Here’s a recent exchange we had on our Facebook page:
Maura: I was wondering if you can tell me how to clean grease build up on my gas stove top. I have tried degreasers but still with no success. I even ran it in the dishwasher in the high heat wash and nada. so I was wondering if you can help me out with this and I will forever be grateful.
Clean My Space: Hi Maura, I’m going to post something on our blog about a few things you can try, this is a good question! Can you just clarify for me one thing: it is your gas stove top burners (like the iron grates) that you need to degrease? Thanks!
Maura: Hi there. Thanks for responding. Yes, its for the stove top burners including the iron gates and the burner base. the previous tenants obviously fried a lot of food and didn’t clean the base and the gates. It bothers me and I just need to get it cleaned. Please help. Thanks!
Okey Dokey. The issue is clear. Degreasing is what is going to solve Maura’s frustrations. I have two suggestions for her to try.
If you’re in need more kitchen cleaning hacks we’ve got you covered with a ton of Kitchen Cleaning Articles!
Use a Degreaser
Now you may think that Maura already stated she used a degreaser so why try again? Now I don’t know from Maura’s post if she actually let the product sit for a while or not which is why I’d be remiss not to recommend it. Huh?
You see, we are made to believe that powerful degreasers cut through grease and grime with one spray and one wipe (so says the commercials we see anyway) but that’s really not the case. Degreasers do work, but as the saying goes ‘knowing is half the battle’ and many of us just don’t know how to use a degreaser properly. What we are not overtly told (i.e. read the fine print if you dare), is that a degreaser needs to sit wet on a surface for a period of time before it actually works. Your grease and grime isn’t any different from your neighbour’s who claims the same product works for them. It comes down to the methodology of use!
Let me give you a comparison. Think about an onion; we don’t cut it open and toss it in a greased skilled for 30 seconds, stir it around a couple of times and expect to have beautifully caramelized onions. We know it’s a process, things need to happen and time needs to pass before we get our tasty onion reward. The same goes for a degreaser, it takes time and proper technique to effectively get the job done. So what does this look like? Well, if you have a particularly greasy stove top, be very generous, spray the area liberally and ensure it’s wet for the duration of the soak time. If you do notice it starts to dry up, grab that bottle and re-spray the area.
The heavier the build-up, the more time the product needs to physically deteriorate the bond the grease and carbonized chunks have with the surface. I recommend leaving it for at least 15 minute and don’t be shy, if you want to leave it on for 30 minutes go for it.
I know I have a habit of rambling, sorry, but I just want to make sure the degreaser situation has been clarified.
So having said that, my first recommendation would be to spray a degreaser on the grates and let them sit for at least 30 minutes, soaking wet, before scrubbing clean with a superfine steel wool pad (assuming the grates are enamelled or iron). Superfine steel wool or a non-scratching scrub sponge actually, either is fine. The key word here is non-scratching. If you don’t heed my warning you’ll see ‘spiderwebbing’, those very fine scratch marks that show up on surfaces from using an abrasive product.
If you want to use a store-bought degreaser the you can try any brand you fancy, I know the brands with citrus additives (i.e. orange or lemon oils) are the ones that I find to be particularly good with degreasing. I’ve heard brands like Soft Scrub, Bam, Dawn and even some generic brand degreasers work.
Try Ammonia
Full disclosure, I don’t like using ammonia because I feel like anything that comes with a health warning isn’t a good option for a recovering hypochondriac like me (‘OMG it touched me, is my arm going to burn? Will it get into my blood stream via osmosis? What if I inhale it, will it burn my lungs? etc.). But I can’t argue the fact that it does work. So if you are mentally braver than I, here’s what to do.
Firstly, you’ll need an outdoor space like a balcony or a garage. With grates and burner covers in hand, take a garbage bag and place them in the garbage bag. We are using the garbage bag to contain the smell of the ammonia. Pour a half cup of ammonia into the bag and tie it up (to keep the fumes in). It’s those fumes that somehow magically loosen the grease, so let them do their thing. Leave it be overnight and then next morning give them a good rinse under cool water (wear rubber gloves when handling for protection) and towel dry. They should come out nice and clean. Dispose of the bag safely. Keep in mind that anyone who is chemically sensitive or pregnant shouldn’t inhale ammonia (I’m sure there are other warnings too).
