Insert Them Into Your Grill
Pro Tip: Now that youre done cleaning, oil the grill grates with canola oil before you cook. This will help prevent food from sticking to the grill in the future and make cleaning much easier.
Canola oil, peanut oil, and avocado oil are all great due to their high smoke points.
Olive oil and extra virgin olive oil are not good to use as they have a smoke point. They will burn at around 400º which is too low for grilling.
Now lets continue with the rest of our grill grate cleaning methods.
Keeping Rust Off Grill Grates
Rust can rear its head on any part of your grilling unit. From the lid to the base, it can be anywhere. Some even place a pad under their grill or install a grease cup to catch excess grease to protect their deck or garden. Rust anywhere is bad, but you really dont want it on your grates.
If you look close inside the grill and see a few rust spots on your grill grates, its time to remove rust anyplace it might exist.
To remove the rust, this is where a good wire brush comes in handy. Use the brush to scrub and scrape off the rust until you cant see any more exterior brown rust on the surface. It can be helpful to rinse off the grill grates after you scrape them, because a little iron is good in the diet, but this isnt the best way to get it.
Once you have a cleaner surface, be sure to wipe or spray some vegetable oil on the spot where it was present until it is dry. The vegetable oil will be effective in preventing future surface rust.
Some alternate methods would be to use a thin layer of grease to prevent rust, as the grease keeps oxygen from rusting the metal.
I dont care if youre cooking pork chops, hot dogs or potatoes, rust on your grill grates is bad news for the food youre cooking and the end product. Periodically cleaning your grates from time to time is the best way to keep rust away for good.
To see a demonstration of the method we talked about throughout this article, check out the video above.
We Tried 4 Methods For Cleaning Impossibly Dirty Grill Grates And We’re Still Blown Away By The Winner
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Outdoor grills tend to bear the brunt of the workload during these warmer months. They help us keep the heat out of our kitchens and get those classic summer entrées ) on our plates. If you’re constantly using your grill, though, the grates can get messy. Like, really messy. Very quickly. A good scrape-down with a sturdy brush before and after you grill is a good habit to get into, but you really need to give the grates a more thorough cleaning once in a while to keep them in tip-top shape. So what’s the best way to do the deep-clean? I tried four popular methods and rated each one below.
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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.
Give Clean Grill Grates A Chance
I know its weird, but all I can say is dont knock it until youve tried it. Even though its not the most popular method, I think youll find that being free from the fear of loose grill brush wires brings a level of calm to any outdoor cooking session. Give this method a shot if youre on the search for an easy, yet effective, way to clean your grates.
The deep clean that your grates get with a good scrub and scrape from a ball of foil will have you coming back for more, and keep your patrons safe in the meantime.
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Clean Stainless Steel Grates
Stainless steel grates are also durable and last longer than a cast iron. It is preferred because they are less likely to rust and tarnish than cast iron grates. In essence, you must clean a stainless steel grate every time you use it. Here are the steps and extra tips for cleaning your stainless steel grates:
Dont Use A Wire Brush
Theres a story we came across a while back about a four-year-old boy who got hospitalized after he accidentally swallowed a metal bristle from a wire brush. Yikes!
While wire brushes are marketed explicitly to barbecue grill owners, we dont recommend using them to clean your grates. Theres always a chance that some of the bristles from the brush may fall off without you noticing, latch onto your food while youre grilling, and end up in your body. Its simply not worth a trip to the ER.
There are several other safer alternatives you can use that work just as well. One option would be to crumple up a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and shape it into a ball. Then, use a pair of tongs to grab it, and voila! You have a safe tool to clean your grates with.
Alternatively, you could also use a wooden grill scraper instead. The best thing about it is that the block will start to develop groves that fit your stainless steel grates perfectly after a while of using it.
Now, if you live on the wild side and insist on using a wire brush, ensure you double-check and even triple-check your grates for any stray bristles that might make their way into your food. Be sure to run a damp cloth across the grates once youre done scrubbing. You can never be too safe.
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How To Clean Grill Grates With Vinegar
This article was co-authored by Filip Boksa. Filip Boksa is the CEO and Founder of King of Maids, a U.S. based home cleaning service that helps clients with cleaning and organization.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 32,945 times.
If you frequently cook meats or other food on a grill, its hard to prevent grease and oil from sticking to your grill grates. By using simple supplies you can find at home specifically, aluminum foil, vinegar, and baking soda you can clean grill grates without toxic chemicals or endless scrubbing, and ensure that your grill is a clean and safe cooking surface.
Cleaning Grill Grates With A Brush And A Scraper
The simplest way to clean grill grates is using a brush and scraper. You can find grill cleaning brushes at most hardware stores or even local grocery stores. This provides a way to remove leftover food particles and any cooking residue while your grill is still warm after cooking.
Regularly using a grill brush and scraper will help to prolong the lifespan of your grill grates to ensure better grilling performance and safer usage.
Of course, not all grill brushes are the same quality. The best grill brushes and scrapers have wire bristles that can tackle both gas and charcoal grills. However, if you have porcelain grill grates, you should not use a metal brush. Youll need a brush with nylon bristles that will not cause damage to the coating. Once you have a good brush, the technique is quite straightforward.
Wait until the grill is still warm. You dont want it too hot or you risk burning yourself, but it should be warm enough so any leftover food or grease is still soft for easier removal. Use an up and down motion with the side of your grill brush to start cleaning. Try to use the same direction to minimize damage to the protective coating on your grates.
Rotate the brush to get between the side of the grates and clean all sides. You can dip your brush in some soapy water as you scrub. Regular dish soap will help to dissolve any grease.
