Learn how to clean stove grates and drip pans on your gas stove with the four best methods. I’ve tested each one and there is one clear winner that requires absolutely nothing but letting them sit overnight. There is no scrubbing needed! The other three methods also work very well and are done in a short period of time. They do require a bit more elbow grease. Which one is best for you will depend on how dirty your stove grates and drip pans are, and how soon you need them to be cleaned.
My Story Learning How to Clean Stove Grates
I love my gorgeous gas stove but cleaning it has always been so frustrating for me. It is mind-boggling how filthy they become on a daily basis. Because my children do most of the cooking, stove cleaning happens at least once a day at my house. However, that cleaning does nothing for the build-up of grease and grime on the grates and drip pans. Those stovetop accessories get so disgusting and I was tired of using nasty oven cleaners on them.
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. Not submerged in it, just letting the fumes do the work. Instantly, I had a preference to try this method because I love using ammonia to get the grease off the cabinets above my stove. Plus, I had such great success using it to clean my crockpot! Not to mention it is cheap…..less than $1 for a big bottle!
Did It Work Easily?
I decided to give it a try with just one stove grate. I got a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and put about 1/2 C of ammonia in it. In went the test subject 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! Yes, it was gross, but I knew instantly this was the magic I had been looking for! I used my sponge to simply wipe the surface of the grate then rinsed it clean. Yes, it was THAT easy.
This easy method is how to clean drip pans as well. Since I still had all the rest of the grates, plus the drip pans left, I used a garbage bag this time around with all of them inside. This time I used a couple of cups of ammonia. I knotted the bag on 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 stove grates and drip pans can now be an easy chore, which means I can outsource it to my kids!
Popular Methods for Cleaning Gas Stove Parts
I decided to give all four methods a try before declaring the ammonia method the winner. If I’m going to teach you how to clean stove grates, I better know for sure! Here are the other techniques I used, along with the pros and cons of each method. The details of how to use each method are listed further down in the article.
- Dishwasher – for obvious reasons, I was hopeful this technique would do well, and it did for the surface dirt and stains. It took off any food, dirt, and grease that was on the surface. However, if anything was baked on, it didn’t do a good job.
- Baking soda and vinegar – this technique worked really well but did require quite a lot of scrubbing to get the baked-on grease off the stove parts. Letting the paste sit long enough on the dirty stove grates and drip pans was essential to the success of this method.
- Sink – this basic method requires a long soak in hot soapy water but like using the dishwasher, did a very poor job getting off any of the baked-on grease and food. If you want to know how to clean stove grates and drip pans on a daily basis, this is the one to use.
- Ammonia – like the baking soda and vinegar method, using ammonia did an amazing job getting rid of the burnt grease. And unlike the scrubbing needed with that method, ammonia just requires time letting the fumes do the work for you.
How to Clean Stove Grates and Drip Pans with Ammonia
After all the tests, the overnight soak using ammonia was the clear winner for our experiment in how to clean stove grates. Here are the simple steps to success.
Time needed: 8 hours
How to Clean Stove Grates and Drip Pans
- Use a gallon Ziplock bag or garbage bag
If you are cleaning just one or two grates, you can 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 of ammonia. If you are using a garbage bag, add around 2 cups.
- Insert your stove grates and drip pans into the bag
Place your stovetop pieces in your bags and then seal them closed. You can simply knot the garbage bag tightly. The pieces do not need to be immersed in the ammonia. It is the fumes that do the cleaning, not contact with the cleaner.
- Let the stove top pieces sit overnight
The amount of time is dependent on how dirty your pieces are but the magic will work. I like to put mine in before going to bed and then give it overnight to work. 8-12 hours is best so just let them sit.
- Rinse off the grime
All you need to do is rinse away all that nasty black grease and grime with hot water. If there happens to be a spot or two that doesn’t rinse away, just hit them quickly with a scrubby pad.
- Dry the stove grates and drip pans
You can dry them with a towel, or simply let them air dry before reinstalling them on your stove.
Other Methods to Clean Stove Grates and Drip Pans
While using the no-scrub method is extremely easy and my favorite method, it does take a good chunk of time. Sometimes we don’t have the necessary time to let the stove grates and drip pans sit overnight. So, here are three other methods you can try when learning how to clean stove grates and drip pans.
How to Clean Stove Grates in the Dishwasher
This method works great for simple spills and messes on your stove grates and drip pans.
- Remove the grates from the stove and place them in the dishwasher.
- Set the dishwasher to the strongest wash cycle and use a dishwasher detergent that is specifically designed for cleaning grease and grime.
- After the wash cycle is complete, remove the grates from the dishwasher and inspect them for any remaining dirt or grime.
- If necessary, use a soft scrub brush or a toothbrush to gently scrub away any remaining residue.
- Rinse the grates thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining soap or debris.
- Dry before replacing them on the stovetop.
How to Clean Stove Grates in the Sink
This method works well for daily cleaning of stove grates and drip pans.
- Remove the grates and drip pans from the stove and place them in the sink.
- Fill the sink with very hot water and a small amount of dish soap.
- Scrub the grates and drip pans with a scrub brush or scrubby sponge to remove any food or grease.
- Rinse the grates and drip pans thoroughly with warm water and let them air dry or dry them with a towel.
- If the grates and drip pans are heavily soiled, you may need to soak them in hot water and dish soap for several hours before scrubbing them clean.
How to Clean Stove Grates with Vinegar and Baking Soda
This method performs well on baked-on grease and grime but requires quite a bit of scrubbing by hand.
- Start by removing the gas stove grates from the stove.
- In a small bowl, mix together equal parts vinegar and baking soda to create a thick paste.
- Using a sponge, generously apply the paste to the grates and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen any built-up grime.
- Using a scrub brush or scrubby sponge, scrub the grates thoroughly to remove any stuck-on grime and grease.
- Rinse the grates thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining paste and debris.
- Dry the grates with a clean towel and place them back on the stove.
How to Clean Stove Grates FAQs
Yes, Dawn dishwashing liquid does a great top removing grease and food residue from the surface of stove grates. If the grease is baked onto the stove grate, you will need to use either some ammonia or a paste of baking soda and vinegar to remove it.
The answer depends on if you define easy as the least amount of work, or the least amount of time. If you want the least amount of work, use the overnight ammonia method in an airtight container. The fumes will remove every last bit of grime without any scrubbing. If you want the least amount of time, use a paste of baking soda and vinegar to scrub away the build up of grime.
Looking for More Easy Cleaning Hacks?
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64 comments
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?
Nope, just the fumes
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?
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
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?
Mine are cast iron and they are perfectly clean now
WOULD AMMONIA CLEAN THE OVEN? if so, how and how much do you use? Thanks, Thanks.
I guess in theory, yes Jeretta but I’ve never tried it
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!
Oops, with ammonia
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.
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!
You are welcome Lucille!
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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.
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!
Will the cast iron grates get discolored, never did this before, new stove,,,
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.
Is it strong ammonia or household ammonia?
I just used regular household ammonia Ashley
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
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.
PLEASE wear gloves AND a mask.