Read on to learn how to keep your grill grates in great shape and guarantee your food always tastes great.
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Time Two days
ComplexityBeginner
CostLess than $20
Introduction
Read on to learn how to keep your grill grates in great shape and guarantee your food always tastes great.
If you don’t have clean grill grates, bacteria will take up residence, potentially sickening you, your family and your guests. That can be a big downer during your summer outdoor grilling parties.
Grill grates are typically made of stainless steel or cast iron, and are often porcelain coated. Stainless steel grates can handle more vigorous cleaning compared to porcelain, which can be easily scratched. It’s important to use soft brushes on porcelain and make sure the grates are dry after cleaning to avoid rust.
Cast iron grates can be cleaned with a ball of tin foil, or a cleaning brush and dish soap for tough areas. Cast iron grates without an enamel coating run a higher risk of rusting, so be sure to completely dry those after cleaning as well.
It’s important to clean grill grates after every use; it’s quick and easy. First, heat the grill all the way to burn off anything left on the grate. Then turn it off and wait a few minutes. While the grate is still warm, remove residue with an appropriate scraper and brush.
Ideally, you should deep clean your grill once a year to prevent dirt, food and grease buildup. Here’s an effective and safe way to deep clean your grill grates.
Materials Required
- Aluminum foil
- Baking soda
- Garbage bag
- Towel
- Vinegar
Watch How to Clean Grill Grates
Project step-by-step (6)
Step 1
Start with a cool grill
Ensure that your gas, charcoal, smoker or pellet grill and its grate are completely cool.
Step 2
Place the grate in a cleaning vessel
Put the dirty grate in a garbage bag or shallow bucket. Mix in one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar.
Step 3
Soak the grill grate
Tie off the garbage bag and let the grate soak in the mixture for at least 12 hours.
Step 4
Use aluminum foil to clean the grill
Remove the grate and scrub with an aluminum foil ball. Because the foil is less abrasive than a grill brush, it won’t damage any porcelain or non-stick coating. Then rinse the grate thoroughly under warm water.
Step 5
Dry the grate
Dry the grate completely with a clean towel before putting it back on the grill.
Step 6
BBQ grill cleaners
Spray-on grill cleaning products offer a convenient and easy way to clean grill grates. In my experience, Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven and Grill Cleaner effectively removes grease, baked-on food residue and sticky gunk.
Just apply the foaming spray and allow it to penetrate whatever’s baked on. Within minutes, you can wipe the grates clean with little or no scrubbing. If some stubborn grill gunk remains, soak the grates in the foam spray for up to four hours before wiping clean.
It’s important to be aware of what’s in some of these grill cleaning products. The same qualities that make oven and grill cleaners desirable and effective – dissolving tough, baked-on food and grease – also make them poisonous. Oven and grill cleaners often have a high pH, making them alkaline corrosives. Upon contact, via any route, they can cause tissue damage, burns, and, at the very least, irritation.
When using spray-on oven/grill cleaning products, always wear gloves and eye protection, and cover other nearby surfaces. When finished, ensure you’ve wiped out all the cleaner. Several grill cleaners recommend heating the grill to a certain temperature to burn off any remaining solution. As always, follow the instructions on the can.
Pros of grill cleaners
- Easy to use;
- Work quickly.
Cons of grill cleaners
- Made of harsh chemicals;
- Can be corrosive to outside surfaces;
- Eye and skin irritants;
- Often require a thorough cleaning and burning-off of chemicals.
FAQ
Can I clean grates in the dishwasher?
If your grate is coated with porcelain or made of stainless steel, go ahead and put it in the dishwasher (after first giving it a good scraping). Using the dishwasher isn’t a good way to clean grill grates made of cast iron, though. It will wash off the protective seasoning, and the exposed metal will rust.
Is it safe to use oven cleaner on grill grates?
Not really. Oven cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can remain on the grill as residue and contaminate your food. Safer alternatives include a baking soda paste or a cleaning product specifically designed for grills.
