How to clean the grate of a gas stove?

As a rule, when cleaning the kitchen, housewives try to postpone washing the gas stove grate for later. This is due to the inconvenience of the form (you need to try to crawl between the narrow bars), as well as thoughts about a waste of time. This is a mistake that most owners of gas stoves make. It is not for nothing that manufacturers are trying to produce gratings of predominantly black color - carbon deposits are the hardest to see on them. Lack of proper attention to cleaning the grate can lead to the destruction of the metal.

Dirt on the grate settles after each cooking. It doesn't matter if you cooked something greasy or just warmed up the soup. Small drops of fat, falling on the surface of the plate, under the influence of hot temperature, quickly lose moisture and instantly grow. Dust is added to them, which, unfortunately, is inevitable in any apartment. Small hairs and clothing fibers can complete the picture. So, we have a whole layer of dirt in front of us, which can be very difficult to clean off, but still real.

By carefully reading the information below, you will be able to find a solution to the problem that is right for you.

All slab gratings appear to be the same.These are black products in the form of intertwined rods. They can be made from different metals. First you need to determine what material your grate is made of, as the cleaning method available will depend on this. There are only three options:

• Cast iron grate. Its material is rough, porous, and the grating itself is heavy.
• Enamelled steel grate. It is sleek and lightweight.
• Stainless steel grate. Such products differ from the previous ones in color. If used for a long time, they can burn out in places of contact with fire.

Before proceeding:

• Be sure to wear thick rubber gloves. This will help preserve the beauty of your hands and nails while cleaning. Even seemingly safe cleaning methods involve the breakdown of dirt. If the products can break up fat into particles, then what will they do to your hands?
• Take a close look at what type of construction your grate has. It can be removed from the plate in one piece, in two parts, or not removed at all. This should be clarified at the initial stage of cleaning. Don't be discouraged if the grate is built into the stove, as there are several ways to clean it even under these conditions. Be sure to cover the surface of the hob with foil to prevent cleaning agents from getting into the burners.
• Removable gratings in the package may contain small parts-gaskets between the metal and the plate.They must be separated and set aside before cleaning.

Different types of gratings have their own distinctive features, pros and cons. Much depends on the material from which they are made. Let us consider in more detail the features of the existing and the options mentioned above.

This type is one of the most expensive because of its property to retain heat for a long time and not to bend under heavy pots and pans. It is massive, but also quite fragile. It should not be thrown or cleaned with abrasive products (powders containing abrasive particles). It is also not recommended to scrape off fat with a knife., because along with the dirt, part of the material can also move away. And certainly none of the methods with soaking is suitable for a cast-iron coating. Long contact with water is contraindicated for this material.

Enamelled steel grills are lighter in weight than cast iron and are not as fragile. They can be soaked for a long time, which increases the number of cleaning methods. It is not advised to only scrape such material with metal objects, as scratches and chips can form on its surface.

Stainless steel is the most unpretentious material and you can use all the methods listed above to clean it. In this case, the use of metal sponges and aggressive cleaning agents is not prohibited.

First, consider several cleaning options with home remedies suitable for all types of metal:

• Steam generator. It is possible to use the steam generator without removing the grate. Put a short stiff brush on the device.After setting the temperature to at least 140 degrees, first steam a small area to ensure the required exposure time. You will see how steam breaks down fat. Finish cleaning by wiping the grate with a sponge. Repeat steps if necessary.
• Steam cleaning in the oven. If the house does not have a steam generator, boiling water can be used. Pour plain liquid into a deep baking sheet and place on the bottom of the oven. Place the grate on top. Leave for half an hour to an hour, then clean the softened fat with a sponge.
• Baking soda. Prepare a porridge-like composition by mixing baking soda and water. Lubricate the entire surface of the grate with the resulting mixture. Leave on for 30-40 minutes. Wipe lightly with a hard sponge, then with a regular one. Wash off the composition.

• Ammonia. This method is only suitable for removable gratings. Place the item in the bag. Pour a vial of ammonia into it, tie it tightly. Gently flip the bag over a few times to distribute the alcohol throughout the inside of the bag. Leave overnight. We advise you to use the balcony, as ammonia has a pungent odor. Rinse thoroughly in the morning with a sponge.
• Mustard. Mix mustard powder with hot water until a paste-like consistency is formed. Apply this composition to the grate. If there is particularly strong pollution, then the grate should be put in a bag. After 2-3 hours, wash off the fat with a sponge under running hot water.
• A mixture of baking soda, mustard, salt and vinegar. Mix four ingredients: soda, mustard, salt, vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the resulting mixture to the surface with a damp sponge and leave overnight. Rinse thoroughly.
• Melamine sponge. If you have already used it, you should have appreciated all the benefits.With it, you can clean almost any pollution. It is enough to wet the sponge a little, and then wipe all the necessary places.

