How to Clean Baked-on Grease on Stove Grates

Of all the little nooks, crannies and cracks in the kitchen to clean, one of the toughest and most tedious to tackle are the grates on gas range stovetops. Often splattered with grease and food particles, stove grates can have residue baked onto them, which can make them a hassle to clean. Addressing spills as they happen can be tough while you're cooking, but deep cleaning your grates can be done semi-regularly to remove baked-on grease. Whether DIY or store-bought is your preferred cleaning method, getting your stove top grates back to normal can be done with minimal time and effort.

In a large bin or in the well of your sink, add enough hot water to cover the stove top grates along with a bit of soap. Dish soap is a great option as many brands are formulated to cut through grease, whether fresh or baked on. After they've been soaked for several minutes, use a metallic scouring pad to scrub baked-on grease. You'll likely not remove all of the residue in this step, but this should loosen up the stains and remove any large particles.

Next, move your grates into a large plastic bag or a receptacle that can be covered. Add about ¼ cup of ammonia to the bag or bin, cover it and let it sit for several hours — anywhere from three hours to overnight is recommended.

Once the grates have soaked, remove them from the ammonia bath and rinse them well with warm water. This should loosen any remaining residue, although you may need to nudge stubborn spots with a scrubbing pad or sponge. Once they're clean, towel or air dry them before applying a thin layer of cooking oil to the bottoms of the grates, which will help with the prevention of rust.

Follow the directions in step one listed above.

After your grates have been cleaned with soap and water, apply a paste made from baking soda and water. The paste should be thick so it covers the surface of the grate but still thin enough that it's spreadable. Allow this to sit on the grates for about 20 minutes before scrubbing the paste and any remaining residue off of the grates with a scrubbing brush.

If you still notice grease or residual stains on your stove top grates after treating them with baking soda, you can spray them with a vinegar and water solution or soak them in a bath. Solutions should measure about 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water. Allow the grates to sit covered in the vinegar wash for about 15 minutes before wiping clean with a damp towel.

For the easiest clean, the best way to clean stove grates is by hitting spills right away whenever possible. Wiping your grates down with warm, soapy water and an abrasive scrubbing pad should lift most grease and food before it becomes burned on. For bigger spills, spraying a degreasing solution and scrubbing the affected area can save you from implementing a deep cleaning method at the end of the week. Popular options include DIY degreaser sprays made with white vinegar, baking soda and water, as well as store-bought brands like Method Heavy Duty Degreaser.