A good brush handles the daily scrape, but it won’t shift the grease that builds up on grates, lids and drip pans. That is the job of a grill cleaner, and these sprays are not all alike. Some are written for grates, some for the cookbox, and one for the outside only. Your grates also touch your food, so the steps on the label matter as much as the strength.
This guide covers eight cleaners from named makers, from a citrus spray to a no-drip gel. For each one we say which surfaces it names, what to avoid, and whether to rinse. We have not used these products ourselves.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, maker instructions, product listings and published reviews, which we name where we use them.
Quick verdict: the best grill cleaner for most grills
Start with Citrusafe BBQ Grill Cleaner, the top pick in Bob Vila’s 2026 test, for regular cleaning on a cool grill. If grates are your main concern, choose the Weber Grill Grate Cleaner. For heavier grease, use Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner and rinse it well.
Follow the label on your bottle, especially on rinsing. Any cleaner that goes on a cooking surface should be used exactly as its maker says.
Five grill cleaners side by side
Five of the eight, one for each kind of job. All eight are described in full below.
| Cleaner | Best for | Format | Key limit | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Citrusafe BBQ Grill Cleaner Spray, 16 ozBest overall
|
Regular cleaning on most grills | Spray, 16 oz | Cool grill only | View on Amazon |
Weber Grill Grate Cleaner, 16 ozBest for grates
|
Stainless and porcelain-enameled grates | Spray, 16 oz | Wait 30 seconds, then rinse | View on Amazon |
Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner, 24 ozBest fast-acting
|
Frequent grillers with heavy grease | Gel spray, 24 oz | Cool grill; rinse well | View on Amazon |
CLR Grill Cleaner and Degreaser, 26 ozBest large bottle
|
Whole-grill cleaning | Foaming trigger, 26 oz | Gloves; rinse thoroughly | View on Amazon |
Weber Exterior Grill Cleaner SprayBest for exteriors
|
Lids, side tables and cookbox exteriors | Spray | Exterior surfaces only | View on Amazon |
Details come from maker pages, Amazon listings and named reviews. Labels change, so the bottle in your hand has the last word.
Our picks for the best grill cleaner
The first three have the strongest review support. The rest cover big jobs, tough grease, upright surfaces, smokers and the outside of the grill.
1. Citrusafe BBQ Grill Cleaner Spray, 16 oz – Citrus Degreaser for Regular Cleaning
Citrusafe is the cleaner most grill owners should try first. Bob Vila’s 2026 review named it best overall, praised its pleasant orange scent, and said it cuts through moderate grease on the grates.
Its cleaning power comes from d-limonene, a citrus-based degreaser. The listing names gas, charcoal and pellet grills, smokers, griddles and grates. Apply it to a cool surface only, wait about a minute, scrub with a heavy-duty grill scrubber or non-wire brush, and wipe the grates with a damp paper towel.
It has limits. Bob Vila’s reviewers say it may struggle with tough, stuck-on grime, and a heavily soiled grill can use up a whole bottle. The scrubber is sold separately. Let a first layer soak, wipe, then make a second pass.
Why we like it
- Bob Vila’s best overall for 2026
- Maker gives simple one-minute directions
- Works across gas, charcoal and pellet grills, per the listing
- Made in the USA, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 3100025 |
|---|---|
| Size | 16 oz |
| Format | Spray bottle |
| Surfaces named | Gas, charcoal and pellet grills, smokers, griddles, grates |
| Avoid | Hot grills |
| Grill temperature | Cool only |
| Wait time | About 1 minute |
| Finish | Scrub, then wipe with a damp paper towel |
Why we recommend it
This suits someone who cleans the grill every few cooks and likes a mild citrus scent over a chemical one.
Skip it if the grill has seasons of carbon on it. Reviewers say tough grime can beat it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Top pick in a 2026 tested review
- Short wait
- Pleasant scent, per reviewers
Cons
- Struggles with heavy buildup
- Scrubber sold separately
- Sold by a third-party seller on Amazon at last check
2. Weber Grill Grate Cleaner, 16 oz – Made for Cooking Grates
Weber’s spray is the plain choice for the part that touches your food. The listing says it was engineered for cooking grates, including stainless steel and porcelain-enameled cast iron. It also calls the formula non-flammable, non-corrosive and free of phosphates. Bob Vila’s reviewers named it best for grill grates.
Weber’s own guidance is simple. Let the grill cool, brush off loose food, spray and let it sit for 30 seconds, scrub with the abrasive side of a sponge, rinse with water and let it dry. Weber warns against splashing water on burner tubes, so take the grates out to rinse them. Shake the bottle before each use.
