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How to Clean Gas Stove Top Grates and Burners

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Cleaning your range is a great way to keep your kitchen looking and smelling great. But, once you’ve finished sweeping up crumbs and wiping up surfaces, it’s time to turn your attention to an often-ignored component of your gas cooktop—the grates or burners. Learn how to clean gas stove top grates and burners with this step-by-step overview.

What you’ll need to clean gas stove grates and burners

Before you start cleaning your gas grates and burner tops, review your owner’s manual or user guide. Each range is different, and there may be special instructions for cleaning your grates and tops. If you have an electric cooktop with a glass-top surface, cleaning instructions will vary.

Supplies

Whether you need to scrape burnt-on food or brighten up your range's exterior, the affresh® stainless steel brightener1 and cooktop cleaning tools from Whirlpool brand can help provide a smooth process.

Note:

Do not use oven cleaners, bleach or rust removers to clean your gas burners. Do not use wooden toothpicks to clean the burner ports.

Step 1: Remove the cooking grates and burner caps

Remove your cooking grates and burner caps and disconnect the wires once the surface has completely cooled. For some models, you may need a screwdriver to remove the burner caps. If you have a range with a standing pilot light, make sure to turn off the gas valve prior to removing any parts.

Step 2: Soak the grates

Soak your cooking grates and burner caps in hot, soapy water for a minimum of 20 minutes. If your grates are cast iron, don’t soak them unless they’re coated or seasoned. If you’re not sure how to clean stove grates that are uncoated cast iron, check your owner’s manual.

Step 3: Create a baking soda mixture

If your grates or caps are very dirty, create a paste by mixing three parts baking soda to one part water. Coat the grates in this mixture and set aside for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Clean the burners

Wipe down the burners with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad, soft cloth or cleaning wipe, like one found in this affresh® cooktop cleaning kit.1 If you have coated the burners in baking soda paste, rinse this off first to avoid damaging the finish. Use a soft bristled brush to remove stubborn, stuck-on food. 

Do not use wooden toothpicks to clean burner ports. Be mindful to not enlarge or distort the openings during the cleaning process.

Step 5: Replace the burners and burner caps

Ensure the burners and burner caps are thoroughly cleaned and dried.

If your model has screws, use a screwdriver to replace the burner caps. The burner caps should be stable and sit flush with the burner base.

Step 6: Replace the grates

Ensure the grates are thoroughly cleaned and dried.

Shop Whirlpool

® replacement stove parts

If your gas cooktop grates and burner caps are looking worn or not working properly, they may need to be replaced. You can purchase replacement burner grates, burner caps, control valves and other gas range kitchen accessories from Whirlpool brand to keep your range up and running.

FAQs to cleaning stove burners and grates

When it comes to cleaning your gas stove, common questions may arise about how often to clean and signs it needs to be cleaned. Refer to the FAQs below for more tips:

How often should I clean my gas stove?

You should give your gas stovetop a quick cleanup after every time you use it since fresh spills and splatters are usually easier to clean. Make sure the surface is completely cool to the touch before cleaning. A deeper clean can be done about once a week.

Why do gas stove tops turn black or leave black marks on my pans?

Black marks may appear on your cookware if your burners are not heating evenly or if the flame is turned up too high.

Why is my gas burner flame yellow or orange?

A yellow or orange flame may be caused by dirty burner ports, insufficient air supply or the burning of existing spills on the surface. To resolve a yellow or orange flame, thoroughly clean your burners and gas stovetop.

How do I clean clogged gas burner ports?

Use a straight pin, needle or small–gauge wire to clean the burner ports and clear away any clogs. Be mindful to not distort the opening while cleaning. Refrain from cleaning the burner ports in the dishwasher or using wooden toothpicks.

How do I clean burnt-on food and grease on my gas stove top?

To clean burnt-on food and grease, spray the area with a cleaning solution and wipe away any debris with a damp cloth. Use a cooktop scraper to scrape away stubborn messes.

How do I clean cast iron stove grates?

If your cast iron grates are seasoned, place them in the sink and soak in soapy water for 20 minutes. After they are done soaking, wipe the grates clean and thoroughly dry before placing them back on your stove. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions on cleaning the grates for your gas range.

Find gas ranges and cooktops from Whirlpool brand

Whirlpool brand offers a wide selection of gas ranges and gas cooktops with convenient features to help save you time on cleanup, like EZ-2-Lift™ Hinged Grates, for quick access to wipe up spills. Browse our selection to find the one that matches your cooking routine.

