Is Apple Cider Vinegar Better Than White Vinegar For Cleaning
Truth be told, there are no actual differences between these 2 kinds of vinegar in terms of cleaning.
The main difference is the smell.
White vinegar has a strong sour smell while apple cider vinegar gives off a more pleasant sweet odor.
So, if dont like the smell of white vinegar, then use apple cider. Your grill grates wont be less clean.
Clean The Bbq Grill With Newspaper And Steam
Lynsey Queen of clean has a neat trick with newspaper to clean a caked-on BBQ grill. Allow your barbecue to cool slightly, but while its still warm, lay a sheet of old newspaper across the top and generously spritz with water. Close the lid for half an hour to steam clean it.
Lynsey explains, Grab one sheet of newspaper and pop it o the BBQ youve been using and just get a spray bottle of water and spray the newspaper. Pop the lid back on and what will happen is this will give your BBQ a steam clean. It will start to release all that grease, all that fat and all those bits from the food. When you take the newspaper off it will be all greasy and dirty, put that away . And youll find the newspaper has done most of the work for you.
How To Clean Stainless Steel Grates Quick Tips
Stainless steel grill grates can handle 800+ degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than any residential grill will get. Unlike cast iron, stainless steel is somewhat rust-resistant.
The easiest way to clean the grates is to simply brush them. Well go over this method below.
With stainless steel grates, you can use a nylon brush or wire brush, but nylon is the safer bet. You always run the risk of scratching the grates using a wire brush if you press too hard.
Also, the bristles can break off in your grill and cook into your food, which is a health hazard. So just be mindful of how much pressure you use when cleaning your stainless steel grill grates.
Now lets get into eight different methods you can use to make them look nice and shiny.
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How To Clean Barbecue Grates
Oh, those lovely, hot days of summer and getting together with friends and family to enjoy some yummy food cooked on a grill and eaten in the warm sunshine or on cool summer nights.
The grill grate is an important element of your barbecue. Not only does it hold your food, but it aids in even heat transfer, and can even provide those beautiful grill marks.
There are 3 major types of grill grates: porcelain, cast iron and stainless steel and each require a slightly different method of maintenance and cleaning.
The following is a general guide to cleaning and only covers part of your grill. Please be sure to follow the specific instructions in your owners manual.
Porcelain Grill Grates
These grates are popular as they retain heat well and resist rust. The porcelain in these grates is generally the coating over either steel or cast iron. Over time, the porcelain coating can chip away, if care is not taken. When cooking with metal tools, be careful not to scrape or nick the grates. If the underlying metal is exposed, water can creep in and create rust.
To clean porcelain grates, you will need:
- Dish washing detergent
- A large pan or a bucket with warm soapy water
- A soft rag
- A non-metallic brush or soft toothbrush
Cast Iron Grill Grates
Cast iron grill grates are very durable, heavy, tolerate high temperatures, and create an even cooking surface. They are tough and can withstand just about anything except water and being dropped on a hard surface.
Stainless Steel Grill Grates
How To Clean Porcelain Grates Quick Tips
Porcelain grill grates are popular because they insulate heat well and theyre resistant to rust.
But, you still need to periodically clean them to keep them in great condition.
Watch out for chips and scratches in the porcelain finish. If water comes into contact with the metal under the finish, this may cause rust.
So take extra caution when cooking with metal spatulas or other metal tools.
Make sure to use a nylon brush which has soft bristles rather than a metal brush to keep the porcelain scratch-free.
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Removing Rust With Common Household Items
Vinegar and Baking Soda: Baking soda can work wonders on rust. When mixed with vinegar, it forms a potent paste. Rub the paste on rust spots and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Lemon Juice: You can make another rust-busting paste with lemon juice and powder detergent. It needs a little more time than vinegar and baking soda. Let it work its magic overnight.
Safe Rust Removers: If youve tried the first two methods but still have rust, you may need to step up to a commercial rust remover. Do not use a generic rust remover. They can leave chemical residue behind that could be toxic to food. Whenever youre dealing with rust on a cooking surface, always use products designed for that purpose.
Soap and Water: Mix some dish soap and warm water in a bucket. Wash the grill with something soft. For stubborn rust on grill grates, try using a nylon brush to remove the rust particles. Avoid anything abrasive.
How To Get Your Stainless Grill Grates Looking Like New
To get those grids looking brand new well, you cant. Once used, your cooking grids will begin developing what is called a patina. Its a combination of discoloration from heat, and a buildup of oils on your barbecue cooking grates that will protect the stainless steel from corrosion and create a non-stick surface for you to cook on. That isnt to say that you cant have some nice looking grids. As outlined in the video, if you use a great, high-temperature oil like Crisco, palm oil, or lard to season your grids every few uses, and keep those grills clean, the grids will remain in great condition.
