How do I clean a whole bbq. Sides, grills and underneath hood

Although it says in both places to use a wire brush PLEASE DO NOT! Even top quality wire brushes can lose their "hairs", and people have ended up in emergency rooms with the wires caught in their throats and intestines. It is not an urban legend either, I know a woman who has a lovely scar to prove it unfortunately. You can use a bbq pumice stone or even a cedar shim. We have been using them for a while and the work well.

http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-an-Outdoor-Gas-Grill

A good degreaser and a ton of elbow grease. I hate this job!

Oven cleaner for the guts of the grill and mine is stainless steel so I use a good stainless steel cleaner or just a bottle of rubbing alcohol for the outside. If painted on the outside, like weber kettles, dawn dish soap and a scrubbie sponge works well.

If you turn on the grill and get it up to 500 it will burn a bunch of the gunk off and if you put a throw away aluminum pan full of water in there while heating up, it will loosen the yucky stuff on the inside making it easier to clean.

http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/outdoor/cleaning-bbq-grills-the-magic-way-1437590

Heavy Duty Easy Off. Follow directions.

Wire Brush for Grills - Kitchen Scourer Sponge. Soapy water.

Depending on what your grill is made of, you can try spraying it with oven cleaner, let it soak, then rinse well.

I messed up big time!! I scrubbed it down and rinsed it but think that I damaged the fire band around it and the starter. It will light but light is really low and part doesn't work. I think I got water in the on switch inside and so I have my hair dryer in the bbq trying to dry everything out. I am so worried and upset with myself. Didn't read your wonderful tips first just jumped in this morning to get it done.