Best Grill Cleaners In 2023
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Dirty grills aren't just unsightly, they can be dangerous to your health. This is because any food residue left on the grates will burn when you fire up your grill, creating carcinogenic compounds (via BBQ Island). Leftover food can also attract bacteria, potentially making you and your family sick. And if you think that heat is enough to destroy all nasties, think again. In many cases, flames won't get rid of 100% of germs, as explained by Real Simple.
From long-handled wire brushes to grill scrapers, there are hundreds of different gadgets that can help you get your grill in shape. However, whatever tools you use to clean your cooking equipment, there's one essential that shouldn't be overlooked, and that's a quality grill cleaner compound. Formulated to attack grime, grease, and carbon, grill cleaners minimize the time and effort you would normally have to put into cleaning your cooking appliances.
Ready to give your grimy grill a new lease on life? Check out our roundup of the best grill cleaners in 2023.
How we selected products
There's little doubt that the grill can add that special something to most meats and veggies. Unfortunately, grilling can be messy. It doesn't matter whether you're a seasoned grill master or a home chef, firing up a grill usually results in stains, splatter, and burnt-on grease. This is where a grill cleaner can help. Formulated to cut through stubborn residue, most grill cleaners are great at removing grimy messes not just from grates but also other appliances around your home and yard.
Since the market is saturated with grill cleaners, selecting the right one for your specific requirements can be overwhelming. Not to worry, however, because we have done the work for you. In our quest to bring you a list of the best grill cleaners in 2023, we spent hours researching the leading cleaning products on the market. We also consulted hundreds of expert and community reviews to ensure that each product lives up to the expectations set by the brand.
Best overall grill cleaner
No job is too tough for Weber grill grate cleaner. Suitable for all charcoal and gas grill interiors and grates, the spray makes easy work of removing grease and burnt-on crud. It can also be used to clean other cooking appliances such as microwaves, ovens, and smokers. Plus, the phosphate-free spray is non-toxic, non-flammable, and safe for both cooking surfaces and the skin.
Mike from 4thegrill tested the Weber grill grate cleaner on both stainless steel grill grates and porcelain-coated cast iron grates with impressive results, recommending the product for cleaning heavy gunk. Not all reviewers of the spray agree, however. According to the Pit Master's Choice, the Weber grill grate cleaner is a winner when it comes to cleaning light rather than heavy cooking grease, and is probably not the best option for stubborn built-up grease. Either way, it's the best choice for regular, day-to-day cleaning.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase the Weber grill grate cleaner from Amazon for $10.49 for a 16-ounce container.
Best budget grill cleaner
At just under $5 per container, Easy-Off BBQ cleaner is an absolute bargain. And unlike many other budget grill cleaners, it works. The aerosol spray removes burnt-on stains and grease without damaging your grill with scrubbing. All you have to do is spray it on, leave it for 40 minutes, and wipe down your appliance with a damp cloth. Easy-Off BBQ cleaner has been certified by the NSF.
The Easy Off BBQ cleaner has received 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 2,000 Amazon reviewers, with 63% of shoppers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. One happy customer says, "My stainless steel grill was a mess, but this product actually removed 90% of the gunk accumulated from 20 years of grilling." Another shopper agrees, saying that the cleaner "melts built-up grime like butter." This being said, one reviewer says that the product is only suitable for cleaning grill grates, not other surfaces, since it can remove paint and stain aluminum.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Easy-Off BBQ cleaner from Amazon for $4.49 for a 14.5-ounce container.
Best grill cleaner for a splurge
Specifically formulated to obliterate stubborn grease and carbon, Ecolab grease express high-temp grill cleaner promises to leave your grill sparkling clean. The heavy-duty cleaner can be used on hot grills, which means zero downtime. Plus, it removes grease in 60 seconds flat and doesn't require rinsing after use.
Overall, the Ecolab grease express high-temp grill cleaner has received favorable reviews from Amazon shoppers, with 4.4 out of 5 stars. One buyer says that the cleaner is "pricey but worth it," adding, "This stuff is like magic. Spread it on a hot griddle and in minutes all the crud scrapes right off." Another customer echoes this sentiment, commenting, "This is by far the absolute best grill cleaner we have ever used for our food truck!! It cut our grill cleaning time in half and it was so simple!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Ecolab grease express high-temp grill cleaner from Amazon for $33.75 for a 32-ounce container.
