In the garden

How to clean your barbecue after a busy summer

Published 26 May 2026 · Updated 15 June 2026

After a few months of weekend cookouts, most barbecues accumulate a stubborn layer of grease on the hood, a gritty ash pan, and grates that no longer look safe to cook on. Start only when the unit is fully cool and disconnected from any gas supply.

For charcoal models, empty cold ash into a metal container and brush the bowl with a stiff nylon brush — avoid wire brushes on enamel surfaces because they can scratch and rust later. Gas barbecues benefit from removing the grates and flavour bars, soaking them in warm water with a mild degreaser for twenty minutes, then scrubbing with a non-scratch pad.

Burners need attention too: poke clogged ports gently with a toothpick, never a metal spike that could widen the holes. Wipe the exterior with soapy water and dry thoroughly; NI humidity makes damp storage a rust risk, so leave the lid slightly open in the shed until everything is bone dry.

If you prefer not to spend a sunny afternoon on maintenance, many CleanerPal cleaners include outdoor areas in their service scope — mention the barbecue in booking notes so they can allow extra time.