How To Clean Outside Grill Grates

Baking Soda Ensures Easier Cleaning

Make a paste from a quarter cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of water. Apply a thin mixture with a wire brush on the grill and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse well. Then wipe the cast grates with a paper towel and place them over a hot grill for at least 15 minutes to burn any remaining paste or food.

When Is The Time To Buy New Grates

No matter how it can happen, grates will eventually wear out if you dont take care of them. The issues of rust, wear-n-tear, and rough cleaning can end them sooner for all the wrong reasons. When you see that the grates are getting too pitted from scraping too hard will be a sign. Rusted to the point they are nearly falling off is another! Perhaps you forgot that the weather damaged them through water and rusting.

When you see these signs, its time to get a new grill surface that fits onto your grill. Since this is your cooking table, you better buy a quality metal. If you take good care of that grill, it will last longer without needing a replacement for many decades.

Cleaning Your Heat Shields Orceramic Briquettes

Depending on the model, your grill may use heat shields or ceramic briquettes. A heatshield or heat deflector is a piece of metal that sits over the burner todistribute heat. Ceramic briquettes look like little tiles, or stylized piecesof charcoal, all the same size and shape.

Its also possible that your grill has lavarocks little clumps of volcanic rock that look like charcoal. Lava rocks arehard to clean. Their porous surface absorbs grease, and theyll fall apart ifyou try to scrub them. If you have lava rocks, we recommend replacing them withceramic briquettes.

Ceramic briquettes are easy to clean with awire brush. Remove them, and scrub until any debris falls off. If you have a heatshield, spray it with a degreaser, then clean it with a wire brush or brillopad and wipe it clean with a cloth. Do not use water or degreaser on briquettes as they will crumble.

Both heat shields and ceramic briquettes willwear out eventually, so you should inspect them carefully as you clean. If yourbriquettes are starting to crumble when you clean them, its probably time toreplace them. However, cracks or nicks on a few briquettes shouldnt be aproblem. As long as theyre mostly intact, they should work fine.

Heat shields, on the other hand, are often thefirst thing to wear out on a grill. If your heat shields are rusty or warped,they cant disperse heat evenly, and may not protect the burner from drippingheat. That means its probably time to replace them.

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Clean Rusty Grill Grates With Lemon Juice And Salt

Lemon juice alone is capable of removing rust because it is so acidic. If you want to try it without the salt, simply spread some lemon juice over the rust spots and let it sit for a few minutes. Then wipe it away with a sponge.

Dont have any lemon juice? You can also do something similar by using kosher salt.

Mix salt and water until you have a paste. Apply the paste to the rusty areas of your grill grate. Dont let it sit! Start scrubbing the paste away immediately, as salt is potent and can cause damage if you let it sit on your grill grates. Scrub the salt away with a sponge, brush, or steel wool. After youve removed the rust, rinse the grates off with water to make sure all traces of the salt paste is gone.

For more resistant rust spots, mix the lemon juice with some salt to create a paste. Apply the paste to the rust. Let it sit for no more than a few minutes, then wipe it away. You can use a brush to scrape away the rust if the sponge isnt tough enough.

Why We Dont Like Brushes For Cleaning Grates

Everybody thinks that wire brushes work best, but in reality, they can be dangerous if not used properly. You need to use a scraper to knock down the dried-up stuff that a wire brush cant do easily. Like brushing your teeth huh? Not really, since little wire hairs can snap off and stick to the greasy spots you cant get to. You wont see it there until it gets in your food. Sending your BBQ guests to the hospital is never part of the plan.

Only use a wire brush after youve scraped off all the grease and given the grill a good inspection. Dip your wire brush into water before doing any scrubbing after the grill is free from oil and junk. If the grill is still hot, the water will vaporize and causes steam to remove anything left-over. This will also prevent little wires from sticking to the grill surface too as theyll drop down into the grill bed.

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Cleaning Rusy Grill Grates With Vinegar And Salt

While one of the methods above should work well for you, heres an all-natural option for those adamant rust stains. This method requires that you soak your grill grates overnight, so dont plan on grilling anytime in the next day if you opt for this solution.

Mix two cups of vinegar and one cup of salt in a bowl. Place your grill grates in a large trash bag and then pout the salt and vinegar mixture into the bag, coating the grates. Seal the bag and set it somewhere safe for 24 hours.

When you remove the grates, you should be able to wipe away the rust with a sponge or a cloth. If there are still some stubborn spots, use a sturdy brush, or repeat one of the above methods until the rust is gone.

