Article by Maloree Murphy 

A guide to help dad have a cleaner grill and one unforgettable recipe. 

Every dad has his setup. Maybe it's a gas grill that's seen a decade of Sunday afternoons. Maybe it's a charcoal kettle he swears by, or a Traeger he researched for three months before buying. Whatever it is, it deserves a good cleaning and a recipe that does it justice. We've got both.  

Grill Cleaning Tips and Tricks  

 Gas Grill 

• Burn it clean: Crank all burners to high for 15 minutes with the lid closed. This turns leftover residue to ash you can simply brush away. 
• Brush while warm: Use a bristle-free grill brush on the grates right after the burn-off. 
• Don't forget the drip tray: Pull it out, dump the grease, and wipe it down. A neglected drip tray is the number one cause of dangerous flare-ups. 
• Clear the burner ports: Remove the burner covers and sweep out any clogged ports with a dry brush. A toothpick handles the stubborn spots. 

Charcoal Grill 

• Wait 48 hours: Ash stays hot longer than you think. Let everything cool completely before handling and always dump into a metal container, never plastic. 
• Brush after every cook: While the grates are still slightly warm, a quick scrub removes most of the buildup with almost no effort. 
• Deep clean: Soak grates in warm soapy water for 30 minutes, scrub the interior walls, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely to prevent rust. 
• Keep the vents clear: Top and bottom vents clogged with ash starve your fire of oxygen. Check them every single cook. 

Traeger & Pellet Smokers 

• Shop vac is your best friend: Use a dedicated shop vac, never a household vacuum, to clear ash from the fire pot.  
• Watch the grease drain: Wipe down the drain tube and swap out the drip bucket liner.  
• Protect the probe: Clean the meat probe only with a damp cloth, and never submerge it.  
• Check for pellet clumps: Inspect the auger area for swollen or jammed pellets.  
• Season after cleaning: Lightly oil the grates and run a short heat cycle after every full clean to re-season before the next cookout. 

Originally printed in the June 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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