Did you know you can clean a flat top grill using a stone? As weird as this sounds, it is actually good for you as there are no leftover chemicals that may contaminate your foods.
Keep reading to learn how to clean your Flat Top grill without chemicals.
How to clean a dirty Flat Top grill
One of the best conventional methods for cleaning a Flat Top grill is using a mixture of vinegar and water.
Items needed
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Spray Bucket
- Grill Brush
- Rag
This process to clean a Flat Top grill includes the following steps.
- Turn the burners on and heat your grilling surface.
- Take two cups of white vinegar and pour them into the spray bucket.
- Take the same quantity, i.e., two cups of water, and add into the same bucket.
- Shake and spray this vinegar-water mixture all over the grill surface.
- Ensure this mixture goes in all the sides and the corners.
- Now turn the burners off.
- Let the vinegar-water mixture on the grill for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Doing this will soften all the food debris stuck on the surface.
- Add the remaining liquid again to the surface.
- Take the grill brush or brick, scrub the grill surface and remove all the debris and greasy matter.
- Use grill bricks to remove the debris thoroughly.
- Then use a grill scraper to remove all the waste or debris.
How to clean a Flat Top grill that has rust
If your Flat Top grill has developed some rust, use this simple fix to get it looking like new. Rust only forms on the surface, so scraping it away leaves fresh steel ready to re-season like new.
Follow the steps below to clean a rusty Flat Top grill;
- Place your Flat Top grill on the stovetop and heat medium-high for 20 minutes. This will loosen the rust from the steel, making it easier to remove.
- Let the Flat Top grill cool. Then, use a scraper to scrape the entire surface to remove any rust that has formed.
- Spread 4-5 tablespoons of oil across the surface of the Flat Top grill and scrub it down with a grill stone. If you don’t have a grill stone, use steel wool or medium grit wet-or-dry sandpaper.
- Wipe the Flat Top grill clean with a cloth or paper towels.
- Drip another 3-4 tablespoons of oil and wipe the grill down again. Repeat until all signs of rust are gone.
- Season the Flat Top grill to create a protective coating that avoids rust. Any cooking oil works, but we prefer Flat Top grill Oil or extra virgin olive oil.
- Then drip another 3-4 tablespoons of cooking oil for an extra protective layer. This blocks contact between air and water with the griddle plate.
- Keep your grill stored in a cool, dry place, and use a cover to protect it from humidity in the air.
How to clean a Flat Top grill without chemicals
Below are several methods you can use natural ingredients to clean your grill;
Using a Grill Brick
- Pour about one cup of oil onto the surface while the grill is still hot.
- Scrub the surface with a grill brick in concentric circles until it’s clean.
- Pour the oil into the grease holder and get rid of it.
- Pour one cup of vinegar – water mixture onto the still-hot grill to soften and lift the hardened grease.
- Scrub the surface with a grill brick in concentric circles and pour the remaining liquid into the grease holder.
- Pour half cup of the vinegar – water on the grill surface and rub it with a clean rag until it’s clean.
Using Lemon Juice and Water
- Switch on the grill to heat it so that the hardened debris softens.
- Scrape the food debris off the grill grate and filtrate by using a grill scraper.
- Spray the lemon water mixture on the grill.
- Use a grill brush to spread the mixture and scrape the troublesome fat.
- Wait for five minutes, so the mixture seeps into the char and food debris.
- Scrub the flat top grill in a circular movement with a scouring pad. Then, use a rag to wipe the grill surface.
Using Lemon and Soda Water
- Heat your grill to soften hardened food debris and extra fat.
- Scrape off all debris with a heavy-duty scrubber.
- Spray lemon juice and soda water on the grill.
- Let the mixture soak for 5 minutes.
- Scrape the grill in a circular motion and wipe the debris to have a clean surface.
Using Water and Steam
- Switch the grill heat and scrape away all dripping with a grill brush.
