Cleaning Cast Iron Cooking Grids
With proper care, cast iron grill grates can last decades on a gas or charcoal grill. Cast iron grill grates should be cleaned and seasoned after every use to keep them non-stick and resistant to rust. Follow these steps to clean cast iron cooking grates:
Never put your cast iron cooking grates in the dishwasher, soak them in soapy water, or allow them to air dry.
However, it is safe to occasionally use mild dish soap or an all-natural cast iron cleaner especially if youre using them for the first time or you need a bit of help lifting difficult debris. If you do clean your grates with dish soap, take extra care to re-season them properlysoap can strip away the non-stick surface that develops when you bake the oil into the iron.
Learn when to clean grill grates and how to clean different materials.
Useful Tips On How To Season Cast Iron Grill
In our years of experience taking care of and cooking with cast iron grills and pans, we have picked up some extra tips that could help you achieve a better seasoning and better cooking experience by extension. To begin with, make sure that you use the best oil you can get and be patient with the seasoning process.
What Can I Soak My Grill Grates In
If youve got food that cant be cleaned by a grill or youre performing your annual deep clean wash the grates with an emulsion of baking soda and vinegar.
Baking soda and vinegar combine to disintegrate food particles that have been burned.
You can also use this method to clean your barbecue grates if theyve been in storage all winter and have rust on them.
To remove stuck-on food, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it to the grate with a sponge, brush, or cloth.
Let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with water. For caked-on grease, mix equal parts baking soda and dishwashing liquid.
Rub it onto the grate with a sponge or brush, then rinse thoroughly with water.
You may need to repeat these steps several times to completely remove all the debris.
If you have hard-to-clean areas on your grill grates, try using a wire brush or steel wool pads.
Scrub the areas with soap and water, then rinse thoroughly. You can also use a putty knife to scrape off any stubborn debris.
Be sure to clean all sides of the grates, as well as the area between the bars.
Recommended Reading: What Grill Is Best For Me
Why Do Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Grill Grates Need To Be Seasoned
Its that perfect time of year to fire up the grill, but wait, not so fast! Youve got to perform the important task of seasoning your grills grates, and heres why!
Even if youve bought a brand new grill, seasoning the grates gets rid of all the oils and contaminants from the factory it was made in such as residual paint, manufacturing oils, metal shavings and dustnone of which you want added to your food.
Apart from these, its a good idea to season porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grates, most notably:
- The porcelain coating may wear off over time
- You bought a used grill or used grates
- Seasoning grill grates does increase their service life
- Seasoning porcelain coated cast iron grill grates doesnt cause damage
- Food is sticking to your grates
Cast Iron Grill Restoration
Im going to try to restore this old lodge sportsman grill bring it back to life its um seen its. Better days my girlfriend picked this up for next to nothing that uh swap meet or garage sale or somewhere. And its its pretty rusty its not real bad its not pitted but it is its just covered in rust. So im gonna try it a little different then most of the cast iron that i do because theres so.
Much surface area here in cracks and crevices and whatnot im going to soak it in vinegar i did a. Test piece this worked out pretty good so im gonna set this in a container and completely covered in vinegar. And let it sit for a couple of days and well come back and clean it up and see what. It looks like ill give a quick update on the little grill you can see i think you can see. Down in there all the bubbles it looks like its foaming and it seems to be cleaning it pretty good.
A lot of the lot of the rust is gone its been 24 hours and i think another 24 hours. Will probably do it you can see how dirty though the vinegar is getting all the rust thats down in. There its um its working on it pretty good but well come back tomorrow and check and see what it. Looks like take it out im sure well have to scrub a little bit its been 48 hours since we. Put this in here so we got some leaves and debris in there but you can see you can see.
Read Also: What’s The Best Gas Grill On The Market
Can I Season My Cast Iron Grill Grates In The Oven
Dont use soap. Instead, use the towel off to apply vegetable oils on your grill grates made of iron.
The grates should be placed in the oven and then increase the temperature to 350 or 400°F gradually for about 40 minutes.
