Dealing with dirty, greasy stove grates? Check out how to clean stove grates easily and without scrubbing. It's simple to remove cooked-on food and so easy to do!
Do you love cooking with a gas stove but miss the easy clean-up of a glass top? I completely understand!
With the cooktop, I could just wipe it down any time I had a spill and it always looked great. With a gas stove, it is very difficult to clean all the little nooks and crannies.
The problem then occurs when the food or liquid gets spilled on the stove burners and then cooks. It makes a nasty mess that is difficult to scrub off.
I sometimes put the stove burners in the dishwasher and that helps a little, but it doesn't get 100% of the baked-on food off. So I was thrilled when I discovered the easy no-scrub way to clean stove grates.
Clean your home in under 30 minutes a day with this free weekly cleaning printable
How To Clean Stove Grates
To clean your stove grates you will need a few things. Most of these items you probably already have around the house.
Items needed to clean stove grates:
- ammonia (you can pick it up for a dollar or two at the store)
- gallon Ziploc bag (just some from the dollar store will work)
- stove grates
Note: You will also need to let them soak for about 12 hours so plan on doing this cleaning task on a day that you aren't using your stove.
Please keep in mind that although ammonia is wonderful at removing grease and grime it is very smelly so always make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area!
Step 1: Place the stove grates in the Ziploc bag and then add a small amount of ammonia. 1/4 of a cup should be plenty.
The stove grates don't have to be touching the ammonia, it's the fumes that do the cleaning. If you like you can pour the ammonia into a small bowl and set the bowl in the Ziploc bag.
Step 2: Seal the bag and let it sit for about 12 hours. I did mine in the evening and then opened them up in the morning.
*I recommend putting them somewhere so that the fumes won't bother you!
Step 3: After around 12 hours you can take the stove burner grates from the bag and wipe them down. The baked-on food should just wipe right off.
Step 4: Rinse the stove grates out in the sink and let them air dry.
You will be amazed at the difference that it made.
If you have large burners:
If you have larger stove parts that won't fit in a Ziploc you can put them in a big glass pan (I use a lasagna pan) add 1/4 cup ammonia and then carefully cover with plastic wrap to keep the air in.
The trick is to make sure you get it wrapped well. You don't want any ammonia fumes escaping.
Without any scrubbing, you can easily clean your stove grates and have them look like new again.
Free Weekly Cleaning Printable
Clean your home in under 30 minutes a day with this free Weekly Cleaning printable!
This is a fantastic trick to use once or twice a year to really get your stove looking shiny and clean.
A Tiver says
Sounds so simple and effective and well worth trying. My only concern is could the powerful ammonia cause corrosion of the racks?
Julie says
Depending on the age and material there is always a chance of that. If you are concerned maybe just try one for 10-15 minute increments to make sure they aren't damaged. Mine are very old so I was just happy to have them looking better!
Fay says
Can this also work on the burners of a gas stove?
Julie says
I don't see why it wouldn't work. Maybe just try it on one first to make sure it works ok? I would love know how it turns out.
Jenny says
What a great tip! This is my least favorite thing about having a gas stove-to the point where I have considered electric just to be able to make clean up easier. I will definitely use this! Do you have tips for under the burners? My stovetop is black and it feels like it is IMPOSSIBLE to get clean looking.
Kay Childs says
I see that this can be done with oven racks, and I can't wait to try it! But I'm wondering, since I have an electric range, will this also work for the drip pans under the burners?
Julie says
I don't see why it wouldn't work. I would give it a try. I would love to hear how it works for you.
Leslie says
I love my gas stove, too, and hope never to have any other kind, but you're right about the cleaning. I never thought of doing that with the burner pieces, and I'll do that the next time.
I wanted to share a related ammonia trick I do use. I take the oven racks out and put them in a heavy duty trash bag with ammonia and seal it tightly overnight. I do this outside and then just hose down the racks the next morning. It works really well.
Thank you for all your good ideas!
Julie says
I love your idea for using the ammonia on the oven racks! Mine get dirty and I put them in the dishwasher, but it never gets them 100 percent clean. I can't wait to try this idea next time I clean the oven. Thanks!