Safe Clean And Environmentally Friendly
Not only does it do a thorough job on metal, ceramic, plastic, and many other surfaces, it also disinfects and sanitizes.
Vinegar doesnt affect the environment negatively and is safe if it contacts the skin or food.
Some cleaning compounds can leave a residue on the grill grate that is later transferred to food. Vinegar doesnt leave any residue and doesnt produce an aftertaste as a result.
How often do you clean your grill grates?
Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates Without Removing From The Grill
Cast iron grill grates are durable and heat evenly but can be prone to rusting. If you open your grill to see rusty cast iron grates, dont despair. Reach for the baking soda, even if your cast iron grates dont easily come out of your grill.
- Make a paste of 1 ½ cups ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, ¼ cup dish soap, and ¼ cup white vinegar in a small bowl. It should be a frothy liquid consistency that sticks to the grill grates.
- Using a brush, paint the grill grates with the paste, avoiding the heating elements if this is a gas grill. Close the grill. Note: do not turn the grill on.
- Let the paste sit for 8-12 hours or overnight.
- Use a nylon-bristled brush or scourer sponge to remove the loosened debris and grime.
- Use a damp sponge and warm water to wipe away any remaining residue.
Once all the rust is removed, thoroughly dry the grates and rub them with a generous amount of vegetable oil to coat them and protect from moisture. You can also turn the grill on high after coating with oil to help lock in the seasoning and be ready for your next BBQ.
Use Dish Soap On Your Stove Grates
You can use dish soap for a lot more than cleaning dirty cutlery and dishes. The same cleaning power that cuts through grease on pots and pans will do a number on your cast iron grates. If you need a little extra degreasing action to get your stove and oven clean, liquid dish soap might be just what you need.
This method works exceptionally well on enamel-coated cast-iron grates. You can also throw your grates in the dishwasher for a wash cycle to get the same effect.
- Microfiber cloth
Allow the grates to cool after use, and place them in an empty sink with the drain open. Pour boiling water over the grates to loosen any grease and grime. Plug the drain, and fill the sink with hot water until it covers the grates.
Add a few tbsp of dish soap, and allow the grates to soak for at least ten minutes. Scrub the grills with the pad or brush until clean, rinse them in warm water and wipe dry.
Recommended Reading: How Long Do You Grill Boneless Chicken Breast
How To Keep A Bbq Grill Clean All Summer
During grilling season, here’s our step-by-step instructions to keep your grill looking great:
- Go over the grates while they are still warm with a brush or pad or even a ball of aluminum foil to keep food residue from building up.
- Regularly clean grates and outside surfaces with a spray like Parker & Bailey BBQ Cleaner & Degreaser. In GH Institute Cleaning Lab tests, it dissolved stuck-on messes better and faster than others we tried.
- Keep wire brushes in good condition and replace them when worn so metal bristles dont stick to the grates and get into your food.
Using Dish Soap To Clean Grill Grates
Dish soap is the most natural solution for removing grease. The dish soap efficiently breaks down fats and oils, and what is greasier than a dirty grill?
Clean Your Grill with Dish Soap
- 1 gallon of warm water
- 2 capfuls of dish soap
- Nylon or brass bristle brush
- Hose
Combine the warm water and dish soap. Dip the brush into the soapy water and scrub away the grime. This solution is perfect for all types of grill grates, including stainless steel.
Rinse thoroughly with a hose before cooking on the grate again. Dish soap also creates a wonderful soaking solution for stuck-on food and oil.
Rinse off the grill grate and gently brush it with a brush before soaking it overnight using a dish soap solution. In the morning, scrub it again. Use a vinegar rinse to remove the soapy residue before using the grate again.
Read Also: Temperature To Grill Pork
How To Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates
This is going to sound obvious, but cannot be overstated: The best way to keep your grill clean and rust-free is to give it a good cleaning immediately after every use.
Once youve finished cooking and removed your food, open all vents if using charcoal, or turn up your grill to high if using gas and then close the lid to allow the grill to get hot.
This way youre able to burn off much of your stuck on food and barbecue sauce.
