Cleaning your grill after a BBQ is not always the most fun thing to do, but it’s important for maintaining its performance. Are you looking for a way to clean your flat top grill? There are many ways to clean your flat top grill and we’re here to provide you with 10 methods that will leave your grill spick-and-span!
If you want to know how to clean a flat top grill, then this post is for you. This article will show you the steps to take and which products work best. It’s important to know how to maintain your grill so it lasts longer and is easier to use! Let us help you out with this task. Read on below!
What are flat top grills?
A flat top grill is a piece of grill designed in a cast iron plate to cook food. Due to its design, the heat from the fire can be controlled from very high for searing to low for slow cooking . Usually when we think of grilling, we imagine a traditional red-hot charcoal or gas flame that sears meats and fish. Flat top grills are popular because they heat up quickly and to high temperatures. They’re great for cooking all kinds of foods from veggies to steak, fish, pork chops and more!
Tools Needed To Clean A Flat Top Grill
- Baking Soda
- Tooth brush
- Water
- Vinegar
Cleaning The Grill With These Tools On A Regular Basis Is Very Important To Ensure Burners And Grates Are Protected. We Must Always Remember That There Is A Lot Of Work Involved In Buying Them. So, It’s Our Duty To Maintain Them Well. Over time, the build-up of food and grease will make your flat top look dirty and can even cause it to rust. The best way to clean a flat top grill is with baking soda, but there are other methods that do work well too. Here’s how you can get yours looking like new again!
How do I start cleaning my flat top grill?
Before starting the actual cleaning process, take an old rag and place it on your workspace or use a non-flammable surface to work with your equipment. If you are not sure if it is flammable or not, then do not use it.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. Next, make sure that your grill has cooled down before starting the actual cleaning process. This will ensure that there’s no steam or liquid coming through the grates while you are trying to clean it.
On a flat top grill where the heating elements are exposed on the surface, make sure they are turned off if you don’t want to get burned by touching them with wet rag or sponge in hand.
6 Detail Steps – How to clean a flat top grill – The Easiest Way
Keep your grill clean and looking like new with these easy tips. Your grill is a major investment, so you want to take care of it properly. You can do this by following some simple steps that will have your barbecue ready for the next cookout! Read on to find out how.
Step 1. Clean the grill thoroughly before you start cooking
This is very important. Before you light the grill, clean it thoroughly to remove any food particles that could burn next to the heat source and create smoke in your food. Remove the grates if necessary and soak them in water before scrubbing with a regular brush or steel wool pad. If there’s burnt-on debris in the bottom of the cooking area, use a flat scraper tool to pry out pieces. Then wash the entire surface with warm soapy water to prevent small bits from hardening again while you’re cooking.
Step 2. Scrub off any burnt-on food or residue with a wire brush
For best results, clean your grill grate after every use. However, if this is not possible and food has stuck to the grate and started to burn (resulting in a “burned on” mess), follow these steps:
– Use a wire brush or grill scraper tool to loosen burnt pieces from the cooking surface.
– Dip a stiff bristle brush in warm soapy water and scrub away any leftover residue from the cooking area. Rinse with clear water and wipe dry with paper towels before you start using it again.
Step 3. Use a scraper to remove any stubborn grime and grease from the grate
Grate scraper tools are very handy when you have a stubborn grime from food particles that won’t brush off. Simply insert the long shaft under a hot part of grill and rotate it to clean both sides of the cooking surface. This is a good idea for removing grease, too! Just be careful not to scrape off any paint or scratch up your grill’s enamel finish.
Step 4. Rinse the grill with water, then dry it completely with paper towels
Rinse the grill with a water hose to remove any debris and food particles. Alternatively, fill a spray bottle with warm soapy water and use it to wash down your grill while you’re cooking on it or waiting for coals to heat up. Ensure that no water gets into vents in the lid of your grill. Drying is important because leaving residual moisture will cause rust. Always dry after washing with soap and water, especially when you’re done for the day!
Step 5. Apply an oil-free coating of nonstick spray or vegetable oil on both sides of the grate for easy clean up in between uses
Prevention is the best form of care. Coat your grill grate with a thin layer of cooking oil spray or vegetable oil to create a nonstick barrier between food and metal surfaces.
Step 6. Store your grill in an upright position if possible to prevent rusting and permanent damage from contact with moisture
This may not be possible with outdoor cooking equipment, but if you have the option to keep your grill indoors, do so when it isn’t in use. If this is not possible, simply cover your grill with a waterproof cover and store it in an upright position.