Shop Whirlpool

® gas ranges

WFG505M0BS

WFG775H0HV

WFG320M0BS

WGG745S0FS

Shop Whirlpool

® gas cooktops

WCG52424AS

WCG55US0HS

WCG55US6HB

Learn more about appliance care and cleaning

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1. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.

How to Clean Stove Grates (3 Easy Methods)

Stove grates get covered in all kinds of dirt, grime, oil and food residue. Are you cleaning yours enough? If you’re not sure how to clean stove grates, it can be an overwhelming task. We’re here to recommend you a few different methods so that your stove grates are super clean on a daily basis.

How to Clean Stove Grates

Pour boiling water over the stove grates while they’re in the sink. Then fill up the sink with hot soapy water. Soak for 10 minutes. Scrub clean with a sponge. Rinse under warm water and wipe off excess debris with a cloth. Dry thoroughly. Replace.

Table of Contents

What Are Stove Grates Made From?

Yours are likely made from cast iron. Some have a porcelain finish which needs to be cared for well, since exposed cast iron can rust easily. Cast iron needs to be treated with care so make sure to avoid metal scouring pads and harsh chemicals such as ammonia.

Top Tip

Always dry your stove grates thoroughly before putting them back on your stovetop. If too much moisture stays on cast iron, it can rust.

How to Clean Stove Grates

We’ll share a few different methods so that you have multiple options up your sleeve, depending on what supplies you have in the house.

Baking Soda Paste

For this method, we’ll make a baking soda paste that can deep clean your stove grates.

What You Need
Step by Step Instructions
  1. Pour the baking soda and water into your bowl. Mix with a spoon to form a paste.
  2. Wearing gloves, use your hands to spread the paste evenly over the stove grates.
  3. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
  4. Scrub the paste with the brush. This will help remove loosened dirt.
  5. Rinse under cold water while scrubbing the excess residue with a cloth.
  6. Dry thoroughly with a dish towel.
  7. Return it to the stovetop.

Dish Soap

You can clean your stove grates like you do with the rest of your dishes. We do this with ours and it works great!

What You Need
Step by Step Instructions
  1. Place the stove grates in a sink with the drain open. Pour boiling water over the grates to help loosen dirt and debris.
  2. Put the plug back in the sink and fill with hot soapy water.
  3. Let the grates soak for 10 minutes. If yours are larger than the sink, let them soak for 10 minutes on each side.
  4. Scrub them clean with your brush or sponge.
  5. Rinse them under warm water and scrub using your microfiber cloth to give them one last wipe.
  6. Dry thoroughly with a dish towel.
  7. Return to the stovetop.

Use a Commercial Degreaser

If you need to follow through with a heavy-duty clean, we recommend using a commercial degreaser. Make sure that it’s suitable for the material of your stove grates.

What You Need
Step by Step Instructions
  1. Spray the grates, burners and stovetop with your commercial degreaser.
  2. Let it sit for half an hour.
  3. Scrub hard with your brush or sponge until you’ve lifted all dirt and debris.
  4. Repeat if necessary.
  5. Wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth.

How to Care for Stove Grates Daily

The above methods are good for deep cleaning which we recommend doing once a week or so. But what about keeping the grates clean daily? Here are our top tips.

  1. Clean with vinegar daily. Mix together a 1:1 ratio of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Add some essential oils for a nice scent, if you like. Spray over your grates and let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping with a clean damp cloth.
  2. If you spill a liquid or food onto the grates, clean it up right away. It’s really easy for food to harden over the grates and be almost impossible to remove.
  3. Keep the stove grates dry. If they get particularly damp or wet during cooking, give them a quick dry with a towel. Make sure to do this after the vinegar spray method, too.
  4. Use a scrubby brush to loosen baked on food if you can’t remove it with just your fingers. Do this every evening as you clean your kitchen.
  5. Spot clean when you notice a nasty spot but don’t have time to deep clean. Dip a cleaning toothbrush in baking soda or salt and scrub the area. This will help lift the dirt or stain.

Clean Stovetop

Cleaning a stovetop is by far one of the most laborious and slow cleaning jobs in the kitchen. There are tons of small parts that need to be individually and carefully cleaned. But now that you know how to clean the stove grates, hopefully you feel a bit more prepared for a clean kitchen.

You can use a baking soda paste, dish soap or a commercial degreaser. All three will deep clean your grates. For daily cleaning, spray with a vinegar spray and spot clean with baking soda or salt.

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About the Author

Beth McCallum

Beth McCallum is a 20-something freelance writer & book blogger with a degree in creative writing, journalism and English literature. Beth firmly believes that a tidy house is a tidy mind. She is always looking for new ways to sustainably clean and tidy her house, that's kind on the environment but effective in the house, too!

