How to Clean Cast Iron Stove Grates

Co-authored by Chris Willatt

Last Updated: November 2, 2021 References

It’s entirely possible that cleaning the grates on your stovetop isn’t a priority when it comes to cleaning your kitchen. Sooner or later, all that cooking residue, oil, and debris can result in a hefty crust, and eventually, you’ll have yourself a priority on your hands. By using one or a series of tried and true methods, you’ll find this task is significantly more manageable than it seems.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Cleaning with Degreaser

1
Soak your grates with enough degreaser that the surface appears wet. You’ll need to use enough degreaser to ensure that the grates stay wet throughout the soaking process. That wet look lets you know that you are coating all that build-up, such that the product can seep in and go to work.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.}
2
Provide the degreaser with plenty of time to do its job. You’ll need to let the degreaser sit for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the level of gunk built up on the grates. As you wait, check back frequently that the grates are still wet. If they are starting to dry out, reapply more greaser, and let sit for up to the full 30 minutes. ^{[2]
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3
Scrub away all that excess dirt with the proper scrubbing tool. While cast iron may seem sturdy enough to scrub with steel wool, you’re going to want to use a non-abrasive sponge to clean the grates thoroughly.^{[3]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} It may require some additional elbow grease, but it won’t leave your grates with a bunch of ugly scratches. ^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Cleaning with Ammonia Fumes

1
Measure the size of your grates. Stovetop grates come in a variety of sizes, and you’ll need to determine what size bag is appropriate for your grates. Conversely, you may decide to clean all the grates in one bag.
- If you are cleaning the grates individually, choose several gallon size ziplock bags.
- If you intend to clean the grates all together, make sure you find a large garbage bag that is capable of being well sealed.
2
Add the ammonia to your bag and seal it tight to keep fumes locked in. This method does not use liquid ammonia to clean the grates. Rather, the fumes from the ammonia build-up, causing the grime and grit to loosen over time. Grates may take as little as 3 hours to clean, but we recommend letting the grates sit overnight. ^{[5]
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- For individually sealed ziplock bags, use a ¹⁄₄ c (59 mL) of the ammonia.^{[6]
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- If using a larger bag to enclose all the grates, use up to 2 c (470 mL) of ammonia.^{[7]
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3
Remove and rinse your grates under warm running water.^{[8]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Using ammonia is arguably the most efficient and widely used method around. Most of the residue should wash right off. But, you may need to use your fingers or a sponge to clean off any excess gunk.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Coating with Baking Soda

1
Wash the grates with warm water. The initial wash will remove any surface layers that can easily be rinsed away, allowing the baking soda to work on the tougher material underneath.
2
Make a thick paste by combining baking soda with water.^{[10]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} You can also substitute vinegar for the water for a deeper cleaning agent. The goal is to make a paste thick enough to coat and adhere to the grates.
3
Coat all grates with the paste and let stand for an hour. This caustic mixture will erode any excess build-up as it sets in. You’ll see what you’ve seen at every grade-school science fair; the bubbly baking soda goes to work on any acidic counterparts.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.}
4
Scrub off the build-up with a non-abrasive sponge and rinse thoroughly.^{[12]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} This method should do the trick on the first go. If you find yourself with a particularly stubborn amount of grease or grime, you can repeat this process a second time. ^{[13]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Spraying with a Vinegar Solution

1
Create a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Pour the solution into a spray bottle for easy application.
- The acid in the vinegar will help break up the residue on the grates. Using this solution is a much more natural way to clean if you feel like forgoing the degreaser or ammonia methods.
- This cleaning method works best for maintenance and getting rid of light grease stains. ^{[14]
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2
Coat the grates and let stand for at least 15 minutes. As you are using a more natural clean agent, significant soak time is recommended to penetrate the layers of grease.
3
Scrub the grates with a sponge and rinse them. You should find that the excess residue on the grates comes away, albeit with a little extra scrubbing. If you find that your grates still have some residue on the surfaces, you can repeat this process as needed. ^{[15]
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- You can use a toothbrush to scrub away any hard to reach nooks and crevices.

Community Q&A
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Question

How do you make cast iron grates look new?

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Try loosening any grime with a degreaser or ammonia fumes, then wipe them with a sponge. Carefully scrub the grates with a wire brush to remove stubborn baked-on residue.
Question

Can you use Easy Off on cast iron grates?

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Yes, but try gentler methods first. Easy Off is fairly toxic stuff and can really irritate your skin and airways. Always use it in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves.
Question

How do you clean stove grates with vinegar?

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Let the grates soak in a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water for at least half an hour, then scrub the grates to remove any residue. Repeat the process as needed until your grates are clean.

Warnings

Ammonia is a chemical that may irritate the nose, throat, and respiratory system upon inhalation. Make sure your area is properly ventilated. ^{[18]
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Ensure proper safety when handling any chemical, cleaning solution, or acid by using gloves and eye protection.

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