Clean Rusty Grill Grates With Vinegar And Baking Soda

For more stubborn or more significant rust spots on your grill grates, make a baking soda and vinegar paste. Mix two parts baking soda and one part vinegar until you have a thick paste. Using a brush or a rag, apply the paste to the rust spots on the grates. Let it sit for an hour.

When you come back to it, some of the paste should be absorbed. Scrub the affected areas with the rough side of a sponge, steel wool, or a scrub brush. The rust should come off quickly. If it doesnt, try the next method.

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When To Replace Your Grill Grates

There isnt a definite lifespan for grates. It all depends on the use and how they’re maintained.

Youll know its time for a replacement when the metal seems corroded, flaking, cracked, or covered in rust.

In some cases, if the hardened grease or built-up barbecue sauce appears unsalvageable, you might have to consider replacing your grates.

Final cleaning tip: Also check and clean up the burner tubes of your gas grill from time to time! Here’s how to clean your burner tubes.

Deeper Grill Grate Cleaning

Take a close look at your grill grate,checking for both dirt and damage. If you dont clean your grill regularly, itmay have black carbon deposits caked on, which can trap bacteria, cause unevenheating and increase the risk of grease fires. Take notice if the enamel iscracked anywhere or if the nonstick coating has comeoff. Even small cracks in the enamel can let water and grease in, making itvulnerable to rusting. If your grill grate has cracked enamel or significantrust, you may want to replace it.

Now, spray your apple cider vinegar mixture ordegreaser on the grate, and wipe clean. Repeat as needed, until the paper towelcomes back without any residue.

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Every Six Months: How To Inspect And Clean The Grease Drip

Twice a year, you should check and clean the grease drip. If you use your grill several times a week, you may want to do this more often.

First, unplug your grill and let it cool to room temperature. Once your grill cools, remove the grease bucket and set it aside. Using a nonmetal tool , scrape grease from the drain at the bottom of the drip tray and tube that leads to the grease bucket.

Clean any remaining grease residue with paper towels or disposable rags . Use the same nonmetal tool to scrape the grease bucket and paper towels to remove the rest of the grease.

Clean Rusty Grill Grates With Food

If youre looking for a ready-made solution to your rusty grill grates, youve got some options. Number one is Evapo-Rust. Its non-toxic, biodegradable, safe on skin, and non-corrosive. You dont need any special gloves or eye protection to use it. Plus, if you have any other rusty cookware or cast iron pans, you can use Evapo-Rust on them as well.

Another great rust remover is Bar Keepers Friend. Not only does Bar Keepers Friend help to remove rust, but it can also bring a scratch-free shine to almost anything that gets scuffed or scratched including plates and cookware.

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Grill Grate Cleaning Method: Store

• Total time: 20 minutes
• Rating: 3

The method: I used Mean Green Super Strength Cleaner & Degreaser, which says to spray on the surface, wipe clean, and rinse thoroughly. The label also says not to let the stuff dry before rinsing, so this is definitely not one of those spray-and-sit situations.

How it went: This was one of the most hands-on methods and, by far, the messiest. It did yield great results, but it took a lot to get to that point. While I was very happy with the grate after the cleaning, I did have lots of grease splatter marks on my shoes and pants! Id be willing to put in the effort if there wasnt an option that topped this one, which brings me to this next method

Benefits Of A Clean Bbq

We all know many health benefits of cooking your food on the grill, from the fact that you use and therefore eat less fat through the fact that the meat retains its nutrients and all the way to the fact that grilled vegetables are better for your health, as they have more vitamins and minerals. However, a few people consider the even bigger benefits of grilling on a clean BBQ.

Its good for your health.

The most important benefit, of course, is the healthy one. Regularly cleaning your BBQ removes build up bacteria in your grill, which can be transferred to your food. More importantly, it removes harmful carcinogens.

A clean barbecue is a safe one.

Another crucial reason is the safety one. A clean BBQ reduces the chance of fire. When youre cleaning the BBQ, youre also inspecting its parts, and thus, you can prevent dangerous gas leaks from worn out parts.

It smells better.

The same goes for the smell. Just as you wouldnt want your vegetables to taste like steak, you wouldnt want them to smell like a stake, either. Even worse than a stake smell is that smoky, rancid grease smell. Dont you think that your family and your guests deserve better than that?

It tastes better.

It prevents pest infestation.

A dirty grill attracts bugs and rodents. Considering that Australia is a country well-known for its many pests, we suppose you wouldnt want to attract even more. prevents an infestation, always keep your grill clean.

Improves the look of the BBQ.