Daily Kindling of the Stove - 8 Useful Tips

Before starting the stove, make sure that the ash pan is not overfilled and that the grate is clean. To clean the ash pan, open the ash pan, carefully remove the ash pan and close it with a lid

CHECKING THE CONDITION OF THE GRATE AND ASH BAR

Before firing, make sure that the ash pan is not overfilled and the grate is clean. To clean the ash pan, open the ash pan door, carefully remove the ash pan and close it with a lid. After cleaning the ash pan, make sure that it is correctly installed in its place. During the firebox, the ash pan must always be in its designated place. For safety reasons, do any work with the ashes only after they have completely cooled down. Clean wood ash can be used for plants in the garden.

CHECKING COMBUSTION AIR ACCESS

Open the flue damper (if present) and check that the necessary combustion air is supplied. Check the patency of the air ducts, the presence of objects in front of them that prevent the flow of air, or other obstructions (for example, snow and dirt, if the combustion air is carried directly from the street). If necessary, turn off the hood above the stove and hardware ventilation. The air intake openings of the fireplace stove are located under the ash doors, if the air intake channel is not led from the street under the stove.

CHECK THE DRAFT

Always check the draft before lighting the stove. To do this, it is necessary to crush a piece of paper into a loose lump, then put it on the grate, set it on fire and close the furnace doors. With a bright and vertical flame, the draft in the chimney is sufficient. On T models, the initial draft can be improved by opening the summer damper during the ignition phase. Under bad conditions for the occurrence of draft, air circulation in the chimney can be achieved by directing warm air into the chimney with a hair dryer or a heat blower fan, directing a stream of warm air into clean holes. ash pan. In models with a flat grate, the cleaning holes are located on the sides of the oven and / or in front.

FIRE

When lighting the stove, start with a kindling load, the value of which is 10% of the maximum amount of wood burned. The task of the kindling bookmark is to warm up the stove before adding a direct bookmark of firewood. Warming up the stove with a quick-burning small bookmark allows you to achieve clean combustion during direct combustion. Use finely split (1-3 cm in diameter) dry wood chips for kindling. Ignite the bookmark by placing the ignition (lighting briquettes, bark, newsprint) on the grate, and placing wood chips on top of the ignition. After complete burning of the kindling bookmark, it is necessary to move the lever of the combustion air regulator to the position corresponding to the stage of combustion.

ADDITIONAL LOADS OF FIREWOOD

Add firewood only after the previous load has burnt almost to embers and small but clearly visible flames are visible. Lay the logs across the grate so that they are not in close proximity to the fire doors. Do not fill the firebox above the limit indicated by the air hole on the firebox (Tulikivi stove models with whirlpool firebox. For normal firing, the recommended number of additional bookmarks is 3-4 bookmarks. To ensure clean combustion, close the firebox doors immediately after adding firewood and keep them closed during furnaces

FINAL FURNACE

After the last load has burned through to the charcoal stage, the air regulator lever must be moved to the position corresponding to the charcoal stage and the coals should be scraped from the edges of the firebox onto the grate so that they form a dense layer. Turn the charcoal several times until the embers are completely burned out, after which the air regulator lever should be moved to the “Closed” position and finally close the smoke damper (if equipped).

Don't forget! Carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless and colorless, be careful!

During and for a long time after the fire, certain parts of the stove, such as handles, fire door frames and the interior of the fire, can be hot. Due to the hull structure, the maximum surface temperature of the furnace is kept from half an hour to two hours from the moment the last bookmark burns out. Follow these instructions to prevent the oven from overheating. Do not store items made of flammable materials on the fireplace stove, shelves or in the immediate vicinity of the fireplace stove.

WHEN FUELING A FIREPLACE STOVE WITH A BUILT-IN OVEN, PLEASE NOTE:

The fireplace part is fired in the same way as a conventional fireplace. When firing the oven, the combustion air is directed through the air intakes of the oven. Unburned coals are dumped through a special hole into the furnace and burned on the grate of the fireplace insert. Preheat the fireplace insert of the oven with a built-in oven for an hour the day before the intended cooking to ensure an even heating result. In this way, on the day of the intended cooking, the oven will heat up faster and more evenly.


