The 5 Best Ways to Clean Your Cast Iron Stove Grates

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Get rid of baked-on food and grease with these expert cleaning tips
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Do you want to get rid of those pesky grease and food stains stuck on your cast iron stove grates? Whether you’re wiping up after cooking a meal or deep-cleaning your grates to make them look like new, we’ve found some simple ways to cut through all the dirt and grime. Keep reading to find out how to clean your cast iron grates with vinegar, baking soda, commercial cleaners, and more!

Things You Should Know

  • Spray a solution of half water and half white vinegar onto the cast iron grates and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, wipe the grates with a damp sponge or cloth.
  • Apply a baking soda paste to the grates and let it sit for 15–30 minutes. Scrub the grates with a damp sponge, and rinse the baking soda off.
  • Spray a degreaser or oven cleaner onto your grates and let them sit for the time listed on the label. Wipe the cleaner off with a damp cloth.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Soapy Water

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  1. Turn your faucet to the hottest setting and fill your sink with enough water to submerge the cast iron grates. Then, add in a few drops of dish soap and mix it into the water. [1] Wait until the grates are completely cool before submerging them for 10–15 minutes. [2]
    • If there are thick layers of grease on your grates, slowly pour boiling water over them first to help melt the residue away.
    • It’s perfectly safe to clean cast iron with soap. A little bit of soap won’t remove the protective coating over your cast iron. [3]
    • If your grates are made of uncoated cast iron, they’ll have a dull appearance. Avoid soaking them since they could form rust.
  2. Whether you’re cleaning coated or uncoated cast iron grates, wet the bristles of a toothbrush or a cleaning brush in soapy water. Then, gently scrub the grates to break apart any food or grease that’s still on the surface. [4]
    • Avoid using steel wool or abrasive sponges since they could scratch or damage your grates, which could lead to rust.
    • Cast iron stove grates are not dishwasher-safe since the water and heat could cause them to develop rust. Stick to washing the grates by hand.
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  3. Run warm water over the grates to rinse all the suds off the surface. Use a paper towel or soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe the grates dry so they don’t form rust. Then, just set the grates back onto your stove. [5]
    • Don’t forget to clean your stovetop before putting the grates back on.
    • If your cast iron grates have stubborn residue, then try washing them again. If the grease or food is still there, then try one of the other cleaning methods.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Vinegar Solution

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  1. Fill half of a spray bottle with warm water and pour in distilled white vinegar until it’s full. Vinegar works best for getting rid of light grease stains and weekly cleanings. [6]
    • Acid in the vinegar helps break apart the residue on the grates, and it’s a perfect homemade cleaner if you want to avoid chemical products.
  2. Set your cast iron grates in your sink and liberally spray them with the vinegar solution. Make sure you get into all the hard-to-reach corners. Then, leave the vinegar to work its magic for at least 30 minutes. [7]
    • Alternatively, fill a large container with half water and half vinegar and submerge the grates completely.
  3. Wet a non-abrasive sponge and wipe the vinegar solution off your stove grates. Keep running the sponge over areas with built-up grease or food residue to loosen them up, and apply more vinegar solution to help break it down even more. Once your stove grates are completely clean, rinse them off with warm water and pat them dry with a towel. [8]
    • Use a toothbrush to scrub away any hard-to-reach nooks and crevices.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Baking Soda Paste

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  1. Put your cast iron grates in the sink and run the hottest water from the tap over them. The heat will help remove any layers of grease or loose food on the surface so the baking soda works better on the stuck-on material underneath. [9]
    • Baking soda also helps remove rust from your cast iron since it’s slightly abrasive.
  2. [10] Stir 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water in a small bowl until it has a thick consistency that will stick to the grates. [11]
    • Alternatively, use distilled white vinegar instead of water to help clean stubborn rust or food residue.
  3. Use a toothbrush or damp rag to apply the paste to your stove grates. Work the paste into all the nooks and crannies before setting the grates on a towel for about 15–30 minutes. [12]
    • As the baking soda sits on the metal, it will eat away at any excess food or grease buildup.
  4. Wet your sponge and run it over your stove grates to wipe away the baking soda. Work the paste into any areas where you still see stubborn food and grease stains. When you’re finished, run clean water over your cast iron grates and pat them with a towel to dry. [13]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Degreaser or Oven Cleaner

