How to properly clean your gas stove's grates in just a few minutes and without too much effort
Creativo
A gas stove with grates and gas burners can be great for cooking, as you can easily control the flames and ensure the even heating of foodstuffs. But a gas stove can be challenging to clean: cleaning the grates of a gas stove is certainly more difficult than just wiping them down with a cloth (as you might do with a glass-ceramic oven, for example). So, what's the best way to go about this chore? Well, we'll show you some easy cleaning methods below:
What do you need to clean a gas stove's grates properly?
To properly clean the grates, all you need is:
- An abrasive sponge and some scouring pads (like those used for cleaning pots)
- 1 cup of white vinegar, or
- 1 tablespoon of citric acid dissolved in a cup of water
- A drop of dishwashing liquid
- A small bowl
It's up to you whether to use vinegar or citric acid: both are effective and environmentally friendly.
How to clean gas stove grates with vinegar or citric acid
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Ensure you have a basin big enough to take the grates (or use your sink, if it's big enough). The cleaning process is very simple:
- Fill the bottom of the sink/basin with enough hot water to cover the grates.
- Immerse the grates in the water.
- In the small bowl, mix the vinegar (or dissolved citric acid) with the detergent.
- Wet the abrasive sponge in the bowl and scrub the grates thoroughly.
- Pour the remaining liquid from the bowl directly into the sink/basin.
- Allow the grates to soak for 20-30 minutes, then scrub them again: any residual dirt will have softened up enough to come off easily.
- Rinse off and dry before placing the grates back on the stove.
It is important to dry the grates properly to prevent rust from forming.
When you don't have space, use the plastic bag method
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If you don't have a big enough basin and/or if your sink is not large enough to take all the grates, you have two options: either you can clean one grate at a time (perhaps more than doubling your cleaning time) or; you can use a plastic bag. The bag must be large enough to accomodate the grates, of course.
When using the bag method, you will need to transfer your liquid detergent (as described above) into a spray bottle, diluting it with water. Then, proceed as follows:
- Remove as much dirt and grime as you can by scrubbing the grates with the abrasive sponge under running water.
- Once done, put the grates into the plastic bag.
- Spray the grates thoroughly with your detergent.
- Close the bag (you can tie it closed with a piece of string using a quick-release knot).
- Allow the grates so soak for 20 minutes. Then, remove them one by one from the bag and scrub/rinse them off under running water.
- Once done, dry off thoroughly.
An alternative version of this method involves preparing a cleaning paste by simply mixing baking soda with a little water, and adding just a drop of dishwashing detergent. This paste can then be spread on the grates (so it must have the right consistency to stick to the grates - if necessary, add water or more bicarbonate until you get the right consistency). Then, put the paste-covered grates in the plastic bag and proceed described above.
What is your favorite method for cleaning your gas stove's grates?