While the grates are soaking in the ammonia bag, attack your stove top with a non-scratching sponge and some cleaner. In terms of what to use, it depends on just how greasy the surface is. For a moderately dirty stove top, you can make your own paste using baking soda and water (a 50/50 mix) and scrubclean or you can try Barkeeper’s Friend (something I have yet to try but keep hearing wonderful things about). For something greasier, find a good degreaser and treat the area per the method above. You’ll need to invest some elbow grease in getting the dirt off, but if you use the right product and tool your job will be easier and you will get the results you are looking for.
Give your stove top a final polish, put it all back together again and voila, your stove top will look awesome.
So, give these a whirl and let us know what happens!
Have you tried either of these methods? Which has worked? What are your secrets for getting your gas grates and burner covers clean?
Check out our E-Book 50 DIY Cleaning Recipes for more homemade cleaning solutions that will save you a ton of time and money!
Looking for a BETTER & EASIER Way to Clean Your Home?
Cleaning Expert Melissa Maker is here to help with her game-changing 3 Wave Cleaning System that will help you clean your house faster and easier than you ever thought possible!
I used amonia when I had 4 burner stove, works wonderful. But now I have the huge grates, I hate them! Whoever thought them up, (probably a man😠), didn’t figure a nightmare to clean!! Now I have to remove heavy ass grates every day to wipe down (if I cook). whereas 4 burner are lighter grates and much smaller, easy to throw in a bag overnighrwith rag soaked in amonia, can’t do with these huge double grates, ugh, nightmare if your a clean kitchen freak like me.
Thanks for such an enjoyable and enlightening read! I learned a lot that I haven’t seen on other sites.
I used the ammonia in gallon size baggies. Poured it in each bag. Left them overnight outside. Bam! They were all clean. I did this in the summer when the temps were 85 -90 degrees. I figured the heat would initiate the reaction I wanted. It did!
I also used the Ziploc bag(off brand). I use the 2gallon ones. Two burners fit in 1 bag half a cup of ammonia set over night. You are right bam and they are done.
The trick to keeping your stove top grates clean is to wipe them down, every time you use your stove.
This way they don’t get a chance to get that dirty!
I do this, and my grates look brand new!
Yes, very true. I don’t care if I have dust bunnies in other rooms, or mail piled high but kitchen and bathroom I clean everyday.
I can say I was very disappointed with the ammonia technique. It was a failure.
I put my iron grates in oven to self clean and the have white ashy spots ???!!
Maybe season them?
My grate is ruff not shiny and smooth. Do I clean it the same way ? Mine is one grate for the whole stove top.
Oh that’s too bad, a nightmare to tackle.
I tried it again, using a 1/8th cup more (my burners are very big). It worked way better this time. A gal friend told me the stuff would all be at the bottom of the bag, that wasn’t quite true, but the junk did come off pretty easily.
IT DOES WORK!!!
I tried the ammonia way to clean stove top burners. (1/4 c. ammonia in well sealed plastic bags overnight. It did not work… at all. I am not a good housekeeper, but I really had hopes for this. Does anyone have a different idea?
I use the bottle of Super Clean (purple bottle) found in Automotives at Walmart. It’s stronger & oh my, works wonders. I use it on tubs as well before my regular cleanser. Good luck.
Thank you..will try this out.
So I’m years behind everyone on this article, so hopefully someone will respond! After looking all over the Internet trying to figure out how to clean my cast iron grates, I put 1 in a trash bags and poured ammonia (I didn’t measure) into the bag. Then, because I thought I read it somewhere, I put super hot water from my tap in there too. Again, not measured. So that trash bags went I to another trash bags which also was trying to leak. So I put both of them in another hopefully better trash bags. Those bags went into my bathroom tub. Does anyone think it won’t work because I put the water in it too? It’s been about 1.5 hrs right now. I hope I’m not wasting my time!
The ammonia FUMES are what cleans the grating, not the actual ammonia liquid and not the water. That’s why you should only put in (please measure) the 1/2 cup of ammonia in the trash bag. This way your grating will not be sitting in any liquid. Tie up the ends of the trash bag to contain the fumes and leave alone overnight. You need to give it time to work.
