How To Clean Masterbuilt 560 (Cleaning & Maintenance)

If you want to prolong the performance of your Masterbuilt 560, you must clean and maintain the grill properly.

But how to clean Masterbuilt 560 without affecting the cooking chamber, grill grates, and grease tray? 

And what cleaning supplies do you need to clean the entire grill efficiently? 

If that’s what you are looking for, I will get you covered in this article. Let’s dive deep into the detailed discussion on cleaning your Masterbuilt 560 Gravity series charcoal smoker.

What You Will Need For Cleaning Masterbuilt 560 Smoker? 

Before I move forward to the step-by-step cleaning process, it’s important to decide on the cleaning accessories. When you are dealing with a premium charcoal grill+smoker that has cast iron cooking grates, you are bound to be careful enough to pick the correct cleaning tools.

On that note, here I go with the items that I found helpful in cleaning my Masterbuilt 560-

Grill Brush: First, you need a stiff-bristled BBQ or grill brush to scrub the cast iron grates. It will give the grill grates a thorough cleaning by removing all the large pieces of food particles and grease buildup. 

You can check out this all-natural cleaning brush that features tough and sturdy bristles to scrape off built-up food greases.

Plastic Scraper: Next, you need a plastic putty knife/ scraper to knock off those stubborn residues from the smoking grates and other surfaces. As it’s plastic made, it will not leave any scratches on your grill surface.

Here is a suitable putty knife set to clean any burnt-out food particles that the brush can’t clean.

Mild Dish Soap/Detergent: To clean the Masterbuilt 560 inside and out, you need a mild dish detergent or liquid soap that is safe and non-abrasive.

I suggest using MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY liquid dish soap to cut through the leftover food grease in your Masterbuilt 560.

Microfiber Towel: To wipe down the entire grill surface and exterior,  you should choose a sponge or a soft microfiber cloth that won’t scratch the grill’s paint and finish.

This HOMEXCEL 12-pack microfiber cleaning cloth set could be your ideal choice for grill cleanup.

How To Clean Masterbuilt 560 Smoker – A Comprehensive Guide

Once you gather all the cleaning supplies mentioned above, it’s time to give your smoker a deep cleanup. You should start cleaning the grill parts one by one. Let’s start with cleaning the grates.

Grill Grates Cleaning: To clean the cast iron grates of your Masterbuilt 560 gravity-fed smoker, follow the steps below-

• Preheat the grill to the highest temperature setting to burn off the food grease stuck on the grates.
• Then you should power it off. Let the grill cool down completely before you touch it. 
• After the grill becomes cool to touch, you should use a grill-safe brush with stiff bristles to scrub the cooking grates.
• You should scrub both sides of the smoking grates to remove the stubborn residues.
• Now, use a soapy water solution containing mild dish soap and warm water to clean the cooking grates further.
• Take a microfiber towel or a soft sponge, dip it into the solution, and gently scrub the grates with that damp cloth.
• Finally, rinse the cooking grates with water and let them dry completely before your next grilling session.

Cleaning the Cooking Chamber

Here’s the step-by-step guide on cleaning the cooking chamber-

• Take the cooking grates out and place them aside.
• Use a soft brush/plastic putty knife to scrape off the dirt, grime, and grease buildup on the heat manifold.
• You can mix a mild dishwasher or liquid soap with warm water to make a solution. 
• Now, dip a clean soft cloth/microfiber towel into the solution and gently wipe the manifold with that damp piece of cloth.
• Once you are satisfied with your cleaning, give the entire chamber a thorough rinse with clean water to get rid of any soap residue. 

Also Read: Best Fire Starter For Masterbuilt 560 (My Top 5 Picks)

Cleaning the Grease Tray and Drip Pan

When you are done with cleaning the heat channel, you should locate the grease tray and drip pan in the grill. Now, take them out carefully so as not to cause a spill.

Then you should dispose of the grease from both the trays into a noncombustible container.

