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Cleaning iron stove grates


How to clean cast iron stove grates to make them look brand new

Cast iron stove grates (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you enjoy cooking, you will benefit from knowing how to clean cast iron stove grates. Despite your best efforts at knowing  how to clean an oven after use, knowing how to clean cast iron stove grates can be a little tricky. Grates tend to pick up caked-in food, grease and grime build-up over time if they're not properly cleaned. 

What’s more, grease and dirt residue can often dull the overall look of our grates, making stoves look lackluster. Although the thought of cleaning cast iron stove grates may seem like a lot of elbow grease, it’s actually simple to do. So, for a gleaming stove, follow these top tips on how to clean cast iron stove grates to make them look brand new.

Do you have electric? Check out how to clean a glass stove. Also, if you want to keep the glass looking good, you'll also want to read how to prevent scratches on your glass stove.

How to clean cast iron stove grates with soapy water

1. First, allow the burners to cool completely before removing the cast iron grates. Place in an empty sink or tub. 

2. Fill the sink with hot water until they cover the grates, and add some dish soap into the water. Allow the cast iron grates to soak in the soapy solution for around 10-15 minutes. This will allow the soap to get to work in lifting and cutting through the grease or stuck-on food on the grates. 

Removing iron stove grate (Image credit: Shutterstock)

3. Then, use a non-metal, soft bristled brush, pad or sponge to scrub away at and remove any food residue or grease on the grates. Ensure to get into all the crevices and awkward places to get rid of dirt. 

4. Once the grates are all free from grime, rinse with warm water until there are no traces of soap. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth before putting them back on top of the stove.

TIP: Cast iron grates can easily get worn down if using the wrong cleaning materials. Avoid using abrasive, metallic scouring pads or harsh cleaning substances like ammonia.

Soapy water (Image credit: Shutterstock)

How to clean cast iron stove grates with baking soda

1. First, mix three parts baking soda to one part water to create a thick paste. 

2. Take a soft, bristled brush or cloth to coat the cast iron grates with the paste, making sure to get into all the crevices and awkward spots. 

3. Leave to sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the baking soda to get to work in lifting off any greasy residue. 

4. Next, use a soft scrub brush or toothbrush to remove caked on residue before rinsing off thoroughly in warm water. Finally, wipe down the grates with a soft, clean cloth.

Baking soda and water in glass (Image credit: Shutterstock)

How to clean cast iron stove grates with white vinegar 

1. First, mix one part of distilled white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle.  White vinegar is a popular, natural cleaning product along with baking soda. If you want to know why, check out what makes baking soda and vinegar so good at cleaning. 

2. Next, spray the solution over your grates and leave it to sit for 15 minutes before wiping thoroughly with a clean damp cloth.

If you want a nicer smell, you can add a few drops of essential oil, but there are ways on how to clean with vinegar without the smell.  

White vinegar and spray bottle (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Do you need to season cast iron stove grates? 

Similar to knowing how to season a cast iron skillet, you would need to season your cast iron stove grates to prevent rust. After they have been cleaned, apply a light coating of cooking oil on the bottom of the grates. Next, bake the grate at 350°F for about 30 to 40 minutes. 

To keep your kitchen looking shiny and new, check out our guides on how to clean a microwave, how to clean an oven, how to clean a garbage disposal, and how to clean stainless steel appliances. Want to give your stovetop an upgrade? Invisible stovetops look like the next big thing — check out the benefits and drawbacks. 

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How to Clean Stove Grates

By

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 06/03/22

Reviewed by

Katie Berry

Reviewed by Katie Berry

Katie Berry is a cleaning expert with 30 years of household management experience and 12 years of writing about cleaning methods and routines for Housewife How-Tos. She is the author of several books about homemaking.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Project Overview

Nearly every time you use your gas cooktop, a few splatters of grease or food land on the stove grates that cover the burners. On the worst days, the grates catch the brunt of an overflowing pot of food. Cleaning stove grates regularly helps reduce the chances of smoky odors and kitchen fires, protects your cookware from hard-to-remove stains, and keeps your kitchen looking clean.

Today's stove grates for home kitchens are made from porcelain-coated cast iron. The cast iron conducts heat quickly and evenly and the porcelain coating makes cleaning easier. However, older gas stoves may have uncoated cast iron grates that require different cleaning steps. With just a few supplies and regular cleaning, you can keep either type of grates fresh and clean.

