How to Deep Clean and Care For Your Big Green Egg or Kamado Style Grill

The Big Green Egg is a popular ceramic charcoal grill that brings the joy of outdoor cooking to countless enthusiasts. To ensure optimal performance and longevity, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential so you can get out there and enjoy cooking for a lifetime.

In this guide, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to clean and maintain both the interior and exterior of your Big Green Egg, helping you keep it in pristine condition for years of delicious grilling. Are you looking to clean off mold? Check out our guide specific to removing mold from your grill.

Jump to:

• Preparing for Cleaning
• Supplies to Gather
• Cleaning the Interior of the Big Green Egg
• Gasket
• Cleaning the Exterior of a Big Green Egg
• Video Tutorial
• Regular Maintenance Tips for the Big Green Egg or Kamado Grills
• Where to Buy Cleaning Products
• Other Resources For the Big Green Egg
• How to Clean a Big Green Egg

Preparing for Cleaning

Before you begin the cleaning process, it’s important to have the right supplies. Be sure your Big Green Egg is cool and ideally outside. It may seem obvious, but this is because you don’t want ash and soot all over your garage.

Safety Note: Do not clean the Big Green Egg when it is hot or in use.

Supplies to Gather

All of these products will be available at a local Big Green Egg or BBQ Supply store near you.

• Ash Tool – We recommend the Big Green Egg version.
• Shop Vaccuum – We use the model provided in link. It is durable and lasts years.
• Aluminum Foil – We use a wad of foil to clean along the walls versus any wire bristle brush.
• Ash safe disposal bucket – You can get these at any tool box store or online.
• Mild Citrus Cleaner – This is to keep the shine on the exterior ceramic.
• Nonabrasive cleaner – This is for deeper stain removal.
• Microfiber cloth or soft towel – To be used when polishing and removing stains from the exterior.
• Paper Towels – Use for cleaning vent areas.

Prior to cleaning remove the grill grate and the ConvEGGtor plate (if you have one).

Cleaning the Interior of the Big Green Egg

Tools needed: Ash tool, shop vac, aluminum foil, paper towel, and ash safe disposal bucket

Cleaning the interior of your Big Green Egg is crucial to remove any built-up grease, residue, or ash that may affect its performance and impart unwanted flavors to your food.

1. Removing Ash and Charcoal – Start by removing any remaining charcoal and ash from the firebox using an ash tool or vacuum cleaner. This step ensures optimal airflow and efficient grilling. Discard ash every 3 cooks in an ash safe container. Note: If this is early in the year then scrub down the firebox and lid before vacuuming so the soot and creosote can fall into the firebox.
2. Scrubbing the Firebox and Grate – Use a wad of aluminum foil to scrub the firebox and grate. Remove any stubborn grease, creosote, or residue, paying extra attention to the areas surrounding the vents. We tend not to use any water or soap on the interior of the Egg.
3. Cleaning the Inner Wall – Wipe down the upper chamber of the Big Green Egg using a wad of aluminum foil. This helps remove any accumulated grease, and creosote which can fall onto cooking food.
4. Clearing the Vent Cap and Draft Door – Ensure the vent cap and draft door are free from debris or obstructions. Use a cloth or paper towels to clean these components, allowing for proper air circulation and temperature control during cooking.
5. Reassembling the Interior Components – After cleaning, reassemble the interior components, making sure everything is securely in place for your next grilling session.
6. Grill Grates – Clean grill grates using a non metal brush after every cook to avoid grease build up. We do this while the grill is still warm.
7. Gasket – The gasket is essential for maintaining a proper seal. Use a damp cloth to clean the gasket, removing any food particles or debris that may have accumulated. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the gasket.

When cleaning our grill grates throughout the season we use one of two products the Earth Stone Eco safe cleaning brick and the Grill Rescue grill cleaner.

Gasket

The gasket needs to be replaced every five years for an average user. To do this be sure to buy the right style of gasket that can handle the heat. Note that excessive heat can melt the adhesive or “blow” the gasket by causing holes in the gasket. Because the seal is no longer intact you must replace the gasket when this occurs. You know it’s blown when the adhesive has burned off or you see smoke escaping from the seal.

Cleaning the Exterior of a Big Green Egg

Tools: Stain remover, citrus stain cleaner, microfiber or non abrasive cloth, paper towels

Maintaining the exterior of your Big Green Egg not only enhances its appearance but also protects it from the elements and ensures its longevity.

• Removing Stubborn Stains and Grease – For stubborn stains or grease use the Big Green Egg exterior stain remover (Speediclean) or similar non abrasive cleaner (Simple Green). Apply in small areas and then use the microfiber cloth in small circular motions until the stain is removed.
• Spray and Wipe Down the Exterior Surfaces -Use a mild soapy detergent or citrus style grill cleaner to spray and clean the exterior. This helps remove any dust, dirt, or grime that may have accumulated and maintain a nice shine. Do NOT use stainless steel cleaner, bleach, or cleaner that isn’t safe on ceramic.

Video Tutorial

Regular Maintenance Tips for the Big Green Egg or Kamado Grills

1. Periodic Deep Cleaning – Conduct a deep cleaning of your Big Green Egg every three months to remove stubborn buildup and maintain its performance.
2. Protecting Your Big Green Egg – Use a grill cover or store your Big Green Egg in a sheltered area when not in use to protect it from the elements and prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
3. Clean The Grate After Every Cook – Be sure to have the right grate cleaner and clean the grate after every cook while the Egg is still warm.
4. Tighten Bolts – Once a year be sure to tighten the bolts and brackets to keep a tight fit. Use a lubricant on the springs and screws that open and close if the Egg starts tos squeak when you open.

Cleaning and maintaining your Big Green Egg is vital for ensuring exceptional cooking experiences and preserving the longevity of this beloved grill. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you can keep the interior and exterior of your Big Green Egg in top-notch condition, ready to deliver mouthwatering meals for years to come. Remember, a well-maintained Big Green Egg is the gateway to endless culinary possibilities. Happy grilling!

Where to Buy Cleaning Products

Your local Big Green Egg Dealers will have all the cleaning tools and replacement gaskets you need. You can search for your local dealer or visit your local BBQ supply store. You can also purchase directly from Big Green Egg.

Alternatively you can purchase some of these products from Amazon.

Other Resources For the Big Green Egg

You can browse all of our grilling and BBQ recipes or from some of our resources below.

• Pizza – Learn how to grill pizza on a BGE using the convEGGtor plate and a pizza stone.
• Cleaning Mold – Watch our tutorial on how to remove mold from your kamado grill with a high heat burn.

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Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.

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