When To Clean Grill Grates

Are Ceramic Grills Easy To Maintain

How to Clean Gas Grill Grates | Grillabilities from BBQGuys

Most are. Ceramic grills feature an egg-shaped design with thicker walls than the average charcoal grill or kettle grill. You can easily break it down to clean it out by removing the grate and the ash catcher. However, their heavier size may make deep cleans a two-person job. To learn more about the different types of charcoal grills available, to read our portable charcoal grill buyers guide.

Best Ways To Clean Grill Grates

Cleaning grill grates is a nasty job, but not if you want your food to taste nasty too!

Ive heard people say they dont mind a little leftover grime on their grates, with the claim that it adds flavor. No, this is not a thing. Only lazy people say that. Grease, oil, and marinade get caked up during grilling. After they sit there for a while, they turn rancid and will make your food taste bad. Just clean the grates, its not that hard.

You never think of using a frying pan and want to cook something that has left-over gunk and dried sauce everywhere. Well, your grill is pretty much the same principle and should have proper hygiene you need for a fine BBQ.

Lets talk about heavy metal for a second. Not the kind that you listen to that makes the neighbors wonder if youll ever grow-up. The kind that gets hot enough to put an excellent sear and crust on your steak. Below well cover everything you need to know about grates, DIY cleaning hacks, maintenance tips, and our top picks for the best grates and cleaning tools.

Cleaning Tools & Grate Upgrades, Reviewed & Ranked

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Kettle Grate

How Do I Make My Grill Grates Look New

Grill grates are going to get dirty. In order to get your grubby, greasy grill grates looking new again, you’ll need to know what the grill grate is made from. Each type of grate has unique properties that make a difference when you clean. A regular deep cleaning will be the best way to make your grill grates look like new again.

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Clean All Parts Once Each Year

At the beginning and end of each grilling season, or at least once a year if you grill year-round, give your charcoal grill a thorough cleaning with hot soapy water and a stiff nylon brush or fiber scrub pad.

For complete cleaning, perform this work systematically, beginning with the surfaces up under the hood and moving down to the side walls and bottom of the cooking chamber. Make sure to thoroughly clean the drip pan.

Conclude by wiping down the outside of the grill from top to bottom, using warm water. Wipe dry to prevent rust.

Apply Baking Soda Solution On The Ceramic Grill Grates

3 Ways to Clean Grill Grates

When your grill greats are really dirty, you can use baking soda solution on it. Make a solution paste with baking soda and water. Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of warm water into a small bowl. Apply the paste solution on the grill grates by using a small paintbrush or toothbrush. Let them sit on the grill grates for at least 20 minutes, then clean it off with a soft bristle ceramic grill brush.

You could remove the ceramic greats and put into a tub with baking soda solution, then let the solution soak overnight. Take out the grill grates from the solution and rains it as well, then replace the grill grates and clean with a soft brush.

Note: Make sure you clean all the baking soda solution from the grill before you cook anything on it. Clean the brush to reuse it when you have done applying the cleaner solution.

Also Check: Stainless Steel Grill Grates Cleaning

How To Clean Your Grill

Grill Cleaning 101

The delicious food you can create on your Louisiana Grill can be hard to resist, but dont let that temptation distract you from an integral step. Before you fire it up, youve got to take care of business first and get the machine nice and clean.

We know, we know. Taking the time clean your grill doesnt sound all that fun, but its necessary to get the best, most flavorful food. Trust us. You dont want accumulated grease, rust, or debris to stand in the way of your dinner plans.

If you carve out some time for maintenance, the process wont take as long as it would if you put off cleaning. Plus, weve got some tips and tricks to help you out.

The Basics

First, lets run through the basics. These instructions can be applied to clean any type of grill, from pellet to kamado.

Clean your grates

Before removing your grates from the grill, give them a hard scrub with your grill brush. After brushing the grates, take them off the grill and lay them on a towel or cardboard box that is placed on the ground. While wearing protective gloves, spray your grates with a cleaner/degreaser. Let it soak for about a minute, and then wipe and rinse with water. Be sure to scrub your grates with a mild detergent and water to remove the residual cleaner. Then rinse again and set aside to let your grates dry.

Vacuum any loose debris

Clean the interior

Using a cleaner/degreaser, spray the entire interior surface of the grill and repeat the same steps used to clean your grates.

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.

