5 Essential Spring Cleaning Tips to Get Your Big Green Egg Ready for Grilling Season

Spring is in the air, and that means one thing for grill lovers: it’s time to fire up the Big Green Egg and get back to cooking outdoors. But before you light that first fire, give your BGE a little TLC. A clean, well-maintained grill not only cooks better but lasts longer too.

Here are 5 essential spring cleaning tips to get your Big Green Egg in perfect shape for grilling season—brought to you by us, your friends at FOGO Charcoal.

1. Clean It Out: Start Fresh from the Inside 

   The first step in prepping your Big Green Egg for spring is a deep clean. 

   - Remove all ceramics: firebox, fire ring, and Conveggtor (plate setter) if you use one. 

   - Scrape the inside of the dome and base with a grill brush or simply use an aluminum foil ball to knock off any baked-on carbon. 

   - Then, grab your shop vac and suck up every bit of old ash, lump charcoal, and debris sitting at the bottom. 

   PRO TIP: Don’t forget to clean out the air holes and the vent at the bottom—it makes a huge difference in airflow and performance.

2. Check and Adjust the Bands 

   After a season of use (or storage), the metal bands holding your BGE together might need some love. 

   - Grab a 7/16" and 1/2" wrench and go around tightening all nuts and bolts. 

   - Then, open and close the lid to check for an overbite or underbite—meaning the dome and base don’t align perfectly. 

   - Loosen the bands slightly and adjust as needed for a snug, even fit.

   - Spray all moving parts with a lubricant such as WD-40. 

   A properly adjusted lid means a better seal, better temperature control, and no more smoke sneaking out the sides.

3. Clean the Reggulator Cap / Daisy Wheel 

   That top vent takes a beating. Over time, it gets coated in smoke residue, grease, and gunk. 

   - Use a scraper to clean the grooves and moving parts. 

   - If it’s really gunked up, remove the rubber parts and toss the whole cap into a hot fire—yes, really! Let the heat burn off all the buildup.

   Once it's cool, give it a quick wire brush and reinstall. You’ll be amazed at how much smoother it operates.

4. Inspect & Replace Your Gasket 

   The gasket creates the seal between the lid and base—and over time, it wears down, tears, or flakes off entirely. 

   - If you see signs of wear, it’s time to replace it. 

   - Luckily, we sell a complete gasket replacement kit on our website that includes everything you need for the job. 

   A new gasket helps lock in heat and smoke, giving you better results with every cook.

5. Clean the Exterior (No Bleach, No Abrasives!)

   Your Big Green Egg deserves to look as good as it cooks. 

   - Use a mild soap and soft cloth to wipe down the exterior ceramic shell. 

   - Avoid bleach, abrasive scrubbers, or harsh chemicals—they can damage the finish and void your warranty. 

   - Big Green Egg makes cleaners that work very well.

   A clean exterior not only looks great but also helps prevent buildup and stains over time.

Ready to Grill? Fire It Up with FOGO Charcoal!

Now that your Big Green Egg is looking sharp and functioning like new, it's time to load it up with FOGO All Natural Charcoal and get cooking! Whether you're firing up lamb lollipops, smoked ribs, or a wood-fired pizza, you’ll get better flavor and performance from a clean, well-maintained grill.

Watch the full video on our YouTube channel for a step-by-step breakdown of each tip, and be sure to subscribe for more Big Green Egg tips, recipes, and gear reviews.

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So now that the grill is all cleaned up and ready to go, what’s going to be the first thing that you cook?  Drop us a comment on the video and let us know!  We love to hear from you.  Whatever it is, just always get out and grill and we will see you the next time on The FOGO Life.  Captain Ron…..OUT!