And then you should clean them in the following ways-

• Wipe away any leftover debris or gunk in the grease tray with the help of a paper towel.
• Use a soft rag/towel and mild soapy water to wipe off the tray.
• Rinse off the soap residue with clean water and let the tray dry.
• For the drip pan or bottom tray, follow the same procedure as the grease tray.

Ash Tray Cleaning

You should always empty the ash pan once the ashes are cold. Then scrub the tray with a brush and rinse it with clean water.

Point to be noted, the ash pan is suggested to clean after every use, not only when you clean the entire smoker.

Cleaning the Exterior

Just wipe down the exterior of your Masterbuilt 560 with a soft damp cloth and that’s it.

Yes, you can use a mild dish detergent if it’s too dirty. But it must be safe for the grill material.

Nevertheless, that’s how you can clean a Masterbuilt 560 or any other Gravity series charcoal smoker. 

But let me give a reminder. Masterbuilt strictly mentioned not to use oven cleaners, degreasers, or any other cleaning solvents to clean their grills and smokers. So, stick to using mild dish soap/detergent.

Maintenance: Just cleaning a grill isn’t enough. You should also store and maintain it properly to prolong its lifespan. 

Here are a few grill care and maintenance tips for your Masterbuilt 560-

• After each cleanup, let all the grill parts completely air dry before you reassemble them.
• Once the assembly is done, you should season the grill surface and cooking grates with a thin layer of cooking oil. 
• Frequent seasoning reduces the chances of rust buildup.
• Never store the grill in a damp place. Always keep it in a dry and well-ventilated area.
• I strongly recommend using a weatherproof cover if you store the grill for a long period of time. This will prevent dust, rust, and moisture buildup. 

Also Read: 15+ Masterbuilt 560 Problems with Troubleshooting Guide

Should I Clean The Inside Of My Masterbuilt 560 Smoker?

Yes, you should clean the inside of a Masterbuilt 560 smoker with a hot water and vinegar mix. Take the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it onto the inside walls and door. Then wipe them down with a soft damp sponge.

However, it’s very important to avoid using any harsh chemicals while cleaning the interior of a grill/smoker. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Masterbuilt 560 Smoker?

You should clean the grill grates, ash pan, and grease tray after every use whether it’s a Masterbuilt 560 or any other smoker. 

However, you can deeply clean the grill once every 4-6 cooks.

Can You Clean A Masterbuilt560 Smoker With Soap?

Yes, you can. But it should be a mild dish soap containing no harsh chemicals. And you should mix that soap with warm water to prepare a grill-safe cleaning solution. 

Can I Pressure Wash My Masterbuilt 560 Smoker?

It’s not recommended to pressure wash a Masterbuilt 560 smoker as it could affect the sensitive internal components.

Instead, Masterbuilt suggested that you should manually wash their Gravity series smokers with warm soapy water and a soft damp cloth.

Can The Masterbuilt 560 Get Wet?

The Masterbuilt 560 isn’t a waterproof smoker. So, it’s advised not to expose this digital grill+smoker to heavy rain or snow. 

Even if you clean the smoker with water, you must let it dry thoroughly. So, keep the lid open for a few hours to let the water evaporate.

Moisture buildup could lead its cast iron cooking grates to severe rust and corrosion. That’s why you should use a weatherproof cover to protect the grill for longer.

Can A Masterbuilt 560 Smoker Be Used In The Rain?

No. As it’s not waterproof, Masterbuilt 560 could be seriously affected by rain. Plus the design of the kettle lid is something different. It closes on top instead of behind the smoker. 

Therefore, it lets the rainwater run through the kettle. That’s how the smoker could be subjected to rust and corrosion if you use it in the rain. 

Especially, the cast iron cooking grates could be totally ruined due to moisture buildup.

Conclusion

Finally, this discussion on how to clean Masterbuilt 560 comes to an end. I hope you got every step I explained about the cleaning, care, and maintenance of this grill.

However, you can follow the same procedures for any other Gravity series smokers. Just make sure to clean the grill regularly to sustain its optimum performance. 

If you abide by all the precautions of cleaning and storing a Masterbuilt 560, your grill will keep shining for years. 

Any more questions in this regard? I am just a comment away!