How Often Should You Clean Grill Grates?

How often you clean your grill gratesdepends on how frequently you grill.

Heat your grill for 10 to 15 minutes to burn off additional particles.

How to clean grill grates

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Soaking the grates (see steps below) will remove the rest of the stubborn residue.

Tip

Know what material your grates are made of before brushing.

Delicate porcelain grates must be gently brushed with soft bristles.

Materials needed to clean grill grates

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Tougher cast iron and stainless steel can withstand a more rigorous brushing.

Leave tougher spots on as they will loosen during the next step.

Soak Grates Overnight

Combine 2 cups of vinegar with 1 cup ofbaking sodain a bowl.

Cleaning grill grates with a brush

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Some particles may have come off during the soak or rinse.

Remove stuck particles scrubbing with a nylon brush or aluminum foil ball.

Check for more bits by running your hands over the ridges to feel for any spots.

Soaking the grill grates in a trash bag overnight

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Avoid placing the grates on your grill until they are thoroughly dry.

Apply Oil to Season

Season the grates with oil to prevent food from sticking to them.

Rub the oiled paper towel over your grates completely to season them for your next BBQ.

Rinsing the grates after soaking

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Heat your grill after each use to burn off any stuck-on food.

Soaking grill grates removes stubborn bits that did not come off from the heat or scrubbing.

It also allows for a deeper cleaning to sanitize the surface entirely.

Spraying the grates with degreaser

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Rinsing the grates in water

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Drying off the grill grates after cleaning

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Applying oil to the grill grates

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley