Fire Mountain | How to Clean a Fire Mountain Gas BBQ Properly

How to Clean a Gas BBQ: The Complete Guide

Regular cleaning keeps your gas BBQ performing at its best, helps prevent flare-ups and can extend its lifespan. The good news is that keeping your BBQ clean doesn't need to mean hours of scrubbing.

A quick clean after cooking, combined with a more thorough deep clean every few months, is usually all that's required.

How Often Should You Clean a Gas BBQ?

After every cook: 5 minutes

Burn off remaining food residue
Brush the cooking grills
Check and empty the grease tray if required

Every 3 to 5 cooks: 10 minutes

Wipe the inside of the lid
Clean the warming rack
Wipe down the side shelves
Check underneath for grease build-up

Every 1 to 3 months: 30 to 60 minutes

Deep clean the cooking grills
Clean the heat plates or flame tamers
Clean the firebox
Inspect and clean the burners
Thoroughly clean the grease management system

Once a year: 60 to 90 minutes

Give the BBQ a full deep clean
Inspect the burners, ignition system, gas hose and regulator for signs of wear or damage

If you use your BBQ regularly throughout spring and summer, we'd recommend a deep clean approximately every 4 to 6 weeks. For occasional use, every 2 to 3 months should usually be sufficient.

What You'll Need to Clean Your BBQ

You don't need lots of specialist BBQ cleaning products. For most jobs you'll simply need:

Grill brush or scraper
Microfibre cloths or kitchen roll
Warm water
Washing-up liquid
Sponge or non-scratch cleaning pad
Old toothbrush
Plastic scraper

For more stubborn grease, you may also find white vinegar, baking soda or a suitable BBQ cleaning spray useful.

The 5-Minute Clean After Cooking

Doing a quick clean after every BBQ prevents grease and burnt food from building up, making your next deep clean much easier.

1. Burn Off Food Residue

Close the lid and run the burners on high for around 10 to 15 minutes. Do not allow your Fire Mountain BBQ to exceed the maximum temperature of 250°C.
The heat helps carbonise leftover food and grease, making the cooking grills easier to clean.

2. Clean the Cooking Grills

Turn off the burners and allow the BBQ and cooking grills to cool sufficiently before cleaning.
Brush the grills thoroughly to remove remaining food and debris.

3. Check the Grease Tray

Check the grease tray or cup after cooking and empty it regularly.
Allowing grease to accumulate can increase the risk of flare-ups and attract unwanted pests.

How to Deep Clean a Gas BBQ

Every few months, it's worth giving your gas BBQ a more thorough clean.
Before starting, turn off the gas supply at the bottle and make sure the BBQ is completely cool before removing components or beginning your deep clean.

1. Remove the Internal Components

Remove the removable parts of the BBQ, which may include:

Cooking grills
Warming rack
Heat plates or flame tamers
Drip tray or grease cup

Always refer to the instruction manual supplied with your BBQ before removing burners or other components.

2. Clean the Cooking Grills

Soak suitable removable cooking grills in warm water and washing-up liquid for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Use a sponge or suitable grill brush to loosen grease and food residue before rinsing and drying thoroughly.
Avoid aggressive metal tools on enamel-coated components as these may damage the finish.

3. Clean the Heat Plates or Flame Tamers

Heat plates can gradually become coated in grease and carbon, which can contribute to:

Flare-ups
Unwanted smoke
Uneven heating

Remove loose deposits with a suitable scraper before cleaning according to your BBQ's instructions.
If your heat plates are heavily corroded or damaged, they may need replacing.

4. Clean the Firebox

Grease and food debris can accumulate in the bottom of your BBQ over time.

Scrape away loose grease and debris
Remove any dry debris
Wipe suitable surfaces with warm soapy water and a cloth
Allow everything to dry completely before reassembling

Avoid pressure washing or hosing down your BBQ. Excess water inside the BBQ can contribute to corrosion and burner problems.

