Cooking and grilling on a clean barbecue gas grill is fun: cleaning up after the cooking is done is not fun. However, it is not fun nor good practice to cook on a dirty grill. Like all appliances - your grill needs to be cared for in order to function properly and efficiently.

Since most grills are stored outside there is a tendency to get dirty even when the grill is not being used. First and foremost - you should have a cover for the grill that is placed over the clean barbecue gas grill when it is not being used. A cover will prevent rain from reaching most parts of your gas grill. It is very easy to remove the grill cover when you are going to use the gas grill. Do not attempt to put the cover back on when the grill is hot, let the grill cool first.

Cleaning portions of your grill after each use is required. There are other portions which need to be cleaned on an as needed basis depending mostly upon usage.

Every-time you use the gas grill the cooking grates should be cleaned. The best time is immediately after you have removed the food from the grates. Turn the grill burners on the highest heat setting and close the hood. After about 15 minutes, brush the cooking grates with a brass wire brush and shut off the heat. Brushing the grates will clean off any residue and make them ready for your next usage of your clean barbecue gas grill.

You should also wipe clean all exposed areas of the grill (working surfaces, shelves, hood, and every-time before you replace the cover. On an as needed basis or at least each season, change the grease pan liner and/or sand. Do not refill if you are storing the grill and will not use for a few months. Refill when the clean barbecue gas grill is brought out of storage.

Periodically, clean the warming racks using a fine steel wool pad with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly as you do not want any soap to remain on the warming racks. Also remove any stains from the grill cover/hood using the fine steel wool pad with the warm soapy water. Again, rinse thoroughly.

Remove the cooking grates every 5 - 10 uses and depending upon the brand grill, brush the steel diffuser heat bars above the burners. If your grill has lava stone or ceramic briquettes, move and shake the stone or briquettes to remove any pockets of grease accumulation. The lava stone or ceramic briquettes should be replaced periodically. The lava stones tend to absorb the juices and grease. They will tend to flame more rather than create evenly distributed heat.

There is no need to clean the burners. However, every few years the burners should be replace.  By applying the maintenance cleaning tasks listed above regularly on your gas grill, your gas grill will perform better and last a long time.