Maybe you can relate: You've opened the grill to fire it up, only to be greeted with a mess of built-up grease, grime and maybe even a little rust. You can't remember the last time you deep cleaned your grill. Well, the first step in preparing the perfect grilled dish is to make sure your grill and grates are ready for the job. Here's how to clean your grill and grates in just seven easy steps.

Determine if you need to simply clean or replace the grates and burners. Rusty or crumbling grates require disassembly and replacement. Be sure to check the owner's manual, and take a photo before you pull the grill apart. And always turn off the gas when disassembling a grill.

2. Warm It Up

For a basic deep clean, keep the burners in place and focus your attention on the grates. First, turn on the grill to warm up the unit.

3. Start Scraping

Once warm, use a heavy-duty grill scraper to remove the top layer of cooked-on grit and grime.

4. Scrub Warm Grates

Scrub the heated grates with a wire grill brush. If you need more power, opt for a battery-powered model. When you're finished, turn off the grill.

Note: Inspect your grill brush before using it. If some areas of the grill brush have fewer bristles than others, or the brush is worn or warped, toss it. After scrubbing your grill and to avoid risk of injury, check the grill for any bristles left behind by the grill brush before cooking.

5. Soak Grates

Once the grates are cool to the touch, place them into a bucket of warm, soapy water. Soak the grates for a few hours, then scrub off any excess grime using a scouring sponge.

6. Degrease

Use a degreaser to clean up the grates as well as the grill’s exterior. Wipe clean with a damp sponge, then dry with a fresh microfiber cloth.

7. Shine It Up

Shine up the exterior with a stainless-steel cleaner; this will also help protect the exterior in the coming months.