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Best Way To Clean Grill Grates

Well-maintained and clean grates are the key to a sumptuous and well-cooked meal. Not only will you achieve perfect and DEFINED CHAR MARKS, but youll also be doing your grill a favor.

There are 3 regular cleaning methods you can try at home. Well also go over the safest and fastest deep cleaning method for stubborn greasy grates!

So, grab your grates, and lets get cleaning!

After Each Use: How To Clean Grill Grates

If your food did touch the grill grates, you have a few options to clean your grill.

The first option is with a natural cleaner that doesnt have harmful chemicals in it. Let the grill cool, then remove and spray the grill grates with a natural cleaning solution. Scrub the grates with a nylon-bristle brush, a disposable cloth, or heavy-duty paper towels.

If you dont have a natural cleaning solution, you can use an onion or lemon to clean your grates. While the grill grates are still hot, rub half an onion or lemon along them. If the grates are especially dirty, dip the lemon half in salt to help it scrape food particles off, or spray the grill grates with distilled vinegar before scrubbing.

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How Often Do I Clean The Outside Of My Grill

If you use your grill daily, clean the outside every one to two weeks. If you use the grill three to four times a week, clean it every two to four weeks. If you dont grill often, clean it every couple of months. Maybe once when you pull it out in the spring and right before you put it away for the fall. If the outside starts to look grimy and greasy, its time to clean your grill.

Scrub The Bottom Of The Grill

After removing and cleaning all removable parts, it should be easier to reach the bottom of the grill.

And just to repeat myself, you have already done the inside lid and sides, yes? Good.

Now remove any large quantities of grease and build up from the bottom of the grill with a scraper before scrubbing it out with a scourer and warm soapy water.

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How To Deep Clean A Grill

Step 1- Assess the MessDetermine if you need to simply clean or replace grates and burners. Rusty or crumbling grates require disassembly and replacement. Be sure to take a photo before you pull the grill apart and check the owners manual. NOTE: Always turn off gas when disassembling a grill!

Tomas Espinoza

The Importance Of A Clean Grill

If youd rather look at the mess on your grill and shrug it off than give it the cleaning it needs, consider the benefits of a clean grill. Here are some of the advantages.

1. Your food will taste better: No more charred bits of grilled foods past with a clean grill. A bit of charring on your food is great, but when it comes from last weeks dinner, its not bringing good flavor.

2. Its safer to use a clean grill: Grease buildup can become hazardous, especially when exposed to the flame of a grill. Grills with residue can experience flare-ups, which put you in danger. We love flame-grilled flavor as much as the next outdoor chef, but this isnt the way to get it.

3. Its better for you: When buildup from your grill gets on your food, you risk putting dangerous substances in your body. Most of the accumulation is from food, but some of it can come from your heat source. Bacteria could also accumulate if you dont maintain a clean grill. Save yourself the risk of consuming dangerous residue and clean your grill frequently.

4. Your grill will last longer: Clean every component of your grill to avoid damage. Buildup can damage parts of your grill or stop them from working. If you let enough grease accumulate, you may have to replace grill parts or get a new grill. Treat your grill as you would indoor appliances to avoid making replacements.

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How To Clean Outside Grill Grates Easily

• on Aug 11, 2016Simply spray them down with a degreaser allowing to sit to break down the residue. If need be use a scrub brush or brillo then wash with soap and water.
• Rosanne on Aug 11, 2016it’s best to clean right away by shutting off the grill and closing cover.Then, wipe down some people use bunched up foil to scrape
• Pgl on Aug 11, 2016there is a brush made for grills I too use a degreaser or dawn with vinegar or sprinkle baking soda rinse with vinager
• Poppy on Aug 12, 2016in the UK there is a product called cloudy ammonia, if you put the grills in a large strong plastic bag then add a saucer of ammonia seal up the bag and leave overnight by the next day the burnt on grunge should rinse off easily. I am sure you have something similar in the US, be warned it stinks.
• Pam G on Aug 12, 2016I agree with Poppy. Put them in a large trash bag, pour in some ammonia and tie the bag shut. Leave the bag outdoors over night and the next day the food and grime will just wash off with a rinse from the water hose. Make sure you rinse it well. So easy and no scrubbing.
• Linda on Aug 12, 2016That works really great. I have always used that for the grates in my oven too. No scrubbing.

Two Simple Steps To Keeping Grids Clean:

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Onion For Cleaning After Each Grilling

An old barbecue trick I learned from my grandma is to clean heated grills with onion. Peel an onion, cut it in half and use the cut side for cleaning the cast iron grate while holding the onion in your hand or on a barbecue fork. This is a healthier way than oven cleaner, for example, because you don’t use chemicals.