How to Clean Your Grill

Breathe life into your old grill with just a handful of materials and a few hours.

By: Sam Henderson

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Photo By: Photo by Sam Henderson

Reviving your grill

Breathe new life into your grill with a few tools and specialized spray paint.

Gather the Materials

You will need: gloves / stiff wire brush / sandpaper / steel wool / painter's tape / craft knife / screwdriver / high heat spray paint and primer. Begin by cleaning the outside of the grill thoroughly.

Removing the Grates

Remove all grates and charcoal racks (if applicable).

Cleaning out the Basin

Remove any debris from the charcoal basin and sand lightly to remove any rust.

Removing the Pieces

Using a screwdriver, remove any wooden pieces. Place all of the hardware in a container for safekeeping until you are ready to reassemble.

Sanding the Grill

Lightly sand the exterior of the grill to remove any rust spots.

Masking the Grill for Painting

Using painter's tape, mask off any parts that cannot be easily removed, but that you do not wish to paint. Cut away excess tape with a craft knife. Prime and paint the grill with high heat spray paint (available at auto part stores and some hardware stores). Use a product with heat tolerance up to 1200˚. Allow to dry completely according to manufacturer's instructions.

Cleaning the Grates

With a stiff wire brush and steel wool, remove any rust and build up from the grates. Wash in warm soapy water and dry completely. Coat the grates with a thin layer of cooking oil.

Preparing the Wooden Pieces

Sand all wooden pieces, dust, and wipe with a slightly damp cloth. Paint or stain/seal the wooden pieces as desired. Allow to dry completely.

Putting it Back Together

Reattach the wooden pieces with the hardware.

Adding the grates

Replace the cooking grates.

Removing the masking

Using a craft knife, carefully remove any masking.

The Finishing Touches

Lightly rub painted areas with steel wool and wipe with a damp cloth.

Reviving your Grill

Your old grill can come back to life with just a few materials and a couple of hours.