Learning how to clean stove grates and drip pans on my gorgeous gas stove has always been so frustrating for me. It is mind boggling how filthy they becomes on a daily basis. Stove cleaning happens at least once a day at my house, but that does nothing for the build up of grease and grime on the grates and drip pans. Those stove-top accessories get so disgusting and I was tired of using nasty oven cleaner on them. Read on for my no scrub cleaning method for a clean gas stove.
After some research on how to clean stove grates and drip pans, I found a few sources online that swore by leaving your stove top accessories overnight in a sealed bag with some ammonia. I instantly had a preference to try this method because I love using ammonia to get the grease off the cabinets above my stove. Not to mention it is cheap…..less than $1 for a big bottle!
I got out a gallon sized Ziploc bag and put about a 1/2 C of ammonia in it. In went one grate and I zipped the bag close. 10 hours later, I took a peek and I thought it had failed because it looked exactly the same. However, once I opened the bag and touched the grate, my hand came away covered in nasty black yuck! Gross, yes….but I knew instantly this was the magic I had been looking for! I used my sponge to simply wipe off the surfaces of the grate then rinsed it clean. Yes, it was THAT easy.
This method is also how to clean drip pans as well. I had all the rest of the grates plus the drip pans left so I used a garbage bag this time around with all of them inside and a couple cups of ammonia. I knotted the bag itself so it would be an air tight closure and walked away. 10 hours later, my stove top grates and drip plates were as clean as the day I bought the stove. Not a single black mark on them! If yours are extra gross, you might need a bit more time but I promise you will not need to scrub. Cleaning a gas stove can now be an easy chore, which means I can outsource it to my kids!
How to Clean Stove Grates and Drip Pans
- Use a Ziplock bag or garbage bag for a lot of pieces – if you are just doing one or two grates or drip pan, you can just use a ziplock style bag but if you want to do all your stove pieces at once, grab that garbage bag.
- Add ammonia to the bag – if you are using a ziplock, use about a 1/2 cup. If you are using a garbage bag, add around 2 cups. The pieces do not need to be immersed in the ammonia. It is the fumes that do the cleaning, not contact with the cleaner.
- Insert your stove grates and drip pans – place your stove top pieces to your bags and then seal them closed. You can simply knot the garbage bag tightly.
- Give it time – depending on how dirty your pieces are will depend on how long the magic takes to work. I like to put mine in before going to bed and then giving it overnight to work. 8-12 hours is best so just walk away.
- Rinse off the grime – all you need to do is rinse away all that nasty black grease and grime. If there happens to be a spot or two that don’t rinse away, just hit them quickly with a scrubby pad.
Looking for another no-scrub cleaning trick? Go check out How to Clean a Crock Pot that require ZERO effort!
Judy P says
Does the ammonia liquid actually have to come into contact with the surface of the grates or it is just the fumes that do the work?
Carole says
Nope, just the fumes
Judy P says
Okay, if that’s the case couldn’t you just open the bottle and let the fumes do the cleaning and recap it afterwards. Or pour a half cup into a small bowl and recover that after cleaning by pouring back into the bottle? It may seem that I’m overly frugal but why pour it down the drain?
Carole says
You could try it Judy but even though the fumes do the work, the grease and grime still falls into the ammonia. Plus, the strength of the fumes dissipates over time
Teresa says
This looks fabulous. My gas cooktop has what I think are cast iron-type grates. I wonder if it would work on that. What are your grates made of?
Carole says
Mine are cast iron and they are perfectly clean now
Jeretta says
WOULD AMMONIA CLEAN THE OVEN? if so, how and how much do you use? Thanks, Thanks.
Carole says
I guess in theory, yes Jeretta but I’ve never tried it
Tina says
Put a cup you don’t use or any small container into the warm oven. (Warm, not hot) and close the door. I do it after dinner and dishes and next morning all it needs,is a wipe, including the grates and,trays!
Tina says
Oops, with ammonia
LEH says
If yours look like hers, and are heavy – they’re cast iron.
Boy, I know what you mean about these grates – seemed like one of the worst purchases I had ever made – they seem to get dirtier faster than the older gas stoves.
I’m going to try this! But, I guess it will be a weekly chore 🙁
Thanks for the tip and the trial – I was worried they’d discolor.
Lucille Tillman says
It’s a great idea and seems to be very efficient. I haven’t used ammonia and my stove top is never clean enough. May be I should try 🙂 Thank you for sharing this helpful info!
Carole says
You are welcome Lucille!
Natalie says
How would you clean stove tops that will not fit in gallon size baggies? My grates are one big piece for each vertical section of the stone.
Carole says
Hi Natalie! You could easily use a garbage bag. Just twist it tight so the fumes do not escape the bag. They do all the work!
Beverly Sheldon says
Will the cast iron grates get discolored, never did this before, new stove,,,
Carole says
Howdy Beverly! I have cast iron grates that have a enamel on the outside and they don’t discolor at all. Those pictures are my actual grates before and after so you can see for yourself that they did not change color.
Ash says
Is it strong ammonia or household ammonia?
Carole says
I just used regular household ammonia Ashley
Katrina says
Isn’t ammonia dangerous? I’ve been scared to try it. What precautions do i need to take when using it? Household with baby, cats. Do i need to wear gloves. A mask?
Thank you
Carole says
Hey Katrina! Thanks for your question. Ammonia is an ingredient that is in most of your household cleaning solutions. Where it can be dangerous is if it is mixed with bleach, so keep the two far away from each other. You do not need gloves or a mask but if you feel it would make you more comfortable, do it.
Anita Williams says
PLEASE wear gloves AND a mask.
