A stainless steel grill grate is a must-have for any true BBQ enthusiast. They are easy to clean and don’t rust or discolor the way other grates do. However, over time your grate may need some good scrubbing.
In this blog post, you will learn 3 different methods on how to clean stainless steel grill grates with ease!
Let’s begin!
How to Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates?
One of the major problems that grill owners face is how to clean stainless steel grill grates? When you use your outdoor grills regularly it becomes impossible to keep the grate shiny and spotless.
While you can put in some effort, sometimes even a small amount of staining may make its appearance unsightly and give off an unpleasant smell when cooking.
Required Tools
The following are some tools that will restore the shine and glossy appearance of your grill grates.
- Sturdy brush with firm bristles
- Sponge or rag
- Nonabrasive cleaner
- Water hose (optional)
- Aluminum Foil
Method 1: Aluminum Foil and High Grill Temperature
If you don’t want to use chemicals, this is the best way to clean stainless steel grill grates. Start by wrapping the grates with aluminum foil. Then, heat up your grill with high heat settings for 20 – 30 minutes.
The foil will heat up and create a chemical reaction that will clean your grates.
Once the grill has cooled down, remove the aluminum foil and scrub off any remaining dirt or residue with a brush or sponge. If there is any build-up on the grate, you can use a non-abrasive cleaner to help break it down.
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Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar
This is another great way to clean grill grates. You will need baking soda, white vinegar, and water to do this method successfully.
Start by using a non-abrasive cleaner or thick paste of baking soda and water on your grates after noticing any buildup. Then gently scrub the grate with a sponge until the build-up disappears.
Once you’ve cleaned off the grates, pour a generous amount of baking soda and white vinegar onto them in equal parts. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before scrubbing again with your sponge or brush.
Rinse off all residue from the grate thoroughly with water and let it dry completely to avoid any rusting.
Method 3: Soaking
This is the simplest way on how to clean stainless steel grill grates.
Start by filling a bucket with enough warm water so that it can cover your grate completely. Add some dish soap and 6-7 tsp baking soda, and let the grates soak for about an hour or two before scrubbing off any residue left behind with a brush.
Rinse with Water
After you have cleaned your stainless steel grill grates with this method, it is very important that you rinse them off thoroughly with water. This will remove any of the chemicals or cleaning solutions that you have used and also help to prevent rusting.
Dry with a Clean Towel
Once you have finished rinsing your grates, dry them with a clean towel and store them in a cool place to prevent rusting until the next use. This is an important step that many people tend to overlook!
Be sure not to scrub off any residue, or it will cause early wear and tear on the grate’s surface. You can also choose to use a dryer or allow the grates to air dry for about an hour.
By following these steps on how to clean stainless steel grill grates, you will be able to keep your BBQ equipment in pristine condition!
You can also use any of these methods for keeping multiple parts of your other outdoor cooking appliances shiny too.
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Cleaning BBQ Grates: Key Things to Consider
The importance of a Quality Brush!
If you are looking for the best way to clean stainless steel grill grates, don’t forget about your grill brush! A good sturdy brush with firm bristles is essential for a thorough and effective clean.
However, you should avoid stiffer brushes that are made out of heavy metal or have bristles that are too close together. These will do more harm than good!
There is a wide variety of grill brush styles and designs available on the market today to choose from. You can find everything from stainless steel with brass-colored handles to rust-resistant brushes with silicone or wooden handles.
The importance of a Non-abrasive Cleaner
A stainless steel grate can get dirty over time due to grease, oil, smoke particles, and food bits left behind after each use. Using a non-abrasive cleaner with a sponge or rag is the best way to clean stainless steel grill grates without scratching them.
Never Use Harsh Chemicals
It is important that you don’t use any harsh chemicals in your cleaning process either because they can damage and weaken the metal’s surface over time, causing rusting problems!
When choosing a quality cleaner for your grates, make sure to read the label carefully.
Grill cleaning gloves, grill cleaning tools, and grill mitts are also great tools to assist you in this process.
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Things to Avoid While Cleaning Stainless Steel Grill Grates
Cleaning stainless steel grates is one of those tedious chores that can easily be messed up if you’re not careful. Here are a few tips on what not to do while cleaning your stainless steel grates:
1. Avoid Scouring Pads
Do not use scouring pads as they will scratch the surface of your stainless steel grill grates. These materials are also known to produce fine particles that can cause respiratory problems if inhaled.
Instead, prefer a soft cloth like a dish towel to clean your stainless steel grill grates for regular cleaning.
2. Ensure Safety
Do not try to clean your stainless steel grill grates without wearing protective gear. You should always wear gloves, goggles, and a mask while cleaning the surface of your grates so that you do not get hurt by splashes or spatters coming from them.
Make sure that the grill is cool to the touch before you start cleaning it. If the grill is still hot, wait for it to cool down before trying to clean it.
3. Avoid Sturdy Wire Brushes
Do not use a sturdy wire brush to clean stainless steel grill grates, as this will scratch the surface of your grates.
Instead, you should always opt for stainless steel bristled brushes that are specially designed to be used on hard surfaces like stainless steel grill grates without causing any damage to them.
4. Avoid Acidic Solutions
Do not use any harsh or corrosive chemicals containing high amounts of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids to clean stainless steel grill grates. This can damage the finish of your grates, and it will also remove the factory-applied coating on them.
Instead, you should always stick with warm water and nonabrasive cleaners while cleaning them so that there is no chance of damaging their surface.
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Why Do Stainless Steel Grates Need Cleaning?
Cleaning your stainless steel grill grates is important for several reasons. If not kept clean, the build-up of grease and food particles can cause a nasty odor, make your food taste bad, and even damage the grate. Here are seven reasons you should always clean your grill grates:
Food Taste
When the burned-on food particles and grease build up on your stainless steel grill grates, it can make those grilled foods taste bad.
If you use a wire brush to remove them before barbecuing or cooking, then that will not be an issue for you.
Food Safety
If left uncleaned over time, the build-up of grease and food particles can attract bugs, rodents, flies, and other pests. These creatures will contaminate your food with their droppings which are harmful to you when consumed.
Easy Maintenance
If you clean your stainless steel grill grates after cooking, then it is a lot easier than if you wait until they are covered in food particles and grease. All you will need is some hot, soapy water and a wire brush to clean them quickly and easily.
Prevents Damage to Grill Grates
The build-up of food particles and grease on your stainless steel grill grates can also lead to rusting, corrosion or discoloration. This will make your grill grates look ugly, and they may even become warped over time. Clean them regularly to prevent this problem.
Prevents A Nasty Odor
If you do not clean the food particles and grease off of your stainless steel grill grates on a regular basis, then that will lead to the accumulation of a bad smell.
This is because it can attract bugs, rodents, or other pests, which in turn may cause an unpleasant odor coming from your grill grates over time if left uncleaned for too long.
Protection Against Bacteria and Germs
The build-up of food particles and grease on your stainless steel grill grates can also lead to the build-up of bacteria and germs. This is not only harmful to you, but it can also make your food taste bad.
Grill’s Longevity
The best way to keep your stainless steel grill grates in good condition is to clean them regularly. If you do not, then the food particles and grease will slowly damage them over time. Cleaning them after every use is the best way to avoid this from happening.
So there you have it! 7 reasons why cleaning your stainless steel grill grates is important. Follow these tips, and you will be making some delicious food in no time.
Final Words
Now you can enjoy your favorite grilled foods without having to worry about the mess. Give these steps a try and see how easy it is to clean stainless steel grill grates!