I put my grill away dirty last fall and paid for it all spring. The first cook of the season tasted like last year’s burgers, and the grease buildup started a small flare-up that singed my arm hair. Not my finest moment.

Do not do that. Deep clean the grill before winter and next spring is just a light wipe.

Why fall is the time

Cold weather sets grease and grime like concrete. A grill left dirty all winter develops rust, clogged burners, and smells that do not cook out. Cleaning it when the weather is still decent takes half the effort.

The deep clean

1. Burn off leftover residue by running the grill hot for 15 minutes.
2. Scrub the grates with a wire brush while they are warm.
3. Remove the grates and clean the burner covers and drip tray.
4. Wipe the inside of the lid and body with soapy water.
5. Cover it once everything is dry.

What I skipped that I should not have

The drip tray. I ignored mine for a season and it turned into a solid brick of grease. If your grill has a removable tray, dump and wash it every few cooks, and definitely before storage.

Gas vs charcoal

For gas grills, check the burner tubes for clogs and spider webs. For charcoal, empty the ash completely. Ash absorbs moisture and rusts the bowl over winter.

An hour of work in October saved me a new grill. That is a trade I will take every time.