True grillers respect the art of barbecue, and that includes a regular cleaning routine. That goes even more for Coyote grill owners who want to enjoy the luxury of one of the finest grill brands on the market celebration after celebration. Without proper maintenance, even the most reliable grill will underperform and can even affect the taste of your favorite grilled entrées.
Luckily, you learn how to clean grill grates for all Coyote grill models in this all-inclusive how-to guide. From gas to charcoal and everything in between, you’ll know how to clean a grill the correct way for seasons of enjoyment by the end of this article.
At a Glance:
Essentials Tools for Cleaning a Grill
When Should You Clean a Grill?
Tips for Cleaning Coyote Charcoal Grills
Tips for Cleaning Coyote Gas Grills
Tips for Cleaning Coyote Pellet Grills
Tips for Cleaning Coyote Electric Grills
Tips for Cleaning Coyote Smoker Grills
Basic Grill Cleaning Equipment
Having the right grill cleaning tools on hand is the first step to keeping your outdoor cooking appliance in tip-top shape. Here’s a list of what every master should have in their grill toolbox.
✓ A grill cover: Protect your Coyote grill from the elements.
✓ Wire brush: An essential for removing gunk from grates.
✓ High-heat oil: Used to season grates for a non-stick surface.
✓ Paper towel/Bar towel: Apply oil to grates and clean the exterior.
✓ Heat-resistant gloves: Save your hands from injury with grill gloves.
✓ Soap/cleaner/degreaser: Check your manual to see which works best for your grill.
✓ Garden hose: Equip a garden hose with a nozzle for high-pressure cleaning that removes residue fast.
Also nice to have:
- Dry vacuum: A shop vac is great for removing ashes from charcoal and pellet grills.
- Putty knife: Remove stubborn layers of ash and grease from surfaces with a putty knife.
- Grill brick: Learning how to use a grill stone cleaning block is a great tool for electric griddle grills, but it can also be used on standard grill grates.
When to Clean Grills
Grills perform their best when they’re given a proper cleaning prior to and after grilling, but it’s also important to deep-clean a grill at least once a year. Follow best practices by thoroughly cleaning the grates and interior of your Coyote BBQ at the beginning of the grilling season and once more when you plan to pack up your grill for winter.
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Outdoor LivingHow to Clean a Coyote Grills
Follow the tips below for full details on regular maintenance during the season, as well as how to care for your Coyote grill before and after long periods with and without use.
Cleaning a Coyote Charcoal Grill
For many grill fans, the aroma of a wood-burning barbecue marks the arrival of spring and cooking outdoors. Coyote charcoal grills deliver a high-end approach to the traditional grilling method with sleek presentations and powerful performance built for serious grill masters. For some, handling charcoal and its cleanup can be a hassle. For pitmasters who aren’t afraid of a little elbow grease, the payoff is an iconic, smoky flavor that only a charcoal grill can produce.
Here’s how to maintain your Coyote charcoal grill to enjoy the original grilling method season after season.
Basics Charcoal Grill Cleaning Tips
- To start, prepare your grill by igniting charcoal and covering the lid. Be patient: It may take a moment for charcoal briquettes to heat to full temperature, but once they do, all you need is 15 minutes to cook off any food residue.
- After 15 minutes, carefully scrape the grates with a wire brush to remove stuck-on debris. Once the grates are clean, apply a generous layer of vegetable oil to the surface using paper towels or a rag.
- After each session, make sure to clean the coal catch. This ensures your grill is safe to cook on, and it also prevents ash from accumulating around the vents, which can prevent proper ventilation, making it hard to regulate the heat of your grill.
Deep-Cleaning Tips for Charcoal Grills
- At the start and end of every grilling season, give your Coyote gas grill a thorough cleaning by removing the grill grates, soaking them in warm, soapy water, and scrubbing off any left-on food messes.
- With the grates removed, give the interior a good scrub with a bristle brush and soapy water. Be sure to avoid any areas made of ceramic or stainless steel.
- After scrubbing, wipe the surface of the interior.
Cleaning a Coyote Gas Grill
There are a few reasons why many traditional grillers are turning to alternative fuel sources and barbecuing on setups like this Coyote 28-inch freestanding gas grill. At the press of a button, total flame coverage ignites at an instance. There’s no dealing with lighting and fanning charcoal, cleaning up ashes after a grill session, or waiting for coals to get hot to start, so you can start preparing and enjoying grilled party favorites sooner.
The key is having a grill surface that is always ready for your next grill-off. Here’s how to clean gas grill surfaces, so they’re ready to rip for all your outdoor occasions.
Basics Gas Grill Cleaning Tips
- Start your grill routine by setting the burners to high and closing the grill canopy to allow any food residue lingering on the grates to cook away.
- After a few minutes, lift the grill hood and carefully pass a wire brush over the grates several times.
- Once the grates are free of debris, carefully pass a wad of paper towels or a bar towel saturated in oil over the grates. We recommend a high-heat oil such as peanut or vegetable; oils with lower smoke points like olive oil will burn.
Deep-Cleaning Tips for Gas Grills
Many Coyote gas grills like this built-in 50” hybrid grill feature heat control grids, usually located to the side and beneath the grills. Heat control grids should be washed periodically. The best time to wash the heat control grids is after grilling. Here’s how to clean Coyote heat control grids.
- Wait a moment for the surface to cool
- Using a grill mitt or glove, carefully remove the grid.
- Submerge in warm, soapy water and allow it to soak for a few minutes.
- Use a wire brush to remove burnt-on food messes.