5. Check and Clean the Gas Burners

Clean burners are important for consistent heat and reliable ignition. Blocked burner ports can contribute to:

Uneven flames
Reduced heat
Ignition problems
Poor heat distribution

Once the BBQ is cool and disconnected from the gas supply, inspect the burners for food debris, grease, insects or other blockages.
If your BBQ's instructions allow the burners to be removed, use a dry brush or old toothbrush to gently clean around the burner ports.
Avoid introducing water into the burners. If components do become wet, make sure they are completely dry before reinstalling them.

Always follow the instructions provided with your specific BBQ when removing or cleaning gas components.

6. Clean the Grease Tray

Grease build-up is one of the biggest contributors to BBQ flare-ups.

Remove accumulated grease and debris
Clean the tray with warm soapy water where appropriate
Allow the tray to dry completely before returning it to the BBQ

7. Reassemble Your BBQ

Once every component is clean and completely dry, carefully reassemble the BBQ according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Reconnect the gas supply and check that the BBQ ignites and operates correctly before cooking.

What Should You Avoid When Cleaning a Gas BBQ?

A few common cleaning mistakes can damage your BBQ or shorten its lifespan.

Avoid:

Using harsh oven cleaners unless specifically approved for your BBQ
Pressure washing or hosing down the inside of the BBQ
Aggressively scraping enamelled surfaces with metal tools
Allowing excessive grease to accumulate
Reinstalling wet burners or components
Putting BBQ components in the dishwasher unless specifically stated as dishwasher safe

Fire Mountain BBQ parts are not dishwasher safe.

Signs Your BBQ Needs Cleaning

Your BBQ may be due a clean if you notice:

More flare-ups than usual
Excessive smoke
Uneven heat
Weak or inconsistent flames
Difficulty igniting the BBQ
Burnt or bitter flavours
Loose carbon or soot falling from inside the lid

Regular cleaning can prevent many of these problems before they start affecting your cooking.

Protect Your BBQ Between Uses

Good BBQ maintenance isn't just about cleaning. A few simple habits can help keep your BBQ in great condition between uses:

Brush the cooking grills regularly
Empty the grease tray frequently
Use a suitable BBQ cover when the BBQ isn't being used
Store removable accessories indoors where appropriate
Deep clean your BBQ before long periods of storage

Gas BBQ Cleaning FAQs

Should I Clean My BBQ After Every Use?

A full deep clean isn't necessary after every cook. A quick clean of the cooking surface and regular checks of the grease tray will make ongoing maintenance much easier.

How Often Should I Deep Clean a Gas BBQ?

For regular summer use, every 4 to 6 weeks is a useful guide. If you only use your BBQ occasionally, a deep clean every 2 to 3 months may be sufficient.

Can I Use Washing-Up Liquid to Clean a BBQ?

Warm water and washing-up liquid are suitable for cleaning many removable BBQ components. Always check the instructions for your particular BBQ first and thoroughly dry components before reinstalling them.

Can I Use Vinegar to Clean My BBQ?

White vinegar can help loosen grease on suitable surfaces. Check the care instructions for your BBQ before using any cleaning product on painted, enamelled or specialist finishes.

How Do I Clean Gas BBQ Burners?

Allow the BBQ to cool completely and turn off the gas supply. Burner ports can usually be gently cleared using a dry brush or old toothbrush. Refer to your BBQ's instruction manual before removing burners or carrying out more extensive maintenance.

Do You Sell BBQ Cleaning Kits?

Yes we do, here's a link for our Fire Mountain BBQ Cleaning Set

Keep Your BBQ Ready for the Next Cook

The easiest way to keep a gas BBQ clean is little and often. Spend a few minutes cleaning after each cook and schedule a deeper clean periodically throughout the BBQ season.
Regular cleaning helps reduce grease build-up, keeps heat distribution consistent and means your BBQ is ready to go whenever the weather gives you an excuse to fire it up.