One of the most basic - but also important - maintenace tasks on your grill is the cleaning of your cooking grates. Considering this is the only place in the grill your food will touch directly, the cooking grate is important to keep clean and looking its best. The process in which you clean your grates will depend on the base material construction. 

Cast Iron Cooking Grates

Cast iron cooking grates are generally dark in colour, heavy, and have a semi-pourous or textured feel like a cast frying pan. In order to prevent rust, most cast iron barbecue grates also have a porcelain enamel coating. This durable finish can handle standard bristle brushes and metal utensils - but care should be taken to not to be too aggressive, and to avoid blade scraper style brushes. These blade type scrapers can actually damage the finish on your cooking grates and in our opinion should be reserved for use on Stainless Steel grates only. Cast grates should also be kept away from moisture at all times and be treated with high temp cooking oil on a regular basis.

To Quickly Clean a Cast Iron Grates - Follow The Steps Below:

Step 1: Get the grill up to temperature (Or complete at the end of a cook!)
Heat is your friend when it comes to cleaning up cooking grates, so at the end of a cook when the grill is still hot is one of the best times to get out your grill brush. If not, simply pre-heat the grill to medium heat prior to moving onto step two.

** Please note some nylon and palmyra style brushes are much more sensitive to temperature and may melt or burn if used on a grill that is too hot. Always follow your specific grill brush recommendations when using on a hot grill ** 

Step 2: Shut the grill down and give the grates a good brushing

Now that the grates are hot/warm - turn the grill off and give the entire grate a good once over with your grill brush. Do your best to get as much large debris and grease off of the grates as possible. Once the top side is clean, flip the grates over and repeat the same process for the under side of the cooking grate as well. The bottom of the grates are often overlooked and can lead to premature failure of the hard enameled finish if neglected.

Step 3: Re-oil or season your cast iron cooking grates

Using a high temp cooking oil such as grapeseed oil, avocado oil or coconut oil - apply a liberal amount to both sides of each cooking grate. A paper towel soaked in the oil and squeezed between a pair of tongs works well, or if you have a basting brush it can be applied directly to the grate. Other cooking oils will also work for this process but we like to avoid certain oils such as olive oil as it can leave a sticky residue behind if burnt. Finally when cooled, wipe off any excess oil and return to the grill.

Step 4: Return To Grill

Check here for our article on Seasoning Cast Iron cooking grates >>

Stainless Steel Cooking Grates

Stainless cooking grates start their life as bright shiny metal, but quickly darken after a few heat cycles. This is totally normal and does not need to be scrubbed or polished off - in fact it will help food to release a little easier after a few cooks. Stainless steel is generally extremely durable and can stand up to any style of grill brush including blade scrapers.

To Quickly Clean Stainless Steel Grates - Follow The Steps Below:

Step 1: Get the grill up to temperature (Or complete at the end of a cook!)

Once again, heat is your friend when it comes to cleaning up cooking grates, so at the end of a cook when the grill is still hot is one of the best times to get out your grill brush. If not, simply pre-heat the grill to medium heat prior to moving onto step two.

Step 2: Get Scrubbing!

Since stainless steel grates do not have a coating and are solid metal you can afford to be more aggressive on the cleanup witout the risk of damaging the grate. If you have a blade-style scraper now would be a good time to removed any heavily caked on debris and grease before moving onto the traditional style brush to finish the remaining clean up. 
Flipping the grates over and cleaning the bottom side is also a good idea as most brushes will only clean the top and/or sides of the grate.

Step 3: Return to Grill

Unlike cast iron grates, no oiling is necissary with a true stainless steel grate so they can be returned to the grill as-is. We do however find it beneficial to apply a small amount of oil with a bsting brush or similar just prior to adding your food to the grill. This will assist in the food releasing easily from the grate once cooked.

Conclusion:

GRATE Job! By taking just a few minuites to properly clean your grates you will significantly improve the overall lifespan. Plus, the next time you go to use the grill it will be nice and tidy and ready to go!