A couple weeks ago, my husband and I were invited to dinner by our friends who enjoy grilling delicious dinners. This one promised to be outstanding.

The Grill Master started up the grill to preheat when suddenly the grill combusted. The lid blew open, oxygen mixed with the heat and the pellets caught fire. The evening of gathering around the grill was getting exciting. The pellets turned to ash or crispy chunks. The grill was out of commission; at least for the time being.

The importance of keeping your grill clean cannot be emphasized enough. A clean grill gives you a better cooking experience; reducing the risk of fire, your grill will heat up faster and your food will taste better.

Grates should be scraped down after every use while still warm.

Deep cleaning is recommended after 20 to 24 hours of cooking.

Deep cleaning your grill is done while the grill is cooled.

Scrape residue from the grill grate and walls onto the drip tray liner.

Remove interior parts

Vacuum out your grill, especially the fire pot.

Degrease and clean the interior and parts. Let degreaser, Traeger All-Natural Cleaner, sit for 10 minutes so grease will just wipe away.

Use disposable drip tray and bucket liners to maintain a cleaner grill.

Reassemble your grill, add pellets and to hopper and you are good to grill.

Most importantly, never and I mean NEVER vacuum out your grill while the pellets are warm unless you want red lights and flashing lights in your driveway. But that is another story…….