| Suitability: | For all BBQs, grills, and ovens |
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Format: | Trigger spray |
Best BBQ degreaser
Jeyeswww.therange.co.uk
This Jeyes BBQ and Oven Cleaner Trigger Spray is a powerful BBQ cleaner that comes in a handy trigger spray bottle, making cleaning quick, easy and effective. We love the dual action trigger as it offers targeted foam and a quick, easy clean fine spray. As well as being tough on grease, it's a multi-surface cleaner with anti-bacterial properties.
This is a versatile spray, with customers commenting that they use it in their ovens as well as BBQs. However, some reviews comment that they had issues with the nozzle and couldn't get it to work. One used a spray pump from another bottle to overcome it.
Jeyes is a well-known brand and this is a good all-purpose degreaser that works fast. Buy it online or in your supermarket for around £5.
Pros
- Tough on grease and bacteria
- Long-lasting fragrance
- Fast-acting and targeted cleaning
- Great value for money
Cons
- Isn't as effective on burnt-in residue
| Volume: | 750ml |
| Suitability: | BBQs and ovens |
| Format: | Liquid |
- Bottle is made from 100 per cent plastic
Best BBQ cleaner for grates
WeberSuitable for all barbeques, the high-efficiency Weber Grate Cleaner is a fine mist spray that makes cleaning your grates and interior cook-box components a breeze. Biodegradable and with no hazardous ingredients, spray and let sit for 30 seconds to loosen grease and food residue and wipe clean.
This is an Amazon's Choice recommended product with over 6,120 reviews rating it 4.4 out of 5. A review comments that it was effective in lifting heavy grease from a grill and it could be wiped clean, without residue, in just five minutes. Customers say it works fast, exceeding expectations. However, there is mixed opinion on its effectiveness, but that also comes down to cleaning technique. The positive reviews outweigh the negative and Weber is a top-notch quality brand in BBQs and accessories.
Pros
- Easy to use and fast acting
- High-efficiency with a bit of elbow grease
- Biodegradable so it's kinder to the plant
Cons
- Not as effective on built-up grease
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Format: | Liquid spray |
| Suitability: | All BBQs |
- Biodegradable with no hazardous ingredients
- Easy to spray
Best foaming cleaner
GleanA cleaning solution that foams, rather than one you spray on, can allow for more precise application on tricky-to-clean grills. This Glean cleaner offers just that kind of foaming action, clinging to surfaces and working to break down the built-up grease and grime. Once you've applied this cleaner you need to leave it to work, then wipe it off, although some scrubbing may be required on particularly tough food residue.
Customers say Glean is very effective on tough stains. Also, they like that it's a foam because it doesn't drip like sprays do. Reviews comment that it's important to ventilate when you're using this product as it contains chemicals.
Pros
- Foaming action that's effective on tough stains
- Multi-purpose uses makes it good value
Cons
- Ventilate when using this product as it is chemical-based
| Volume: | 400ml |
| Format: | Foaming spray |
| Suitability: | All cooking appliances and equipment |
Best for intensive grill cleaning
Elbow GreaseThis handy set is a convenient solution to effortlessly cleaning BBQ grills. Easy to use, just pop your grill into the cleaning bag, pour in the gel, expel the air from the bag and seal. It's a good idea to swill the gel all over the grates, making sure every surface of the grill is covered.
For grills with a non-stick coating, do not leave for any more than three hours. In contrast, chrome or stainless steel grills can be left overnight. A minimum of two hours is needed to allow the caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) to get to work. Finally, wash off the residue in warm and mild soapy water. Handle the grills with protective gloves. Debris will come away from the grills with ease – no scrubbing is necessary.
Pros
- As long as you handle with care this is an effective grill cleaner
- Fume-free gel, so no overpowering odours
- Cleaning bag can accommodate up to two standard size grills
Cons
- Take care when using this cleaner as it's corrosive
| Suitability: | BBQs and grills |
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Format: | Bottle of cleaning solution, grill cleaning bag and a pair of latex gloves |
Best BBQ cleaner on aluminium
Dr MagicDr Magic Oven & Grill Cleaner is a powerful cleaning agent that tackles tough grease with ease. It's a lemon-scented liquid foam that provides effective removal of burnt food and grime on metal surfaces. It's particularly recommended for cleaning aluminium. Spray it on the surface you wish to clean and it forms a thick white foam surface. Leave it for 20 minutes and it dissolves stains and breaks down grime.
Customers praise Dr Magic for being fast-acting and effective. But, it does have a strong odour and you must ventilate if you're using it in an enclosed space. Additionally, it is a caustic substance so be sure to wear gloves and avoid contact with eyes and skin.
Pros
- Fast-acting and effective foam
- Safe for aluminium so can be used on pans too
- Easy to use, so long as you take general safety precautions
Cons
- Caustic substance so ventilate and wear protective gloves
| Suitability: | BBQ and ovens |
| Volume: | 2 x 390ml |
| Format: | Liquid spray in can |
Best cleaner for versatility
DawnDawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray is tough on burnt grease, yet gentle enough to be used on a range of kitchen surfaces, as well as BBQ grills. It cuts through grease more effectively than conventional soap and reviews say that a little goes a long way.
