Gas grills are amazing, but there may come a time when the burners get a little dirty.
Are you wondering how you can clean your gas grill burners? You’ve come to the right place!
In this TheGrillingDad.com guide, you will discover:
- How to clean a gas grill burner
- Tips for cleaning a gas grill burner
- And much more!
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What You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Gas Grill Burner
Cleaning your grill can be a hassle, but if you keep putting it off, leaving your grill dirty will shorten its lifespan. If you’ve spent good money on your grill, this is the last thing you want to happen!
Most people know enough to brush off their grill grates after each use, but what do you do when the burner on your gas grill gets dirty? This isn’t something that your grill brush can help with!
It can also be dangerous to leave gas burners dirty, as they could begin to malfunction and may even stop your grill from working. Therefore you should follow a few steps to clean your gas grill burners regularly.
Read on to discover just how you can keep your gas grill burners sparkling clean and working for years to come!
Why You Should Clean Your Gas Grill Burner
As you are about to see, it is a lot of work to clean your gas grill burners. So you may be wondering why you should even take the time to do it.
Well, first of all, it will keep your grill in good shape for years to come. Secondly, you may not have a choice.
If your gas grill isn’t cooking the way it should or has far less visible flame than it used to, then there is a chance that it is clogged. The only way to unclog it is to take apart the grill and follow the cleaning directions below.
Of course, your burner not working could be a sign of a deeper problem that requires a professional, but it is always worthwhile to try the cleaning option first, so you don’t waste money only to be told that it’s the solution!
Supplies Needed to Clean a Gas Grill Burner
As mentioned above, cleaning the gas grill burner isn’t a job for your grill brush. Keep it on hand, though, because it might be useful. Then, gather the following supplies.
- Drill bit (or Toothpick)
- Putty Knife
- Rags (or Paper Towels)
- Dish Soap
- Warm Water
- Degreaser
- Stainless Steel Scrubbing Pads
Now you may not need all of these supplies depending on the type of gunk that has built up on your gas burner, but it’s a good idea to have them with you just in case.
How to Clean a Gas Grill Burner (Step-by-Step)
Got everything you need to clean your gas grill burner? Let’s walk through the process together!
Step 1: Ensure the Grill is Off
Double-check to ensure your gas grill is off. It is also a good idea to disconnect the gas tank just to be sure.
Step 2: Remove the Grates
Take the grates off your grill. It is a good time to clean these as well, so you might as well spray them with your degreaser or let them sit in a bucket of soapy water.
Step 3: Remove Any Coverings
Some gas grills have flame tamers or little covers over the burners. Take these off first. Clean them with your brush, sponge, and soapy water. Make note if there are any holes or damage to them. Some grills have additional coverings over the burners. Remove these as well.
Step 4: Clean the Burner
If you can, remove your burners from the grill to clean them. You’ll want to brush them free of debris using the brush or stainless steel scrub. Don’t use any water or soap on the burners themselves.
If you notice bits of debris stuck in the ports of the burner, or the area where it attaches, use the toothpick to clean it out. Just be careful to actually get it out and not just push it further in.
Step 5: Inspect Under the Burners
If you were able to remove your burners, inspect beneath where they were seated for overall cleanliness. If you spot debris, only use the brush or steel wool to remove it.
Step 6: Reassemble the Grill
Put the grill back just the way you took it apart. Any parts that were put in water (the grates and the flame tamers) should be completely dry before reassembly.
And just like that, you’ve cleaned the burner on your gas grill!
How Often Should You Clean Your Gas Burners?
As you can see, it is quite the process to clean your gas burners, as you basically have to take apart the grill. Therefore you shouldn’t do this after every use.
Generally, it is recommended to clean your gas burners whenever you notice them getting dirty. But if that never happens, then once a month is a good estimate for those who use their grill once a week or more.
If you use your grill sparingly, then cleaning the gas burners at the end of the season is probably sufficient to keep your gas grill in tip-top shape.
How to Clean a Clogged Burner Tube
As you are cleaning your gas burners, you may come across a burner tube that is clogged. You should take a moment to clean this out as well.
Start by trying to clear the clog with a toothpick or a drill bit. If you are able to loosen the debris, then shave the burner tube to get it out. You will also want to check the orifice hole that nothing is clogged there.
If you still can’t manage to get the clog-free, then pull out your owner’s manual, as it will have specific instructions on how to care for the burner tubes.
As you are cleaning the burner tube, check for any damage, such as cracks or holes, as these could be an indication that you need to replace your burner tube. If your grill is under warranty, contact customer service first. Otherwise, it is pretty easy to order another burner tub as long as you know the dimensions of your current burner tube.
Tips For Cleaning Gas Burners
Here are our top tips for cleaning the gas burners on your grill.
Clean the Whole Grill at One Time
You are supposed to deep clean your grill once per season, and because it is so difficult to clean the burners (mainly because you have to take the grill apart), it’s recommended to just clean the entire grill while you are at it. This will save you time in the long run.
Don’t Use Water
While there are many parts of the grill that should be cleaned with soap and water, the actual burners themselves should not be. Rather you should just have supplies on hand to scrape away any debris. If you have a greasy mess, check your owner’s manual before using any degreaser on the burners.
Use a Vacuum
If you’ve brushed a lot of debris from your burners or ports, chances are there are crumbs all over your grill. Use a vacuum to clear these away quickly and easily.
Burn Away Residue
Some grills, mainly those equipped with ceramic burners, can simply be turned on to burn away residue. Check your type of burner before you go through the entire process of taking the grill apart just to find out that you didn’t have to!
How to Replace Burners in a Gas Grill
If you’ve gone through the entire process of cleaning your gas burners because they weren’t working properly, hopefully, this cleared up the issue. But if it didn’t, it is likely time to replace your burners.
While you can call a repairman to come to take a look, if you spot damage on your burner, he will just tell you to get it replaced. Luckily this is a very easy process.
Start by checking your grill’s warranty. You never know when a part might be covered, and you can get a replacement for free.
Otherwise, measure your burner and check with the manufacturer for a replacement piece. If your grill is very old, you may find out that the manufacturer no longer makes the burners you need.
In this case, you can head to your local hardware store with the burner in tow to ask around, or you can just buy a new grill since it’s probably been a while anyway!
Final Thoughts on How to Clean a Gas Grill Burner
Overall, gas grills are a convenient way to grill food on a regular basis. But when you start experiencing problems with your grill, some cleaning may be in order.
Cleaning your gas grill does require a bit of work, but in the end, it will help your grill to last much longer. And if your grill still has problems after it’s been cleaned, then it might be time to shop for a replacement.
