Opening your BBQ grill for the first time of the season, only to find the inside covered in mold is highly frustrating. Mold can grow on food debris that fell through the grill cracks and wasn’t cleaned away. It can also grow if excess moisture built up on the inside and the grill wasn’t stored in a dry environment. Once you remove the mold and clean the grill, you’ll be on your way to enjoying a selection of barbecued foods.
Unhook the propane tube from the grill, if it has one.. Remove and discard any old charcoal by dumping it into a plastic garbage bag if the grill isn’t run on propane.
Remove the grate from the barbecue grill and use a wire grill brush to scrape away any accumulated mold and debris. Spray the grill with oven cleaner and put it into a garbage bag overnight for a more thorough cleaning. Remove it from the bag and spray it with a hose to remove the oven cleaner.
Clean the grill’s interior by spraying a solution of straight white vinegar throughout, which is non-toxic, kills the mold and disinfects. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub the mold away with a plastic brush, such as one used for cleaning dishes. Clean small spaces and holes, such as the ones in the heating element by inserting a pipe cleaner and moving it back and forth. Rinse the inside of the grill with a hose. Keep it open until it dries completely.
Re-hook the propane or load up with fresh charcoal depending on your grill type. Light the grill and run it on high for approximately one hour to burn away any mold spores and residue. Do not cook anything before completing this step.
Clean mold that formed on your grill's exterior, such as on the lid or around the control knobs by spraying with a solution of vinegar. Leave the solution on for 15 minutes and wipe away visible mold with a soft sponge.