How Often to Clean Stove Grates

If you have a cooking disaster on your stovetop, the grates should be cleaned just as soon as they cool down. For neater cooks, weekly cleaning is recommended to prevent any excessive build-up which will be more difficult to remove later.

Equipment / Tools

Materials

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

How to Clean Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Stove Grates

  1. Start With Cool Grates

    Before cleaning any component of a gas stove, allow the burners, grates, and cooktop to cool completely.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Mix a Soapy Solution

    In a sink or large bucket, mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid that contains a degreaser per gallon of water. Agitate the water with your hand to disperse the soap.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Do a Quick Soak

    Remove the stove grates from the cooktop and submerge them in the hot, soapy water. Allow them to soak for at least 10 minutes. While they are soaking, it's a good time to clean the rest of the cooktop.

    Warning

    If the porcelain coating on the stove grates has chips and the base cast iron is exposed, do not place the grates in water to soak. Cast iron rusts when exposed to water for too long.

    Ideally, the chipped grates should be replaced or follow the steps for cleaning uncoated cast iron grates.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  4. Scrub, Rinse, and Dry

    After the soaking period has loosened any food particles, use a stiff-bristled nylon brush or scrubber to clean away any remaining food.

    Rinse the grates in hot water and dry them with a lint-free microfiber cloth before reinstalling them on the cooktop.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  5. Tough Stuck-On Food?

    If you haven't cleaned your grates in a long time—or ever—and they are coated with grime, start with a baking soda paste. Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to create a paste. Spread it over the grates and set them aside for 20 minutes.

    Rinse away the paste and then follow the remainder of the cleaning steps, soaking the grates until the paste softens.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

How to Clean Uncoated Cast Iron Stove Grates

  1. Mix a Cleaning Solution

    In a small bowl or plastic container, mix two cups of hot water and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid containing a degreaser.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Scrub the Grates

    When the stove grates are cool, remove them and place them in a sink. Dip a stiff-bristled nylon scrub brush in the hot, soapy water and scrub the grates. If there are any food particles that won't come off, sprinkle the damp grates with baking soda to act as a mild abrasive. Keep scrubbing until all of the grime is removed. Do not allow the uncoated cast iron grates to soak.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Rinse and Dry

    Once the grates are clean, rinse in hot water and dry immediately with a microfiber cloth. Do not allow the grates to air-dry or rust may form.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  4. Reseason the Cast Iron

    After drying the grates, place a few drops of vegetable oil on a paper towel. Use the towel to coat every surface of the stove grate with a very thin layer of oil. Place on a baking sheet and heat in the oven at 450°F for one hour. Let the grates cool in the oven.

    This will season the cast iron and prevent rusting. Once the rest of the cooktop is cleaned, replace the grates.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  5. Remove Rust Spots

    If rust spots have appeared on the cast iron stove grates, mix a paste of one cup baking soda and one tablespoon lemon juice. Apply the paste to the rusty areas and cover with plastic wrap. Let it work for at least 24 hours. Rinse and then scrub the grates with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse, dry, and re-season the grates.

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Tips to Keep Stove Grates Clean and Lasting Longer


HOW TO CLEAN THE GRATE ON THE STOVE

“The stove will tell about women's cleanliness,” say the wise men. A big sin or not - this is the question of neatness. And the grills of the gas stove are a clear marker for this.

Remains of food and gradually increasing fat layer do their dirty work, getting rid of them is not so easy. But nothing is impossible. See for yourself by reading the text and taking note of our life hacks for setting up a marafet in hard-to-reach places.

Universal ways to clean the grate on a gas stove

Solving the problem without chemicals, which flies into a penny, is within the power of an experienced and novice hostess. With what is in the kitchen. How to clean the grate on a gas stove - later in the article.

Useful article: The best bread makers for home in 2021: an overview of the TOP 9 models The container should be such that the rods are placed in it, and the water completely covers it. Boiling water will soften the fatty coating, after which it will be much easier to get rid of it. It is enough to rub the rods a little with a scraper. If the dirt is minor, a sponge or cloth will do the trick.

Steaming

If there is a steam cleaner, the problem is solved once or twice. The device perfectly softens deposits. To do this, direct a jet of steam to the rods, passing from site to site. Then wipe thoroughly with a cloth.

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Soda

To remove fat, it is enough to mix water and soda to the state of "slurry". Suitable food or calcined. The optimal ratio of ingredients is 2:1.

The resulting substance is spread on the wire rack and left for 60-90 minutes. During this time, an elementary chemical reaction will occur, as a result of which body fat will begin to dissolve. After that, the rods are cleaned with a stainless steel scraper or brush, washed in water and dried.

