The Chemical-Free Cleaning Hack For Good As New Grill Grates

Keeping your grill neat and tidy is a must if you want to extend its lifespan and cook great food. Many grills are equipped with a grease management system that may include a drip pan, catch tray, liners, grease chutes, and grease traps. These accompaniments channel grease, fat, and drippings away from the grill while collecting it for easy disposal. However, grease and oil residue will still accumulate on the grates and interior of the grill. It's important to focus on keeping your grill safe and clean as this can help prevent grease fires. Grill brushes are used to scrub away the excess grease and grime, but these tools can be time-consuming and cumbersome to use. If you're looking for cleaning hacks that get rid of grease, you can soak the grill grates in hydrogen peroxide or opt for white vinegar.

Many grillers will appreciate alternative options that clean grates efficiently without the use of harsh chemicals or grill brushes. Common household items like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda are chemical-free, natural cleaning products that effectively remove grime residue from the grates. By using these products, you can clean your grill grates easily and spend more time grilling culinary masterpieces. These cleaning hacks that will leave your grates looking good as new.

Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid antiseptic that is used to bleach hair and even make rocket fuel. Due to its potency, hydrogen peroxide is used in many different cleaning products, including store brand cleaners that may contain the substance. This substance is nonflammable, but it is corrosive, so be careful when using it. Hydrogen peroxide cleans grill grates by removing the buildup that gets embedded in the grates and leaves that annoying crust.

To clean your grill grates, you'll need a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a large container like a rubber bin. Make sure your container is large enough to fit the grates, since they'll be in there for a while. Safety is key, so wear some protective gloves before getting started. Remove the grates from the grill and place them in the container. Next, pour a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide over the grates to cover them. For a deep-cleaning solution, combine one part dish soap with one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda. Then, let the grates soak in the solution overnight, rinse off the solution, and use a sponge or scrubbing pad to remove leftover residue.

If you're not fond of the hydrogen peroxide hack, try using vinegar: a chemical-free solution that efficiently removes grime buildup. Regular vinegar has a higher concentration of acetic acid compared to distilled vinegar, making it slightly stronger than distilled. The following hacks use either distilled or regular white vinegar. Just don't mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar because they create a toxic acid when combined.

The first vinegar hack involves soaking grates in a method similar to the hydrogen peroxide hack to easily clean your grill. However, this method includes table salt and distilled white vinegar.  Allow the grates to rest in a large plastic bin or a similar container overnight in a mixture of one part salt and two parts distilled vinegar. Then, wipe the grates down with a scouring pad to get them clean. 

Another hack combines baking soda with vinegar. This mixture, made by combining one cup of baking soda with two cups of regular white vinegar, creates a foaming solution that cleans grime buildup. Place the grates and the mixture in a container and let them soak for at least eight hours. If you don't want to use a container, use a large disposable bag or a trash bag. Once the grates have soaked for a few hours or overnight, rinse them off with water. Finally, use a sponge or an aluminum foil ball to wipe the grates.