How to Clean and Care for Your Big Green Egg
If you treat your Big Green Egg right, it’ll reward you with mouthwatering food and faithful service for decades. The good news? Your Egg is gloriously low maintenance. That’s one of the many joys of cooking on one – less scrubbing, more feasting.
Still, we know your Egg is basically part of the family. So here are our top tips for keeping your Big Green Egg looking pristine and performing perfectly.
Before Each Cook
Pop open the dome and give those coals a little stir with your trusty Ash Tool. Then scrape out the ash through the draft door into the Ash Pan.
Clean airways = consistent temperature = perfectly cooked food. Simple as that.
After Each Cook
Got sticky bits on your cast iron or stainless grids? While the EGG is still warm, give them a quick once-over with the Palmyra Brush Scrubber or the Dual Head Palmyra Brush.
It’s surprisingly satisfying to see that grime melt away – no marigolds required.
The Deep Clean (a.k.a. The Hot Burn)
Every so often, or after a particularly epic cookout, it’s time to bring out the big guns: the carbon clean.
Crank your EGG up to around 300°C (yes, degrees Celsius) and let it burn for about 20 minutes. This fiery spa session will burn off any built-up grease or debris inside the EGG – no scrubbing needed.
Cleaning the Ceramic
Be gentle with your ceramic beauty. Never use abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals – they’ll do more harm than good.
Instead, grab a soft cloth and a bit of soapy water, give your EGG a wipe-down, and watch that gorgeous green shine return.
Show That Hinge Some Love
Your EGG’s steel hinge works hard – give it a little TLC! A quick spritz of WD-40 every now and then will keep it smooth and squeak-free.
Weather Protection (a.k.a. The Lazy Way to Keep It Perfect)
The easiest way to care for your Big Green Egg? Pop a cover on it.
There’s a cover for every setup, and they’re quick to slip on and off – no faff, no drama, and your EGG stays safe from the Great British weather.
To Round Up…
Here’s your Big Green Egg cleaning checklist:
- Before every cook: Stir the coals and clean out the ash.
- After every cook: Give the grids a quick scrub while warm.
- Every few months: Do a deep “carbon” clean.
- When needed: Clean the ceramic with soapy water.
- As required: Replace the gasket and lube the hinge.
- Always: Pop that cover on when not in use!
Keep this routine and your EGG will keep looking – and cooking – like new.
Our Top Big Green Egg Cleaning Essentials
- Ash Tool – Essential for stirring lumpwood and scraping out ash.
- Ash Pan – Perfectly designed for mess-free clean-up.
- Palmyra Brush Scrubber – Cleaning satisfaction guaranteed.
- Dual Head Palmyra Brush – Natural bristles, mighty cleaning power.
- Nylon Bristle Grid Scrubber – Tackles residue without damaging your Egg.
FAQs About Cleaning Your Big Green Egg
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How often should I clean my Big Green Egg?
If you do your little housekeeping before and after each cook, you’ll only need a deep ‘carbon clean’ a few times a year. Easy life.
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What’s the best way to clean the cast iron cooking grids?
Cast iron doesn’t like water – think of it as the cat of the grill world.
Set your EGG up for indirect cooking with the convEGGtor (legs up), pop the stainless grid on top, and heat to around 250°C. Place your cast iron grid inside for about 10 minutes.
Then, using your mitt, scrub it with the Nylon Bristle Grid Scrubber and finish with a light coat of vegetable oil. Heat for another hour – it’ll come out looking like new.
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How do I clean the stainless steel grid?
Just give it a quick scrub while it’s still warm. Any lingering bacteria will be burned off during your next cook.
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When should I replace the gasket?
That fuzzy felt ring keeps your EGG airtight and your temperatures steady. When it goes hard or crumbly, it’s time for a replacement – usually every couple of years.
To replace it: remove the old gasket, clean the ceramic with a knife or sandpaper, apply the new one, close the lid for 24 hours, then gently heat it to set the glue.
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Should I cover my EGG when not in use?
Technically, your EGG can handle all weathers – it’s a tank. But a cover keeps the metal parts rust-free and shiny, especially if you’re not cooking for a while (madness, we know).
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Can I wash the inside with water?
Nope! The ceramic absorbs water, and that can cause cracking when heated. Stick to the burn-off method instead.
Final Thoughts
Your Big Green Egg is built to last a lifetime – and with a little care, it absolutely will. Follow these simple steps, stock up on the right cleaning tools, and your EGG will keep serving up sizzling perfection for years to come.
Ready to refresh your setup? Shop our Big Green Egg cleaning essentials here.