How to Clean a Cast Iron Grill Grate

Cast iron grill grates, like other cast iron cooking surfaces, do not require soap and water for cleaning. Regular cleaning and seasoning of the grill grates ensures that your food will not stick to the grates, and will also assure that your food will have an ideal grilled taste and appearance. According to the author of The Barbecue! Bible, Steve Raichlen, for the best flavor and great grill marks you should "keep it [the grate] hot, clean and lubricated."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cast iron grill grates
• Wire brush
• Cooking oil
• Paper towels
• Tongs

1. Get your cast iron grill grates prepared for the grilling season by removing rust and seasoning them before use. Heat your grill as hot as possible with the grates in place on the grill. Rub a wire brush over the grates to remove rust. Repeat until you no longer see any rust.

2. Season the grill before using it to cook. Here's how: Preheat your grill to high heat, and season the grates when hot.

3. Roll or fold up several layers of paper towels to create a wad. Dip this into oil, and holding the towels with tongs, rub it over the cast iron grates.

4. Repeat the seasoning/oiling process in step 3 immediately after cooking, while the grates still hold heat from cooking.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use soap and water to clean the grill grates.
• Be careful not to burn yourself during the oiling process. Use insulated gloves to hold the oil-soaked wad of paper towels.

References

• The Barbecue! Bible; Steven Raichlen, Ben Fink; 2008

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