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Take Away Rust From Grill Grates With Baking Soda

Utilizing baking soda to take away rust from grill grates just isnt solely straightforward to do however cost-efficient as nicely. Its among the best family merchandise to take away rust from many surfaces, together with the grill. Its a gentle abrasive that not solely scrubs away the rust however absorbs grease and dirt.

Fill a big bin or bucket with sizzling water and add the dish detergent and baking soda. Take away the grate from the grill and scrub away any free particles with a grill brush earlier than inserting the grate into the soapy answer.

Permit it to soak for one hour and use the comb to clean away the loosened rust. Take away the grate and spray away residue with a backyard hose earlier than changing it on the grill.

Use this recipe for cleansing galvanized steel, too, however skip the wire brush as it would penetrate the coating. Wipe with an outdated rag or a nylon sponge as an alternative.

The Grate Doctor Is A Tool That Allows You To Clean Your Grill Grates And Keep Them Looking Like New The Product Has A Scraper On One End And A Brush On The Other You Can Use It To Clean Away Any Food

How to Clean Your Grill Grates | Char-Broil

How to clean grill grates cast iron

Cast iron cooking grates are sturdy and efficient heat conductors. They leave impressive grill marks on steaks and chops. Best of all, they can last a lifetime with the proper care.

If youve shied away from using cast iron in the past, were here to tell you that theyre actually very easy to care for. In this guide, well clue you in on all our best tips on how to clean cast iron grill grates.

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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!

Quick Tips On How To Clean Porcelain Grates

Porcelain grates are somewhat more challenging to deep clean than other types of grates because the coating can be damaged. You shouldn’t use a wire brush, steel wool, or other abrasives on these grates. These tools can cause scratches in the surface that may lead to chipping, cracking, and rust. Instead, use a nylon grill brush to knock off the largest chunks. Aluminum foil is safe to use on most grill grates because it is softer than the metals the grates are made from.

Warm water with a little dish soap is a great way to clean porcelain grill grates to remove light messes. Wipe them down with a cooking oil that has a high smoke point. Vegetable oil is a good choice, but you should avoid using extra virgin olive oil which can burn and leave a funky flavor that is also unhealthy.

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Wipe The Grates And Racks

Wipe the grates and racks with a damp rag to remove loosened bits, and make sure there are no loose brush bristles left on the grate .

If you have a cast-iron grate, clean it completely, then brush on some vegetable oil with a paper towel to keep your grate in proper shape. Bare cast iron needs to be inspected regularly, because it is more likely to rust.

Cleaning Gas Vs Charcoal Grills

How To Clean Grill Grates

Overall, experts said there are not many differences between cleaning the surface of gas and charcoal grills. Lyman said you can clean grill grates on gas and charcoal grills with the same tools. However, West said cleaning charcoal grills is a more grimy endeavor, which is one reason why people prefer gas grills. From lighting the charcoal to clearing away the dust, charcoal grills are just a lot more work, West said.

Gas grills have extra parts to clean compared to charcoal grills, like burners, ignitors and rotisserie attachments, Lyman said. He noted that these parts of gas grills are a haven to spiders and other pests and can cause trouble with gas flow and air circulation, causing inconsistent heat. He recommended using a blower to get rid of any bugs and spider webs that you find on your grill.

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What To Do Before Cleaning Grill Grates

Before you clean, consider the material your grill grates are made of. How to clean the grill grates and what cleaning products to use largely depends on the material of the grates.

  • Porcelain grates: as long as their original finish is not damaged, porcelain grates are rust-resistant. They require a nylon brush or one with soft bristles to clean.
  • Stainless-steel grates: this type is durable and does not require much care compared to porcelain and cast iron grates. To inhibit rust, ensure to dry them completely.
  • Cast iron grates: this material makes the grates tough enough to handle stiff brushes. They are not prone to rust and can be cleaned by rubbing with vegetable oil.

Empty Ashes After Each Use

Clean out the residual ash in a charcoal grill after each use. A pile of ash left on the grill can collect moisture, and ash plus moisture can equal a cement-like substance that’s can be incredibly difficult to remove.

To make quick work of ash cleanup, keep a metal bucket with a lid next to the grill, and dump the ashes and spent coals into it when everything has cooled down. Store the bucket somewhere where it won’t get wet.

Transfer the collected ash to the garbage when the bucket is full and you’re positive there are no coals still burning. Ash disposal becomes even easier if you opt for lump charcoal since it creates relatively little ash when compared to briquettes.