WHEN BURNING A FURNACE WITH A BUILT-IN OVEN, PLEASE NOTE:

In stoves with a built-in oven, the air inlets of the combustion doors and ash doors remain open during ignition and combustion. At the stage of formation of coals, the air intake openings are in a half-closed position. Finally, the coals are dropped through the back of the firebox onto the grate, where they burn through to the end, releasing heat in the process. At this stage, the air inlet of the built-in oven doors is in the closed position and the combustion air is led through the air inlets of the ash pan doors.

step-by-step instructions and description of the best products

Before using the grill grate, make sure that its surface is sufficiently clean. Otherwise, the food will start to burn, an unpleasant smell will appear, and the whole taste will be spoiled. In this article, we will share with you ways to effectively deal with carbon deposits and talk about the features of cleaning grates made of different materials.

Contents

  • Video: How to clean the grill?
  • To summarize

    • What can be cleaned with what?

    Grilling surfaces are made from a variety of materials, each with its own characteristics and different resistance to chemical or mechanical cleaning agents. Before you start decarbonizing a product, it is important to understand what kind of dirt control method is acceptable for your product.

    Cast iron . A popular option, since gratings made of this material are quite durable and inexpensive. However, cleaning cast iron products with abrasives or too hard sharp objects is not recommended, as the material may begin to flake off.

    Enamel or any other non-stick coating . Scrapers, metal brushes, sand or other abrasives are contraindicated for such products. With hard machining, there is a high risk of damaging the coating, due to which it will lose its basic properties, and the grate will only have to be thrown away.

    If you are the owner of this accessory, we advise you to avoid heavy soiling and use mild detergents. The best solution is to wash immediately after use.

    Stainless steel . The most unpretentious material that is not afraid of even the most aggressive chemicals. Unlike cast iron, stainless steel can be washed under water for a long time, cleaned with stiff brushes or treated with concentrated alkali.

    See also: How to choose a grill grate

    How to clean immediately after use?

    To prevent dirt from accumulating and creating too much carbon, the grate should be cleaned almost immediately after grilling food. A small amount of fat and burnt juices is much easier to remove. Consider the main preventive actions.

    At home

    The easiest way is to use wire brush or rolled up foil sheet. Before you start scraping off burnt fat and stubborn dirt, you need to make sure that this will not damage the grate or its coating. If mechanical cleaning is acceptable, you can safely use this method. An alternative for gratings that are not resistant to abrasives is soaking in special solutions.

    Foil cleaning

    Wire brush cleaning

    If you use a gas grill, you can burn the grill at maximum heat for 10 minutes after frying food . Under the influence of the resulting heat with a temperature of 240ºС to 290ºС, most of the adhering organic matter will turn into scale, which you can easily remove at home with a metal brush.

    All that remains is to wash the product with dishwashing detergent or simply rinse it with water.

    Baking the grate

    Do not attempt to scrape off a grate that has not been used for a long time.

    Burnt and grease dry out on these products, which makes them harder to deal with than if you clean the accessory immediately after grilling food. If you are dealing with old soot, the grate also needs to be warmed up well, or soaked. This will melt the fat and make it easier for you to get rid of it.

    Outdoors

    During picnic trips, not everyone can take special tools for cleaning the grill and accessories that come with it. But even in this case, you can get rid of dirt and grease on the grate without much effort.

    On an overnight tourist trip, you can use natural processes to your advantage, namely the fall of morning dew .

    Simply place the grate on the grass and leave overnight. In the morning, the dew will soften the fat and you can easily clean the barbecue accessory.

    If you encounter a lot of soot and grease after using the grill grate, soak it in a barrel or large basin in water with vinegar.

    Under the influence of acid, all dirt will quickly dissolve, and you can easily remove it from the surface of the grate.

    If you don't have to worry about a brittle finish, you can use the wire brush and river sand.

    The latter is a good abrasive. After cleaning, it is enough to rinse the grate under water.

    If you still couldn't find time to clean the grate in nature, then bring it home and use the folk methods below.

    See also: How to make a grate for a grill or barbecue with your own hands

    Traditional Methods

    Since not everyone likes the idea of ​​using harsh chemicals, which are also expensive, many grillers prefer to use improvised means. Consider the most common ways to deal with burnt fat and dirt.

    Baking soda and vinegar soak

    1. Put the wire rack and skewers in a tight plastic bag.
    2. Vinegar and soda mix in equal proportions and pour into the bag.
    3. Tie it tightly and leave for several hours depending on the degree of soiling.
    4. Rinse the grate thoroughly to remove loose grease and dirt.

    To be sure, the bag can be sealed with tape. Vapors of vinegar will not leave the interior of the bag, so that the chemical reaction will be more efficient.

    With ammonia

    Quite a popular way to deal with burnt fat.

