Gas stove top grates can get pretty disgusting with a build-up of grease and burnt-on food. Learn how to clean stove grates with this easy cleaning hack. It works like magic!
If your gas stove grates look like the one above, don’t fret. There is a very simple cleaning hack that cleans stove grates in no time… with hardly any scrubbing!
What You Need to Clean Gas Stove Grates
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Ingredients Needed to Clean Gas Stove Grates
- Ammonia– Ammonia is highly effective at breaking down grease and grime on stove grates, but be aware… it smells terrible. Note of Caution: do not mix ammonia with any other cleaner or bleach!
Supplies Needed to Clean Burner Grates on A Gas Stove
- Gallon Sized Freezer Bags– If you have larger stove grates, there are 5 gallon bags (18″ x 24″) or you can try using a trash bag.
- Baking Sheet
- Mask– Ammonia has a very strong, off-putting smell, so wearing a mask is highly recommended.
- Gloves
- Non-Scratch Scour Pad
- Dish Soap
How to Clean Stove Grates
Here is a picture of my stove grates prior to cleaning… nasty!
In order to clean stove grates, you’ll need to remove them from the stove top and place each one in a separate Ziploc bag. Add 1/4 cup ammonia to each bag, then seal them up and place them on a baking sheet overnight. For some reason, at least one of my bags always leaks a little, so the baking sheet catches any drips.
Please note, the ammonia does not have to be touching the entire grate.
The next morning, open up the windows to provide ventilation, and put on a mask and a pair of gloves. Pull the grates out of their bags and rinse them with warm water. A lot of the grime will rinse right off, but you will need to use a dish cloth or non-scratch scour pad, along with a little dish soap, to gently rub off any remaining grime. Thoroughly rinse and dry each grate prior to returning it to the stove top. When you’re done, your grates will look like new.
Look how shiny and clean those things are! Like I said… magic! Here’s a close up…
and here’s another one from a little further away.
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Common Questions About Cleaning Gas Stove Grates
My Gas Stove Grates Won’t Fit in A Gallon Size Bag, What Do I Do?
While single burner grates will fit into a gallon size bag, many have said they have longer grates that cover 2 burners. In this case, you have a couple options. The first is to use 5 gallon storage bags (that still zip). This size is 18″ x 24″ so check your grate size to see if this is an option. Another common solution is to use a trash bag. If you choose this method, make sure to double (or even triple) bag the grates to minimize the likelihood of a leak. Also, make sure to tie the top tight and store them upright as you won’t have a “zip” to seal them. I would also recommend keeping them outdoors to avoid the smell overwhelming the house.
Can I Use This Method to Clean Cast Iron Stove Grates?
I used this method on enamel stove grates, not cast iron. Therefore, I am not sure if this method would work for cast iron grates or not. According to this article from Apartment Therapy, you can use ammonia on cast iron grates, however, the article also provides a different cleaning method specifically for cast iron grates if you want to check it out.
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Your simple trick for cleaning gas stove burner grates with ammonia is truly amazing. The step-by-step instructions and cautionary notes are very helpful and make the process seem easy to follow. Your before and after pictures really demonstrate the effectiveness of this cleaning method.
Can you use this on cast iron grates?
I’ve been doing it this way for years — It ABSOLUTELY works and easy.
Does anyone know if this works on stainless steel pans with burnt on stains on the bottom?
Fabric softener works on stainless steal. I use the Fabric sheets …soak stainless steel in water with sheets. If you can boil even better .
I’ve never tried this method with stainless steel pans, but I DID have a pan that I thought I was going to have to throw away because my son burned milk to the bottom in a thick layer. I put about a 1/2″-1″ of warm water with a dishwasher pod, let it sit over night and scrubbed in the morning. I had to repeat the process 2-3 times, but it eventually worked to get the entire pan looking like new.
A wet pumice stone also works well if you can’t handle the smell of ammonia.
Are these grates cast iron or enamel? Is it safe to use ammonia on cast iron, and stainless steel?
I’d also like to know
These were enamel grates. I have never tried this cleaning method with cast iron or stainless steel, so I am not sure how ammonia might affect those finishes.
How to clean the stove
Do you just dispose of the ammonia down the sink or is there a special way to get rid of it?
I used this method for several years to clean the grates and the oven shelves. but now I found a Grill Cleaner that works even faster and no smell.
Hi Bonnie. Which grill cleaner do you use?
What is the name of the product you use? Tia 🙂
I’m wondering if this would work on the stove top under the burners of a gas stove. The tray part always gets grungy and I can’t get it clean. Is there a way to get that off using this method?
I use this method and it works great. But I use a kitchen size garbage bag. Place bag in the sink, place the burners inside, pour Ammonia in the bag and seal the bag. The grates do NOT need to be covered with Ammonia – it’s the fumes that do the work, not the liquid. I don’t measure, but probably pour in a couple of cups. I leave mine to soak for at least 12 hours. After that, wash off the grates and they’ll look like new!
It also work great on your oven racks! Remove from oven, place in garbage bag, add ammonia, tie shut & leave overnight (outside or in garage in case it leaks). Spray off with hose.
I do similar ~ put garbage bag on a cookiesheet on the countertop, put all grates and the flat stove top pans that surround the gas burners in there.
I add about 1/4 cup ammonia and twist tie the bag shut. I generally do it before bed so they sit all night and they are a breeze to clean in the morning. I used to do this with the shiny, round burner pans on my electric stove as well. Works great, but yes, watch out when you open that bag!!
I’ve used oven cleaner before. I think ammonia is the key ingredient in oven cleaners. You could try this on the longer grates. I spray them and set them outside for awhile. A lot of the grime just rinses right off and very little effort to wipe down the rest.
Didn’t work for me ☹️. It softened the grime but it still took a LOT of scouring to remove it. I was so hopeful.
One of these days I will give it a try. my burner grates are so grungy, I’m not sure if there’s any hope Obe One. LOL
Looks great. What else will this work on? I have an electric stove. Will it clean the burner saucers or even pots?
They do make 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags, if that would help. I’ve found them in some grocery stores and Menards.
I love this idea but my grates are too long for any zip bag – they cover two burners at once. Think it would work if I tried with heavy plastic wrap?
If you have really large burner grates, you can put ammonia into a measuring cup (I would suggest putting 1/4 cup into a 1/2 cup measuring cup to avoid spilling). Leave the ammonia IN THE CUP and set it on/in the burner grates. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight. The fumes are what seem to do the work, not the actual contact with ammonia. Hope that helps.
Garbage bag!
Brilliant!
Put it in a garbage bag
Use heavy garbage bags!
My grates are pretty big and won’t fit in a gallon Ziploc. Do you think if I get large aluminum pans and put it in that, then cover it with Saran wrap, it’ll work?
Yes! I have actually done this with our longer grate in the middle. Please note that you do not need to pour out the ammonia. Place your grate/grates on the pan; then place the 1/4 cup ammonia in the pan (still in the measuring cup. To avoid spilling, you can put 1/4 cup into a larger measuring cup). Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to sit overnight. The ammonia doesn’t need to be touching the grates in order to clean them, so this makes for an easy clean-up in the morning.
I also have large grates. I have used this method and put them in a trash bag and tied the end tight. Works like magic. I also take them out of the bag and rinse them outside to avoid smelling up the house.
THank you for the tip, my stove can be clean over and over but those grates are always a trouble.. imma try this one.
Thanks so much. Will definety use this method.
How should i clean the bigger ones. Mine grates arent small they cover 2 burners so like a big rectangle?
I know exactly what you’re talking about. The nice thing about this trick is that the ammonia does not need to be touching the grates in order to it to work. I would place a 1/4 cup ammonia by your grates (leaving the ammonia in the cup). Then cover your grates, along with the ammonia, with plastic wrap overnight. This should have the same effect 🙂 If you have multiple grates, I would treat each grate separately, but know that when you remove that plastic wrap, the fumes are going to be very strong. Have an overhead fan on and open the windows until you get the ammonia dumped down your sink. Hope that helps.
Hi, visiting from Pretty Pintastic Party. My stove grates definitely need this! Thanks for the idea
Thank you so much for stopping over. I’m all about simple ideas that actually work. Glad you found it helpful. Now I’m heading over to your site because I hate laundry and your title (from Comment Luv) might be exactly what I need…
Shared! Thanks for posting on MeetUp Monday!
Thanks Mary! Have a good evening!
Hi I’m stopping my from Meetup Monday Linkup. I need to try this on my stove. Great results! Linkup on my blogs linkup if you’d care to.
Hi Karissa! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know about your linkup. I’ll check it out! Have a wonderful evening. Hope this little cleaning tip works well for you!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I will definitely have to try it. Found you at Meet Up Monday Link Party.
Thanks for stopping over! I’m always skeptical when trying new cleaning ideas, but this worked beautifully… just wish it wasn’t so smelly! Hope you enjoyed your weekend. Have an amazing week!