Burned-on messes can still resist it. Bob Vila’s reviewers say a scrub brush may be needed for very tough grime. The listing also names smokers, ovens and microwaves, though the grates are where it earns its place.
Why we like it
- Bob Vila’s best for grill grates
- Weber names the grate types it suits
- A 30-second wait suits a quick clean
- Listed as non-flammable and non-corrosive
Key specifications
| Model | 8027 |
|---|---|
| Size | 16 oz |
| Format | Spray bottle |
| Surfaces named | Stainless and porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, smokers, ovens, microwaves |
| Avoid | Burner tubes when rinsing |
| Grill temperature | Cool, per Weber’s care pages |
| Wait time | 30 seconds |
| Finish | Scrub, rinse with water, dry |
Why we recommend it
This suits a Weber owner, or anyone who wants a cleaner written for grates and clear steps from a grill maker.
Skip it if you want a foam that clings to the lid and cookbox. This is a grate-focused spray.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear steps from a grill maker
- Quick wait
- No strong smell, per reviewers
Cons
- Very tough grime may resist it
- Needs a sponge or brush
- Grates should come out to rinse
3. Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner, 24 oz – Fast Work on Heavy Grease
Goo Gone calls this a super-strength gel, and it is one of the better documented sprays here. Bob Vila’s reviewers rated it best fast-acting and called it a great heavy-duty cleaner for keen cooks. Carnivore Style said it removed most of the dirt from their grill with little effort.
The listing names metals, cooking grates and racks, drip pans, and grill interiors and exteriors, and Goo Gone says it is safe on food-prep surfaces and biodegradable. It is not for aluminum or faux stainless steel, and a retail listing adds painted metals. The grill should be off and cool to the touch.
Rinse it well. Bob Vila’s reviewers say that if you don’t rinse grates and interiors, the smell becomes noticeable as the grill heats up. They also warn that it may irritate eyes and that the spray bottle can clog.
Why we like it
- Named best fast-acting by Bob Vila’s reviewers
- Two independent reviews support it
- Larger bottle than the sprays above
Key specifications
| Model | 2045A |
|---|---|
| Size | 24 oz |
| Format | Gel spray |
| Surfaces named | Metals, grates, racks, drip pans, grill interiors and exteriors |
| Avoid | Aluminum, faux stainless steel, painted metals |
| Grill temperature | Off and cool |
| Wait time | Not stated |
| Finish | Rinse grates and interiors |
Why we recommend it
This suits a grill that sees heavy use and heavy grease, when you have a hose nearby to rinse it properly.
Skip it if your grill has aluminum or painted parts you can’t keep it away from.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong reviews for speed
- Reaches corners, per Carnivore Style
- Generous size
Cons
- May irritate eyes, per reviewers
- Thin formula, per Carnivore Style
- Bottle can clog
4. CLR Grill Cleaner and Degreaser, 26 oz – Foaming Trigger for Inside and Out
CLR’s foaming trigger is the biggest bottle in this guide, and the listing sets out the surfaces clearly: stainless steel, steel and porcelain enamel. It says the spray works on the inside and outside of a grill, smoker or deep fryer.
The directions are the sort we like, because they tell you what to do with your hands. Wear rubber gloves and test a small area. Brush off loose charred deposits, spray at full strength and let it soak for 1 to 5 minutes, clean with a brush until the stain loosens, then rinse thoroughly with cool, clean water.
The listing does not say whether the grill should be cool, so let it cool first. This pick rests on the listing and maker details. It was not among the products in the reviews we read in full.
Why we like it
- Largest bottle here
- Clear soak and rinse directions
- Named surfaces inside and out
Key specifications
| Model | PB-BBQ-26 |
|---|---|
| Size | 26 oz |
| Format | Foaming trigger spray |
| Surfaces named | Stainless steel, steel, porcelain enamel; grills, smokers, deep fryers |
| Avoid | Not stated; test a small area first |
| Grill temperature | Not stated |
| Wait time | 1 to 5 minutes |
| Finish | Brush, rinse thoroughly with cool water |
Why we recommend it
This suits a full clean of a large grill or smoker, where a small bottle would run out.
Skip it if you want a no-rinse wipe. CLR’s method ends with a thorough rinse.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good volume
- Short soak
- Foam works inside and out
Cons
- Gloves required by the directions
- Needs brushing and rinsing
- Rests on the listing, not a test
5. Parker and Bailey BBQ Grill Cleaner and Degreaser, 24 oz – Breaks Up Baked-On Food
Parker and Bailey earned its place through reviews from two sources. Bob Vila’s reviewers named it best for grease and said it breaks up baked-on food, grit and burned scraps quickly. Carnivore Style ranked it best for grill grates, though it found burnt-on messes still take real effort.
