Keeping stainless steel kitchen appliances smudge-free and sparkling are difficult enough, but maintaining a stainless-steel gas grill demands considerably more time and effort. When it comes to grills, many of us are attracted to dazzling stainless steel.
The problem is that after a few usages, the stainless steel is no longer polished and no longer appears fresh, and your gorgeous grill may no longer look as clean, shiny, and new. That’s because not all stainless steel is made equally—just because it’s called stainless doesn’t mean it won’t stain, become yellow, or even rust. You must understand how to clean a stainless-steel grill to keep it looking new and fresh.
Do you want to know how to deep-clean a dirty gas grill? Let us assist you all with it…
How To Get Your Stainless Steel Grates Looking Like New?
Contents
Due to its quality, durability, and appealing appearance, stainless steel is a popular choice among grill producers, even for griddles.
Stainless steel will always be associated with little maintenance, even though it is not fully maintenance-free. Regardless of its name, stainless steel is prone to stains, corrosion, and, worst of all, rust, because not all stainless-steel grills are constructed from the same grade, some show more wear and tear than others.
The regularity with which you maintain your BBQ grill and other stainless-steel products is determined by how frequently you use them and the environmental conditions inside and out. The more difficult the conditions, the more cleaning your stainless grill will require.
If you like your grill in the same way I do, you’ll want to maintain it looking as good as new. It’s simple to care for the grill’s exterior; simply follow the tips in our article How to clean a stainless-steel grill. However, because your cooking grids bear the brunt of barbecue life, you’ll want to know how to clean them and restore the sparkle to your stainless-steel grill grates.
If you want to maintain your stainless-steel grill looking glossy and new, you’ll need to apply some preventative measures, the correct cleansers, and a little elbow grease.
Here’s how to keep your stainless-steel grates looking good as new.
Best Ways To Clean A Stainless Steel Grill
Get A Cover
The first step in keeping your stainless-steel grill looking new is to maintain it. This necessitates the use of a high-quality grill cover. The lid is removed just before turning on the grill and replaced as soon as it cools. This keeps the dirt off your grill and keeps it nice and clean. While a grill cover is the best investment you can make for any grill, it is especially important for protecting the chromium oxide layer and getting the most out of the stainless so, buy a good cover for your grill.
Use A Cleaning Paste
You can create an effective paste at home using simple baking soda and water. These two components alone make an efficient cleaning for removing burnt-on food from your grates. Make a paste of 45g baking soda and 59ml water and apply it to your grate. Allow it to sit after you’ve finished. This will help to lift the debris from your grates, making it easier to clean away in the next step.
Use Soft Cloth To Clean
On stainless steel surfaces, avoid using caustic or aggressive cleaners. Use an approved stainless-steel cleaner if more cleaning is needed.
A microfiber cloth is a far better option than a strong scouring rag, which will not only scrape the steel but is also more likely to pick up tiny waste particles that can damage the surface as you scrub. The use of steel-wool pads or steel brushes can potentially permanently harm the finish.
Clean Regularly
Regular cleanings are required, and stainless steel can withstand them. Stainless steel, unlike certain other materials, does not grow worn or weakened as a result of repeated cleanings. Using a soft cloth and a light detergent solution, clean the entire grill. This is the simplest way to keep stainless steel looking fantastic. Always use a soft (not abrasive) cloth and wipe with the grain.
Maintain The Grill’s Exterior
Follow these methods to clean the inside of the stainless-steel grill, which includes the flame tamers, burners, and venture tubes:
Flame tamers form a barrier around your burners. Before beginning to clean them, ensure the grill is turned off and cool. Clean away food particles using a wire brush, then wipe down with a clean paper towel.
The burners will be underneath when you remove the flame tamers. Food accumulation on the burners can cause uneven heating and burner failure.
With a small, dry wire brush, clean the tube, flat, u-shape, and cast burners, paying careful attention to the burner port area where the gas flows out. The venture tubes must be cleaned by removing the burner assembly and washing everything down with a damp, soapy rag.
Then, with a clean, moist cloth, rinse. If your tubes are clogged with debris, carefully clean them with a little wire brush. Use a paperclip or other small wire if only a few are clogged. To check for obstructions, flush water through the tubes using your garden hose.
