- Conventional grill cleaners are among the most toxic cleaning products commonly used around the home.
- You can DIY an effective, natural grill cleaner that works using baking soda and a few other household ingredients.
- Below are the top non-toxic grill cleaner options I researched:
- Branch Basics (a versatile, hardworking all-purpose cleaner)
- AFM Super Clean (best for chemically sensitive users)
- Non-toxic dish soap (effective degreaser you likely already have)
- Simple Green (heavy-duty option when you need more power)
What This Guide Covers:
- Many Conventional Grill Cleaners Contain Potentially Harmful Chemicals
- You Can Clean Your Grill Grates Naturally With Simple DIY Solutions Or Non-Toxic Store-Bought Options
- 4 Non-Toxic Homemade Grill Degreaser Recipes Using Baking Soda
- The 4 Best Non-Toxic BBQ and Grill Cleaners
This guide includes product suggestions; some links may provide compensation. Recommendations are made in good faith.
Many Conventional Grill Cleaners Contain Potentially Harmful Chemicals
Many store-bought grill cleaners contain strong chemicals that can be hazardous to health and corrosive to surfaces. Common problematic ingredients include:
- Sodium hydroxide (also called lye or caustic soda): a highly corrosive substance that can cause chemical burns, tissue damage, and respiratory irritation.
- Ammonia: can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs and may trigger coughing or breathing difficulty with significant exposure.
- Petroleum distillates: may cause skin and eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
- Ethanolamines: used as emulsifiers and fragrances; some forms are listed as probable carcinogens and have been associated with reproductive and other organ damage in some studies.
- Undisclosed or vague “fragrance” and “cleaning agents”: these can hide endocrine disruptors or other concerning compounds.
You Can Clean Your Grill Grates Naturally With Simple DIY Solutions Or Non-Toxic Store-Bought Options
The good news is you don’t need harsh chemicals to get a clean grill. Simple homemade solutions using baking soda, vinegar, lemon, or mild dish soap remove grease and baked-on food effectively. For those who prefer ready-made products, several non-toxic cleaners on the market are safer alternatives to conventional options.
4 Non-Toxic Homemade Grill Degreaser Recipes Using Baking Soda:
These four recipes use baking soda plus common household ingredients. They’re inexpensive, easy, and safe for most grill surfaces when used and rinsed properly.
Basic tools you’ll need: a bowl or container, rags or paper towels, a grill brush or crumpled aluminum foil for scrubbing, and a towel for drying.
Recipe #1: Baking soda and water paste
Simple and effective: baking soda plus water makes a gentle abrasive paste.
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Water
- Bowl or container
- Rag, paper towel, or basting brush
- Grill brush or aluminum foil
- Towel to dry
What to do:
1. Mix equal parts baking soda and water into a thick paste.
2. Apply to cool grill grates so the paste covers the surface.
3. Let it sit about 15 minutes to loosen grime.
4. Scrub with a grill brush or crumpled aluminum foil.
5. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a towel.
Recipe #2: Baking soda and vinegar
Vinegar’s acid helps dissolve grease while baking soda provides abrasion.
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Bowl
- Rag or brush
- Grill brush or foil
- Towel to dry
What to do:
- Mix about 1/4 cup baking soda with enough water to form a paste.
- Spread the paste on cool grates and wait 15 minutes.
- Scrub to loosen debris and rinse.
- Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water, spray the grates, and let sit 5–10 minutes.
- Scrub again if needed, rinse thoroughly, and dry.
Recipe #3: Baking soda and lemon juice solution
Lemon juice adds acidity and a fresh scent while baking soda lifts grime.
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Fresh lemon juice
- Bowl or container
- Rag or brush
- Grill brush or aluminum foil
- Towel to dry
What to do:
- Mix equal parts baking soda and lemon juice to form a paste.
- Apply to cool grates and let sit about 15 minutes.
- Scrub until grime loosens, rinse thoroughly, and dry.
Recipe #4: Baking soda and olive oil paste
Olive oil helps loosen greasy residues while baking soda scrubs them away.
What you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Olive oil
- Bowl or container
- Rag or brush
- Grill brush or aluminum foil
- Towel to dry
What to do:
- Mix equal parts baking soda and olive oil into a paste.
- Spread on cool grates and let sit about 15 minutes.
- Scrub with a grill brush, rinse well, and dry.
The 4 Best Non-Toxic BBQ and Grill Cleaners
Homemade cleaners are usually the simplest and most budget-friendly way to clean your grill naturally. If you prefer a pre-made product, these four options balance cleaning power with safer ingredient profiles.
Branch Basics
Best all-purpose cleaning solution
Price: From $67 (Cleaning Essentials Kit)
Note: Use the All-Purpose or Bathroom formula for grill cleaning and add Oxygen Boost powder for tougher jobs.
Branch Basics offers a concentrated, multi-use cleaner designed to replace harsher chemical products. Diluted appropriately, it works on many surfaces, including grill components. For tougher baked-on residue, combine the concentrate solution with Oxygen Boost and allow time to penetrate before scrubbing.
Adjust the concentrate-to-water ratio to change cleaning strength, and rinse grates thoroughly after use.
AFM Super Clean
Best heavy-duty, fragrance-free surfactant
Price: From $15.02
This heavy-duty, biodegradable surfactant is odor-free, dye-free, and formulated without phosphates, alkalines, acids, ammonia, bleach, or synthetic fragrances. It’s an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin or multiple chemical sensitivities and works on grills and many other surfaces. Avoid using on bare aluminum as it can cause a brushed reaction.
AspenClean (or any non-toxic dish soap)
Price: Around $11.99
A mild, non-toxic dish soap is often all you need to cut grease. AspenClean and other EWG-friendly dish soaps remove food residue and degrease without harsh chemicals. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap, apply to the grates, scrub, rinse thoroughly, and dry.
Look for unscented or naturally scented formulas if you prefer minimal fragrance.
Simple Green
For heavy-duty BBQ cleaning
Price: $8–$14
Simple Green’s heavy-duty BBQ & Grill Cleaner is formulated to remove grease build-up and baked-on food. It’s suitable for grates, stainless steel parts, smokers, and covers. Follow product directions: spray, let sit to penetrate, scrub with a non-abrasive brush or pad, rinse thoroughly, and let dry before use. For fewer propellant concerns, choose a non-aerosol spray if available.
With these recipes and product options, you can keep your grill clean and reduce exposure to harsh chemicals. Whether you prefer a simple baking soda paste or a trusted non-toxic brand, safe and effective grill cleaning is within reach—time to fire up the grill.