The listing names inside and outside grill surfaces, grates, drip pans, microwaves and grill tools. It also says the formula is phosphate free and safe for food prep surfaces, and that you can rinse with water as needed for a clean shine.
Bob Vila’s reviewers warn that it can cause eye irritation and that it leaves streaks on shiny metal unless you rinse with water and dry it. Keep it off your face when you spray, and read the label for temperature, since the listing does not state one.
Why we like it
- Named best for grease by Bob Vila’s reviewers
- Also covered by Carnivore Style
- Works on tools and drip pans as well
Key specifications
| Model | 655249 |
|---|---|
| Size | 24 oz |
| Format | Spray bottle |
| Surfaces named | Grill interiors and exteriors, grates, drip pans, tools, microwaves |
| Avoid | Not stated |
| Grill temperature | Not stated |
| Wait time | Not stated |
| Finish | Wipe; rinse and dry on shiny metal |
Why we recommend it
This suits a grill with stubborn grease where one bottle should also handle the tools and drip pan.
Skip it if your grill is polished stainless and you don’t want to rinse and dry it. It can streak.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast on baked-on food, per reviewers
- Multi-surface
- Sold by the maker on Amazon at last check
Cons
- Can irritate eyes
- Streaks on shiny metal
- Temperature and wait not stated on the listing
6. Kona Safe/Clean Grill Cleaner Spray, 23 oz – No-Drip Gel That Clings
Kona is a small US brand, and we include it because independent reviewers covered it. Bob Vila’s 2026 grill review listed it as best natural, and called it practically odorless and fume-free. The no-drip gel stays on hoods and other upright surfaces.
The listing says to clean while the grill is cool, spray on, wait 10 to 30 minutes, brush or scour, then wipe or rinse. Bob Vila’s reviewers say baked-on food needs about 20 minutes. The listing names grates, hoods, stainless steel, glass and wheels, along with smokers, ovens, microwaves, toasters and air fryers.
Set your expectations by the wait. In a separate oven cleaner test, Bob Vila’s reviewers found Kona’s spray easily cut light grease but could not get through deep buildup without heavy scrubbing.
Why we like it
- Covered in Bob Vila’s 2026 review
- Gel clings without dripping, per the listing
- Water-based and biodegradable, per reviewers
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Size | 23 oz |
| Format | Gel spray |
| Surfaces named | Grates, hoods, stainless steel, glass, wheels, smokers, ovens, air fryers |
| Avoid | Not stated |
| Grill temperature | Cool, per the listing |
| Wait time | 10 to 30 minutes |
| Finish | Brush or scour, then wipe or rinse |
Why we recommend it
This suits someone who dislikes strong smells and is happy to leave a gel working while doing something else.
Skip it if you need heavy carbon gone with little scrubbing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nearly odorless, per reviewers
- Stays on upright surfaces
- Wide surface list
Cons
- Long wait
- Needs a brush or scouring pad on baked-on food
- Weak on deep buildup, per reviewers
7. Pit Boss Grill and Smoker Foaming Cleaner and Degreaser, 18 oz – Foam for Pellet Grills and Smokers
Pit Boss makes pellet grills, so it knows the mess they make. Its foam is sold for stainless steel and enameled surfaces on grills, smokers, ovens and microwaves, inside and out, and the maker describes it as clinging to vertical surfaces instead of running off.
The listing suggests using it every 9 to 10 grilling sessions, which is a useful rhythm for any grill. It gives no steps. Directions for Pit Boss’s older degreaser were to spray, let it soak in, then wipe and rinse, but that is a different bottle, so go by the label on yours.
We found no independent review that tests this foam, so this pick rests on the listing and maker details.
Why we like it
- From a grill maker
- A clear every 9 to 10 sessions rhythm
- Foam suits smoker walls, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | 41076 |
|---|---|
| Size | 18 oz |
| Format | Foam |
| Surfaces named | Stainless and enameled surfaces on grills, smokers, ovens, microwaves |
| Avoid | Not stated |
| Grill temperature | Not stated |
| Wait time | Not stated |
| Finish | Follow the label |
Why we recommend it
This suits a pellet grill or smoker owner who wants the maker’s own cleaner for the cookbox.
Skip it if you want tested results or detailed directions before buying.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Foam clings to upright surfaces
- Covers inside and outside
- Sensible cleaning rhythm
Cons
- No independent test found
- Steps are not on the listing
- Fewer surfaces named than some rivals
8. Weber Exterior Grill Cleaner Spray – Streak-Free Finish for the Outside
This one stays off the grates. Weber’s exterior spray is for the outside of the grill, and the listing says it removes water spots, grease and grime with a streak-free finish on painted steel, stainless steel and porcelain enamel.
