Cleaning cast iron stove grates

[Essiebunny]

My gas range has cast iron grates. They are beginning to get dirty and I'm not sure what to use to clean them. I have tried sos, but it wasn't really the answer. Any ideas will be appreciated

[Uncle Bob]

Take them out in the back yard...lay them on news paper....spray with Easy Off Oven Cleaner...allow the cleaner to work...depending on how dirty they are...an hour or two.... Rinse and repeat if necessary. Read the instructions/cautions on the can and be careful.

[babetoo]

about once a week , i put them and the drip pans in the dishwasher. they get really clean. secret, not letting them build up grease and spills.

[ChefJune]

Originally Posted by babetoo

about once a week , i put them and the drip pans in the dishwasher. they get really clean. secret, not letting them build up grease and spills.

the dishwasher, eh? never thought of that! what a brilliant idea.

[Essiebunny]

I didn't think you could put cast iron in the dishwasher. They aren't covered with anything, just plain black cast iron. Will the dishwasher really work?

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by Essiebunny

I didn't think you could put cast iron in the dishwasher. They aren't covered with anything, just plain black cast iron. Will the dishwasher really work?

The DW would be OK for porcelain covered cast iron. Plain CI gretes should not go in the DW. Use Uncle Bob's oven cleaner method.

[babetoo]

been putting in dishwasher for four years in this house. none the worse for wear as far as i can tell. just works for me.

[thymeless]

Put them in the oven when you do an oven self cleaning cycle. Wipe off the ash afterwards.

[Katie H]

The best (and easiest) way I've found to clean my cast iron stove grates is to spray them with oven cleaner, seal them in a plastic trash bag and let them sit overnight. In the morning, I just wash them in hot soapy water. They come out looking like new.

[Essiebunny]

Katie,
Do you grates have a painted finish?