Best BBQ cleaners for an effective clean-up

When the sun’s out, there’s nothing better than getting some sizzling pieces of meat on the BBQ or outdoor grill, but you will more than likely need to invest in the best BBQ cleaner before cooking on your trusted steed again. 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.

So, Modern Gardens have rounded up the best BBQ cleaners that will help you out this summer, so 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.

Black Friday deals on BBQ cleaners

Black Friday is here and there's a whole host of Black Friday deals on BBQ cleaners. Want to grab the best deal? These are the retailers that have the best BBQ cleaner deals right now, or keep scrolling to continue reading our buyer's guide.

Shop the best Black Friday BBQ cleaner deals: Amazon UK | B&Q | The Range | Weber | Landmann

51% off: BBQ Grill Cleaning Brush & Scraper WAS £16.99, NOW £8.41

30% off: Weber Grill Brush WAS £13.99, NOW £9.79

Save £2.10: BBQ Cleaning Wipes WAS £6.99, NOW £4.89

Save £3.90: Barbecue Cleaning Spray WAS £12.99, NOW £9.09

25% off: Weber Stainless Steel Cleaner WAS £10.50, NOW £7.90

Though it may not be the ideal solution for your grill racks, a heavy-duty cleaner will sort out a years worth of burnt-in food, grease and bacteria. If you don’t fancy risking the non-stick on your grill racks, then something plant-based, naturally sourced and less harsh could be the ticket. Though these eco-friendly alternatives are better on the planet, they may not be for your BBQ.

Further, there's a range of the best BBQ cleaners, all designed with different purposes and specialisms. Plus, they’re at different price points. We’ve got some great cleaning tips for your outdoor kitchen, too. So get those BBQ tools at the ready.

Best BBQ cleaners at a glance

Overall best BBQ Cleaner: HG Oven, Grill and BBQ Cleaner — Buy now on Amazon
Best budget buy: Bar-Be-Quick Oven and BBQ Cleaner —Buy now at ASDA
Best BBQ degreaser: Jeyes BBQ and Oven Cleaner Spray— Buy now on eBay

Best BBQ cleaners for your garden cookout

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 and 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.

Bryony Firth-Bernard is a product writer for Modern Gardens. Her hobbies include hitting the weights in the gym and pole fitness (where she gets countless bruises). On the weekend she loves whipping up new recipes in the kitchen and spending time with her friends and family.