You will agree with me that one of the areas in the kitchen that easily gets messed up is the stove gas cooktop. This is because it is sometimes difficult to control the splatters of food when cooking. Hence, it is important to learn how to clean cast iron stove top grates so that you can at least clean up the mess caused by the splatter after cooking.
Although cleaning the stove top grate is not something you do every day, it is advisable that you clean it from time to time before your stove top becomes smelly and cleaning it needs extra effort. To make the cleaning less burdensome for you, we have provided different cleaning methods that you can use depending on preference and degree of stain.
If you read to the end, you will also get a few tips that will help you handle your stovetop grates better.
How To Clean Cast Iron Stove Top Grates With Soapy Water
- Fill water in a sink or large bucket and add a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Dishwashing liquids containing degreasers work better. Next, work the water vigorously with your hand so that the soap can mix properly.
- Put the stove grates in the water you prepared and allow to soak for about 10 minutes. During this time, do well to clean the rest of the cooktop
- When you get back to the grates, scrub them gently with a nylon brush or scrubber to get rid of the dirt completely
- After scrubbing, rinse the grates in adequate warm water. Ensure that there is no soap left on it, then dry with a clean cloth before placing it in its original position.
Cleaning Cast Iron Stove Top Grates With Baking Soda
- Begin by making a thick baking soda paste using three parts baking soda and one part water.
- Next, coat your cast iron grates with the paste using a bristle brush. Ensure that every part of it is coated in the paste.
- Allow it to sit for 15 – 20 minutes so that the baking soda can get rid of the stains properly
- Using a brush, remove the caked residue by scrubbing gently and rinse the grates thoroughly in warm water. After that, clean the grates with a dry clean cloth and place them back on the cooktop.
Do you want to keep other parts of your home looking sparkling too? These articles will give you amazing cleaning inspiration!
How To Clean Cast Iron Stove Top Grates With White Vinegar
- Mix equal quantities of water and vinegar and put the solution in a spray bottle. It is easier to use the mixture from the bottle.
- Next, spray the liquid all over the grates, leaving no side untouched, then allow to sit for about 15 minutes.
- The solution will break down the residue, making it easy for you to wipe them off using a clean damp cloth. Wipe thoroughly to get rid of every dirt.
- Of all the methods given on how to clean cast iron stove top grates, this method is best for light grease stains
Preventing/ Removing Rust
It is better to prevent rusting on your grates by reseasoning them. However, if rusting occurs, there are ways to get rid of it. Both preventive and restorative methods are discussed below
Reseason Cast Iron Stove Grates
When you have finished cleaning the grates and drying them properly, your next action should be to reseason it. This prevents rusting. Put a few drops of vegetable oil on a paper towel and coat every part of the grate with a thin oil layer. After that, place it on a baking sheet and heat it in the oven at 450⁰F for an hour. Allow it to cool in the oven before putting it back on the cooktop.
How To Remove Rust
If you already have rust spots on your grates, mix one cup of baking soda and one tablespoon of lemon juice to make a paste. Apply the paste to the rusty part and leave it to sit for about 24 hours. After 24 hours, rinse and scrub the grates, then rinse thoroughly to remove the paste completely. Dry and reseason the grate.
General Guidelines for Cleaning Cast Iron Stove Top Grates
Now that you know how to clean cast iron stove top grates to get the best result, here are some extra tips to help you take proper care of your stove grates.
- To protect your grates from wear, avoid cleaning materials like abrasive, metallic scouring pads, ammonia, etc.
- If your stove grates have porcelain coating and it is already chipping off, do not soak them in water or expose them to water for too long. Similarly, do not expose uncoated to water for too long as it may cause it to rust quickly
- Before you start any cleaning, make sure that the cooktop and grates are completely cool.
- Do not clean stove grates in the dishwasher. They are not dishwasher safe and doing so can cause surface rust. Cleaning by hand is a lot gentler and will make your grates last longer compared to the former.
Final Words
This article covers how to clean cast iron stove top grates using three different methods. All methods are easy and cheap to try. Also, there are some tips to help you handle your grates properly and get the best out of them. I hope you find these tips useful and if you do, kindly let us know in the comment section below.
