Goo Gone Grill & Grate Cleaner Review: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

Are you tired of battling stubborn grease and grime on your grill and smoker grates? Cleaning these essential cooking components can often feel like a Herculean task, leaving you frustrated and with aching muscles. But what if there was a product that could significantly simplify this chore, delivering sparkling clean results with minimal effort? This review dives into the Goo Gone Grill & Grate Cleaner, putting it to the test on both electric and gravity-fed smoker grates, to see if it truly lives up to the hype. We'll explore its effectiveness, ease of use, and overall performance, providing you with the information you need to decide if it's the right cleaning solution for your grilling needs.This honest review details the entire cleaning process, from initial preparation and application to the final scrubbing and rinsing. We'll assess the cleaner's ability to tackle baked-on food residue and heavy grease buildup. We'll also discuss the product's scent and any notable observations throughout the cleaning process, including the ease of removal of stubborn grime. Prepare to discover if the Goo Gone Grill & Grate Cleaner is worth adding to your grilling arsenal.

Pros And Cons

Goan Grill and Great Cleaner
  • Effectively cleans grease and caked-on food from grill grates and water pans.
  • Pleasant scent.
  • Food safe.
  • Requires some scrubbing with a brush for optimal results.

Read more: 10 Amazing Scotch-Brite Grill Cleaning Hacks

Preparation and Initial Impressions

Before diving into the cleaning process, I gathered my supplies: the Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner, a brush, and a plastic bag as a makeshift protective layer for my work surface. The instructions suggested using newspaper, but I didn't have any on hand.

Close-up shot of the cleaning supplies laid out on a table
Close-up shot of the cleaning supplies laid out on a table

I started by lightly brushing both my electric smoker grate and my gravity-fed smoker grate to remove loose debris. This preliminary step revealed just how much baked-on food residue remained despite previous attempts at cleaning. I was eager to see if the Goo Gone product could tackle this stubborn mess effectively.

The reviewer brushing off the grates before applying the cleaner
The reviewer brushing off the grates before applying the cleaner

The product itself has a pleasant scent, which is always a plus when dealing with cleaning agents. It's important to note that it does need some elbow grease to do the job properly, despite the product itself performing well.

The reviewer applying the cleaner liberally to one of the grates
The reviewer applying the cleaner liberally to one of the grates

Cleaning Process and Results

Following the instructions, I applied the Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner liberally to all the grates and let it sit for approximately three minutes. Even after this short dwell time, noticeable improvement was apparent.

Grates after the cleaner has been applied and has sat for three minutes
Grates after the cleaner has been applied and has sat for three minutes

Next, I used the brush to scrub the grates, paying close attention to all angles and crevices. The cleaner effectively loosened the caked-on food, making it much easier to remove with minimal effort.

The reviewer using the brush to scrub a grate
The reviewer using the brush to scrub a grate

The cleaning progress was impressive, especially considering the relatively short contact time. The amount of grease that dripped from the grates during the scrubbing process was a testament to the cleaner's effectiveness. I was particularly impressed by the results on the electric smoker grate.

Close up of grease running off the grate onto the ground.
Close up of grease running off the grate onto the ground.

Water Pan Cleaning and Final Thoughts

I also tested the cleaner on the water pans from both smokers. Applying a small amount of water after cleaning revealed the extent of residue removal from the surfaces.

Cleaned water pan after applying water to show the level of cleanliness
Cleaned water pan after applying water to show the level of cleanliness

Overall, the Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner performed exceptionally well. It effectively removed stubborn grease and grime from both the grates and water pans with minimal effort.

Showcase of all the cleaned grates
Showcase of all the cleaned grates

The product was impressive, especially on the grease removal and its pleasant scent. The color change in the grates after the cleaning process is also notable. I highly recommend this product for anyone looking to easily and effectively clean their grill and smoker grates.

Final close-up of the cleaned grates
Final close-up of the cleaned grates