Any piece of equipment works better and lasts longer when maintained properly and kept clean. Grilling equipment is no exception. The grilling surface - the grate - must be kept clean and maintained properly, to get the best cooking performance.

 

I always recommend cleaning a grill after each use. This prevents food from sticking on your grill, making it much easier to cook on. Here's a great trick to make grill grate cleanup a snap.

 

Porcelain Grates:
Porcelain grill grates are easily cleaned immediately after cooking is complete and before turning off the flame. Wearing a barbecue mitt to protect your hand from heat, completely cover the grate surface with aluminum foil sheets. Close the lid and turn all the burners on HIGH until the grill stops smoking (about 10 to 15 minutes usually, depending upon how dirty the grates are). Turn the burners off and allow the grill to cool a bit. The food particles will reduce to a fine white ash.

 

While the grill is still warm, use a soft bristle barbecue brush to scrub the porcelain burner grid. Dip the brush frequently in a bowl of water. Steam is created as the water contacts the hot grate. The steam assists the cleaning process by softening the food particles. For thorough cleaning of the grates and plates, allow to cool, then soak 15 to 30 minutes in a hot water and detergent solution. After soaking, scrub with a Teflon scouring pad. Do not use a steel wool pad, abrasive cleaners, or metal brush; They could damage the porcelain finish.

 

Cast Iron Grates:
Cast iron grill grates are cleaned the same way except you can use a stiff wire brush. Then, brush on some oil with a paper towel to keep your grate in proper shape.

 

Bare cast iron needs to be inspected regularly because they are more likely to rust. If rust appears, it is an indication that the grates have not been seasoned properly or enough. Or, if my burn-off method has been used after grilling, the seasoning has also been burned off. You must season the grates again, after brushing all rust away with a steel wire brush.

 

A solid vegetable shortening is recommended for the seasoning. Spread a thin coating of solid vegetable shortening over the entire surface, including all corners, with a paper towel. Do not use salted fats such as butter or margarine. Proceed as follows:

 

Pre-heat grill for 15 minutes, place grates in grill. Turn burners to Medium-Low with lid closed. Allow grill to heat grates for 1 to 1½ hours. Turn all burners to OFF, and leave cooking grates/griddle in grill until they are cool.

 

Your cast iron cooking grates are now ready to use. To prevent rusting, they should be re-seasoned frequently, particularly when new. If rust occurs, clean with a steel brush. Re-apply vegetable shortening and heat as indicated above.

 

Some grill manufacturers may have special coatings on their grates that require special care - so always check the care and use manual that came with your equipment.