Your grill can be a real workhouse during those spring and summer months. Many people find it to be relaxing to enjoy a weekend out by the pool while they grill up some hamburgers and hot dogs. Even a juicy steak might grace the grates of your grill every now and again. With as often as you may be using your grill, do you know the best way to clean a stainless steel grill?
Grease, food particles, and moisture from the elements can all ruin the beautiful stainless steel finish that you love so much. From practical first steps to scrubbing those grates clean, you need to know what products to use and how to use them. For more information on how to make your stainless steel grill glitter and gleam, take a look at some of these suggestions.
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The Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates
Cleaning the inside of your stainless steel grill is a little different than managing its outward appearance. You may need tougher products to help you loosen built-up food particles and grease. Most of the time, you need a product that is going to give you enough leverage to loosen those particles mechanically.
Many people find that it is easier to remove buildup on the grates by preheating them first. Set your grill on high for ten to fifteen minutes. This should give it just enough time to burn off as much leftover food as possible. Then, you can let the grates cool slightly before scrubbing the remaining bits away with your stainless steel grill brush.
If you are in search of the perfect grill brush or scrubbing device, here are two of the top products that you may want to consider.
1. Elaziy Grill Griddle Cleaning Brick Block
The best way to clean a stainless steel grill may not even involve the use of heavy chemicals or abrasives. These convenient Elizay bricks (on Amazon) are a great alternative for someone who wants to clean their grill while still honoring the environment. They are made entirely from ecological material that is both odorless and non-toxic so that they are safe for you, your kids, and even your pets.
If you have an entire outdoor living space set up, these brick blocks are also going to be your new favorite cleaning product. They are safe for use on your stainless steel grill as well as your ceramic tile and other metal surfaces. Each block promises to be tough on the grease and buildup that is associated with a well-loved barbeque without scratching your beautiful surfaces.
Each brick is relatively lightweight with an anti-slip grip that lets you comfortably clean for as long as you need to. There is no handle to worry about or spikes that might impede your grip. It can descale your barbeque without causing unnecessary strain on your wrists.
Perhaps the best part is that you don’t have to worry about how this cleaning product is going to affect your food. There are no bristles that are going to come loose. The product itself is relatively safe compared to other cleaning options. All you need to do is brush off the dust or wipe it down with a wet paper towel when you are finished.
Keep in mind that these multi-purpose bricks can be used for more than just your grill. You can also use them to clean your:
- Oven
- Kitchen utensils
- Stovetop
- Enameled surfaces
2. GrillArt Grill Brush and Scraper
If you don’t mind preheating your grill to help loosen up some of the buildup, then you may want to consider the GrillArt Grill Brush and Scraper. It comes with an extra-long 18-inch handle that keeps your body away from the heat without sacrificing the power that comes from being able to put forth a little elbow grease.
This particular make and model promise vast improvements over last year’s (2018) bestselling model. It’s bristle-free design ass to the safety to ensure that no little pieces of metal fall off into your barbeque, then into your food. Be sure to get the exact one. Many copycats have the coils going top to bottom instead of side to side, and it just does not work as well.
Not only is this the best way to clean a stainless steel grill, but it can also be used on other surfaces including:
- Gas grills
- Charcoal grills
- Smokers
- Porcelain
- Infrared grill
- Foreman or Weber grills
If you aren’t sold on this particular model, maybe their guarantee to you will make it worth your while to try it out. They offer a one hundred percent money-back guarantee at any time if you are unsatisfied with their product.
The Best Way to Clean a Stainless Steel Grill
Cleaning the outside of your stainless steel grill is a little easier on the wrists and hands than scrubbing the inside clean. All you need to polish and shine the outside of your grill is a high-quality spray cleaner. Look for options that are pH-neutral because they are less likely to corrode the metal over time. You should steer clear of products that contain serious chemicals like ammonia.
Keep in mind that you should wait for your grill to cool before spraying any of these cleaners on its surface. A hot grill causes the liquid to evaporate and can leave a layer of film from the chemicals on the surface of the metal.
If you need one of the top cleaners for stainless steel, here are a couple of options for you to consider.
3. Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish
Cleaning your stainless steel grill might require more than just the use of a little elbow grease with one of the scrubbing tools listed above. Many people find that they need some chemical assistance to clean the gunk off of the outside of the grill. The best way to clean a stainless steel grill might be with a formula specifically designed for stainless steel such as this popular option from Weiman.
Unlike some strong cleaners that contain ammonia, this Weiman version is a pH-neutral formula that can still get the job done. It can eliminate fingerprints, haze, grease, streaks, and even residue buildup in just minutes. You can also use it on the grates. If residue does not immediately come off your stainless steel grates, you may have to let it soak for a few minutes.