Once youve burned off your food, you can either close your vents to extinguish your charcoal or turn off your gas to allow the grill to cool to a point where its comfortable to put your hand in to clean.
While your grill is still warm, scrape the grates with a good grill brush.
A brush with a scraper is excellent here as youre able to scrape any remaining food off your grates easily.
After cleaning your cast iron grates and making sure if theyre dry, you now want to apply a very thin coating of vegetable oil to help prevent rust from forming.
Just a wipe with a cloth or piece of kitchen towel lightly dabbed in oil is sufficient. Youre looking to apply a thin film, not coat your grates heavily.
Also See
Chrome / Nickel Plated Wire Grates
If you own a standard Weber grill, youve seen these shiny cheap grates before. They work well for a while but after a couple of good years of service, theyre ready to toss out. The plating eventually comes off and they tend to rust quickly. Not too much loss, but then again theyre made to be replaced. These grates work excellent since the grate is thin enough to get a good sear on your meat.
Weber/Kettle Grill Hinged Grates
Also Check: Is Macaroni Grill Closing
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.
Clean Your Grates In The Oven If Permitted
Some ovens and stoves work hand-in-hand to stay clean. Many manufacturers design their stove grates so that, when they get too dirty, you can place them in the oven for a good cleaning. Always check your users manual to see if you can clean your grates in the oven.
If you cant find an oven-cleaning option for grates in your manual, do not attempt to clean your them with this method. If permitted in the manual, use a self cleaning oven to clean your grates at the same time. Remove all grates from the stove, and place them on oven racks.
Turn the oven to the self-clean setting and follow the manuals instructions for the length of the cleaning time and handling the grates when the cleaning cycle is complete. When the cleaning time has elapsed, remove the grates from the oven, allow them to cool completely, and wipe them clean.
Also Check: Clean Stainless Steel Grills
How To Clean Porcelain Steel Grill Grates
Glossy porcelain-enameled grill grates are easy to clean, but require a bit of extra caution. The porcelain surface can easily be compromised by a vigorous cleaning, increasing the potential for chips and rust that will significantly shorten the lifespan of your grill grate. Follow these steps to clean porcelain grill grates:
Theres no need to reseason a glossy porcelain-coated grill grate, but as with stainless steel grates, a light coating of vegetable oil on the grate or the food itself will prevent sticking
GRILL SPOT TIP:
Three Signs Its Time To Replace Your Grill Grates
There are three undeniable signs its time to replace your grill grates:
1. Rust
All grill grate materials are susceptible to rust without regular cleaning. Rust doesnt exactly add an appetizing flavour, and it can actually pose a health risk if the metals flake off into your food.
Surface rust can often be scraped away with steel wool or other abrasive materials like a wire brush, but deep rust cannot be cleaned. If the rust doesnt disappear with a cleaning and has penetrated deep into the metal, its time to replace your grill grates.
GRILL SPOT TIP:
2. Chips
Glossy porcelain-enameled grill grates are susceptible to chipping. A chipping finish poses a health risk if any porcelain chips end up in your food. It also creates an uneven cooking surface that will make it harder to grill and opens up an entry point for moisture, increasing the likelihood of rust. If you notice your grates finish is significantly chipped, its time to replace your grill grate.
3. It just wont clean
If there are seriously stuck-on bits of food and built-up debris and grease that simply wont clean away no matter how hard you try, its time to replace your grill grate.
You May Like: Convert Gas Grill To Natural Gas
Cleaning The Grease Tray/cup On Your Gas Grill
The grease tray/cup on your Nexgrill should be emptied and wiped down periodically, and washed with a mild detergent and warm water solution. We all know how dirty grilling can get. Dont allow excess grease to accumulate and overflow out of the grease tray/cup.
Pro tip: You can place a small amount of sand in the bottom of the grease tray to absorb the grease.
Your Nexgrill is your outdoor cooking companion. You saved for it, youve prepare delicious meals on it, and you should also take care of it. To ensure maximum quality and efficiency, be sure to follow these tips for cleaning your gas grill.
