My dad always says that if you prepare in advance when grilling, then you won’t have to spend hours cleaning up when the food is done. He always prepares the grates of his gas grill by oiling them, so the food doesn’t stick. I do the same, yet inevitably I end up having to scrub off residual food particles and other burnt-on gunk.
I have a liquid grill cleaner I use on heavy-duty jobs, but for standard clean ups I typically rely on the grill’s heat to eliminate stuck-on food. Simply remove any large pieces of food that may be left on the grates and then turn the grill on high and close the lid. Allow the grill to heat for about 20 minutes, and then open the lid and scrub it with a brush or balled tin foil. The latter option may require a bit of elbow grease, but if used correctly the balled foil can help save quite a bit of money in the long run.
Another way you can deal with a dirty gas grill is to place the grate between two wet newspapers, and then wrap it in plastic wrap. Let the wrapped grate sit outside overnight. When morning comes you will be shocked by how easy it is to remove the burnt-on gunk and debris left behind from your BBQ.
If you are still struggling to rid your gas grill of greasy stuck-on food, then wash the grate in a solution of white vinegar and water. You could also make a paste of baking soda and water and let it sit on the grate overnight. In the morning you should be able to wipe off any stains or residue leftover from your grill fest. Just remember to rinse off the baking soda paste really well so you aren’t left with residual white marks on your grate.