It is easy to use with a sponge, towel or high-quality paper towel, and it suits a quick wipe after a cook. Pair it with a grate cleaner rather than expecting one bottle to do both jobs. Bob Vila’s reviewers make a similar split, treating exterior cleaners as a separate category.
The listing gives no size and no wait time, and we did not find a test of this spray. Weber is an established grill maker, so this pick rests on the listing and maker details.
Why we like it
- Names painted steel, which many degreasers exclude
- Streak-free, per the listing
- Simple wipe-on use
Key specifications
| Model | 8028 |
|---|---|
| Size | Not stated |
| Format | Spray |
| Surfaces named | Exterior painted steel, stainless steel, porcelain enamel |
| Avoid | Cooking grates: this is an exterior product |
| Grill temperature | Not stated |
| Wait time | Not stated |
| Finish | Wipe with a sponge, towel or paper towel |
Why we recommend it
This suits a painted or porcelain grill that needs a tidy finish, since several cleaners here rule out painted metal.
Skip it if you only want one bottle. It won’t clean your grates.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Names painted steel and porcelain enamel
- Quick to use
- Pairs with Weber’s grate spray
Cons
- Exterior only
- Size not stated on the listing
- No independent test found
How to choose a grill cleaner
Match the cleaner to the part
Grates, cookbox and exterior are three different jobs. Weber’s two sprays show the split: one is written for cooking grates, the other for outside surfaces. A foam or gel suits lids and walls because it stays put.
Check your grill’s material
Read the exclusions first. Goo Gone rules out aluminum, faux stainless steel and painted metals. Weber’s grate spray names stainless steel and porcelain-enameled cast iron. Our gas grill grates guide explains which material you are likely to have.
Let the grill cool
Citrusafe, Goo Gone, Kona and Weber’s care pages all point to a cool grill. Where a listing doesn’t say, let it cool anyway.
Follow the rinse step
Weber says to rinse, and so do CLR and Goo Gone’s reviewers. Citrusafe’s directions end with a damp paper towel. Whichever you buy, do what its label says before you cook on those grates again, and keep water off burner tubes.
Choose your scrubber
A cleaner loosens grime, and you still have to move it. Citrusafe’s directions ask for a non-wire brush or scrubber, so see our gas grill brush guide. Flat griddle owners should look at a griddle scraper too.
How we picked these eight cleaners
We have not used these products ourselves. We started with Amazon listings and kept only plain in-stock items from named makers with a new lead offer. We then read Bob Vila’s 2026 grill cleaner test and Carnivore Style’s roundup, which describes each trial only in general terms. Maker details come from Amazon listings and from Weber’s care pages. Bob Vila’s test covers Citrusafe, Weber’s grate spray, Goo Gone, Parker and Bailey and Kona, and Carnivore Style also covers Goo Gone and Parker and Bailey. CLR, Pit Boss and Weber’s exterior spray rest on the listing and maker details.
Some products are missing on purpose. We left out Kingsford’s foam because we could not find its directions or ingredients from the maker, and because Carnivore Style reported strong fumes. Easy-Off’s oven and grill foam was offered mainly as a case of cans, and Bob Vila warns that Easy-Off’s BBQ foam can damage stainless steel and painted grill bodies. Zep’s oven and grill foam stayed out because a related Zep oven foam carries a California Proposition 65 notice and we could not read the safety data sheet for this one. We also left out small brands with no independent review, since these products go on a cooking surface. Grill brushes are covered in their own guide.
Grill cleaner questions, answered
What is the best grill cleaner spray?
Citrusafe for regular cleaning, and Weber’s grate spray if you want a cleaner written for cooking grates. Both are backed by Bob Vila’s 2026 test.
Is grill cleaner safe on cooking grates?
Use only a cleaner whose maker names cooking grates, and follow its rinse or wipe step exactly. Weber’s exterior spray, for example, isn’t meant for them.
Should I clean a grill hot or cold?
Go by the label. Citrusafe and Goo Gone both call for a cool grill, and Weber’s care pages say to wait until it has cooled.
How often should I deep clean a grill?
Pit Boss suggests its foam every 9 to 10 grilling sessions, which is a sensible rhythm. Grill more often and you may want to clean sooner.
Can I use oven cleaner on a grill?
Only if the label names grills and your grill’s materials. Some oven foams do, but Bob Vila warns that one strong foam can damage stainless steel and painted grill bodies, so a grill-specific cleaner is the easier choice.
Our final pick for a cleaner grill
Buy Citrusafe for routine cleaning, and add Weber’s exterior spray if the lid needs it. Once the grill is clean, a good gas grill cover keeps it that way for longer.
And if you would rather skip the scrubbing tonight, see the menu or call to order.