Clean Properly
When it comes to cleaning stainless steel, keep in mind that this material scratches easily and quickly, and if it does, you’ll have to use a power buffer or just live with it. As a result, it is critical that you never clean your grill using steel wool or metal brushes, and that you avoid using abrasive cleaning chemicals. There are stainless steel polishes available, but keep in mind that anything that leaves a film or finish will be exposed to the heat of your grill. Under high heat, stainless steel polishes can corrode and make your grill seem worse, not better.
Scrub Stainless Grates
After applying the paste for about 15-20 minutes, start scrubbing. Scrub the grill with your BBQ brush. You’ll notice that the food starts to come off easily, making cleaning easier and faster. It’s essential that you use the correct brush to clean your grill, or else you’ll end up with even more difficulties. A brass or nylon brush is preferable for cleaning a stainless-steel grill because it will not scratch it as a steel brush would.
Oil Your Grates
Oiling your grates is vital because it helps burn off any cleaning residue and prevents food from sticking to the grates. Select a high-smoke-point cooking oil and heat your grill for 15 minutes. With a paper towel and tongs, apply the oil on the hot grill, then turn it back on. This will change the color of your grates, indicating that they are ready. Season with oil after washing. If you use a lot of marinades, rubs, and seasonings, you might notice a rusty residue. This residue may be removed with a light detergent, and flavoring your cooking grates with grapeseed oil can help prevent it from accumulating.
Clean The Burners
Wait until your grill is cool before removing the flame tamers to access the burners underneath. It is normally preferable to clean them using a moist cloth dipped in soapy water. If you’re unsure, consult your user’s manual, which will explain how to clean it. You can also use a toothpick to clean the holes in the burners.
Remove Grill’s Exterior Dirt
We do not advise using stainless steel cleaners and polishes to clean the outside of your grill. Instead, one of the best ways to clean a grill safely and effectively is to make a soapy solution with warm water and dish detergent. Microfiber is the best fabric to choose because it will not scratch the steel, whereas other fabrics will. Soak a microfiber cloth in the dish soap and water mixture. Wring it out and wipe clean the grill’s outside. To avoid scratching, always move in the same direction as the grain.
What Not To Do?
- Never scour stainless steel with metal or steel wool. Rust will appear as a result of the residue left behind by the metal or steel wool.
- Never use bleach or bleach-containing cleansers.
- Never clean stainless steel against the grain.
- On stainless steel, never use acid-based cleansers.
FAQs
How To Clean BBQ Grates?
After each use, give the grill a quick brush to make it easier to clean in general.
You can also clean your grill grates once a month with hot, soapy water. In this manner, you may ensure that no residues remain on your grates. Furthermore, this procedure water two plants with one hose: clean and sanitized grates.
You can always steam clean your grill. This procedure requires only water and a sponge.
Can You Use A Wire Brush On A Stainless-Steel Grill?
Yes, you can use a wire brush to clean the grill grates after each cooking session, but make sure to remove any stray wire-brush bristles before firing up the grill, as using wire bristle brushes can be harmful to your health. The brush’s wire bristles can break off, remain on the grill grate, and end up in the food you’re cooking, so you should use stainless steel brushes, which come in both bristle brushes and bristle-free styles and can be used on a hot or cold grill.
How Do You Clean A Stainless-Steel Grill Without Scratching It?
Prepare a smooth paste of baking soda and water (you can alternatively use vinegar in place of baking soda) and apply it to the stain for around 20 minutes. Scrub the area with a towel moistened in water and dish soap solution. To avoid scratches, use a gentle cloth and rub parallel with the grain. Lastly, just rinse and dry it fully.
How Do I Make My Stainless-Steel Grill Look New Again?
Soak the barbecue grates in water and dish soap.
Soak the grill grates in a mixture of vinegar and water.
Brush the grill grates.
Soak the barbecue grates in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.What Can I Use To Soak My Barbecue Grates?
Soak the grates in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda if you have food that won’t come off with a grill brush or if you’re performing your regular deep clean. The baking soda and vinegar will combine to break apart the burnt-on food and give you your desired results.
Conclusion
In the above article, we have provided easy ways to clean your stainless-steel grill so that you can have a sparkling clean grill to cook on when you’re ready. Cleaning stainless steel grill racks in preparation for summer barbecues does not have to be a difficult task. This outdoor cleaning activity might be quite simple if you have some cleaning skills.
To maintain your stainless-steel grill looking its best, it needs to be cleaned on a regular basis so that you can enjoy it for years to come and have that clean and new looking grill you want…