Tiarna says
Is there a way of doing it without ammonia? Or is there a dupe for it for those who can’t stand tje smell of it?
Carole says
Hey Tiarna! It isn’t my favorite smell either but it is the ammonia vapors which are trapped in the bag that do the cleaning. Is there someone else in the house that can set it up for you? Once the bag is closed, you don’t smell it at all.
Lynn Barlow says
Put them outside!
Sandy says
I did the amonia thing with my cast iron grates, still dirty after first try overnight. Did it a second time left them for 2 days just opened one of the bags, amonia smell still very strong , grates still not clean & am trying to wire brush them clean. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Carole says
Hey there Sandy! Are your cast iron grates enameled? I’m not sure this process will work on one that are just straight cast iron.
Sharon Webb says
I am truly amazed at how well this worked!!! NO scrubbing or elbow grease required – just a couple of really burned on spots to rub off and rinse!! Thank you for his tip!! Would this work on the oven racks also?
Carole says
Hey there Sharon! I’m so glad you had wonderful results. I think it will work for your racks. Just use a big garbage bag.
Cathy says
We also have the large (3) grates. If we put each in their own large garbage bag, how much ammonia do we put in each bag and do we pour it in the bag directly or put it in a cup inside the bag?
Carole says
Hey there Cathy! You can put them all together in one bag and pour the ammonia directly into the bag. I would use a couple cups. The key would be to close the bags super tight. Tie the top in a knot because it is the fumes that will be doing all the hard work for you.
Mark Fierro says
Doses the ammonia need to be 100 % or will the weaker 10% stuff work ?
Carole says
Hi Mark! I just buy the general cleaning ammonia at the store and I am not sure what the strength percentage is.
Thomas Roberge says
Thanks for the tutorial. But please help me that 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
Carole says
Hi Thomas! I’ve never had that experience before with my grates. My only thought is if your cast iron grates are enameled or not.
Linda says
My grates will not fit in a ziplock bag. One grate civets two burners. Any ideas on soaking them.
Carole says
Hi Linda! Just use a garbage bag and tie the bag into knot at the top. I actually use this method when I am cleaning all of my grates at the same time 🙂
Judy says
Do people not read all the an swears and question s. I am amazed at some of the questions
Carole says
Thanks Judy 🙂 I often ask myself the same question…..
Sheri says
Put them all in the oven and turn on the oven cleaner, they come out perfect! Just whipe them down and they look like new
Carole says
Awesome tip Sheri! Thanks for sharing
Margaret M says
Does ammonia also work on the oven racks and the broiler pan?
Carole says
Hey there Margaret! You bet it does. Just put them into a garbage bag and tie the bag air tight with the ammonia inside.
Nicole says
Unfortunately I don’t have drip pans. The grates sit right on the stove top. Any suggestions on how to get the same cooked on mess off of the stove top? Of course it’s all right near where the flame comes out. Not sure what I can use. Thanks!
Carole says
Hi Nicole! Man, that really does stink. You can still try ammonia but it will take some scrubbing for sure. Let it sit for a bit after applying it.
Ashley says
I want to give this a try but how do I figure out if my cast iron grates are enamled or not?
Carole says
Hi Ashley! They will have a shiny sheen to them.
Cheryl says
I have soak my grated over 24 hours. Just moved in to dirty apt. They have very think black grease burnt from not cleaning —-ever so I’ve soak 2 at a time in mop bucket with 3 bottles of ammonia still all of this black burn to grease is not coming off. 2 days before trying this is used easy off oven cleaner! With each process a little is coming off. I’ve also used a razor blade to scrape. They are bad should the bucket be in garbage bag ? Is it the fumes or the actual ammonia????
Carole says
Hi Cheryl! It is the fumes so whatever you are soaking them in, it needs to be airtight and you shouldn’t submerge them in the ammonia. Good luck!
Laurie Cullen says
I used ammonia and a gallon ziplock bag for my normal-size gas stove grates. But I wanted to avoid poking a hole in the bag and having ammonia leak out so I poured about 1/2 cup (maybe more) in a disposable aluminum pie pan, put that in the bag and carefully stacked the grates on top of the pie pan. Worked like a charm. And the pie pan did not collapse. but my stove grates are not huge and heavy. As above, the gunk and crud just fell away after sitting overnight with the concentrated ammonia fumes. I then took a scrubber sponge and went over everything again, just to get the last bits of baked-on gunk off. Who knew just plain old cheap ammonia could be so powerful?
Carole says
Glad it worked so well for you Laurie! One of my favorite tips
Chris Hudson says
Cleaning lady sprays a bit of oven off on them and they come out spotless
gas stove. will that hurt them?
Carole says
Hey Chris! No, that won’t hurt them. The main chemical in oven cleaner is ammonia. Can you send your cleaning lady over to my place please?
Rose C says
I tried this
Put my grades in a garbage bag with 1 cup of ammonia, tied the bag put it outside overnight and NOTHING came clean. Would the outside temperature have something to do with the outcome? It was probably around 40 degrees that night. Thank you
Carole says
Hi Rose! I don’t think the temperature would make a difference. Were your grates raw cast iron or were they glazed cast iron? I know this is magic on glazed cast iron grates.
Cindy Okusako says
What color is the glazed cast iron?
Carole says
I guess it could be any color Cindy but generally it is black. You an tell your cast iron grates are glazed because they have a shiny coating on them. I hope this helps!
Crystal says
Can you tell me how you clean your cabinets with ammonia?
Carole says
Hi Crystal! I make a 50/50 mixture with ammonia and water, then spray it on, let it sit for about 5 minutes and wipe it off with warm water.
lorna says
are your cabinets wood??