Hey there! Did you know that every piece of your Nexgrill has at least a 1-year warranty? And many of our gas grills have a 5-year warranty on the main burners. Thats why its important to keep your receipt. So that our Customer Service staff can ensure that your warranty is honored, and your Nexgrill keeps providing.
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.
You May Like: Boneless Chicken Grill Temp
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.
Be Careful With Metal Bristle Brushes
Metal bristle brushes are a very effective tool to use when it comes to cleaning a grill or smoker, but you have to be very careful. Especially with cheaper brass bristle brushes. Sometimes, the bristles can become loose, fall out, and stick to the grill grates. This is the last thing you or anyone you are cooking for want to end up ingesting. That can quickly turn into a bad situation.
If you are using a metal bristle brush, make sure to wipe the grates with a damp paper towel or cloth to pick up any loose bristles. Some people even rub half a lemon or onion over the grates after brushing to eliminate any bristles. Look the grates over one last time before cooking just to be extra careful.
You will have less chance of stray bristles with a good quality stainless steel grill brush versus cheaper copper. But, if you do notice any bristles coming loose from your brush, dont chance more getting stuck on your grill and throw the brush away.
You May Like: Bbq Pork Chops Temp
How To Clean A Gas Grill & Grates
Grilling season is upon us in the Capital Region, and maintaining the life of a new gas grill starts with routine cleaning.
This includes cleaning both the grill and grill grates to ensure leftover grease or food particles wont lead to performance issues during the season and in seasons to follow.
To keep a quality grill working properly throughout its life, follow these simple tips from our grill experts.
How To Clean Grill Grates After Use
Dip a cleaning cloth into the soapy water and scrub the surface of the grates.Food that was stuck should easily come off.For a more thorough cleaning, consider soaking the grates in hot, soapy water for at least 30 minutes.For best results, wait until after youve grilled.
For effective scrubbing, spray the vinegar mixture on the aluminum foil also to remove the stains and food particles on the grates.Here are my grates before the preheat.Here is what you do:How to clean barbeque grill grates and racks grill grates and racks should be cleaned after each use.
How to clean cast iron grill grates.However, this time, you do not have to brush the grates but to scrub them hard enough.If there are any residues left, these will come off with a light brushing.If there is baked on material that isnt coming off just with the cloth, switch to your soft bristle brush.
If you run into any stubborn pieces, dip a bit of vinegar into a paper towel or clean cloth.then wipe it on your grates.If you want even better results without much scrubbing:It becomes a lot harder once fully cooled.It is easiest to clean the grill grates while they are still hot.
Let the grates cool and scrub them with a nylon cleaning brush.Let them soak for at least 30 minutes.Most people will brush the grates every time before and after use and this is amazing.Now use clean water to rinse the grates.
Read Also: How Long Do You Grill Skinless Salmon
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.
Ways To Clean Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Grill Grates With Vinegar
The acidity of vinegar helps break down grease left on porcelain covered cast iron grates. Quickly make a DIY vinegar grate cleaner at home using things you already have in the house.
- ½ cup of apple cider or white vinegar
- 1 cup of water
- Nylon or brass grill brush
- Bowl or spray bottle
For this all natural grill cleaner, mix the vinegar and water and pour it into a spray bottle or bucket. Either spray the solution directly onto the grates or dip your brush in the bucket.
Start scrubbing your grill grates diagonally and watch as the grime starts to disappear. Be sure to scrub both sides of the rack.
This solution is a natural stove degreaser that tears through grease and oil to give you a clean grill. Also, use vinegar to soak your BBQ grill grates. After each use, turn up the heat to burn off excess grease and let cool.
Soak the grates in a large bucket or storage container overnight in a 1:2 vinegar solution. Scrub with a nylon or brass brush the next day and rinse off with warm water. This method is similar to cleaning oven racks in your dishwasher with vinegar.
Vinegar might leave a smell or taste on your grates and affect the taste of food. Turn up the heat again after you put the grates back to burn off the leftover vinegar.
Also Check: How Long Do You Grill Bone In Chicken Thighs