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  1. Spread a commercial degreaser or oven cleaner over the grates. Spray the degreaser or oven cleaner onto the grates until they’re completely coated. [14] If you can’t reach all the nooks and crannies on your stove grates, use a toothbrush to spread the cleaner over the area. [15]
    • Work in a well-ventilated space since degreasers and oven cleaners contain chemicals that may cause irritation if you breathe them in.
    • Degreasers and oven cleaners work well if your cast iron stove grates are turning white since they’ll effectively remove the residue and discoloration.
  2. Degreasers all work a little differently, so check the package to see how long it needs to work. Most degreasers take about 25–30 minutes, but oven cleaners may take 40–50 minutes to break down tough residue and grease stains. Check the grates every 15 minutes or so to make sure they’re still wet with the cleaner, and reapply more if they’re starting to dry out. [16]
  3. Wet your brush or sponge with warm water and gently scrub the cast iron surface. All of the stuck-on residue and grease stains will easily lift up, leaving behind a clean surface. It may require some additional elbow grease, but it won’t leave your grates with a bunch of ugly scratches. [17]
    • Avoid using steel wool or a stiff-bristled brush since you could scratch or damage the grates.
  4. Run the grates underneath warm running water to get rid of any residual cleaner or food still on the surface. After that, pat the grates dry with a paper towel or soft microfiber cloth, and put them back on your stovetop. [18]
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Ammonia

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  1. Stovetop grates come in a variety of sizes, but most individual burner grates will fit into gallon-sized bags . If you have longer grates that span your entire stovetop or want to clean multiple small grates at once, then use a large garbage bag instead. [19]
    • If you don’t have any bags, use a large container with a lid so it traps the ammonia fumes inside.
  2. Pour the ammonia directly into the bag and close it immediately to trap in the fumes. It’s okay if the ammonia doesn’t completely cover or submerge the grates since the fumes cause the grime and grit to loosen up. Leave the grates in the bag overnight to help remove the most residue. [20]
    • Ammonia fumes may irritate your nose, throat, and lungs if you breathe them in, so always keep a window open or a fan running to ventilate the area. [21]
  3. The following day, open the bags and take the grates out. Rinse them underneath warm water from your sink to get any residual ammonia and food particles off the surface. [22] If there’s any residue that’s still a little stuck, use a sponge to clean off any excess gunk. Then, just dry the grates off with a clean towel. [23]
    • Reseal the bags and toss them in your trash to prevent the ammonia from spilling out.
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  • Question
    How do you make cast iron grates look new?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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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.
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  • 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.
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    How do you clean stove grates with vinegar?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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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.
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      Tips

      • Always wait until your cast iron stove grates are cold to wash them since they could crack from the temperature change if they’re still hot. [24]
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      • Try to clean your cast iron grates every 1–2 weeks so they don’t develop a lot of buildup.
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      References

      1. ↑ Chris Willatt. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-enameled-cast-iron-stove-grates-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205967
      3. ↑ ​​ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/clean-cast-iron-skillet
      4. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-clean-gas-stove-burners/
      5. ↑ https://www.bluestarcooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BlueStar-FreeStanding-Range-Use-Care-Manual-750355-Rev3.28.19.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-clean-gas-stove-burners/
      7. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-clean-gas-stove-burners/
      8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stove-burners/
      9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-enameled-cast-iron-stove-grates-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205967
      1. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-way-clean-stove-grates-showdown-23124896
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-way-clean-stove-grates-showdown-23124896
      4. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      5. ↑ Chris Willatt. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.
      6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-way-clean-stove-grates-showdown-23124896
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/grimy-stove-grates-oven-cleaner-23325533
      8. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/best-way-clean-stove-grates-showdown-23124896
      10. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-stove-top
      11. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-stove-burners/
      12. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/chemical_terrorism/ammonia_tech.htm
      13. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      14. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-clean-stove-top
      15. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-enameled-cast-iron-stove-grates-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205967

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If your cast iron stove grates just need a light cleaning, try soaking them in hot, soapy water for 10-15 minutes. After they’ve soaked, scrub them with a soft-bristle brush and rinse them with warm water. Wipe the grates dry with a microfiber cloth when you’re done. For stubborn grime, spray the grates with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Let the solution sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing the grates. You can also scrub away stuck-on dirt with a paste of baking soda and water. If all else fails, clean the grates with a commercial oven cleaner or degreaser. Just make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.

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