How to Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates

Take the time to clean the stainless steel grill grates on your barbecue to reduce the chance of food poisoning from leftover food particles stuck to the surface. To help keep your grill clean, use a tbsp. of vegetable oil on a piece of paper towel to evenly wipe the oil over the grates after each cleaning. This will reduce the chance of food sticking the next time you use your grill.

Step 1 - Clean After Each Use

Remove the food and allow your stainless grill to cool a little. While it's still hot, briskly rub a good quality wire barbecue brush over the grates to remove the food pieces.

Step 2 - Clean Thoroughly Once a Week

If you use your grates regularly, it's important to give it a good cleaning once a week. Wait until your stainless steel grill has completely cooled. Mix some mild dishwashing detergent in warm water in a pail. You can do whatever concentration your prefer, but make sure that the mixture is sudsy. Use paper towel or a sponge, and some steel wool as needed, to rub the mixture over the grates. Empty the pail and fill with cool water. Rinse the surface of the grates. Leave the grill lid open to allow the grates to dry completely.

Keep the wire brush clean, too, by soaking it in hot soapy water once a week to remove food and grease. Rinse off the brush thoroughly with cool water and allow to completely air dry to reduce the chance of it rusting. Store it in a spot where it won't get dusty and dirty.

Step 3 - Annual or Monthly Cleaning

To keep your stainless steel grill grates looking shiny and new, give them a good cleaning once a month. If you only use your grill sparingly during the summer months, you can get away with completing this step just once a year.

Combine one part water with one part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Coat the mixture over the grates as well as the interior of the grill. Close the lid to allow the mixture to sit for one hour to break down any burnt particles. Wipe the surface clean with damp paper towels. Rinse the surface with cool water to make sure no remnants of vinegar are left which could make your next meal cooked on the grill taste bad.

Step 4 - The Deep Clean

If you haven't cleaned your stainless steel grill for some time, a deep cleaning may be necessary to remove all the grease and baked-on food that can't be scrubbed off with a wire barbecue brush.

Remove the grates and turn on the barbecue. Wrap the cooking grates tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil with the shiny side out. Put on oven mitts and place the wrapped grates on the grill. Close the lid and leave them there for 15 to 30 minutes. The more soiled, the longer you'll need to leave them. Turn off the barbecue, open the lid and allow the grates to cool. Unwrap the foil and follow up with scraping the surface with a wire brush, as necessary, and washing the grates with soap and water.