How to Clean Stained Gray Grates on a Gas Stove

Dirty burner grates are unsanitary.

Gray stove grates are bound to become dirty as food occasionally bubbles over and spills onto them. Although food stains are inevitable, burner grates should not remain dirty; neglecting to clean dirty grates allows heat from the flames to burn food fragments onto the grates. Grimy burner grates also attract insects and appear unappealing on gas stoves. Regularly clean stained gray grates on a gas stove using basic supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Dishcloth
• Non-scratch pad
• Clean dishtowel

Instructions

1. Let the gray burners thoroughly cool. While the burners are cooling, fill the sink with soapy water. Squirt a drop of dish soap into the sink as it fills with water.

2. Lift a cooled grate off the stove and place it in the sink. Fully submerge the grate in the soapy water.

3. Wipe the food-stained grate with a dishcloth to remove gunk. Scrub the food-stained grate with a non-scratch pad to remove stubborn grime. Thoroughly clean the gray grate.

4. Rinse the gray grate with warm water, and then wipe the grate with a clean dishtowel. Replace the clean, dry grate on the gas stove.

5. Clean the remaining food-stained grates in the same manner. Wash each grate separately, and replace the soapy water as it collects food grime.

Tips & Warnings

• Scrub extremely stuck-on grime off the grates using baking soda.

• Abrasive products may scratch burner grates.

References

• Pennsylvania State College of Agricultural Sciences: Cleaning Your Gas Stove
• University of Florida Extension; Keeping it Clean: Cleaning the Kitchen Stove, Range Top, and Oven; Mary N. Harrison
• The Kitchn; How To Clean a Greasy Stovetop (with Just Soap and Water); Elizabeth Passarella; February 2011