How to Clean Grill Grates with Vinegar

Co-authored by Filip Boksa

If you frequently cook meats or other food on a grill, it’s hard to prevent grease and oil from sticking to your grill grates. By using simple supplies you can find at home– specifically, aluminum foil, vinegar, and baking soda– you can clean grill grates without toxic chemicals or endless scrubbing, and ensure that your grill is a clean and safe cooking surface.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Scrubbing With Aluminum Foil

1
Mix together equal parts white vinegar and water. Add the resulting solution to an empty, clean spray bottle. Screw the top on tightly, then shake the bottle to combine the ingredients.
2
Spray the solution on your grates. First, make sure your grill is off, and that the grates are cool enough to touch safely. Use the spray bottle to apply the vinegar-water mixture to your grill grates.
- Spray more solution on spots that are particularly crusty. Then, step back and allow the sprayed grates to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.^{[1]
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- This will allow the acid in the vinegar to eat through the oil and grease sticking to your grates. It will also kill any potentially harmful germs left behind by raw meat, leaving your cooking surface both cleaner and safer.
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3
Crumple the aluminum foil into a ball. Cut a sizable piece of aluminum foil– about 3 feet (0.91 m) long. Then, crumple it up in your hands, creating a wad that’s a little bigger than a softball.^{[2]
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- If you have a grill brush, you can use it instead of a foil ball. However, many grill users prefer using aluminum foil because it is less likely to scratch the grates or shed potentially harmful metal wires on the grill.^{[3]
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4
Scrub the soaked grates with the foil ball. Spray a little extra vinegar-water mixture on the foil, and then begin scrubbing any residue off the grates.
- Any congealed oil and grease should loosen easily after being soaked in vinegar.
- When you’re done scrubbing the surface of the grates, flip them over and scrub the back sides as well.
5
Rinse off the scrubbed grates. Remove the grates from your grill and rinse them with running water to remove any last chunks of residue. Dry them with a towel or allow them to air-dry before replacing them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Soaking in Vinegar and Baking Soda

1
Mix the baking soda and vinegar together. In a garbage bag that’s big enough to contain all the grates, mix together two cups of vinegar and one cup of baking soda.^{[4]
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- The mixture will begin to froth almost immediately. Remove the grates from your grill while they're cool enough to touch, and place them nearby so you can put them in the bag as soon as possible.
- Take care to protect your eyes from the vinegar– it can be a serious irritant. If any foam or liquid splashes on you, make sure to wash the affected area thoroughly.^{[5]
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2
Seal the grates in the bag. Close the top of the bag tightly by tying a knot, or ideally by using a strong rubber band. Then, place the bag in a sheltered area (such as a garage) and leave the grates to soak overnight.
- Overnight soaking is ideal for stubborn, crusty grill residue that may not soften within a few minutes of spraying it with vinegar alone. If your grill grates have significant oil and grease buildup– or if you simply wish to reduce the difficulty of scrubbing them clean– consider soaking the grates overnight instead of simply spraying and scrubbing.^{[6]
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3
Remove the grates from the bag. The next day, carefully remove the grates from the garbage bag, then discard the bag and any liquid that might remain.
4
Rinse the grates with water. Using a large sink or a hose, rinse off the grates, targeting any residue that’s still visible.
- The residue should come loose easily, but if it doesn’t, scrub it away with a large ball of crumpled-up aluminum foil. Scrubbing should be substantially easier than it was before the grates were soaked.
EXPERT TIP

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Filip Boksa is the CEO and Founder of King of Maids, a U.S. based home cleaning service that helps clients with cleaning and organization.

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional

If this doesn't work, you can also use Goo Gone's Grill and Grate cleaner. When the grill is turned off and cool to the touch, spray the cleaner directly onto the grill top. Wait a few minutes and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. Use a grill brush on more hardened buildup.

Warnings

Vinegar can cause mild skin irritation and serious eye irritation. Be sure not to touch your eyes while cleaning, and wash your hands and arms thoroughly when you’re done. Eye protection and disposable gloves are recommended.^{[7]
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