Hi please help i tried to clean my cast iron grates, after leaving it over night and rinse in the morning it has know white marks on top
You should never soak cast iron anything. Get a wire brush attachment for your power drill, brush it clean, wipe down, and oil/season. This is for anything cast iron that you use to cook. Water destroys it.
After reading all comments and ideas, I first tried the dishwasher, but to no avail. Then I tried oven cleaner. I did a test area, and saw how the grease easily wiped off. So I sprayed the entire grate area and am SO pleased as to how they turned out – they look brand new!! After wiping off the grease (and I had to do a second round of oven cleaner on them), I used a mixture of Simple Green degreaser in hot water and a scrubby sponge to wipe off the residual. Hosed them off and wiped them dry, and I have new grates! I will not let them get that bad again – I have the solution! Hint – use no fume oven cleaner and wear gloves. Thanks for all of your suggestions!
I got the drip trays clean using orange degreaser (store-bought) and a steel wool scrubbing pad, and I got the grates clean using a pumice stick. My stove was in very bad condition b/c I didn’t realize it was possible to get all the stuff off — thought the enamel was permanently discolored. But now it’s sparkling like new again! Thanks for your post — it got me thinking that there must be a way.
I have found the article on cleaning gas stove top grates very helpful. Thank You.
Do you have any tips for cleaning a GAS OVEN? Please help.
Try HDX Citrus Degreaser 32oz. Get it at Home Depot. Spray it on. Let it sit 10-15min. Wipe clean. Use a scotch brite pad for scrubbing if needed. My grates on my stove were a mess!!! This product is amazing!!
I had the mammoth task of cleaning the gas stove which had been neglected for couple of years.. the knobs were sticky and gas stove grill was black due to the build up. Thanks to your 1:1 dish wash and vinegar solution and baking soda i was able to clean it to see the green paint that was hidding under the build up… a big big big thank you… while cleaning the and scribbing i used warm soapy solution along with a plastic scrubber and vola the stove and i both were happy!
Melissa I love your videos and channel. Can you do a video on cleaning your patio? I have two dogs and one just won’t use the restroom in the grass. So I often scrub my patio but it still stinks off dog mess.
I tried the ammonia method on my cast iron grates. They did come clean but are showing signs of rust. I wonder if I could season them as I do my cast iron skillets?
Ammonia didn’t work! Ugh! I’ve been trying to clean these grates for months and thought this would do it based on the excited comments from others. I let the bag sit out overnight and it was freezing temps. The ammonia was actually frozen this morning. Could that have something to do with it? The only other thing is this was lemon scented ammonia. Thoughts?
I had a feeling about the freezing temps. Not good in cold temps. I am at -10 outside so I will put my zip lock bags in the sink in the basement. Keep reading and found this:
Mariann Thompson December 4, 2014 at 7:26 am
I’ve put mine in big black garbage bags, close the bag tight, and put the whole thing in the slop sink in my basement. Only need about a quarter cup of ammonia. The vapors do more of the cleaning, hence the tight knotted bag…
I used a air tight plastic storage container with lid (overnight, 2 grates at a time) when I had stove with 4 small grates. Now I have double grates, ugh, hate them, what to do? Maybe under bed storage container with lid?
thanks for your common sense ideas all of which my grandmother showed me when i was moved into my first home.i also like to take herbs and boil them ie rosemary or rose petals i then use a 50/50 mix of that water and vinegar to mop my floors
My grates won’t fit in a plastic bag. Should I put them in bath tub to let them soak?
I’ve read you can use a black trash bag in the sun with ammonia. I’m trying oven cleaner now.
i have an industrial stove that used to be in a restaurant.i take my grates outside and set them on the driveway or planks of wood.(not onyour lawn!)……spray with oven cleaner and let set for an hour….it works great.i scrub and rinse off with my hose….the whole mess is left outside.
I’ve put mine in big black garbage bags, close the bag tight, and put the whole thing in the slop sink in my basement. Only need about a quarter cup of ammonia. The vapors do more of the cleaning, hence the tight knotted bag…
Under bed container with lid? That’s what I’m looking for with these horrid double grates!! A man must have invented them!!