Even if you have black stainless steel, you can still use this cleaner. The polish leaves a protective barrier that limits the number of smears and smudges that you will ultimately see. Of course, you can also use this cleaner on more than just your stove. It is ideal for use on:
- Stainless steel refrigerators
- Microwaves
- Ovens
- Stoves
- Grills
- Sinks
- Range-hoods
- Trash cans
This cleaner is one of the more affordable options available.
If you do a good job of cleaning your grill regularly, you may not have much work to do. Many people who fall into this category love the stainless steel cleaning wipes made by the same company. They are extremely convenient to pull out and simply get to work wiping down the surface of your grill.
4. Therapy Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner
If you want to clean the outside of your grill, invest in a bottle of Therapy’s premium stainless steel cleaner. This is a plant-based option that can both clean and protect your grill in one fell swoop. You can feel good about using this spray on your grill because of its eco-friendly formula. It contains six ingredients including:
- Filtered water
- Coconut oil
- Sorbitan monooleate
- Lavender essential oil
- Acrylates copolymer
- Methylisothiazolinone
It is a great option for homeowners who want to remove streaks, smudges, and fingerprints from their grill. You can easily polish stainless steel surfaces all over your home with the included microfiber cloth. Therapy uses a coconut-based protective shine to keep your grill looking newer and cleaner for longer. Use it on your stainless steel refrigerators, stoves, sinks, microwaves, and more.
This cleaner is extremely simple to use. All you have to do is shake the bottle firmly, spray onto the desired surface, and wipe it away. Follow up by buffing with the towel for added shine.
Keep in mind that this natural alternative will be a bit more expensive than the Weiman. However, you may prefer the peace of mind that comes from knowing that it is made of mostly natural ingredients.
Practical Ways to Keep Your Stainless Steel Grill Clean
It is important to note that there are a lot of things you can do to keep your grill as clean as possible. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. By preventing your grill from getting dirty as quickly, you will extend its lifespan and preserve the beautiful patina of stainless steel.
Here are a few practical things you can do to keep your stainless steel grill cleaner:
Get a Grill Cover
One of the most practical things you can do to maintain the shine on your new or old stainless steel grill is to get a cover. Learning how to clean the metal until it shines is only half the battle if you are constantly exposing it to the elements. A good quality grill cover will release moisture from the inside of the cover while keeping water from the environment out.
Keep this important tidbit in mind when shopping for your next grill cover. A thick vinyl cover is the best choice for most people because it is thick enough to keep out the elements but breathable enough not to trap in moisture. Covers like those offered by Sunbrella are great at protecting your investment.
Clean Often
Many people think that they don’t really need to clean their stainless steel grill until it has thick layers of buildup on the inside and the outside. Unfortunately, leaving these food particles on the metal can cause it to corrode over time. This is particularly true if you are cooking foods with high acidic contents such as lemon juice or other citrus-based marinades.
You may understand the importance of cleaning the inside of your grill. After all, you don’t want your food to taste like the charred remains of last week’s barbecue. However, it is just as important to clean the outside of the grill as it is to clean the inside. Get in the habit of cleaning your grill often, both inside and out.
You also need to remember to use cleaners that are specifically formulated for stainless steel. They can be hard to find, but it is worth the extra effort. Using the wrong cleaner could ruin the patina on the metal or scratch the surface of your glittering stainless steel. Stay away from abrasive cleaners that have a lot of grit that can grind into your metal grill.
Getting Your Grill Clean
The truth is that cleaning your stainless steel grill doesn’t have to be overly difficult. With a few of the right products in hand, you can make short work of cleaning and polishing the metal surface of your grill. Of course, you will need separate cleaners for the inside and outside of your grill. However, it is worth the initial investment that you will make.
With the right cleaning tools at your disposal, you can help your grill to last longer. Make sure to pick up a few of these products now to help get your grill to a cleaner place!
FAQ
Can I use vinegar to clean my stainless steel grill?
While you could use vinegar to clean your stainless steel grill, a store-bought product specially formulated for stainless steel appliances is the better option.
How do you clean a stainless steel grill?
Once the grill is cool, all you need to do is spray it with a cleaner designated for stainless steel appliances and grills. Allow it soak for a moment or two in particularly greasy areas. Then, wipe it clean and buff with a microfiber towel.
What can I do to keep my stainless steel grill clean?
The best thing you can do is to put a cover over the grill when it is not in use. Make sure that it is a good quality cover that lets moisture out but prevents new moisture from getting in.
Last update on 2024-04-23 at 21:03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