- After sprinkling water, use the brush to spread it on the hot grill to soften up the residue.
- After draining the previous water, add more water to the grill and repeat the process.
- Drain the liquid.
Other natural cleaning methods
Onion Scrubbing:
You can easily clean a flat top grill without any grill brick. First, cut your onion in half. Then rub it on a hot grill for at least five to seven minutes. Once you see the food debris coming off the surface, continue onion scrubbing for about two minutes. Doing this will remove all the food debris and sauces that got hard during baking.
Soda Water and Carbonation:
Carbonation relaxes and eradicates hardened food debris and extra fat. So, pour some club soda on your flat top grill when it’s hot.
Scrub the exterior of your grill with a griddle brick in concentric circles. Remove the loosened dirt from your grill.
Beer Cleaner:
Just pour some beer on the warm grill and scrub it. Then drain the liquid off to get a shiny surface. Wipe it dry using a rag or paper towel.
Coffee:
You can also try coffee as a flat top cleaner to clean your kitchen grill. First, you need to bathe it with coffee to loosen up food debris, dirt, and oil. Then scrape off the food debris with a wire brush and drain the fluid.
Hot Oil Cleaning:
Pour oil on the grill when it’s still hot. Next, scrub the cooking appliance with a griddle brick in a circular motion to mix it with food debris and extra fat. Later wipe the loosened debris and get a clean flat top grill!
How to clean a Flat Top grill with baking soda
Follow the steps below to clean your flat top grill with baking soda.
Items Needed
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- A large deep dish to mix the ingredients
- Stirrer
- Scouring pad
- And a grill bush in case there is food particles in the corners.
Complete Process of Using Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution
Step 1
To clean a Flat Top grill, ensure your grill is hot at a temperature of 300 degrees F. For this, turn the burners on to the medium setting. When the surface is properly hot, turn the burners off. Doing this will soften all the hard stains and the food particles. It’s an important step that all of our readers must know.
Step 2
Now make the mixture of both the ingredients. For example, take two cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. Mix both of these in a large-sized deep dish.
Here the primary purpose of using a large deep dish is because the soda will bubble up and cover a large area. Stir both the ingredients with the stirrer to make a foamy solution.
Step 3
Take this solution and pour it on the hot grill surface. Better to leave it overnight. But if you can’t wait for so long, leave the solution on the grill for 4 to 5 hours.
Step 4
As time passes, you’ll see the hardened food debris bubbling and becoming soft. Take a scouring pad and scrub the surface to loosen the gunk. When all the food debris gets completely soft and separated, use water to wash away the solution.
Note: Allow the cooking surface to cool down until it is warm before scrubbing it with a soft grill brush or scouring pad. Removing stuck food particles, grease, troublesome fat, and other drippings is much easier when the grill is still warm.
How to clean a Flat Top grill with ice
Place pieces of ice on the grill surface and let them melt, creating steam that will help dislodge debris on the grill.
Can you use vinegar to clean a flat-top grill?
Yes. The vinegar will clean the grill and eliminate any odors from foods with strong odors, such as fish and other types of seafood. The vinegar will also help to create a polished look if you have a stainless steel flat top grill.
Note: Refer to your user manual to see if your manufacturer advises against using acidic agents on your flat top grill.
How often should I clean my Flat Top grill?
You should give it a thorough clean after every use to remove stuck food particles and prevent cross-contamination. However, if your flat top grill is for home use, you don’t have to worry about deep cleaning it daily. Instead, you can schedule it for a thorough cleaning every 4-6 months, depending on how you often use it.
Deep cleaning your flat top grill will entail disassembling the entire appliance and inspecting the burners, exterior, and gas pipe for leakages, cuts, rust, and other issues.
Finally, ensure you cover the grill when not used to protect it from harsh weather conditions and other elements such as dirt, dust, and debris. This is particularly important if you often leave your grill outdoors in the yard.