We cook a lot on our Big Green Egg and now the time has come to dome some cleaning. The key to a long-lasting grill is regular cleaning and maintenance.
How To Clean A Big Green Egg
This keeps your grill free from buildup, grease and allows you to keep an eye on the condition of your grill from top to bottom. Today’s focus will be on a large Big Green Egg.
Cleaning Tips:
When to clean your grill
I DEEP clean mine every 3-5 cooks, more often if I’m cooking higher fat foods
Steps to clean your Big Green Egg
Make sure grill is cool and there are no embers remaining. Keep the lower screen and flap closed to prevent any ash from falling out while cleaning
Open your Big Green Egg and using a grill brush clean the grill grates top side and bottom side
Remove the grates and set aside
Remove any unburned charcoal and clean out until the fire grate is fully exposed
Asses the amount of soot or particulate on the inside of the dome and on the top of the fire ring
Lightly scrape with the paint tool or light brush
Do NOT clean to a brand new look, leave it well seasoned and focus on removing any buildup
Use the paint tool to get around the edges of the grill and into the ledges on the fire ring
Push all crumbs into the bottom of the Big Green Egg
Remove the fire ring and scrub the inside and outside to remove any stuck on food bits or bbq crumbs
Remove the fire grate and push any remaining bbq crumbs into the fire pit
Remove the fire bowl carefully and asses any cleaning needs, set aside
Remove any final large chunks of charcoal leaving only ash behind
Using the Vacuum clean out ALL of the ash and crumbs inside the grill
Open the front screen and flaps and vacuum out the channels
INSPECT ALL BGE PARTS FOR ANY CRACKS OR DAMAGE PRIOR TO REBUILDING THE GRILL
INSPECT ALL BGE NUTS, BOLTS SPRINGS, ETC FOR ANY ADJUSTMENT NEEDS
INSPECT THE REGGULATOR FOR ANY CLEANING NEEDS
Verify inside OF THE EGG is clean and all parts/bolts are tight and everything is in working order
Rebuild the grill from the bottom up starting with the Fire Bowl, Fire Grate, Fire Ring, and top grate
Refill with fresh or recycled lump charcoal if using, or leave empty until the next cook
Using Simple Green or Traeger Grill cleaner, spray exterior of Egg as heavy as needed, allow to soak for 1 minute and wipe down the grill from top to bottom. Spot clean again if heavier cleaning is needed. I wipe down the sides of the grill and modular nest as well
Grills / Grill Gear Used:
GrillMark Grill Brush Ace SKU – 8533739
Ace Hardware 6-1 Paint Tool Ace SKU – 1204973
Craftsman 2.5 gal Shop Vac Ace SKU - 2305696
Traeger Grill cleaner spray Ace SKU – 8687048
Simple Green Cleaner Ace SKU -
HD Shop Towels Ace SKU - 1206994
Published on 3/9/2023
Always follow manufacturer's instructions before using any product.
These “How-To’s” are provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in Ace Hardware’s “how-to” videos and/or articles is intended to provide general guidelines for projects in and outside of your home. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes, local regulations are continually changing. Ace Hardware assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein and disclaims any liability for the omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. It is the responsibility of the viewer to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project and the product being used. The viewer must always take proper safety precautions and exercise caution when taking on any project or using materials of said project. If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts regarding any element of what is displayed in the videos and/or articles, contact a licensed professional.