Cleaning grill grates aren’t ever going to be top of a list of fun weekend activities, but it’s a chore which is essential to avoid food contamination, reduce the risk of fires and, of course, to maximize the lifespan of your grill.
Ideally, you should take the time to clean your grill grates after each use, as this avoids the grime and food particles building up. Cleaning grill gates aren’t particularly difficult, but how you do it depends on whether your grates are cast-iron, porcelain or stainless steel
To make things super easy we have put together this brief guide on four great ways you can clean those grill gates properly. This article was inspired by a similar article over at, you can check it out here: How to clean grill grates ( All Types ! ) | Exchange Bar and Grill
#1 – The regular quick clean
This works the same for all types of grill. Simply warm it to around 2500F degrees and let it heat at that temperature for around 15 minutes then let it cool enough for the grates to be warm, rather than hot. Clean any debris with a brush; for a cast-iron grill use a wire or nylon brush – the durable structure can take it. Finish by rubbing oil over the grates with a paper towel.
#2- The deeper clean (for cast-iron grates)
As outlined above you must warm the grill and use a brush to get rid of any food still clinging on, but rather than oiling the grates you should wash with a small amount of dish soap and a strong sponge then rinse several times in clean water. After wiping dry season with the oil, (vegetable oil is fine), then heat the grill a little and leave the grates on it for around ten minutes before closing it down.
#3 Cleaning stainless steel or porcelain grill grates
Neither of these will rust so overall they require less maintenance than cast-iron grill grates, but on the flip side, they are more vulnerable to damage so you cannot use harsh products or brushes on them. For both these types of grill, you can clean them regularly using the instructions covered in #1, substituting the wire brush for one with soft and gentle bristles. You can also skip the oiling as these grill grates don’t need to be seasoned.
#4 Serious cleaning of cast-iron grill grates
Cast-iron grill grates which have been left to become really dirty, or have signs of rust, need a much more thorough clean than #1 or #2 covers. There are chemical based products designed especially to do this kind of deep-clean, but if you prefer not to cook on equipment which has been exposed to so many potential toxins there are lots of natural ways to tackle the dirt and rust if it is not too extensive. These include leaving the grates in a bag with a mix of 1 cup salt 2 cups vinegar on a flat surface overnight. The next day simply rinses, scrub and oil. Alternatively, cover the grates with a paste made of baking soda and wine vinegar and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing and cleaning with a soft brush.
