To clean an indoor grill, unplug it and let it cool slightly, remove the plates if they come out and wash them (many are dishwasher safe), wipe down the interior and lid, empty and clean the grease tray, and always dispose of grease in the trash rather than down the drain. Cleaning an indoor grill is quick once you know the routine, especially with removable plates. Here is how I do it, and for picking an easy-clean model see how to choose an indoor grill.
Important Safety Note
Never pour grease or oil down your sink drain or garbage disposal. As it cools it solidifies and builds up, causing serious clogs and plumbing damage. Always let grease cool and throw it in the trash, or pour it into a disposable container or foil first. This one habit saves you an expensive plumbing bill.
Quick Answer
Unplug and let the grill cool a little, then remove and wash the plates (dishwasher safe on many models), wipe the interior and lid, and empty the grease tray. Clean after each use while residue is still soft. Dispose of grease in the trash, never down the drain. Removable plates make the whole job take just minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Unplug and let the grill cool slightly before cleaning.
- Remove and wash the plates; many are dishwasher safe.
- Wipe the interior and lid, and empty the grease tray.
- Never pour grease down the drain or disposal.
- Clean after each use while residue is still soft.
Let It Cool First
Start by unplugging the grill and letting it cool down, but not completely. Cleaning is easiest when the plates are still slightly warm, since residue wipes away more readily than when it has fully hardened, but the grill should be cool enough to handle safely. Never clean an indoor grill while it is still hot or plugged in. Giving it a few minutes to come down from cooking temperature hits the sweet spot: warm enough that food lifts off easily, cool enough to handle without risk. This simple timing makes the rest of the job faster.
Clean the Plates
The plates do the heavy lifting, so they get the most attention. If your grill has removable plates, take them out once cool enough and wash them. Many, including mine, are dishwasher safe, so I give them a quick rinse and put them in the dishwasher, which handles the rest. For hand washing, use warm soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth, avoiding steel wool and abrasive pads that scratch the nonstick surface. For stuck-on bits, a short soak loosens them. After multiple years of dishwashing mine, the plates have not really scratched, which speaks to both the coating and gentle handling.
Wipe the Interior and Lid
With the plates out, wipe down the rest. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to clean the interior surfaces, the hinge area on a contact grill, and the inside of the lid, where grease and splatter collect. Avoid getting water into the electrical components or heating elements; a damp, not soaking, cloth is the rule. For a contact grill, pay attention to where the two halves meet, since drips gather there. A quick wipe of these areas after each use stops buildup from accumulating into a harder job later.
Empty and Clean the Grease Tray
The grease tray is central to indoor grilling and needs regular emptying. After the grease has cooled, remove the tray and dispose of the fat properly, in the trash, never down the drain. Then wash the tray with warm soapy water, or run it through the dishwasher if it is dishwasher safe. A clean grease tray keeps your grill working properly and prevents odors and buildup. Since the tray catches the fat that drains off your food, staying on top of it is one of the main upkeep tasks with any indoor grill, and it takes only a moment when done regularly.
Dispose of Grease Safely
This deserves its own emphasis because it protects your home. Cooking grease must never go down the sink or garbage disposal. Warm grease looks like a liquid, but as it cools it solidifies and coats your pipes, building up over time into stubborn clogs that can require professional plumbing to clear. Instead, let grease cool in the tray, then scrape or pour it into the trash, ideally into a disposable container, an old jar, or a foil pouch. Wiping greasy plates with a paper towel before washing also keeps fat out of your drain. It is a small habit that prevents an expensive and messy problem.
Keep It Easy
A few habits make cleaning almost effortless. Cleaning after each use, while residue is still soft, is far easier than tackling baked-on buildup later. I also keep a piece of foil underneath my grill to catch any grease that overflows or misses the drip tray, which saves wiping down the counter afterward. Not overcrowding the grill reduces splatter in the first place. With removable dishwasher-safe plates and these simple routines, cleaning an indoor grill is genuinely quick, which is a big part of why mine has stayed in regular use for years rather than getting shoved in a cabinet.
Why Cleaning Ease Depends on the Grill
How easy your grill is to clean was largely decided when you bought it, which is worth remembering for next time. Removable, dishwasher-safe plates and a removable grease tray turn cleanup into a few-minute task, while fixed-surface grills demand scrubbing in place. If cleaning is a chore on your current grill, a model with removable parts is a genuine upgrade, as covered in our guide on choosing an indoor grill. Either way, cleaning promptly after each use, before residue hardens, keeps the job small. The grills people actually keep using long-term are almost always the easy-to-clean ones, which is why the feature matters so much.
Recommended Reading
- choosing an indoor grill, for easy-clean models.
- what to cook on an indoor grill, the food guide.
- whether indoor grills are worth it, the value case.
- the best indoor grills, for picks.
- choosing the right cookware, the bigger picture.
How to Clean an Indoor Grill FAQ
Can you put indoor grill plates in the dishwasher?
Many indoor grills have removable, dishwasher-safe plates, which makes cleanup very easy. Check your model, but if the plates come out and are labeled dishwasher safe, a quick rinse and a dishwasher cycle handles them. Mine go in the dishwasher and have held up for years.
How do you clean an indoor grill with fixed plates?
Let it cool slightly, then wipe the plates with a damp cloth or soft sponge and warm soapy water while still warm, since residue lifts more easily. Avoid abrasive pads. A short soak with a wet paper towel over stuck-on bits loosens them. Never immerse the electrical unit.
Why should I not pour grease down the drain?
Grease solidifies as it cools and coats your pipes, building up into clogs that can require professional plumbing to clear and may damage your system. Always dispose of cooled grease in the trash, in a container or foil. This protects your plumbing from an expensive, avoidable problem.
How often should I clean my indoor grill?
After every use is ideal, while residue is still soft and the job takes minutes. Empty the grease tray each time too. Regular cleaning prevents buildup, odors, and stuck-on residue that becomes much harder to remove later, and it keeps the grill pleasant to use.
Can I use metal utensils or steel wool on grill plates?
Avoid both on nonstick grill plates. Metal utensils and steel wool scratch the coating, leading to sticking and wear over time. Use wood, silicone, or nylon utensils while cooking and a soft sponge or cloth for cleaning to keep the plates in good shape.
What is the easiest indoor grill to clean?
One with removable, dishwasher-safe plates and a removable grease tray. That combination lets you pop out the parts, run them through the dishwasher, and wipe the rest, turning cleanup into a few-minute task. Fixed-surface grills are considerably more work to keep clean.
Can I put water inside an indoor grill to clean it?
No, never immerse the electrical unit or get water into the heating components. Wash only removable plates and the grease tray in water. Wipe the fixed body with a damp, not soaking, cloth. Keeping water away from the electrical parts is essential for safety and longevity.
How do I remove stuck-on food from grill plates?
Let the plates cool slightly, then lay a damp warm paper towel over the residue for a few minutes to loosen it, and wipe with a soft sponge. Avoid metal scrapers and steel wool, which scratch the coating. A short soak handles most stuck-on bits.
Related in this cluster: how to choose the right stand mixer, indoor grill vs air fryer explained.
