[header] How to clean the heating element in a grill [title] Disconnect your fuel. [step] Make sure your propane or other gas supply is completely turned off before you begin. You may even choose to disconnect the gas tank after turning off the fuel for extra safety. 
Do not attempt to clean your grill while gas is connected or while it is still hot. [substeps] This not only means making sure that your grill is off, but that you turn the valve on your gas tank to cut off the flow of gas to the grill.