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Update: Cleaning Grates With Easy Off
Ive used Easy-Off in many tests before and it works really well, so it always wins. I mean its right there in the name: EASY! I almost didnt try it in this test, because I know that the harsh chemicals are a turn-off for some people. But then my editor wrote about how its her new favorite method and I gave it a try. Heres how I did it and how it worked for me.
- Total time: 90 minutes
- Rating: 4
The method: Remove cooled grates from grill and place them on a trash bag outdoors, or in a utility sink in a well-ventilated area. Brush the grates to remove as much gunk as possible. Spray the grates with Easy Off, allow to foam, and let sit for 40 minutes. Brush down the grates, rinsing frequently. Be sure to rinse thoroughly before putting them back on the grill.
How it went: The Easy-Off works as its meant to, loosening grit and grime, making it much easier to wipe away. It took me two sessions to successfully remove the grime from the grill grate. The first time cleaned the top of the grate, but didnt loosen the stuff that was really stuck down in between. After another 40 minutes, I was able to easily wipe down most of what was left over. There was a tiny bit of gunk left, which I was able to easily get out with some aluminum foil. This method was the easiest , but again, I know its not for everyone.
How do you clean your grill grates when they need a deep, deep clean?
How To Keep Rust From Coming Back
After any good cleaning coat your grill surface with vegetable oil on both sides. The oil can keep moisture from attacking the metal. If you want to store your grill for long-term over the winter, put your grill grate inside a plastic bag. When youre ready to use the BBQ again, take them out of the bag and give them a good wipe down with paper towels. Youre then ready to fire-up the barbecue again and start cooking.
Since you dont have to put them in a bag all the time, always wipe the grill down before cooking on them. Vegetable oil also attracts little bugs, dust, and debris. Clean surfaces work better if they dont have any kind of build-up. The oil just helps you keep rust from ruining an afternoon BBQ.
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Good News: Grilling Season Is Almost Upon Us Before Firing Up Your Gas Grill Take Some Time To Learn How To Clean It
If your gas grill is a workhorse during the warm weather months, its worth learning how to clean it. Follow any of these options to get your gas grill clean, which will help your food taste great and keep your grill in good shape for years to come. Be sure to tune up your grill at the start of the season, too.
For grilling safety, always make sure your grill is cool and both the grill and its gas supply are turned off before you start cleaning.
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Grill Grate Cleaning Method: Baking Soda + Liquid Dish Soap
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Rating: 4
The method: Remove cooled grates from the grill. Fill a sink or bucket with warm water and approximately 1/2 cup of baking soda. In a bowl, mix up a paste of Dawn dish soap and baking soda. Apply the paste to the grates, making sure to get in all the nooks and crannies, and let the grates soak for at least 30 minutes. Then scrub, wash, and rinse.
How it went: The paste did an absolutely fantastic job of removing oil and getting the tops of the grates clean. I honestly wasnt expecting such dramatic results! It didnt work so well on the chunky burnt-on parts down in the grooves. When used in combination with aluminum foil, however, this method is really great, and helps to avoid using an aerosol or any harsh chemicals. This is the only way Ill be cleaning my grates from now on!
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How To Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates The Right Way
Now that you know what not to do with your stainless steel grill grate, lets dive into how to clean a stainless steel grate the right way. When it comes to keeping your grates and grill rack clean, there are two things you need to keep in mind.
- The easiest way to clean your grids is while theyre still hot, right after youre through with barbecuing. Besides, it gives you something to do while you let the meat rest. Dont put it off till later.
- If that sounds too ambitious especially when youre trying to fight off hunger pangs and would rather clean your grates at a later time , ensure that you preheat your grill first. 500°F for 15 minutes should do it. Then, use a scrubber or scraper to brush away any remnants from your previous barbecuing session.
With that in mind, you can use any of the two techniques below to clean your stainless steel grates.
How Does Grill Grates Get Dirty
When preparing the dishes that you love on a grill, oil drips from the steaks and settles on the grill grates as a result of the excess heat.
Some of the oil may evaporate from the surface but with continued use, a lot of leftover oil settles on them and forms a coat.
Burned food also collects on them as a result of the excess heat as well and in no time, your grill will be full of dirt and all sorts of grime.
Dust settles on the grates when it is in storage and this makes your grill a hotbed of germs and all manner dirty things.
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How To Clean A Gas Grill
Grills take a lot of wear and tear over time.Extreme temperatures, buildups of grease, carbon and food debris, rust andenvironmental factors can all wreak havoc on your grill over time.
Frequently cleaning your grill will improvethe safety of your grill, taste of your food, cut down on extra smoke, and ensure your burners areburning clean and heat is being distributed evenly. It will also give you achance to inspect your grill from top to bottom, and make sure its in goodshape.
An important part to inspect is the grill manifold. The manifold is the pipe that holds the valves. On some grills you may need to remove the control panel to see the manifold. Spray some soapy water around the valves and along the manifold. If you see bubbles you may have a leak. If the steal pipe feels soft or has any holes, you do NOT want to proceed further. This must be replaced. Contact the manufacturer for availability.
Heres how to clean a gas grill in a few easysteps.
How To Clean Your Grill: The Grates Are Just The Beginning
As the weather cools, it’s a good time to give your grill a deep cleaning.
Outdoor grills get dirty in no time.
Whether you plan to grill all year or retire your outdoor cooker for the season, fall is a great time for deep cleaning. And a dirty grill isn’t just gross. It’s a dangerous fire hazard. All that built-up grease and grime buildup can cause nasty flare-ups, even full-blown fires. A yucky, soiled grill won’t do any favors to food flavor either.
There’s no need to panic, though. Here in this guide are simple steps to deep-clean, and maintain your grill properly. As a result, your food will taste better, and your grill will perform at its best — not to mention last longer. I serviced a propane-fueled grill for this article, but much of the advice I offer covers charcoal grills, pellet smokers and kamado grills, too.
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