After that, let the grill grates cool down inside the oven.
Now your cast iron grill grates are ready to be used! Seasoning them regularly will help create a smooth surface on the grates and prevent sticking and rusting.
To season your cast iron grill grates, youll need to apply vegetable oil to them with a towel.
Then, place the grates in an oven that is turned off, but set to 350 or 400°F. Let the grill grates cook in the oven for 40 minutes, then turn off the oven and let them cool down inside.
After theyve cooled, your cast iron grill grates will be seasoned and ready to use!
Seasoning them regularly will help create a smooth surface on the grates and prevent sticking and rusting.
Turn The Grill Off And Let The Grates To Cool Off
Two hours is enough for the grates to season properly. Then turn off the grill and let it cool off. Leave the lid closed during this time to ensure that the grates cool off slowly.
Your grates are now properly seasoned and ready for the next barbeque. To maintain the grill in the best condition, clean the grates after every cookout to ensure that food particles and grease dont accumulate at them. It is recommended that you re-season the grates after every 4-5 cookouts to boost the durability and the longevity of the cooking device.
You May Like: Does Home Depot Put Grills On Sale
What To Do If Your Grill Starts Rusting
If you notice that your grill is starting to rust, there are a few things you can do to prevent the problem from getting worse.
Grilling Over Direct Heat
Finally, one final method for seasoning porcelain coated cast iron grill grates is by grilling them over direct heat instead of using a stovetop fire. This method will help seal in the flavors and add an extra smoky layer to your food.
Whatever method you choose, it is important to take the necessary precautions in order to ensure your grill grates dont stick and consequently produce poor-quality food. By following these tips, youll be well on your way to maintaining a clean and tasty grill experience!
Recommended Reading: Does Weber Grill Come With Propane Tank
How To Season A Cast Iron Grill With Oil
Once the cast iron grids are dry, coat them with a thin layer of cooking oil to season a cast iron pan or grill. You can either spray the cast iron or spread a light coating of oil on the grill using a paper towel.
Make sure you thoroughly coat every inch of the surface, including the corners.You can use any cooking oil, though we recommend using one with a high smoke point.
Non-stick cooking sprays do not work as well because they have a lower smoke point, meaning they will burn off even on low heat. You can also use melted shortening, but you should not use any fat with salt in it such as butter or margarine.
- Soybean oil
Once it is thoroughly coated, place it back in your BBQ and light the grill. Turn it to medium/low heat and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
This allows the oil to bake into the pores and creates a non-stick surface. Turn off the control knobs. Once the grills are cool, they are seasoned, and you can start cooking!
How To Season Replacement Cast Iron Grill Grates
Replacement cast iron grill grates are not cheap.
So how do you prevent them from rusting and turning into a pile of scrap metal?
This was a question I had after realizing our 10-year-old gas grill needed new replacement cast iron grill grates.
Since I was in a rush to get this project done I had to buy Char-Broil grates for our Weber gas grill. And it was somewhat of a bust but youll get some good tips at my expense
Here are the supplies you need:
- Replacement cast iron grill grates
- Microfiber cloth
- Mild dishwashing soap
After reading this post youll have the ability to season new or replacement cast iron grill grates. This in turn will prevent rusting and stop your food from sticking-which is annoying at best!!
I guarantee youll discover a few good tips. But if you have your own please dont hesitate to let me know.
Recommended Reading: How To Grill Flank Steak
Soap Water And Steel Wool
To start, use the scraper end of your grilling brush to scrape away as much loose rust as possible.
Next, you want to wash away the remaining rust using a combination of soap and water. Soak the grill grates in a tub full of warm, soapy water. Then, using steel wool, a stiff brush or an SOS pad, give the grates a thorough scrub to remove all of the surface rust.
Once all of the rust has been removed and the grill grates are back down to bare metal, youve done the job right.
To avoid having new rust formations on the grill grates, dry them completely before putting them away. Wipe them with a dry towel and leave them in the sun on a nice sunny day or put them back on the grill and turn it on for a few minutes to dry out any sitting moisture.
