A dirty grill grate is a pain to clean. The good news is that there are many ways to keep them clean with little effort, including scrubbing with soap and water, soaking in bleach or commercial cleaning products, or simply lining the grates with aluminum foil.
It’s important to note that not all methods will work for you depending on what type of grill you own and the material it’s made of. For example, if your grill has porcelain-coated cast-iron grates then using bleach may remove some of the coatings from the surface causing rusting over time (though this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re just applying diluted bleach). However, if your grill has stainless steel interior surfaces then it should be okay to use bleach or any commercial grill cleaner.
Cleaning the grill grates is a necessary step in maintaining your grill
One of the easiest ways to clean your grill grates is to scrub them with soap and water. This will remove most of the food particles and grease build-up. For tougher stains, you can soak the grates in a solution of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the grates, then apply a light coating of cooking oil before putting them back on the grill.
Another option is to line the grates with aluminum foil after each use. This makes it easier to clean in between uses when you simply lift off the aluminum foil and throw it away.
There are many different ways to clean your grates
Soap:
This is the most basic way to clean your grill grates, and it works well for most food particles and grease build-up.
Bleach:
If your grill has porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, then using bleach may remove some of the coatings from the surface causing rusting over time. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the grates, then apply a light coating of cooking oil before putting them back on the grill.
Aluminum Foil:
Lining the grates with aluminum foil after each use makes it easier to clean in between uses when you simply lift off the aluminum foil and throw it away. This is one of the easiest ways to clean your grill grates.
Commercial Cleaners:
There are many different commercial grill cleaners on the market. Be sure to read the directions carefully and test in a small, inconspicuous area before using on your entire grill grate.
Soaking:
If your grill has stainless steel interior surfaces, then you can soak the grates in a solution of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the grates, then apply a light coating of cooking oil before putting them back on the grill.
Scrubbing:
Another way to clean your grill grates is to scrub them with a brush. This is especially helpful when you’ve had a major grease or oil spill. If needed, scrub the grates with soap and water after cleaning with this method.
Baking soda:
If your grill grate is really dirty, this may be enough to clean them. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the grates. Then, using tongs, place the grates on or above hot charcoal (carefully) or turn gas burners to high for several minutes until thoroughly heated. Using a stiff brush remove any large particles from the grates, then brush them clean.
Salt:
Another option is to use salt. Sprinkle a thick layer of salt over the grates and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. The salt will help loosen any food particles or grease build-up. Use a brush to remove the loosened material and then rinse the grates with water.
Cleaning your grill grate is an important part of keeping your grill clean and functional – plus it helps ensure that food doesn’t get stuck to the grate and tear apart when you try to remove
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways to clean your grill grate. Depending on the type of grill that you have, along with the types of grates that it has, some methods will be more effective than others. Be sure to read the directions carefully and test in a small, inconspicuous area before using them on your entire grill grate. And, most importantly, keep those grill grates clean!