Best heavy-duty grill cleaner
Safe for use on stainless steel, ceramics, and porcelain, Zep heavy-duty oven and grill cleaner is a great investment. The restaurant-grade cleaner foams on contact to dissolve grease, carbon, and other kitchen nasties on appliances such as grills, drip pans, and burners. And as an added bonus, it can also be used to remove stubborn stains from your pots and pans.
The Zep heavy-duty oven and grill cleaner has been awarded an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by more than 900 Amazon shoppers, indicating that customers are generally satisfied with the product. One reviewer calls the spray a "barbecue cleaning game changer," elaborating, "Puts out a clingy foam that you leave on for 10 or so minutes ... Wipe away the residue and then rinse. .. Made my portable barbecue look almost brand new." On the downside, some shoppers complain that the container's spray nozzle blocks easily, making the cleaner tricky to use.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Zep heavy-duty oven and grill cleaner from Amazon for $26.95 for two 19-ounce containers.
Best powdered grill cleaner
Advertised as "tough enough to tackle a greasy grill grate, yet gentle enough to use on glass," Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser is ultra-versatile. It also works on a variety of non-porous surfaces including stainless steel, aluminum, chrome, bronze, ceramics, and even fiberglass. Simply wet the grimy surface, sprinkle on the formula, and rinse within 60 seconds. Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser is made in the U.S. using the brand's original formula from 1882.
Samantha Zabell from Reviewed was introduced to Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser by her mom. Today, she swears by the multi-purpose product, although she primarily uses it to clean her pots and pans. Stain Removal 101 refers to the powdered cleanser as one of the best-kept kitchen secrets. The platform points out that the product contains oxalic acid, a compound found in rhubarb, rather than harsh bleach or abrasives. It also highlights that the cleaner obliterates hard-to-remove stains without damaging countertops or stovetops.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser from Amazon for $7.24 for a 12-ounce container.
Best all-purpose grill cleaner
Not just tough on stains, grease, and grime, Simple Green Pro HD concentrated cleaner & degreaser also deodorizes. Plus, it's effective on a huge range of surfaces including kitchen appliances, industrial equipment, engines, floors, walls, and even vehicle exteriors. The cleaner comes in a concentrated form, which means that you need to mix one cup of the detergent with between three and thirteen cups of water depending on the level of cleaning required.
The Simple Green concentrated cleaner & degreaser has received top marks from Amazon shoppers who seem to be using it for a huge range of cleaning projects. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by more than 1,200 Amazon shoppers, the degreaser has received 5 out of 5 stars from 73% of reviewers. One buyer, who uses this cleaner in their restaurant kitchen, says, "It works so much better than other commercial products we have tried. Makes dirty jobs so much easier." Another customer, who uses the product for general cleaning, agrees, saying, "Awesome product, fast and simple application. Makes stains and crud disappear with minimal scrubbing."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Simple Green Pro HD concentrated cleaner & degreaser from Amazon for $29.99 for a 32-ounce container and one-gallon refill bottle.
Best natural grill cleaner
Ideal for the environment-conscious, Therapy Clean stainless steel cleaner is made with coconut oil and contains no nasty chemicals. The plant-based product is also USDA Certified BioBased and certified cruelty free. Specifically formulated for cleaning and polishing stainless steel surfaces, such as grills, the cleaner removes grime and leaves behind a protective coating to keep grates dirt-free.
After testing the Therapy Clean stainless steel cleaner on a number of home appliances, Reader's Digest declares that the product "lives up to the hype." The platform also highlights that the cleaner offers great value for money, with only a thin layer required to clean away stains with very little effort. The Mommie's Reviews echoes this sentiment, adding that the cleaner is effective at cleaning black appliances and comes with a light and fresh scent.
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Therapy Clean stainless steel cleaner from Amazon for $19.95 for a 16-ounce container.
