If you love your grill as much as I do, you want to keep it looking as pretty as possible. Keeping your grill clean serves another purpose, other than looking great, it ensures that your Napoleon barbecue is in top working order and remains that way for its entire life. It’s easy to take care of the outside of the grill, just
follow the instructions found in our article What is Stainless Steel & How to Care For It. However, since your cooking grids bear the brunt of barbecue life, you want to know how to clean them, and how to get your stainless steel grill grates looking like new again. The best way to clean stainless steel BBQ grates is to clean them after each use. Give your stainless steel cooking grids a scrub with your stainless steel grill brush, or our bristle
free grill brush. Doing this while the grill is still hot will mean you don’t have to do it when you go to cook next time, and goes a long way to ensuring your stainless steel cooking grates remain looking like new. Clean your grids while the grill is hot after you are done barbecuing. It’s a great way to pass the time while your meat is resting. If you forgot, preheat your grill to 500°F+ (high) for 10 to 15 minutes
before you begin cooking. Once the grill has gotten nice and hot, use the brush to clear away any debris from your last grilling session.How to Clean BBQ Grates
Two Simple Steps To Keeping Grids Clean:
Stubborn Stains on Your Grids
Unfortunately, from time to time, something stubborn sticks to your cooking surface, don’t fret. Try these tips instead.
A sheet of foil, shiny side down, over the offending area while the grill is heating up to 500°F (high) should loosen the problem. When the grill is hot just brush the offending detritus away with your grill brush. **Please consider wearing Heat Resistant Barbecue Gloves when doing this as the grill will be very hot.**
As a last resort, soaking your filthy stainless steel grids in hot water, then scrubbing gently will help get your grids squeaky clean. Just remember that in doing this, you are stripping off the seasoning you have built up and the grids will need to be re-seasoned. Don’t worry you can reapply that seasoning by following our instructions on how to season your stainless steel cooking grates.
Why does the tinfoil trick work? The tinfoil will form a concentrated convection (like when you grill with the lid down) over the offending area. This also traps steam if there is moisture present. It will break down the baked on gunk so that it is easier to remove with a grill brush, very similar to when you turn on the self cleaning in your oven.
How To Get Your Stainless Grill Grates Looking Like New
To get those grids looking brand new… well, you can’t. Once used, your cooking grids will begin developing what is called a patina. It’s a combination of discoloration from heat, and a buildup of oils on your barbecue cooking grates that will protect the stainless steel from corrosion and create a non-stick surface for you to cook on. That isn’t to say that you can’t have some nice looking grids. As outlined in the video, if you use a great, high-temperature oil like Crisco, palm oil, or lard to season your grids every few uses, and keep those grills clean, the grids will remain in great condition.
As always, we recommend that you exercise caution when using a grill brush and remember to perform proper grill brush maintenance to ensure that you aren’t losing bristles.
Cleaning stainless steel grill racks in preparation for your summertime barbecues does not have to be a chore. If you have a little cleaning know-how, this outdoor cleaning task can be quite simple.
Vinegar and Foil for Cleaning
Vinegar can dissolve burnt on food while gently cleaning your grill racks. Foil can be effective in removing debris without scratching the surface.
- To clean with vinegar, let your barbecue grill cool off.
- Dilute 2 cups vinegar with 2 cups water in a spray bottle.
- Spray your grill with the water-vinegar solution, saturating top and bottom.
- Let the solution soak into the debris on the racks for approximately 10 minutes.
- Fold aluminum foil thickly, so it will not tear.
- Optional: Spray the foil with more vinegar solution before you scrub the grill.
- Scrub the grill racks with the foil.
How to Burn Debris Off Your Grill Rack
Utilize the grill itself to clean stuck-on-food off the racks. To do so:
- Turn up the flames to high until the debris has been thoroughly burned.
- Turn the flames off.
- While the grill is still hot, use a soft brush to scrub off any remaining debris.
- Follow up after the racks have cooled with an old rag soaked in water or the vinegar solution.
Covering the rack with foil and burning off the foil is another technique for cleaning grill grates.
Soak Your Stainless Steel Racks Overnight
Cleaning stainless steel grill racks may require an overnight soaking.
- Place your grill racks into a large sturdy garbage bag.
- In a bowl, mix 2 cups vinegar with 1 cup baking soda.
- Pour the solution into the garbage sack and tie it securely shut.
- Lay the garbage sack with the racks in it on the ground. The vinegar and baking soda will cover the racks.
- Let it soak overnight.
- The next day, take out the racks and hose them down or use a soft cloth to wipe off the debris.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates Using a High Pressure Hose
A garden hose is a quick and simple tool to use in getting your grill racks clean.
- Remove your grill grates from your barbecue and place them against a wall.
- Use a high-pressure hose nozzle and spray off the burnt-on debris.
- Dry your grill grates off thoroughly with a towel or place it back on the grill and turn on the flames to dry it off before storing.
Cleaning and Rust Prevention Tips for Stainless Steel Grills
Most barbecues are used outdoors and therefore left outside all year long. Your barbecue, exposed to the elements, may oxidize and get rusty.
- Make sure you thoroughly dry the grates before closing the grill after cleaning.
- Microfiber towels won't leave fuzz on your grill racks or scratch them.
- Cover your barbecue with a special cover made specifically for its shape to keep your grill dry.
- To further protect your stainless steel grills, brush them lightly with vegetable oil after each cleaning and before you put away the barbecue in the winter.
As your grill gets used more often you will find that your stainless steel grates become discolored. While they may never regain their shiny appearance, you can prevent pits, scrapes and rust from corroding them if you maintain them properly. Here are some tips on how to clean a rusty grill.
Enjoy Your Grill for Years to Come
Cleaning your stainless steel grill racks can preserve your grill for many years of healthy and enjoyable family parties. Read the owners manner of your grill for specific care instructions.
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