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Clean All Parts Once A Year

Clean everything elseincluding the burners themselves, the side walls, the bottom of the cooking compartment, and the drip panat least once a year, using warm, soapy water. This seasonal or annual cleaning requires some simple disassembly so you can clean each part separately let and dry it thoroughly before reassembling the grill. Make sure to disconnect the gas hookups before removing the burners.

The burners require special attention. Makes sure the jets are free of debris. A thin wire or small nail can help to open up any holes that are plugged.

Conclude by wiping down the outside of the grill, using warm water. Wipe dry to prevent rust.

What Material The Rec Tec Grill Grates Are Made Of

4 Tricks To Clean Your Grill Grates

Before going to clean the grill grates, you should know the material the grill grates are made up of.

You should know whether your grill grates are made of porcelain, cast iron, or stainless steel.

The process of cleaning and products you used for cleaning entirely depends upon what material the grates are made of.

Let me tell you Rec Tec grill grates are made up of stainless steel.

So that you can choose the cleaning products and apply process accordingly.

Stainless Steel grates are so much durable.

They dont need as much special care as porcelain or cast-iron grates.

But that doesnt mean they arent going to rust.

So, dry the grates thoroughly after cleaning.

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Diy Grate Scraping Tool

Your kitchen holds a wealth of items and materials perfect for DIY projects. If you canât find a soft bristle brush, clean your stainless steel grill grates or those made from porcelain using a different tool.

  • Any cleaning solution from this article

Aluminum foil can scrape off gunk and grease from your grill. Simply roll the aluminum into a ball large enough to grip without touching the grates.

Make sure that there is plenty of aluminum foil between your hand and the grill to avoid burns. To ensure your safety, use tongs to hold the aluminum or use this method only after the grill has completely cooled down.

Applying a cleaning solution to the grates adds extra cleaning power to your DIY grill scraper. If you chose to use a cleaning solution, be sure to rinse off the remaining solution to avoid contaminating your future cookout food.

How To Clean Bbq Grill Grates With Vinegar

Every time you use the grill it gets messy.

Bits of food and grease get stuck to the grates and some even fall down below into the grill.

If youre using a charcoal grill, then its even dirtier because of the ash.

Ash is not that big of a deal. You just scoop it up or if youre clever suck it up with a vacuum cleaner.

The real problem is the burnt food residue on the grates.

If you dont clean them after every cooking session, it will get layers of dirt and grime, and fat.

Thats not only unsanitary but also detrimental to your health.

The most simple solution would be to just scrub the grates with a wire brush. Hold on. This stuff is burnt on pretty badly, kind of like glue.

Instead of spending hours scrubbing your ass off, why dont you try a different approach?

In this guide, Ill show you one of the most simple and effective ways to clean grill grates by using vinegar.

Its natural, cheap, every household and store has it, and its super effective.

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Aluminum Foil And Baking Soda

  • Mix 1 ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup water in a bowl and make a paste with a thick liquid-like consistency that will stick to the grates.
  • Cover your grates with the paste using a brush or sponge and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.
  • Tear about 2 to 3 feet long aluminum foil and make it into a ball.
  • Use the aluminum foil ball to scrub the grates covered with baking soda. Work with an up and down motion across the grates.
  • Use clean water to rinse the grates and place them back into the grill.

Check this too: How to Keep a Charcoal Grill from Rusting

Open It Up Pull It Apart

How to Deep Clean Your Grill

First, you’ll need to open the grill and remove its various parts. This way, you’ll be able to access the main grill chamber. Typically sitting below the grates, this is where heavy food particles tend to fall and grease drippings land.

Start with a cold grill. Open the hood, remove the grill grates and set them aside. Some propane gas models also have one or multiple metal heat diffusers that rest over the burners. If your grill has them, take those out, too.

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Cast Iron Grill Grates

If you ask me, these grates can be perfect for getting non-stick grilling if you are very careful. Heres why this happens and why so many people think cast iron is some magical metal. The surface has a very nice quality of holding cooking oil. Its iron, so the little imperfections in the metal will allow the oil to remain on the surface evenly. But when you add heat, this changes everything. That oil can burn-off and then you get fat and food sticking to the grate.

Youll have to clean these more often when the heat is getting too hot. Even though they hold up great for higher heat, they will need scrubbing and oiling after every use. They can be a headache over the other alternatives. If you want to keep it simple, dont invest in cast iron grates unless you are prepared to do more prepping to keep these grates well oiled and properly cleaned.

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