Asked on Nov 25, 2013

I have grill cleaning problem. Someone any suggestions?

Summer Godfrey
by Summer Godfrey

Couple of years ago have bought this grill from a Russian shop and I love it so much because the steaks are so delicious when I make them on it. But I have such a big problem when I try to clean it. Every time when I clean the grill, I curse myself why I bought it, and want to dump it, into the trash, when I have to clean my BBQ. But the steaks are so good. I try all kind of things to clean it, but it always it looks dirty and I cant make my grill looks as new. I try with hot water, metal sponge, degreasers, and many more but nothing seems to help. I try to buy a new one, but the shop is not there anymore. I don't want to replace my grill with another one, but at the same time, I feel a little bit depressed about it. If someone can help me, I will be very thankful to him. I don't want to use very hard chemicals over the grill. If someone knows a "green" recipe for cleaning metal it will be perfect.

Before Cleaning
After Cleaning
  30 answers
  • Lemor Sidis Lemor Sidis on Nov 25, 2013
    Try using a steamer.
  • Easy Off Oven Cleaner. spray and let sit overnight. may have to do it twice.
    • See 2 previous
    • Summer Godfrey Summer Godfrey on Nov 29, 2013
      @Monica Koch Thank you for this advice, I probably won't use it at all. It doesn't sounds very green to me :) and I prefer to clean my house only with green methods and recipes.
  • Maryjc27539 Maryjc27539 on Nov 26, 2013
    You could try ammonia and a plastic bag. This Blog has a how to: http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/easy-way-to-clean-stove-burners-grill-grates/
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Nov 27, 2013
    Just because it looks bad doesn't change the way it cooks. Just don't worry about it. Let it get very hot after you are finished and burn off the excess.Can also use steel brush (only)on grill part when hot also.It works just like my Jenn-Air does . Who cares what it looks like it is the taste right?
    • Summer Godfrey Summer Godfrey on Nov 27, 2013
      @Wanda.ll You are right, it doesn't change the way it cooks. Thank you for your advice.
  • Carol Carol on Nov 27, 2013
    I have put my grates into my bathtub with dryer sheets and hot water to cover. I let them sit over night. The next day, the grease just wipes right off, no big labor of scrubbing. I've also used the dryer sheets on my paint brushes, combs, burnt bottom in pots etc. I works wonders!
  • Ginny B Ginny B on Nov 27, 2013
    while it is still hot (be very careful) wrap it in wet paper towels and let it sit till after you eat and it will wipe right off. As long as you keep the towels wet it works.
  • Ginny B Ginny B on Nov 27, 2013
    Summer,I forgot to say after you wrap in paper towels spray or drizzle dish soap on them.
  • Carol Carol on Nov 27, 2013
    In the spray paint department there is a black grill paint for high heat. You may want to clean it and spray paint it with this high heat paint. Lowes, Home depot and places like that have it. Once dried it will be easier to clean in the future. Easy, redid our old grill.
    • Summer Godfrey Summer Godfrey on Dec 03, 2013
      @Carol I will definitely do that! But first of all I have to clean it with something and I choose couple of ways to do it but still doesn't have enough time to do it.
  • Sandra T Sandra T on Nov 28, 2013
    How big is it? Can it come apart? Put what you can in the dish washer,not the electric coils.Run on heavy wash
    • Summer Godfrey Summer Godfrey on Dec 03, 2013
      @Sandra T Yes it comes apart, but I try it and didn't work out. I even soak in boiling water.
  • Monica Koch Monica Koch on Nov 28, 2013
    Place it in a large plastic heavy duty garbage bag pour one cup of ammonia inside the bag with it. It doesn't have to cover the grill then seal the bag with a twist tie or something and let it sit overnight (the fumes won't bother you once the bag is closed but its the fumes that do the magic) the next day open the bag empty the ammonia down the drain and hose off your grill. It rinses right off and will sparkle. You can clean your oven the same way, just set a cup or bowl of ammonia inside your oven overnight then dispose of the ammonia the next day and wipe it clean. It amazed me the first time I tried it. Now I never use oven cleaners or harsh chemicals.
    • Summer Godfrey Summer Godfrey on Dec 03, 2013
      @Monica Koch The ammonia is some kind heavy chemical product, I guess, and I don't want such chemicals where I'm cooking my food. Thanks for the help, anyway.
  • Loy213654 Loy213654 on Nov 30, 2013
    I have heard of the ammonia method you can try it and leave it outside the house till the smell is gone. Alternatively, I wrap my fish, meat, potatoes etc with tin foil before putting it on the grill. Its cleaner and healthier I thought.