Once the grates are completely dry, its best to re-season them as soon as possible so that you dont end up with the same issues once again.
Cast Iron Grill Grate Seasoning: Crisco And Microfiber Cloths Are The Key
Crisco is body moisturizer for cast iron grill grates. Youll need to apply it to every nook and cranny. A thin coating is all you need.
At first I used paper towels to apply the Crisco and this didnt work all that well because cast iron isnt perfectly smooth. Thus, tiny bits of paper would get stuck to the grate.
Then I had an epiphany. Why not use one of the 50 microfiber cloths sitting in our laundry room? We use these to clean around the house and theyre not that expensive, at least the ones we buy at Home Depot.
Heres a short video that shows you the grill grates and how to season them. Ill reveal my big mistake, and although Im a bit embarrassed its better that I share my big goof so you dont do the same thing.
Also Check: Are Charcoal Grills Better Than Gas
How To Remove Rust From Cast Iron Grates
Sometimes accidents or unintentional neglect can happen, and your grates will sadly become rusty.
This can occur if you accidentally leave the cover off your grill, or if you simply dont use it for a prolonged period and moisture gets inside the grill.
If this happens, dont panic there are several ways you can remove rust and restore your cast iron grates to their former glory.
How To Season Your New Grates
The brand new grill is purchased, put together and it is time to get to grilling. A common question we receive from new grill owners or even repeat owners of new grills is, do I need to season my grates before grilling?
Our grates do not require any seasoning or re-seasoning prior to use. The grates have a porcelain enamel coating on them that takes away the need for seasoning. Before using grates for the first time, we just recommend preheating the grill and brushing the grates with a bristle brush and you are good to go.
Happy grilling!
You May Like: What Is The Best Way To Grill Salmon
Cast Iron Barbeque Grill Grates: How To Prevent Rust And Maintain Them
- 23rd October 2012
- BBQ Cleaning
Cast Iron grill grates: How to prevent your outdoor barbecue grill grates from rusting?
I clean BBQ grills and come across many types of barbecue grill grates, stainless steel, porcelain coated, porcelain-coated cast iron and cast iron. A majority of the grates I see, especially the cast iron are rusted and probably should be thrown away. I dont know about you but eating off of a rusted grill grate is not very appetizing and not very healthy.
Now that your BBQ has been professionally cleaned, how do you care for your cast iron grates?
One of the first questions I get from my customers after they see how clean their grates are is How do I keep them this clean after your gone? This is what I tell everyone after I clean their grill. Now that Ive cleaned your grates Ive taken away that layer of seasoning that was built up on them. If you were not accustomed to spraying PAM, you might want to use it because your food might want to stick a little bit more now that they are clean. What you need to do is season the grates by applying a thin layer of vegetable oil or olive oil with a paper towel prior to putting your food down, this will help keep your food from sticking till that seasoning layer is built back up.
While stainless steel and porcelain coated grates tend to be easier to keep clean, cast iron grates are much more difficult to maintain especially if they are already rusted.
How To Season Cast Iron Grill Detailed Guide
Got a brand new griddle and are you starting to cook on that. Wait? Dont forget to season it first. The importance of seasoning a new pan or grill is often neglected but is of prime significance. If you have an old rusty pan, you need to first clean it thoroughly before seasoning it.
The first and foremost step in seasoning the cast iron grills is to clean them to eliminate any black residue. Further, you need to remove any kind of rust that is formed. If you see that there is some rust formation that has to be removed, use a hard formula dishwashing soap together with a steep or metal scrubber. These scrubbers will remove the rust by making them scratch out of the cast-iron surface. However, if that is not the case, you can settle for a mild dishwashing soap together with lukewarm water. The scrubber used in this case should be either the plastic scrubber or else the foamic one. This will not put much pressure on the cast iron grill.
Next up you should completely dry these grills. Leaving them wet will increase the risk of corrosion. Therefore, you should always clean them using a paper towel. You can also use a clean cloth for drying.
Read Also: Security Grilles For Doors And Windows
