Washing the grate of a gas stove is not the most interesting activity. As a rule, even with general cleaning, this matter is put in a long drawer. The main difficulty lies in the fact that grease and dirt are very strongly eaten, which is why you have to make serious efforts to achieve the result. And if this issue is dragged on for a long time, cleaning will be difficult. However, there are many ways to clean the grill of a gas stove from fat and achieve the desired effect.
Types of materials and features of cleaning
Grids for gas stoves are made of three materials: enamel, cast iron and stainless steel. Each of them has its own characteristics, due to which cleaning methods can be radically different.
- Enameled ones have a very smooth surface. They are considered very “gentle”. Therefore, it is forbidden to use rough mechanical objects for cleaning. The best option would be soaking or using a dishwasher.
- Cast iron is very reliable and can withstand much more stress from high temperature and pressure of heavy objects. Despite these properties, many cleaning options are unacceptable for them. For example, a cast-iron grate cannot be soaked in water and it is forbidden to use abrasive powders for cleaning. Roasting would be the best option.
- Steel ones are considered the most unpretentious. They are not only practical and wear-resistant with regular use, but can also withstand the effects of any substances that would seriously damage other materials. Steel can be cleaned in any way.
How to wash the grill
There are a large number of ways to wash the grate of a gas stove to get rid of grease and other impurities. It is important to always remember that only steel can safely carry any substances. Care should be taken with cast iron and enamel.
Soaking
The soaking process is unacceptable for cast-iron grates, but is perfect for all others.
How to soak:
- Preheat the oven to 250 °C (or more).
- Place a tray filled with water inside.
- Put a grate in it so that it is completely covered with liquid.
- After about an hour, take it out and let it cool, and then wash it with a clean, damp cloth.
You can use a less radical method: soak the grid in a bath with hot water for several hours.
Dishwashers
This is a good way to wash the enamel grill from grease. For this you will need to use a dishwasher.
What shall I do:
- Put the grid inside the camera of the machine.
- Add double amount of detergent.
- Turn on the dishwasher in normal mode.
You can also additionally use the steam generator by turning it on at 140 °C.
Calcination
The best way to clean cast iron. You just need to find a place where you can light a fire. Maximum caution should be exercised so as not to get burned and not be left without the expected result.
How to fry:
- Prepare a place for a bonfire.
- Make brick columns on the sides, put a grid on them.
- Make a fire. Wait for the fat to disappear.
- Extinguish the fire, let the rods cool, wipe them with a damp cloth, removing the last traces of contamination.
This procedure can also be performed with a blowtorch or directly on a gas stove.
Mechanical cleaning
It is possible to remove fatty contamination with the help of mechanical impact. A hard sponge will be needed for this. However, this is only suitable for steel. If you need to wash the cast iron grate, you can use a melamine sponge.
How to clean:
- Wet the sponge with water.
- Thoroughly wipe the surface of all rods, periodically washing the sponge from fat deposits.
When cleaning a cast iron product, the impact force should not be too hard.
Handy tools to help
If it was not possible to clean the grill by the usual methods, then the procedure can be facilitated by using improvised means.
Household soap and glue
An unusual combination of household soap and stationery glue will help to get rid of greasy deposits on the grill very easily and quickly. You should stock up on time and patience.
How to apply:
- Fill the middle basin with water, rub soap there, pour glue (150 ml). Stir.
- Put on fire, wait for boiling. Put the grate in the basin for one hour.
- Turn off the gas, quickly move the not yet cooled steel into clean water.
After cooling, the grates should be cleaned of fat residues with a damp cloth.
Dry mustard
Dry mustard has been known since ancient times for cleaning a gas stove. It is very effective and can be used for any materials. However, you should act as carefully as possible.
Cleaning process:
- Wet the cloth. Apply mustard on the rods with it.
- Leave for two hours.
- Wash under cool water with a soft sponge.
Together with the mustard powder, the fat is washed away.
Soda
A special soda solution helps to destroy all the fat embedded in the steel. You will need a whole pack of baking soda and a large bag.
How to clean:
- Put the grid in a large strong bag.
- Pour the whole box of soda there, pour water, shake.
- Leave the package for two hours, but turn it occasionally.
- Take out and clean the grate from soda residues in clean water.
This is a fairly mild method that will be effective for not too advanced cases.
Soda and vinegar
Adding vinegar to baking soda will help strengthen the effect and achieve results in more difficult cases. The cleaning process itself will be a little different. Rubber gloves should be worn in advance so as not to harm the skin.
How to wash:
- Pour warm water into the basin, add soda (1/2 pack) and vinegar (1/2 bottle). Mix
- Place the grate in the liquid for three hours.
- Remove and rinse under cold water.
If the desired effect is not achieved, the duration of soaking can be increased by several hours.
Ammonia
A radical agent will perfectly help wash the steel grate of a gas stove. It requires caution, as well as ventilation of the room after use. You also need to find a large package in which you can do all this.
How to act:
- Remove the grate from the stove, place it in the bath.
- Pour the ammonia into a spray bottle or any other container that allows you to spray the liquid.
- Spray all bars on each side.
- Put the grate in a bag, tie it so that air does not get in there. Wait 2 hours.
- Remove, rinse thoroughly under water using a stiff sponge.
- As a result of these actions, not a single drop of fat should remain on the product.
Specialized means
In hardware stores, you can find a large number of chemicals designed for cleaning the kitchen. You should choose only those with the “Anti-Fat” mark on them. They allow you to wash the grate from the stove as quickly and safely as possible.
The method of their application depends on the form in which they are presented. There can be 3 options in total:
- Powder. All powder products should be applied with a damp sponge. They should be distributed over all rods. However, they contain abrasive particles, which makes this method inadmissible for enamel or cast iron grids.
- Gels. This cleaning option can be used for any materials, including enamel. It is quite simple to apply a small amount of the agent over the entire surface of the grill, and then wait for the result.
- Sprays The tool is very convenient to use. As a rule, they can be used for all types of material. This issue should be clarified in the instructions: the presence of some special rare substances can damage enamel or cast iron.
All these specialized means help to achieve results quickly. But if they do not help or it is not possible to purchase them, then the use of sprays for car engines is allowed. They help remove all burnt-on fat in just a few minutes. But they can have an extremely negative effect on enamel and cast iron surfaces. Therefore, their use is possible only for stainless steel.
Conclusions
If the grate of the gas stove has not yet managed to get very dirty, then you should start cleaning it now, while it can be done quickly. In cases with a dense layer of dirt and grease, you should use all available means to immediately return the stove to its former appearance, and also make cleaning the grate an integral part of cleaning at least once a month.