With all of this cooking and smoking we have been doing, it is important to make sure to keep up on the maintenance end as well. In this article I walk you step by step on How to Clean a Pellet Grill. We will go over the equipment you need, recommended cleaning products, how often you should clean, and other maintenance tips.
In my 25+ years of cooking and smoking foods, I know the importance of keeping up with the maintenance of my equipment. Between cleaning warnings, flare-ups, or even full-blown fires…we’ve all been there. Cleaning your pellet grill regularly will help with all of those issues and result in better tasting food and top-notch performance for years to come.
Table of Contents
Why clean your pellet grill
Whether you are just getting started with your new purchase or have been using your smoker for a while, learning how to clean your pellet grill properly will give you better results on so many levels, including:
- Overall better performance
- Better tasting food
- Extend the lifetime of your equipment
- Reduce the risk of flare-ups or fires
- Helps ensure consistent cooking temperatures
How often should you clean your pellet grill
Cleaning the pellet grill doesn't have to be a daunting task. I usually like to do a quick vacuum out every few cooks and then a more deep cleaning every few months. So depending on how often you fire up your grill will determine how often you need to clean it out.
Project Rundown
| Quick Clean (Grate wipe down/spills) | After every cook |
| Quick Vacuum | Every 2-3 Cooks |
| Deep Clean | After 20+ Hours of cooking |
I will walk you through how to deep clean your pellet grill and also the products I like to use in order to maintain my grill. For this cleaning job, I am cleaning my Traeger Timberline 1300. So, your grill may vary slightly, but the process should be similar.
Equipment Needed To Clean Your Smoker
There are just a few things you'll need to get this cleaning job done.
- Wet Dry Vacuum
- Favorite Bristle Free Wire Grill Grate Brush (or I love my Grill Rescue Brush)
- Cleaning Spray
- Putty Knife
- Microfiber Cloths or Paper Towels
Before you get started, here are some pointers:
- If you are new to cleaning your pellet grill, make sure to leave yourself some time to clean before your cook. I usually clean it up and then fire it up to let it pre-heat before I start my next cook.
- This can be a pretty messy job. Between the grease and ashes, plan to get a little dirty. If you want to wear some type of gloves- go for it. A shirt you don’t care about? Better.
- There will be chunks of debris and grease that falls. So if you don’t want to ruin your driveway - place a tarp, some plastic, or a large cardboard box down. Alternately, roll the pellet grill out into the grass.
- Have everything you need outside with you. I hate running back inside for a cleaner, or a towel, or paper towel, or to wash my brush. So gather all of your cleaning equipment before you get started.
How To Deep Clean Your Pellet Grill
Step 1: Start with exterior surfaces
Begin by wiping down the exterior surfaces using warm water mixed with mild dish soap or your favorite cleaner. I do like the Traeger Natural Spray. This will help remove grease stains, dirt, and grime that may have accumulated over time. Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to avoid scratching the surface of your pellet grill.
Don’t forget to clean up your thermostat panne/ dial, etc. Everytime we touch this with our greasy/sauce fingers, there is build-up or residue, too.
Step 2: Scrape internal walls
If it's been a minute since you’ve cleaned your grill, most likely you have some build up on the wall and inside of the lid. Grab a putty knife or a scraper and put a little elbow grease into getting the build up off.
If my grill grates aren’t terrible, I usually just clean them up while still in the grill.
Note* If your grill has a smokestack- Don't forget to spin the cap off of your smokestack. Use the small wire brush to clean the underside of the cap, and also the walls of the smokestack. Go into the smokestack from the inside of the smoker with the wire brush, and clean up that area as best you can too.
Step 3: Disassemble
Next step is to remove the grill grates and the grease drip pan. Here you are going to see all of the ashes that have built up over your last few cooks. It is important to also remove the heat baffle that covers the fire pot.
Other internal parts: Other models may have thermometers, heat sensors, probe/temperature sensors that need to be attended to as well. Just use the spray and wipe clean with a cloth until all build up is removed.
Step 4: Clean out Ashes
Grab your shop vacuum and suck out any ashes and debris.
Make sure to get inside of the fire pot as well (where you can see the Auger).
Step 5: Scrubbing Grates and Drip Pan
When my grates are in need of additional love, I give them a deep cleaning by either using my favorite grill brush or scraper. I prop them up and get to scrubbing.
If you feel like getting crazy, go ahead and soak them in some warm soapy water in a large tub (or some grill grates even fit in the dishwasher- which sounds like a mess). Rinse them thoroughly with clean water and allow them to air dry completely before reinserting.
Note: You also want to check on the grease channel where the grease runs to the drip bucket. Make sure to clean that out as well.
Safety Tip* I personally do not use wire grill brushes because of some reports of people swallowing them. But if you do, make sure to check that your surface is free from any wire bristles.
Step 6: Re-assemble
Once you are feeling confident on your cleaning job, time to re-assemble all of the components. First cover the fire pot with the heat baffle.Then insert the drip pan, make sure it sets in there properly. Then grab your clean and dry grill grates and insert them where they belong.
Step 7: Final Wipe Down
With all of the ashes floating around during the vacuum, I save the final outside wipe down for last. Take a nice microfiber cloth or paper towel and wipe down the outside of the grill. If you need to use some cleaner, go for it.
Optional Natural Cleaning Methods
If you don’t have any cleaner on hand or prefer more natural method of cleaning here are some great options:
- Mix of baking soda & vinegar- For this method, spray distilled vinegar over the grill grates. Sprinkle the baking soda onto a sponge or brush and start scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly with warm water afterwards.
- Lemons- The citric acid in lemons make them a great degreaser. Just cut the lemon in half and use it as a scrubber.
- Salt- Salt is another excellent natural ingredient that can assist in removing grime from your grill's surface. While the grill is still warm (but not hot), sprinkle coarse salt over it and let it sit for about 15 minutes to absorb moisture from any food residue left behind during cooking. Afterward, scrub vigorously with a wire brush or crumpled aluminum foil.
Safety Precautions
- Make sure the grill is off, unplugged, and cooled down.
- If you are using any degreasers or harsh cleaners, make sure to have proper ventilation.
- Feel free to wear some shades or safety goggles when scraping away at the internal surface in case any junk goes flying into your eyes.
Maintenance Tips
Since now you know how to perform a deep cleaning on your pellet grill, remember to keep it regularly maintained every few cooks as well. I like to quickly scrape my grates and vacuum out the ashes every 2-3 cooks.
There are also some products available to help make cleaning easier. Consider purchasing some:
- Grease Drip Tray Liners
- Grease Bucket Liners
Conclusion
Deep cleaning your pellet grill isn't too hard, just a little time consuming. But it is necessary. If you maintain it the task won’t be as bad. Having a clean grill ensures the best performance, longevity of your equipment and enhances the flavor of your cooked meals.
Make sure to refer to your grill’s manufacturer's instructions for specific cleaning guidelines and always take necessary safety precautions. With proper care and maintenance, your grill will continue to provide you and your family with delicious dishes for years to come!
FAQS
What happens if you don’t clean your pellet grill?
If you don’t maintain the cleanliness of your pellet grill you will have issues with igniting, performance, and the taste of your food.
How to reset your Traeger after given the “Clean Grill” Notification?
After cleaning, navigate the main menu by selecting “Menu”, then “Settings”, then “Clear Notifications”.
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