I tried the orange cleaner from a dollar store ( 3 gallons ) let them soak for a day and a half one at a time. If they were not too bad it worked fine but for the ones that were the worst it didn’t really touch them. I will try the ammonia trick next. Is there anything that you can spray on them after you get them clean to keep the grease from sticking? Iadoughgirl
Melissa, I have read your comments above and will be trying the degreaser on my stove grates……but my cook top stove is stainless steel from Wolf. Will the same idea work for the few spots I have on the stainless steel? I’m afraid to use BarKeepers Friend as it may scratch even more. I also have scratch marks from moving the grates but don’t think there is anything I can so about that at this point. Thanks so much for the great cleaning tips. Hugs, Lucy
Lucy, I have used BarKeepers Friend for several years, on all my stainless surfaces…I have no problem with scratching the polished surfaces. When I was trained, as a professional house cleaner, I was told to sprinkle the powder directly on the surface, and then, using a moistened sponge or paper towel, to begin in a circular motion and scour the surface. I use it to remove blackened, cooked on residue from my stainless pots, as well. I do use gloves, and if you are really sensitive you can wear a mask. I also use BF to clean my porcelain sinks, it helps to remove rust (bobbie pins! and teenager razor) and hard water marks from other surfaces, too… my husband uses it to keep his car grill looking good without scratches.
Loved your video and the good info. Thank you.
I was wondering if I could clean my cast iron stove top grates by putting them into my self cleaning oven during the oven’s cleaning cycle?
I use Bio Green Clean on EVERYTHING! It is made from 100 % natural sources. Great stuff! I dilute it 3:1 for regular house hold cleaning. 10:1 for glass and shiny surfaces and full strength for grease, etc. Spray, leave soak, wipe up Viola! No, I don’t have any involvement, I am just one happy customer. I even used it to take red wine out of a carpet once!
Hi Melissa, i tried cleaning my plastic coated gas stove top, while I got the oven door part, which is stainless steel done following your great tips, the top is a nightmare to clean. I tried using degreaser like vinegar + dishwash liquid, or even over the counter spray for stove tops. But after I used them, I see these bubbles forming over the plastic finish, and they appear to be irreversible, so it looks really ugly right now.
Any tips on that? Is it the acidic/corrosive part that is causing this reaction?
I have same problem with mine right now. Did you find anything to reverse the effects of those tiny bubbles that formed over the top coat? Thanks
I was wondering if you knew it was plastic when you started cleaning. I’m sorry I don’t have a solution for you, just a similar story.
The manufacturers should do a better job of letting the consumer know that your stainless steel stovetop is not all stainless and what parts need to be cleaned using a different method and protected from overspray. My old stove had plastic strips (cleverly disguised as stainless steel) on both sides and across the back edge. When I sprayed the ss cleaner on the stovetop all were ruined forever. I called the manufacturer and they had no solutions to offer and did not sell replacement parts. This was 25 years ago. We had just moved into our new home a few months earlier and I was heartbroken.
I personally think that if it’s meant to fool you into believing that it’s ss it should hold up to ss cleaners. I lived in that house for 23 years and it was a source of embarrassment every time friends came by. When I was home alone, I hated it anyway. I just couldn’t justify replacing it when it was perfectly functional.
Ammonia works by a process known as saponification. Ammonia is a medium strength alkali and turns grease into soap through chemistry. Of course soap dissolves in water and washes off easily. In fact the age old method for making soap from scratch was to mix wood ashes with leftover grease from cooking. I found that ammonia works well at removing the residue that still contains grease, but once that is gone there may still be burned-on stains that have no grease left in them. For that you will need to scrub. I use a fine grit abrasive ball that I mount in an electric drill to save my arm muscles.
Oh good idea!! Any electric drill can work with abrasive ball?’m resorting to little brushes with steel brush, ugh, elbow grease and can only do little at a time.
Can you please do a video on this?
Love these “home made” cleaning products! There is no place on here to “like.”
What about running cast iron grates through a self cleaning oven cycle. I have done this once with good results but not sure if there is any reason I should not have done so. My stove had two grates that separate so they fit nicely in the oven. After they came out of the oven I washed them in water and a brillow pad and they were good as new.
I love your site. Thank you. I will be back after I attack my gas range grates.
Can you remove the vent by unscrewing it? Then you could clean in the sink.