As always, we recommend that you exercise caution when using a grill brush and remember to perform proper grill brush maintenance to ensure that you arent losing bristles.
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Are Rusty Grates Ok If So How Much Rust
A little rust is ok since all metal surfaces can oxidize with the right conditions. Even foggy weather will make this happen and you can get a light rusty coating that is easy to clean off. But if you go full Titanic mode and see rust taking on a life of its own, your metal might be too damaged. Seeing big rust chunks is not a good sign and that means theres also a water or moisture problem.
Metal grills naturally react with water and start to break down like everything else. Keep your grill covered and away from moisture.
No Time To Clean Your Barbecue
Cleaning your grill requires quite a lot of elbow grease, literally. Its messy, sticky, time-consuming and overall just not a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. So, why not call someone to clean the thing for you?
We here at Fantastic Services offer barbecue and grill cleaning. It doesnt matter if you own a charcoal grill, hooded grill, smoker, or spit roasters we can take care of the greasy situation. The experts we work with can thoroughly inspect your appliance, wash all of its removable parts in a special dip tank, filled with an effective cleaning solution, and put your appliance back together in no time.
We also provide oven cleaning, which uses the same method for cleaning barbeques and grills. For more information, check our article on the cost of oven cleaning.
Spend your free time where it matters let Fantastic Services handle the rest!
Learn what oven and barbecue cleaning solutions we offer here!
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How To Clean Cast Iron Grates Quick Tips
Cast iron grill grates are incredibly durable. They can tolerate any temperature that youd be able to generate. Even though cast iron pans are durable, water is not their friend. It can cause rust.
So, avoid soaking your cast iron grill grates in water to clean them. Instead, use a brush or burn off the food. Well go over these methods a little later.
To help prevent rust, wipe your cast iron grates with vegetable oil after youre done cleaning.
Like with porcelain grates, avoid wire brushes or steel wool. These tools are too abrasive and may damage the finish.
To Season The Grill Grates
You should season your cast iron grates every few cookouts and after any deep cleaning. This will help keep your food from sticking and prevent rust from corroding the metal. To do this, follow the steps below:
1. Warm up the cast iron grates in BBQ Grill Box or in your oven. They should be warm, but not too hot to touch.2. Apply a generous coat of Cast Iron Conditioner or high grade cooking oil .3. Rub the conditioner or oil into every surface of the grates.4. Wipe off excess conditioner or oil. You want the cast iron to be coated but not wet.5. Return grates to the grill box or oven, turn off the heat, and let cool.
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Specific Grate Material Care
- Stainless Steel: to help prevent rust you can put a piece of aluminum foil over the grate and turn the grill on for 10 minutes. The foil will concentrate the heat and help quickly burn off stuck-on food that could lead to rust.
- Cast Iron: these grates are particularly hardy, except when it comes to water. Be sure to use a nylon brush after cooking to scrub the grate down and prevent water from sitting on it. Oil coatings are particularly important for these grates as well.
- Enamel Coated: enamel coated surfaces guard against rust, but you have to keep the enamel intact. Harsh wire brushes, metal utensils, or hard contact could fracture the enamel. If the enamel chips off your grate could start to rust.
If youd like to read more about specific grate materials, take a look at this article from Weber.
Protect Them From Rust
One of the enemies of the grates is rust and moist. It can be a marinade, which we use while cooking or grease in the storage. Moisture can attack even the best-protected grills. According to research , it is one of the reasons that creates rust. To remove rust, use steel wool and soap. Then, heat the oven and put the grates one by one to dry.
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How To Clean Bbq Grates
The best way to clean stainless steel BBQ grates is to clean them after each use. Give your stainless steel cooking grids a scrub with your stainless steel grill brush, or our bristle free grill brush. Doing this while the grill is still hot will mean you dont have to do it when you go to cook next time, and goes a long way to ensuring your stainless steel cooking grates remain looking like new.
Pour On A Splash Of Beer
Image credit: Charlie Richards
BBQs and beers go hand in hand so if find yourself with a little beer leftover after a BBQ, pour it over the grill while its still warm. Then give it a good scrub with a wire brush to get it sparkling. Its not a waste of good beer dont fear, its a savvy way to get the grill gleaming. Use beer to clean your BBQ advises Lynsey. Using your scrubbing brush pop beer onto the end, she demonstrates while presenting on This Morning. The acid in the beer will help clean it .
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Clean With Aluminum Foil And Baking Soda
- Make a paste of 1 ½ cup ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda and ½ cup water in a small bowl. It should be a thick liquid consistency that sticks to the grill grates.
- Using a brush or sponge, cover the grill grates with the baking soda paste and let sit for a few minutes.
- Tear off a sizable piece of aluminum foil and crumple into a ball.
- Scrub the baking-soda covered grate wires with the aluminum foil ball, working up and down each wire and across the grate.
- Rinse the grate with water and return to the grill.