This pack consists of a reusable spray bottle and refill. With glowing customer comments, Dawn is rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon, with over 38,750 reviews. Get your hands on this US import while stocks last.
Do bear in mind, like most cleaning products, it is an irritant so avoid contact with eyes and skin.
Pros
- Versatile and can be used for conventional domestic cleaning as well as a BBQ cleaner
- Extremely well reviewed and popular
- Reusable packaging and comes with a refill
Cons
- Avoid contact with eyes and skin
| Suitability: | Dinnerware, burnt pans, hard-to-clean bakeware, grills |
| Volume: | 16 fl oz each (2-pack) |
| Format: | Spray bottle and refill |
How we chose the best BBQ cleaners
All of these BBQ cleaners have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the type of application and effectiveness in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching BBQ cleaners to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
FAQs
How do I clean up my BBQ?
Charcoal and gas barbeques have different cleaning processes. Even so, some manufacturers may have special recommendations for covering or special cleaning instructions for their range of BBQs. Our advice is to make sure to check the instructions manual or refer to the manufacturer's website before purchasing a BBQ cleaner.
Gas
Gas BBQs are ideal for cooking your food this summer. They, with their open cooking areas, offer the convenience of quick cooking while still giving that authentic grilled flavour to your meal.
Before you start the cleaning, it is recommended to do some preparation. It’s best to start this whilst the BBQ is still hot. Generally, keep that BBQ on after your cookout with the lid down — for around half an hour. Why? This will char any food stuck anywhere — as a pyrolytic oven would.
Now, onto the cleaning. Turn off the BBQ and let it cool down a little. We don't want to burn ourselves. Then, grab a pair of waterproof and heat-resistant gloves - preferably ones that go up to your elbow. With your trusty wire brush, you should be able to brush any charred debris from the grill and inside. Disconnect the gas once you're happy.
Hopefully, by now, your BBQ is a little cooler. With this, why not remove some components if they need a bit of extra care? For the inside, get a tool (whether scraper, wool pad or wire brush) and get rid of the rest of the debris. If you're still not satisfied, this is where the cleaner could come in. Ensure the BBQ is dry before reassembly.
Tip: BBQ-friendly wire brushes should be regularly inspected. Why? This is because the bristles can become loose after a cleaning. Then, possibly, these bristles find their way into a burger and make someone ill.
Charcoal
Charcoal BBQs come with the skill to hold plenty of BBQ fuel for large amounts of food. Perfect for a larger party. From hog roasts to slow-cooking a joint of beef, a charcoal BBQ is a traditional way to prepare food outdoors.
1. Firstly – you should start with the base. For this, you need to brush out any remaining ash or debris from inside the base. Then, wash the inside of the base with some soap and a steel wool pad. If you’re struggling with grease, try a plant-based cleaner like the EcoGurus All-Purpose cleaner alongside a cookbox scraper. That should do it.
2. Next, you can tackle the outside with a microfibre cloth — with some soap. Rinse with water.
3. Once clean as can be, make sure there is no more soap on the BBQ and leave it to air dry.
4. Repeat this process with the lid.
Grill
Lastly, the grills and racks — for gas, charcoal or hybrid. Just go easy on the chemicals, unless necessary, and you should be fine. Don't risk your non-stick for the sake of a clean grill. Here are our steps to cleaning your BBQ grill:
Firstly, brush any charred, left-over food with a wire brush. Next, you should be able to wipe off as much grease as you can with a microfibre cloth. Some people even recommend using sheets of old newspaper. But, it's up to you.
If the racks still are not budging, we recommend using the Weber Grate Cleaner. Alternatively, Oven Pride can be used sparingly for a deep clean – and if you’re able to take the grill racks out from the BBQ. Only apply for how long the product tells you to. Just make sure not to overdo it because the metal surfaces can lose their non-stick properties.
After this, you may still have some tough bits left. So, go in with your brush or a steel wool pad. You may want to do a second clean if necessary. But, don't overdo it. Rinse with mild soap and water.
Tip: You can't go wrong with using traditional ingredients like bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.
Can I use oven cleaner on a BBQ?
The last thing you want to do is damage your BBQ. So, you need to be careful what chemicals you put on it.
Generally, most cleaning products are fine to use on materials such as stainless steel. But, some specialist barbecues could have parts that are made from cast iron or enamel. This is where you could run into an issue.
Most BBQ brands make their own cleaner. For example, Weber makes their own enamel-friendly cleaner.
Oven cleaners can be quite abrasive, especially the ones with chemicals. As previously mentioned, these harsh chemicals could take the non-stick properties from the BBQ grill racks. And that’s not what you want.
You could, in theory, use your regular oven cleaner. However, make sure to check the cleaning instructions provided by your BBQ manufacturer, as well as the cleaning product itself. But, we don't really recommend them.
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Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Modern Gardens Magazine, an all-rounder. When she’s not writing about houseplants, she’s tending to her own growing collection…