I used Dawn Grill Cleaner (also sold as Dawn Power Dissolver) and it worked like a charm. Goes on thick, like a gel and is not super sudsy. After letting it sit 10 minutes or so, I used a scrubby to clean off the grease. Worked perfectly.
Tried the ammonia and it took several tries putting them back in the bag and then much elbow grease with the sos after but it eventually comes off, most of it. It is not as easy as they make it sound. ,
Only easy if grates are smooth coated, mine were light gray, not rough black casted.
TIP = lock the grates in a sealed tupperware (or similar) container. my plastic lags leaked. I sealed in one at a time and left it in there overnight. the grease basically bubbled up and wiped right off. there were a few corners that i used a scotch-brite scrubber on but overall it worked great. remember – leave them sealed for a LONG time. this is the key if they are really funky.
Yes, I had tight lidded container but i had small grates. What to do with these double grates? Hate them!
I used this method followed by a quick blast in the dishwasher on the highest temperature – never seen my grates so clean!
You used which method?
I was in the habit of using Barkeeper’s friend, but developed a severe allergy. Either the paste got into the pores of my hands (I stupidly did not wear gloves) or I inhaled the powder. It either event, allergic reaction like I have to MSG and red pepper, just made me miserable. It is scary as well when your throat constricts ! Be careful with these cleaning products.
my gas stoves grates are made out of cast iron with a rough texture. would it be save to let a degreaser sit on them. Or is there another method I should use for them.
Also I have a microwave/hood combo and there is a vent on top that is super greasy grimy. I was wondering if there was a tip you could share on cleaning it. I am afraid to let a degreaser sit on it because it will drop down in the vent and not to sure what all is under the vent that could get messed up. I was thinking of some sort of paste but couldn’t find a recipe for something that would do the task.
and help would be very much appreciated. and I am in love with you videos, help, and spunky attitude. Thank so much for helping me clean my house. Its like therapy.
Im in the same boat: Cast Iron Grates. I don’t want them to get wrecked…Will the degreaser and ammonia ruin them? It makes me nervous to even ‘try’
Did you try? I have a newer range and don’t want to ruin the cast iron grates- they have a bumpy matte finish and there are some grease looking spots that will not come off
Me too! Rough texture, cast iron with a matte black finish. I don’t even know how to clean or dry them without leaving lint all over the grates (well, I did let them air dry last time but even that left water spots along with the spots I was trying to remove. Whaaat?=•O). That texture just grabs cloth, paper towels, sponges… I haven’t cleaned them for a while because it’s so frustrating. Would love to hear from anyone who has figured out a good way to clean this type of grate. Thank you!
I have the same problem. It is a new stove but the cast iron grates just collect everything from the cloth or sponge cleanings. Did anyone have a solution?
No won’t ruin, I just got used stove free (nice, everything works but filthy), double iron grates, ugh! Used huge bag overnight with amonia soaked rag, all grease came off, still have to scrub with brillo, though. Burned on won’t come off so I’m using steel bristled small brushes, but just read here that electrical drill with abrasive ball will remove burns. Should’ve just bought new old fashioned stove with 4 coated grates. What a nightmare!
I suggest you go to the website or call the 8oo # for the particular brand of stove you have and they will recommend an appropriate product
I did that. Sears only recommends a cleaner they sell. I followed the instructions carefully but it didn’t even touch the stuff. Useless.
Re: Taylor response post, do you spray onto your stovetop? I have a gas range and would be very afraid to do this.
I love using the ammonia. As a hairstylist, the smell doesn’t bother me a bit (sit with the smell of a perm wafting up your nose for a few hours, and you will be begging for the lovely scent of ammonia instead). It works great! I actually fill a spray bottle with it, spray it all over everything greasy in my kitchen, put some gloves on, and go at it!
Oh good idea!! Cheap too. Thank you!
The ammonia solution was a godsend. Our grates were so bad (=disgusting), I was about ready to just buy new ones. I tried steam cleaning, solvents, even power washing with no luck.
This did the trick. A couple were so bad it took a couple of sessions, so do not give up…also works well with oven shelves. My only other suggestion is to clean the residue off the grates as soon as you remove from the bag, as the greasy dirt tends to harden back up quickly.