How to Clean Gas Grill Grates? (Cast Iron, Porcelain & Deep Cleaning)

Whenever you grill frequently, it is important to clean the grill grates to prevent food, oil, and grease from accumulating. In addition, regular cleaning is the only way to ensure the gas grill maintains its original appearance and performance. Routine cleaning, along with a deep cleaning once a year, will save you money and improve grill performance.

In addition to preventing fire hazards, maintaining a proper cleaning routine ensures safe food by preventing bacteria, soil, and grease buildup. For this reason, grill grates should be regularly cleaned. Here are some tips on cleaning gas grill grates.

Different cleaning methods of the gas grill grates

There are several ways to clean gas grill grates. However, not all methods are equally effective for all types of grates. For instance, porcelain grates need to be cleaned differently than stainless steel or cast iron grates.  

That’s why I have chosen the most used and most effective ways of cleaning gas grill grates:

1. Porcelain Grates Cleaning Process
2. Cast Iron and Stainless Steel Grates Cleaning Process
3. Heavy duty or Deep Cleaning Process

You can use the deep cleaning method for any type of grates. Now we will know how they work:

Cleaning Process for Porcelain Grates

Go through the owner’s manual

The porcelain coating is very susceptible to scraping and scrubbing, so you should read the owner’s manual first. Before beginning, read your manufacturer’s instructions carefully to protect your warranty.  

Apply a scrubber brush of nylon

Now it’s time to scrub the grill with a nylon scrubber brush. If you use brass brushes, you may scrape the coating on your grill, so do not use them. For getting between the grating’s sides, try a slightly curved one. Scrape slowly and diagonally. You should move your hands in one direction, only from where you need them. If you’re dealing with heavy buildup, dampen the brush before you scrub.  

Flip the grill

Clean the underside of the grill after it has cooled. To remove the gunk and food buildup, use the diagonal movement once more. Use the brush to remove them. You will have to be patient and do it carefully since there are drippings from the cooking process. Depending on how many sections you have on your grill, repeat the process for each.  

Cleaning Process for Cast Iron and Stainless Steel Grates

Prepare a stainless steel brush

You need a stainless steel grill brush. You can use either a straight or roller brush. The bristles of the brush should be soft in order to protect the coating of the grill grate. It may be better to use the roll ones for cleaning all sides of the grill grate.  

Make sure the grill is hot

Grease, fool, or oil buildup will melt easily on a hot grill, making cleanup a breeze. Preheat the grill to its highest temperature. Allow the grill to heat for 12-15 minutes. Whenever your grill reaches 550-600 degrees Fahrenheit, you can stop to heat it.  

Scrub the Surface

Sweep the grates in a back-and-forth motion until they are completely clean. The rest of the grill should be treated in the same way.  

Use vegetable oil

You can now moisten a paper towel or cloth with vegetable oil. Then gently wipe the bars using a pair of tongs and a cloth/towel. This will prevent rust. Do not use vegetable oil of more than 5 ml. It may cause an excessive flare-up issue and issues like this.

You can also read:

• 7 Easy Ways To Clean The Inside of a Gas Grill
• Effective ways Clean a Gas Grill With Vinegar And Baking Soda

Deep Clean the Grates of the grills

Make a solution of vinegar and baking soda

 Make a perfect solution by mixing vinegar and baking soda. The ratio should be 2:1. Put the solution into a garbage bag. Make sure you take a bag large enough to hold your grill grates. Remove the grates carefully.  

Soak the grates

After that, immerse the grates in the garbage bag filled with the mixture and leave them there overnight. This is the only option for deep cleaning. Secure the bag well. You can use a rubber band to secure it.  

Take out the gates and rinse

The next morning, carefully remove the grates from the bag. You should wash them thoroughly in cool water the next day. If possible, use a garden hose to remove all the buildup.  

Do scrub

Afterward, scrub diagonally to remove any remaining dirt, grease, or oil. If you have porcelain grates, a nylon brush would be very useful. If you have stainless steel or cast iron grates, use a stainless steel brush. Make sure you clean them thoroughly.  

Rinse out again and let the grates dry

After scrubbing the grates, rinse them out again and let them dry for a few minutes before placing them back into the grill.  

Is it safe to use vinegar and baking soda together?

Since nothing but carbon dioxide is produced, it is safe. You can clean your gas grill grates with vinegar and baking soda. When applied together, these two elements can remove even the heaviest buildup of food, grease, and oil. To get done with the process safely, the procedure is a bit tricky and should have the safety precautions in place at the place.  

Final words

At first, cleaning the grill may seem tedious. However, good grilling requires proper cleaning. Follow these easy and effective methods for cleaning gas grill grates. Follow the suggested cleaning procedure. I hope this article has been helpful to you. Be sure to let me know if you have any difficulties cleaning your gas grill grates.