  • Merry Springs Merry Springs on Dec 03, 2013
    But isn't ammonia dangerous?
  • Merry Springs Merry Springs on Dec 03, 2013
    I mean... I have used ammonia to clean the bathroom floor, but then I got my cat and stopped using it. And after all I'm cooking my food on the grill...
  • Sandra T Sandra T on Dec 03, 2013
    did you add some borax are oxiclean clean to your dishwasher. Put a scoop in the bottom of your dishwasher along with your regular detergent.
    • Summer Godfrey Summer Godfrey on Dec 03, 2013
      @Sandra T I never tried to put it in the dishwasher if I'm honest! Maybe I should try.
  • Sandra T Sandra T on Dec 03, 2013
    I thought of another thing you could do. Spray some oven cleaner on it out side. Put in a large garbage bag let set over night and rinse with a garden hose. Dry with paper towels let set in sun for a few hours
  • Marge Carter Marge Carter on Dec 05, 2013
    all purpose cleaner basic h and scour off http://bit.ly/1ce3z8A
  • Brenda Kingston Brenda Kingston on Jan 01, 2014
    find some place that has a sand blaster. That will clean it all off.
  • Shary M Shary M on Jan 02, 2014
    I cook in cast iron, I never use soap/chemicals. I would use cooking oil let it set and scrape it off with a steel brush. You love this so just take the time and meditate while you are scraping. One of the reasons why it grills so nice is the left over residue love it just the way it is. It shows a history of great meals.If it was a piece of furniture it would be called distressed.
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Jun 22, 2014
    take it apart,,,,put the grate in a plastic bag that fits..... dump a cup or two of AMMONIA in.... swish it around... and seal w. a twist tie.... let it set 6-24 hrs... it will make it look great.... wash with soapy water after you remove it.this also works for old cookie sheets, or muffin pans...Its the only way I have found to get them sparkly again...Part of the patina from grilling is from the grease combined with the high heat.. The base piece is stained and discolored from the heat..it has oxadized and will never look brand new, much like stove drip pans...I would line that with a flat piece of tinfoil once its cleaned, if it bothers you..
  • Fiona Loper Fiona Loper on Jun 24, 2014
    pressure washer......... or a steam cleaner
  • Lou Lou on Jun 24, 2014
    Try Easy-Off.
  • Roger L. Castonguay Roger L. Castonguay on Jun 24, 2014
    Perhaps spray it with a degreaser. Let it set for a few hours and then take some steel wool pads or a wire brush to it?
  • Lou Lou on Jun 25, 2014
    Roger, sorry but I am compelled to disagree with your recommendation to use a wire brush or wire pads. Tiny shards from either break off and will lodge in food. A public safety alert was issued regarding this matter some time back.
  • Kelly S Kelly S on Jun 25, 2014
    Try taking it apart, placing the grill part in a garbage bag with vinegar and let it soak overnight, preferably outside. Scrub it down the next day. Whatever you do don't put the electric element in a dishwasher because most are not water proofed at the contacts. water and electricity is very dangerous.
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Jun 25, 2014
    Before summer starts we spray'easyoff or another oven cleaner on our grill grates, leave for a few hrs, and hose off very well!
  • Patricia Brown Patricia Brown on Jun 27, 2014
    How about the wire basket from the deep fat fryer,does anyone know the best way to clean it? Patricia Brown
  • Roger L. Castonguay Roger L. Castonguay on Feb 20, 2015
    Here's what I have deduced in the many, many times that I have used a BBQ grill: First, and foremost, clean the grill immediately after it has cooled down, don't wait and let it set for a day or two. It will make it much harder to clean at that point. Use a wire bristle brush and soap and water. Find a bucket to immerse the grill in so that the food particles soften up and make it easier to brush it off. Aside from that, I really don't know of any other way.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Feb 20, 2015
    They carry a commercial oven/degreaser at Sam's Club. I can clean any greasy thing with it, I clean apartments and move outs and if it will clean that it will clean anything. Wear Gloves, this is a non-aerosol cleaner. It comes in a three pack. We buy it buy the case. It is our go to cleaner for everything that is horrible. It is in the auto section at Sam's.
  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Aug 01, 2022

    I have several cleaning tutorials that might help you https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/how-tos/cleaning/