A common reason why BBQ grills don’t last as long as expected is because many people aren’t aware of how to clean their grill properly. Many times, it just boils down to being lazy if you don’t clean up your BBQ after each use.

Instead of scrubbing off the cooked-on food remnants on the grill, many of us take one look at the mess and decide that we can always do it tomorrow. Maybe you really intend to follow through, but it’s not always easy or convenient to actually do it. So we end up just putting away or covering up the dirty barbeque grill, complete with charred food remnants and pooled grease.

And before you know it, your barbeque gas grill simply isn’t working. And the real downside to these circumstances is the ultimate effect on the taste of your next piece of meat if the grill remains dirty.

Buying a new BBQ grill can be a costly purchase, so it’s important that you properly maintain the one you have so it lasts as long as possible. It’s actually not that difficult to clean the grill after each use. Really, you only need to scrub it down for a couple of minutes, leave it to dry, and then put it back.

Check out these simple ways to keep your barbeque clean and in top working order.

Your first task is to get rid of the bits of food that have been burned black while cooking and are sticking to the grill. Wait until the grill has completely cooled down and then scrub the inside with a stiff wire brush, preferably one made for this purpose. Clean the interior of the grill thoroughly. Don’t use soap or chemical products, since the remains of these products will enter into your food the next time you cook.

When cleaning the grate, first detach it from the BBQ and then give it a good wash with warm water and mild detergent. Avoid harsh chemicals and bleach as you clean up the burned bits that are stuck on the grill.

To remove stubborn food particles, soak the grate for a few minutes and then vigorously brush it to remove the charred bits of food. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any traces of soap. Then allow the grate to air dry before placing it back in the grill.

It’s a good idea to keep your barbeque grill covered or put away out of the elements so that it won’t start rusting.