- Dry completely with a clean towel and carefully replace it in its designated spot.
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Drip trays should also be cleaned after every grill session. When the drip tray is removed, it’s the perfect time to give the firebox a cleaning.
- Place a bucket or reservoir underneath the grease trap opening to catch debris that falls while cleaning.
- Next, use a mixture of soap and water and a clean grill brush to polish off any cooked-on food bits.
- Once clean, use a garden hose to thoroughly rinse away any leftover soap and food residue.
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Coyote gas grills feature Rapid Sear Burners made of ceramic. It’s important NOT to use an abrasive to clean the Rapid Sear Burners, which can cause irreparable damage to the components. Instead, Coyote recommends running the burner on its highest setting for a few minutes to burn off any grease or oil that may have accumulated in its mesh weaving.
What to Check Seasonally
Coyote grills are luxury outdoor appliances designed for years of barbecuing when properly maintained. Makes sure to inspect these areas at the beginning and end of every grilling season.
✓ Check that your Coyote gas grill has a properly working gas line by applying a soapy solution over the gas supply line and turning on the gas. If there are any cracks or leaks, bubbles will form, and you will need to replace the part.
✓ Give the firebox a deep clean. Place a bucket beneath the grease trap, spray the firebox with water, and scrub debris off with a warm, soapy solution. Once dry, apply vegetable oil on any surfaces that appear to be rusting.
✓ Inspect flame ports for clogs. To remove debris that’s settled into the iBurners, use a wire or bamboo skewer to gently dislodge the particles.
Cleaning a Coyote Pellet Grill
Pellet grills feature unique engineering comprised of an auger that feeds wood pellets into a heating element and an ash box to collect the soot. Depending on the model, the ash box may or may not be removable.
- If you have a pellet grill with a removable ash box, remove the container and empty the ashes once they’ve cooled. For a deep clean, use soapy water and a rag to clean the interior.
- If you have a pellet without a removable ash box, Coyote recommends using a shop vac to collect the used wood pellets.
Like their counterparts, Coyote pellet grills also need periodic grate cleanings before and after use. Keep in mind, stainless-steel grates should be cleaned with a soft towel, warm water, and soapy water only; do not use a wire brush since it will ruin the surface, causing foods to stick.
If your model uses cast-iron grates, perform cleaning as usual with a bristle brush followed by an application of oil.
Cleaning a Coyote Electric Grill
Short on space or unable to use a fire grill where you live? Then electric grills are a great option to consider. Unlike gas, charcoal, or pellet grills, electric models have no fuel byproduct, making them easier to maintain. There is a tradeoff, though.
Fats and juices that drip down from the grates don’t burn off as much as they do with a live flame. That means there’s more residue to tend to more often. Ideally, you’ll want to wipe down grease after unplugging an electric grill and allowing the drippings to cool.
Depending on the model, some electric grills feature removable surfaces, and others are even dishwasher-safe. Be sure to check the manual before using the dishwasher. Otherwise, a simple scrub with soap and warm water should be enough to remove grease.
While not always necessary, applying a coat of oil after cleaning and once the grates are hot before cooking will help season the surface to prevent foods from sticking.
Cleaning a Coyote Smoker Grill
Rule number one to cleaning a smoker grill is knowing the type of interior surface it uses. Many of these grills, like this Coyote Asado smoker use a ceramic lining, which should never be cleaned with an abrasive. Rule number two to maintaining your smoker grill is to skip lighter fluids — they will only absorb into the interior and give your food an off-flavor. However, smokers with a metal lining require a layer of oil to prevent the surface from oxidizing.
Besides these guidelines, cleaning a smoker is pretty simple. Once the unit and ashes have thoroughly cooled, empty the ash hopper. Basic maintenance will include routine checks for rust spots and touching them up with an application of oil.
Deep-Cleaning Tips for Smokers
At least once a year (better yet, once every spring and fall), you should give your smoker a deep wash to clean away ash and soot that collects on the walls of your smoker. Doing this prevents bad flavors from transferring into your food, as well as oil and moisture from rusting up the lining.
To deep-clean your smoker:
- Fill the coal tray with charcoal and ignite it; position vents to fully open.
- Let the smoker burn for as long as the fuel lasts; let the coals cool completely.
- Once cooled, empty the basket and allow the interior to completely dry.
- If your smoker is made of metal, use a wire brush to scrub away any baked-on bits and rust. If your smoker is ceramic, try to scrape reside away with a rubber spatula.
- Next, clean the inside with a mild detergent and spray it down with a hose.
- Let it fully dry before treating problem areas with a coating of oil.
Coyote Grill FAQs
To become a grill master, you need all the knowledge you can get. Our experts share some of the best tips from questions grillers like you are asking.
How do I get the black stuff off my Coyote grill?
The best way to prevent black buildup on your grill is to clean the grates when they’re hot before cooking and immediately after. For stubborn food residue, you can spray or apply white vinegar liberally on the grates and then follow up with a bristle brush. Tougher food particles may require a gentle cleaning agent like Bar Keeper’s Friend, but avoid using the cleaner on cast-iron grates.
Should you clean a BBQ grill after every use?
A BBQ grill should be cleaned before and after every use. The best way to clean grill grates is by allowing them to heat up with a closed grill hood. After 15 minutes, carefully scrub any residue off with a wire brush and coat the clean grill grates with a neutral oil.
Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
Oven cleaner should only be used on grates and should never be used on the interior of a grill. If possible, remove the grates and spray separately from the grill. This will prevent corrosion to the interior or any possibilities of flavor transfer.
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