Properly caring for your grill will ensure that it provides you with good service for years to come. Follow these steps regularly to keep your barbecue in great condition!
Other Methods Of Cleaning Flat Top Grill That Work
Some people swear by using aluminum foil piled high with kosher salt to clean their flat top grills between uses; others claim newspaper does the trick (folded up at least four times). Using dryer sheets works well when you don’t want water involved and using a brush to scrub off the top layer of grease and grime sounds like a good idea, too. If you still can’t get rid of that burnt-on mess or rust spots, try these methods:
1. Leave your grill on high heat for several minutes
This will burn off anything leftover from previous cooking sessions. Maintain this setting until it’s time to cook again (it shouldn’t take more than five or 10 minutes). After you’ve turned off the grill, use a flat scraper tool to remove any debris stuck to the bottom layer of grate if necessary. Otherwise, just clean as usual and allow plenty of time for your grill to cool down before storing indoors in an upright position!
2. Soak affected area in a combination of water and baking soda
Create a paste with baking soda and warm water, apply it to the affected area and allow it to sit for several hours. This should help loosen rust stains or burnt-on grease. Rinse off completely before use if your grill is still hot from cooking earlier.
3. Use a flat head screwdriver to rub away rust spots
Use a rag to cover the end of flathead screwdriver and rub away any stubborn rust spots that won’t come clean with standard cleaning methods. You may need to repeat this process if you notice those spots coming back after using your grill again!
4. Don’t let your grate stay dirty for too long between uses
If you notice food particles starting to burn onto your grill grate between uses, it’s time to clean! Don’t let that food set on the grate too long. This will not only cause unappetizing black burn marks on your next meal, but also damage your grill or pose a safety hazard from degraded metal and burnt flakes of material being released into the air.
5. Remove rust with dryer sheet
Get rid of those stubborn rust stains by using a used dryer sheet to wipe away residue without scratching the surface, then rinse thoroughly before use once more. Do this regularly if you notice rust forming as soon as possible to avoid future trouble spots!
6. Use a clove of garlic and baking soda paste for tough grease stains
Slice a fresh clove of garlic in half, drizzle with baking soda and warm water paste (you can also use toothpaste) and immediately apply to the affected area. Allow it to sit for several hours before rinsing off completely.
7. Use WD-40 or any rust-removal spray on rusty surfaces
Spray your grill grate down thoroughly with rust remover spray, wait 5 minutes, then rinse away residue under running water. Make sure to dry the surface afterwards if you don’t want that metal smell in your food!
8. Remove burnt-on grease and grime by lining a bowl with foil, sprinkling it generously with kosher salt, and pouring boiling water over top
Allow the mixture to soak until cooled, then remove from bowl and scrape away residue with a flat scraper or spatula.
9. Use a wire brush to clean top layer of grill grate between uses
This works best if you line your grill with aluminum foil first, creating a barrier between the grate and the wire brush. This prevents grinding away at metal grooves which can affect how food lays on the surface! After using your smoky flavor tool, just turn off your grill and allow it to cool down before cleaning thoroughly with this method.
10. If necessary, use baking soda paste to remove corrosion from aluminum grates
Using toothpaste is an easy way to apply baking soda paste without making too big of a mess! Apply it all over any corroded sections of your aluminum grate or other affected areas before rinsing thoroughly and allowing it to dry.
11. Remove burnt-on food from cast iron grate with coarse salt
This is a great way to remove those stubborn bits of charred meat or fish still stuck onto the surface even after you think you’ve removed all the residue! This method also works on caked-on carbon deposits too. Just be sure not to use any soap or water, as this will strip away your protective seasoning oil.
12 Scrub with a wire brush soaked in soapy water after grilling for best results
This should help get rid of any remaining debris before cooking your next meal if you’re worried about rust issues up ahead! Using this method regularly can keep that top layer clean and free from corrosion, which will help your grill last longer.
How to clean flat top grill by material
We’ve divided this into sections below that will guide you through how to clean your flat top grill, what products work well and which don’t! We’ve also added links for tools that help make cleaning after every use much simpler too!
4.1. How to Clean a Stainless Steel Flat Top Grill
1) Pour hot water onto the grill grate while it is still warm from cooking (Image 1) .
2) Let the water sit on the warm grill 5-10 minutes (Image 2) .
3) Use a sturdy non-metal kitchen utensil to scrape the grill grate clean (Image 3).
4) Wipe up any stubborn debris with a damp towel, and rinse the water off of the grate (Image 4) .
