There are different types of grill grates and the stainless steel grates are enough popular like its cookware. Though lots of people own this type, many of them possibly don’t know the best way to clean grill grates stainless steel.
If you truly love your grill, you always want to keep it looking awesome. Cleaning it properly gives your grill the best appearance. This article is designed to present an effective method to clean stainless steel grill grate.
Why Should You Consider Cleaning Grill Grates?
The key reason nobody likes dirty grills and the food that is not healthy. Dirty grill grates can negatively impact the flavor of food and reduce the quality performance of the grill. There can be seen undesired flare-ups because of food remains and grease.
When you find unusual flavor or flare-ups in your food, you should take immediate steps to clean up the grill grates. A clean grill serves with the best barbecue and lasts for far longer.
Types of Cleaning Stainless Grill Grates
There are two basic types of cleaning; simple cleaning and extensive or, thorough cleaning. Simple cleaning is a quick method that can be performed after each time you use your grill.
In this process, you’ll need to heat up the grill grates of a minimum 250 degrees (F) and continue it for 15 minutes. Then scrub the grates with a stainless steel grill cleaner brush or any suitable brush. Make sure to produce an even motion when scrubbing so that the grates stay fine and don’t get scratched.
Thorough cleaning is actually an advanced level of cleaning that includes the simple cleaning as well. Combining with the simple cleaning, different agents are used in this process. It seems a bit time consuming but offers the best result. However, if you perform simple cleaning regularly, you rarely need thorough cleaning. The following is a common and effective cleaning procedure.
Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates
1. Cleaning After Each Cooking
After each cooking, remove the stuck foods from the grill grates. To remove the food remains, allow your stainless steel grill to cool a bit. Now rub a wire barbecue brush on the grates. As the area is hot, use hand gloves to protect your hand from heat.
2. Weekly Thorough Cleaning
Thorough cleaning is mostly required when you’re not used to cleaning your grill after each use. If you even clean your grill regularly, it is recommended to perform weekly cleaning. When you use the grates daily or during summer, try to give the grill an apposite cleaning.
Let the grill to be completely cooled. Create a mixture of dishwashing detergent and warm water in a container. Make sure it looks lathery. Get a sponge or a paper towel to grate the mixture over the stainless grates. Some steel wool can also be supportive here. After finishing this process, spray cool water over the surface to wash away the grease and dirt.
Keep the lid open so that the grates can be dried as it should be. Also, take proper care of the wire brush to use it for the next cleaning. Soak it in soapy water to dispel the grease. Rinse the brush with the cool water and allow it to air dry. Store it in a secure box to decrease the chance of rusting.
3. Monthly Cleaning
Your stainless steel grill will lose its shiny look with the age. But you can help it to stay with a glossy appearance for a longer time by performing a monthly cleaning. If you don’t use the grill regularly or use it only during the summer, you can perform this cleaning yearly basis and that should be sufficient.
Take an empty spray bottle and mix the distilled white vinegar with the same amount of water. Use the mixture to coat the interior and grates, wait for about an hour. Make sure to close the lid. The vinegar coat will loosen the burnt particles of the grill. Now, wipe the steel grates with some damp paper towels. Finally, wash the surface using cool water to remove all remains.
4. Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning is only necessary when you don’t clean the steel grill for a certain time, maybe a month or a few months. It will help to remove all the food remains and grease that cannot be cleaned by simple cleaning.
Shift the grates and wrap it with strong aluminum foil. Turn on the grill and then put on the oven mitts. Now, put the grates carefully on the grill. After closing the lid, wait for 30 minutes. If the grill is too grimy, you may need to wait for more.
After the given time, turn off the grill. Let the grates to be cooled. Bring out the grates from the foil and scrub the surface with a steel cleaner brush. Finally, wash them with water and soap as needed.
Final Word
Stainless steel grates are known for its efficiency, durability, and excellent look. But like all other materials, it can lose its overall performance over time. If you take care of this kitchen tool properly, especially do the cleaning regularly, you can help it to retain the good qualities for a longer time.