Best grill cleaner wipes
Infused with vegetable oil, Grate Chef non-stick disposable grill wipes can be used to both clean and maintain grill grates. Once used for cleaning, the wipes leave behind a protective film of oil that prevents food from sticking to the grates and enhances grill marks. Made with natural cellulose-based fibers, the wipes are both non-toxic and biodegradable. Plus, they are formulated to adhere to grill brush bristles and can be used to remove debris from hot grills.
Grate Chef non-stick disposable grill wipes have garnered 4.6 out of 5 stars from Amazon shoppers, indicating that reviewers are generally happy with the product. One shopper says that the wipes are a huge improvement on paper towels and oil, adding, "They are strong and easy to use. I just preheat the grill, put one on my grill brush, and wipe the grate. It helps clean off the old food and oils the grate for the next meal." Another shopper agrees, saying, "I used these to clean my grill outside. Did a nice job. Didn't fall apart like paper towels."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Grate Chef non-stick disposable grill wipes from Amazon for $5.42 for six wipes.
Best multipack grill cleaner
If you're looking for great value, Diversey Beak-Up professional oven & grill cleaner pack has you covered. Formulated for industrial use, the Diversey cleaner is a powerhouse when it comes to removing grease and grime from flat-top grills, ovens, and vent hoods. Once sprayed on, the fast-acting formula clings to surfaces to loosen stubborn stains. The cleaner comes in aerosol containers that spray from an angle to let you reach even the tiniest nooks and crannies. Plus, it's NSF-listed and contains no CFCs.
The Diversey professional oven & grill cleaner has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 Amazon consumers, with 76% of reviewers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. One Amazon customer says that the cleaner delivers amazing results, elaborating, "Just bought a restaurant with several ovens that had been neglected. Used this product to remove years of carbon build-up. It worked so well, a cook asked if I had bought new ones!"
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Diversey Break-Up professional oven & grill cleaner pack from Amazon for $49.37 for six 19-ounce containers.
Best foaming grill cleaner
Just like its name suggests, Goo Gone grill and grate cleaner spray transforms grimy cooking appliances in a matter of minutes. Simply spray the cleaner on any offending surface, watch it foam up, and wipe the surface clean. The cleaner should be allowed to sit between three and five minutes for normal cleaning jobs and for up to an hour for deep cleaning, per the brand's website. The Goo Gone spray is not suitable for use on imitation stainless steel or aluminum.
Goo Gone grill and grate cleaner spray has received solid ratings on different platforms, including 9.3 out of 10 on Don't Waste Your Money, 7.4 out of 10 on Best Views Reviews, and 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon. While most Amazon shoppers say that the cleaner does work, some highlight that getting rid of baked-on residue using the product requires a little elbow grease. Perhaps one Amazon shopper sums this up best, saying, "Best cleaner I have found to use for that tough built-up grease. Soak the area you are cleaning well and then wait 5 minutes to give it time and then comes off with a little scrubbing."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase Goo Gone grill and grate cleaner spray from Amazon for $17.50 for two 24-ounce containers.
Best citrus-based grill cleaner
A great alternative to chemical grill cleaners, CitruSafe grill cleaning spray utilizes citrus, or more specifically d-Limonene, as a cleaning agent. The natural formula is non-toxic, non-flammable, phosphate-free, and biodegradable, making it one of the safer spray cleaners on the market. To make the most of the product, spray your grill with the cleaner, wait between one and three minutes, and wipe the appliance with a damp cloth.
CitruSafe grill cleaning spray has received solid ratings from shoppers, including 8.9 out of 10 on Don't Waste Your Money and 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon. One satisfied reviewer writes, "I had not cleaned my grill in a couple years, sprayed a liberal coating of CitruSafe on it, let it soak in for two minutes or so, and hit it with the wire brush. Looked almost brand new when I was done." Another customer agrees, saying, "It usually takes me three-four hours to clean the grill after a summer's use but with this product, I was done in just one hour. [...] There were no toxic fumes to breathe and it washed right off with spray from the hose."
At the time of this writing, you can purchase CitruSafe grill cleaning spray from Home Depot for $12.98 for a 23-ounce container.