Mix One Cup Salt With Two Cups Vinegar
The first thing youll need to do is mix the salt with the vinegar. The salt will increase the natural acidity of the vinegar to the point where it can dissolve the already oxidized metal.
However, it wont damage the metal around and underneath it. The salt also acts as an abrasive when it comes time to start scrubbing.
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Why Should You Clean The Barbecue Grill Grates
Lets get one thing straight well-seasoned grill grates can make your steak taste amazing. However, we cant say the same for food prepared on a dirty and greasy barbecue. You see, if you dont clean your grill, the food you cook on it will start to taste, well, just bad. Not only that, but leaving your barbecue in a poor condition can affect its performance.
There are two approaches when it comes to cleaning barbecue grill grates:
- The fast and easy way
- The Why, oh why, didnt I clean the grill when I had the chance last year?.
The first method is easy its just a matter of turning your grill on and heating it up to 120°C for 10-15 minutes. After that, grab a brush and scrub the grates clean. Do this after each use of the barbecue to keep it in good shape.
The second scenario involves some elbow grease and plenty of patience. Youll need to follow the steps described above and use some additional detergents.
If you dont feel like spending the whole day scrubbing, clean the BBQ grill after every use. This will prevent dirt and grease build-up.
A Better Way To Clean Your Bbq Grill
Its barbecue season, which means youre likely firing up the grill to whip up some of your summer favorites. But after a whole winter season sitting stagnant, it likely needs a good clean. So you get out your bristle brush and begin scraping.
Except the grime isnt budging. If no amount of elbow grease seems to get to the bottom of the stuck-on grime and oil, Jeff Rossen, NBC News National Investigative Correspondent and host of Rossen Reports, has some tricks up his sleeves to help you get through the grime and back to cooking up some tasty summer fare.
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Steer Clear Of Steel Wool
Heres the thing. Steel wool is an excellent grate cleaning tool for cast iron grill grates. Its pretty effective in getting all that nasty grime off. However, it may not be safe to use on stainless steel grates, and heres why.
Stainless steel has a fine finish. Steel wool leaves fine scratches that ruin this pristine finish which, after a while, makes it harder to clean the grates. Food particles and grease become wedged into those minute crevices, making it virtually impossible to get rid of. Ensure that the clean tool you choose keeps your stainless steel grill grates in mint condition.
Use Cleaning Solutions Recommended By Your Grill Manufacturer
Most grill manuals will come with some cleaning recommendations. Usually, the cleaners listed are going to be fairly gentle, like ordinary dish soap combined with water. However, you can make your own DIY grill cleaners, too.
For instance, try mixing an even amount of white vinegar and water. Spray the solution on your grates or racks. Wait 10 minutes for your degreaser to work. Then, spray a folded square of aluminum foil with more vinegar mix and rub down the grates. Wipe them off and discard the foil. You dont need to rinse everything off because vinegars naturally nontoxic.
Along with those grill cleaning tips, some preventive measures can save you from dealing with a gunked-up grill. Be sure to:
- Cover surfaces with aluminum foil.
- Use a grill pan or basket.
- Use cooking oil, either on the grates or the food itself.
- Clean out ashes from pellets or charcoal.
- Use a grill cover when you arent cooking.
With proper care, your grill will last longer and your food will taste better. The steps above will also save you from having to scrub extra hard the next time you clean. With an easier cleaning job, you wont need any harsh chemicals to clean your grill.
Certain tools or chemicals may be a bit too harsh for your grills surfaces. Whether or not these cleaners are harmful depends on how you use them and the type of grill you have. Here are some general tips for proper cleaning.
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Is White Vinegar A Degreaser
Yes, White Vinegar is an excellent degreaser. When heated, White Vinegar works as a degreaser by breaking down the minerals and ingredients of whatever it contacts.
I like to heat the Vinegar in the microwave so that it is hot to the touch before using it with a cloth or spray bottle.
Use caution when mixing in Baking Soda as the liquid may bubble up and make a mess.
Steel Wool & Soapy Water
I think I should begin by saying this: Do not wash your cast iron with soap and water unless you want to strip your seasoning and then re-season it again.
In the below video, we see how Lodge Manufacturing, one of the oldest cookware companies in the United States and one of the largest manufacturers of cast iron cookware in the world, gives recommendations on how to clean cast iron that has become rusty. The same advice applies to grates.
So long as your spouse will allow it, bring your grill grates inside the house and wash them in the sink with hot soapy water and steel wool or a stiff brush. This will remove any seasoning youve built up, but will also remove any surface rust, bringing your grate back to bare metal.
Once cleaned you will need to give your grates a good rinse before drying them very thoroughly. You dont want any moisture left behind because that will cause rust to come back again very quickly, even as quick as overnight.
The best way to dry them is a few minutes sitting in a very low oven, to completely make sure theres no water left in any pores.
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