Mustard powder

This option may seem strange, but believe me, after trying it, you won't want to use expensive chemicals. The effect is amazing.

How to clean cast iron and enameled gas stove grates in four steps.

  1. Spread the mustard powder evenly in a thick layer on pre-moistened rods. The powder is mixed with water in a ratio of 2:1.
  2. Leave the plate component in this state for 1.5-2 hours.
  3. Clean and rinse off residue.

This method will not only get rid of dirt, but also disinfect the grate.

Vinegar

A 9% vinegar solution will clean the grate on the stove very well. The product has a strong, specific smell, so it is better to work in a ventilated area:

  • take a container, place the rods, and pour vinegar generously;
  • within 90-120 minutes the acid will work with deposits;
  • after - rinse the rods, having previously worked hard with a scraper.

How to clean the cast iron gas stove grate

Cast iron is practical, it does not deform due to minor damage. But the raid is insidious. It comes from nowhere as quickly as on steel or enamel. So, in addition to your experience, a couple of working methods for cleaning the gas stove grate will come in handy.

By the way: Which cookware is suitable for an induction cooker, Or which 4 solid "YES"

Laundry soap

Two liters of boiling water and grated soap should be mixed in a basin or bath. One bar will be enough.

Leave the bars in the soapy substance overnight, preferably overnight. Then wipe with a soft cloth. Grease and soot will easily leave. Rinse under a tap.

Baking

The grate must be exposed to a fire, blowtorch or burner. It will stink, because when heated, fat is melted. So ventilation is inevitable if you do it indoors.

To remove scale:

  1. Fasten the grate over the flame. Turn periodically to ignite the entire area.
  2. After intensive annealing (15-20 minutes), allow the rods to cool down so as not to burn themselves.
  3. Wipe, wash and dry.

Mechanical cleaning

A washcloth, scraper or hard bristle brush is indispensable in this case. It will be easier to clean if the rods are steamed or calcined.

Cleaning the enamel grate

Enamel peels off if you remove deposits with a knife, rub with hard sponges or a brush. Therefore, excessive zeal is useless. Below in the text, it is detailed how to clean the enamelled grate of a gas stove sensibly, but sparingly.

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Household chemicals

You can get rid of deposits if you arm yourself with chemicals with a note about the purpose. The agent is applied to the lattice faces and kept for the time specified in the instructions.

After - wipe and wash. The exfoliated ugliness will remain on the napkin.

Dishwasher

Cleaning the rack in the dishwasher is the easiest option. You will need cleaning tablet washers for washing, which are placed in the appropriate compartment of the device. This agent forms a lot of foam and intensively cleans the plate component.

In tandem with dishwasher salt, you will get a good result. It is used to improve the quality of washing, cleaning the machine itself from scale and plaque, softening water and restoring sodium reserves. The agent is poured up to the top into the salt tank, which is located under the lower basket.

The grates are placed in the chamber, an intensive washing program with hot water is selected, because to wash the grate from grease, you need a lot of water and foam. Upon contact with hot water and steam, the dirt will soften, begin to flake off and wash out. If in the end the result does not suit you, it is worth repeating the wash or finishing with your hands.

Melamine sponge

No extra cleaning pad. Melanin contains abrasives and everything you need for productive cleansing. Wet the sponge and get to work. The resulting foam is washed off, wiped dry. The twigs are transformed into the proper form.

Features for cleaning steel gratings

Any detergent, hard abrasive, including sand, will do. Cleaned at the discretion of the above methods.

The article looked at the most effective cleaning methods. It remains to choose the option you like, which corresponds to the material of the lattice. Finally, we recommend that you wash off the cleaners and detergents from the rods so that the chemicals do not damage the coating. And dry the grate before putting it on the stove. So it won't rust.

It is better to wash the grates as often as possible, then deposits will not have a chance. Cleaning will be much easier and faster, no matter which option is adopted:

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how often do you need to clean the hood

We all try to make our life as easy as possible, using modern and improved devices. Extractors are one of these devices. Its main purpose is to remove steam, burning, smoke, as well as an unpleasant or too strong smell that occurs during the cooking process. If your home is humid, then when cooking, turning on the hood is a must.

Regular use of this kitchen helper causes it to get dirty quickly. The filter elements are covered with a greasy coating, reducing the performance of the device. That is, the exhaust filters become clogged, the throughput deteriorates and, accordingly, the hood ceases to cope with the absorption of moisture and odor. As a result, it may fail altogether.