4.2. How to Clean a Chrome Flat Top Grill
1) Pour hot water onto the flat top while it is still warm from cooking (Images 1 & 2).
2) Let the water sit on the warm grill for five to ten minutes (Images 3 & 4).
3) Use a sturdy non-metal kitchen utensil to scrape off excess food bits left behind, then leave them alone until they have cooled completely before washing them away with cold water (Images 5 & 6).
How to clean a Blackstone flat top grill
1. Turn Grill and Grill Grates off and allow to cool down before cleaning with water or any chemicals, including soapy water
2. Always use a brush for cast iron cooktops to scrape the grate clean after cooking, eg: grill brush. A stainless steel pot scrubber may be used as well but texture of the griddle surface may scratch the finish of your flat top grill if you do not use care
3. Coat cast iron cooktop with vegetable oil lightly before each cooking session to protect from rusting and create a non-stick surface
4. A wire BBQ grill brush can be used again only if clean and dry , but is generally not necessary and food debris on the bottom of the griddle will burn over time so it’s best to skip this step
5. Start a fire and allow grate to heat up to proper cooking temperature, then scrape with a grill brush
Why It’s Important to have a cleaning routine for flat top grill?
Since it’s an outdoor appliance, grills get dirty pretty quickly because of the smoke and other elements. The best way to clean your grill is to do it once a week. If you use your grill regularly, chances are that you will not find the need for this step but if you don’t use it often, make sure to clean it every time before using again.
To keep your flat top grill in the best condition possible you need to take care of it! A clean grill is a happy grill. Just as you wouldn’t want food crusted to the bottom of your pan, no one wants bits of food stuck on their flat top grill. Cleaning after every use will not only ensure that food won’t stick but also prolongs the life of your grill by preventing corrosion from tiny specs left behind from previous uses. This also makes it easier to clean in the long run.
FAQS
What do you use to clean a flat top grill?
If you don’t have a grill brush or grill scraper, you can use salt to clean your flat top grill. Salt is abrasive enough to cut through the crusted-on bits of food without scratching the surface. Plus, it won’t damage your griddle like other cleaners might! It’s safe if you eat the scraps that fall into your catch pan too.
How often should you clean a griddle?
If you’re using your flat top grill regularly, clean it after every use. If you’re not cooking often, we suggest cleaning it before each use just to ensure that food doesn’t stick and ruin the surface.
How do you clean a stainless steel griddle?
Using salt and oil is just one way to go about cleaning your flat top grill . You can also find specialty cleaners designed for this exact purpose. As long as the cleaner says its safe to use on these appliances, you should be okay! What’s important is to make sure that whatever cleaner you choose is non-abrasive. If it could scratch your countertop, then it definitely won’t be gentle with your griddle either!
Can you wash a griddle in the sink?
Even though it’s flat, its still a griddle and should not be placed in the sink or submerged under water. This can cause your grill to crack or warp! Since you’re using salt and oil to clean your flat top grill , simply wipe down the surface with a damp cloth. If there is any residue left behind, it’s safe for you to spray some water on the surface until the gunk rinses away.
Can you put an electric griddle in the dishwasher?
No, you should not put an electric flat top grill in the dishwasher. Dishwashers are hot and moist which can lead to corrosion over time!
What kind of oil do you use on a flat top grill?
You can use any kind of oil or fat on your flat top grill but avoid olive oil. If you aren’t sure if the type of oil you have is safe to use, check with the manufacturer before using it.
How do you season a flat top grill?
When you season a flat top grill , you create a non-stick coating by baking oil at high temperatures. When the metal heats up, it oxidizes which leaves behind a black layer of carbonized oil. This creates that familiar dark color and ensures that food won’t stick to your griddle!
Can I use WD-40 to clean my flat top grill?
Despite being known for its lubricating abilities, WD-40 is not safe to use on your flat top grill . As with other cleaners, make sure whatever you choose is safe for appliances like these before you start spraying away!
Final words
And that’s it! Flat top grills are an essential tool in any professional kitchen. Knowing how to clean a flattop grill is the key to providing delicious food for your customers that will keep them coming back.
As you can see, there are a lot of methods and techniques for cleaning your flat top grill. You should be able to find the one best suited for your needs. Follow these 6 steps for how to clean a flat top grill; we recommend starting with this process if you’re unsure what type of materials or surface will work best in your household.
We hope this article has been helpful and we look forward to hearing from you about any questions or comments you may have!