    1. Place the rack in a strong bag.
    2. Pour the whole bottle of ammonia into the same place.
    3. Wrap the package tightly and leave the package overnight.
    4. In the morning wash with hot water.

    The main thing is to get rid of ammonia residues.

    Coke

    1. Place the wire rack in a large bowl or a heavy plastic bag.
    2. Pour the cola into the container.
    3. The liquid must be sure to cover all contaminated surfaces.
    4. Leave the grate to soak for an hour. The citric acid from the cola will dissolve the dirt during this time.
    5. Wash with dishwashing detergent.

    Expert opinion

    Valeriy Garmash

    Chef of the "Grill House" restaurant, griller

    If you use a bag, wrap it tightly and seal it with tape. An hour of exposure is enough to eliminate burnt fat and soot. However, for old contaminants, this may not be enough.

    In a soapy solution

    In this case, the grate will need to be boiled in a soapy solution.

    1. Take a large saucepan, basin or other container, fill it with water.
    2. Rub a bar of laundry soap, add the shavings to the water.
    3. Put a dish of soapy water on the fire.
    4. When the liquid begins to boil, lower the BBQ grill into the liquid.
    5. Leave the product to cook for half an hour. During this time, the soap will break down grease and dirt.
    6. Rinse the rods thoroughly and clean hard-to-reach areas with a brush.

    This cleaning method even removes thick layers of burnt fat.

    Expert opinion

    Valeriy Garmash

    Chef of the "Grill House" restaurant, griller

    After cleaning, it is useful to lubricate the grate with a thin layer of vegetable oil so that a small non-stick layer forms on it the next time it is heated. This can be done with a paper towel or a piece of cloth. The main thing is not to apply too much oil, otherwise there is a risk of provoking a fire outbreak.

    Step-by-step instructions with photo

    In reality, the cleaning process is not so difficult: no need to burn anything or use super-toxic chemicals. All you need is the most common hand soap, which is in almost every home, and a sponge.

    The process itself is so simple that even a child can repeat it.

    First, distribute the soap evenly over the surface of the grate. Make it easier by placing a plastic bag underneath.

    This method can be called gentle, because in this case no firing or metal brushes are used and the metal surface remains intact.

    In the event that any hard mechanical impacts are made on the grate, then the galvanic coating will inevitably be erased, under which there is the most ordinary metal.

    The grill stand is usually stored somewhere outdoors, so it twitches very quickly with a noble layer of iron oxide, or simply rust.

    After the soap has been evenly distributed over the surface of the grate, it must be packed in a plastic bag and left for a day or two.

    See also: TOP 10 best grills for barbecues

    After 24 hours, the package with a soapy stand can be unpacked again and easily cleaned with a soft dish brush.

    For people who have used this method many times, everything turned out great: after ordinary hand soap, the grate became almost like new.

    You can also experiment with dish detergents or others. So the result can be even more effective.

    The best store-bought anti-carbon deposits

    If the grate is covered with too much carbon deposits, and it is not possible to remove it with simple home methods, you can use professional chemicals.

    Some manufacturers of grills and accessories also offer branded cleaners that you can use safely.

    Among the universal products, it is worth highlighting several popular cleaning compounds.

    Shumanite ★5.0

    A well-known product for cleaning contaminated surfaces. Its high cost is justified by a quick and effective effect on burnt fat and dirt.

    Shumanite contains aggressive alkalis that should not be used on enamel, aluminum and other surfaces that are resistant to aggressive chemicals.

    User rating - 5

    What Yandex Market can offer us:

    Amway ★5.0

    This concentrate copes well even with old pollution. It does not settle on the surface, is easily washed off, removes not only burnt organic matter, but also the unpleasant odor remaining from it.

    This product is free of harsh chemicals and can be used to clean non-stick grates.

    User rating - 5

    What Yandex Market can offer us:

    Top House ★5.0

    A reliable tool for cleaning metal products from dirt and grease.

    Features a gentle action, creates a protective film on the surface of the grate without leaving streaks.

    User rating - 5

    What Yandex Market can offer us:

    Dr.Beckman ★4,7

    Stainless steel cleaning foam quickly removes dirt, grease, mucus and fingerprints.

    This product can also be used to clean aluminum, glass and even plastic.

    User rating - 4.7

    What Yandex Market can offer us:

    Prosept Cooky Grill ★4.5

    Inexpensive effective product. On the bottle is a classic dispenser for spraying surfaces that need cleaning.

    Has a strong odour, contains concentrated alkalis and therefore requires careful handling. Gloves will be required.

    User rating - 4.5

    What Yandex Market can offer us:

    Video: How to clean the barbecue grill?