The frequency of cleaning depends on the frequency of use. If cooking is carried out daily or every other day, monthly washing is recommended. Cleaning is allowed quarterly.

Methods for removing contaminants

Dealing with contaminants depends on the type of filter element. It happens:

  1. Coal. It is a cartridge that cleans the air from the smallest fat droplets and odors. In case of heavy contamination, the carbon filter is not cleaned, but must be replaced.

  2. In the form of metal grids. To clean the grease traps on the hood, they must be removed. The main difference from carbon cartridges is a coarser air purification.

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Don't put off spring cleaning. By following this condition, the process can be greatly simplified. The grate cleans up quickly and easily.

How to clean the ventilation grill from the kitchen hood? So, there are three main groups of methods:

Let's look at them separately, but first, do not forget to disconnect the exhaust device from the mains and disassemble it.

How to clean the grate from the hood: folk methods

If you regularly clean the hood, then improvised means will also help to cope with pollution. In every home there is vinegar, soda or a bar of laundry soap. It's time to take advantage of them.

  1. Acetic acid 70%. There are two cleaning techniques: by soaking and processing. For the first method, take a plastic basin or baking sheet, place a strainer in it, pour acetic acid over it, leave for 20 minutes. The second method involves the use of a sponge or cloth, which must be plentifully moistened with the product. Finally, scrape off the greasy coating with a brush, rinse with water and dry.

  2. Ammonia. Dilute it in warm water (1 glass of alcohol per 7 liters of water). Immerse the dirty grate in the ammonia solution, wait at least 3 hours.

  3. Laundry soap. Grate the bar, add the shavings to a large bowl of warm water (water temperature is about 60 ° C). Soak the filter in soapy water for at least half an hour. If you see that the dirt is moving away well, then go over the grid with a scraper.

  4. Lemon juice. Treat the surface of the grease trap with juice or a slice of lemon. If there is no lemon, then citric acid will do. Dissolve 3 tbsp. l. acid in 1 liter of warm water, fill the grate, leave for 15 minutes.

  5. Hot solution. To prepare it, take a glass of baking soda, a piece of laundry soap, a tablespoon of table salt, 5 liters of water. Put a large metal pot/basin on the stove, pour water, wait for it to boil. Then, one by one, introduce the described components. Lower the mesh into the resulting solution and cook over low heat until the impurities almost completely disappear. Finally, rub with a sponge or brush, just remember to cool the filter first.

Please note that all cleaning work must be carried out with household gloves. Also, at the time of cleaning, it is better to slightly open the window or window to ensure the flow of fresh air.

Use of household chemicals

Home recipes are, of course, convenient - the ingredients are always at hand. But are they really that effective? Having lost several hours soaking in one or another solution, you don’t want to be upset because of a not enough good result. Therefore, we recommend that you use special household chemicals. It will make the task easier and also significantly speed up the cleaning.

Cif kitchen cleaner Power of nature spray is the perfect solution to this problem. It is suitable for cleaning not only hoods, but also ovens, microwaves, apron, countertops. As active ingredients, the composition contains environmentally friendly components, including soda and lemon extract. Thanks to this composition, it is possible to remove the most persistent and stubborn dirt even on surfaces in contact with food. Spray Cif on the filter element, leave for a couple of seconds, wipe with a cloth. If the fat is very ingrained, then leave the spray for a few minutes.

Machine cleaning

Machine cleaning with dishwasher or steam cleaner/steam generator. In the first case, you just need to load the grate into the dishwasher, put the tablet in the appropriate compartment, run the device on a long washing program.

A distinctive feature of the steam generator is the cleaning of surfaces with steam, the temperature of which reaches about 150°C. After processing, plaque and grease can be easily removed with a sponge. The device is expensive, but it is not necessary to buy it, but you can rent it.

Tips for prevention

The most important tip is cleaning regularly. If you take too long to clean the filter grid, the grease will harden. This will greatly complicate the work in the future.

When cleaning is carried out monthly, and preferably weekly, then dirt can be washed off even with ordinary water.

And don't forget to reset the hood hours counter after cleaning. To do this, you need to find step-by-step instructions in the manual.

Our experts told you how to degrease the hood grate. You can use folk methods or choose proven household chemicals that will cope with grease and dirt in seconds.

Frequently asked questions about cleaning the kitchen hood grate:

How to clean the grate from old grease?

Use acetic acid, laundry soap, ammonia, lemon juice, special household chemicals or a steam generator to clean the grate of old grease.

Learn more