Having described the universal methods, we proceed to methods for cleaning a specific type of grate.

Today, in almost any supermarket, you will find at least 5 types of effective carbon cleaners. Seeing the inscription "Antifat", you will understand that you are going in the right direction. Household chemicals differ not only in price, but also in the method of application, processing time and aggressiveness of the composition.

The compositions of the category "Anti-fat" are divided into three types: powders, creams (gels), sprays:

• Powdered products are applied with a damp sponge to the surface to be cleaned. The content of abrasive particles helps to remove grease, but can lead to scratches on the metal.
• Creams and gels are the most popular treatments for dirt. Their soft composition does not harm even fragile enamel. You just need to put it on the grate, let it work (time may be longer depending on the degree of contamination) and rinse thoroughly with water.
• Sprays appeared on sale relatively recently. They are convenient to use, but because of the spray application method, they are quite unhealthy.

Consider the most popular cleaning products and reviews of hostesses to them:

• Bagi Schumann. Manufacturer - Israel. Available in two forms: gel and spray. Both types of products do not leave scratches on the material. It is recommended as a means of removing any, even the strongest, dirt accumulated over the years. However, users note the lack of complete information about the chemical composition of the cleaner.Possessing high toxicity, it is strongly not recommended to use it without gloves and without good ventilation. After applying to the surface, it is necessary to leave the room, and after the time has elapsed, thoroughly rinse the grate with water. Speaking about the price, Shumanit gel refers to household chemicals of average cost. Spray is about twice as expensive.

• Sanita Antifat. Manufacturer - Russia. The domestic remedy is presented in all possible varieties: gel, spray, powder. Reviews on the Internet are different: from enthusiastic, admiring, to negative. With small accumulations of fat, this remedy copes with a bang, and for stable ones it will take a long time. Has a pleasant smell. Of the biggest pluses of the hostess' funds, they note a small cost. The disadvantages include a flimsy lid, as well as the presence of unknown "other acids" in the composition.
• Frosch. Manufacturer - Germany. All Frosch products advertise themselves as safe, made from natural ingredients. However, the use of the grease removal spray is again only recommended with gloves. Unfortunately, according to consumers, the product is good only at the stage of pollution and is not suitable for persistent soot.
• Faberlic. Manufacturer - Russia. Faberlic House gel has earned the love of housewives due to its soft texture, economical packaging, subtle smell, and attractive price. The child-resistant lid adds another plus to this product. But the lack of a dispenser is a drawback that almost all users note. The cleansing ability of the gel is also questionable.Despite the rather aggressive composition, a lot of effort will have to be made to clean heavily soiled gratings. If you have the time and patience, this drug is worth giving it a try.

• Cream Cif. Manufacturer - Hungary. The product, which declares itself as a cream, really has a soft formula and gently cleanses the surface. The composition is quite gentle, which cannot but rejoice. According to the instructions, the cream must be kept on the surface to be cleaned for no more than a minute, but this is a moot point. This is enough time to remove fresh contaminants, but you will have to wait to clean stubborn fats. And even after a long wait, you will need to rub it well with a sponge or brush to achieve the desired result. The cleaner belongs to household chemicals of average cost.
• Meine Liebe. Manufacturer - Germany. The main advantage of this tool is the delicacy of the composition. It does not contain chlorine, phosphate, and other harmful ingredients. Surprisingly, with such content, it copes well with dirt and grease. Neutral smell, average price conquer buyers. The disadvantages include some difficulties in flushing.
• Ecomax. Manufacturer - Canada. Fans of eco-products should pay attention to this tool. You will not find alkaline ingredients in its composition. Available as a spray for easy application. Of course, the remedy is not as effective as its alkaline brothers, but housewives recommend it as an effective cleaner. The rather high price scares off.

Reviews of housewives on the Internet are contradictory. Only you can understand which remedy is suitable in a particular case.Be sure to read the instructions on the package carefully before use. To prevent the adverse effects of household chemicals on health always use them with good ventilation.

The cleaning methods for gratings largely depend on the material from which they are composed. Earlier, we analyzed what varieties these parts are divided into. Now let's take a closer look at which cleaning methods are the most effective.

For example, the most popular method for cleaning cast iron is calcination. The easiest way to do this is to live in a private house or in a country house, on an open fire. The grate must be placed over the fire, periodically turning over, until the grease and dirt disappear. At the end, you need to wipe the part with a slightly damp cloth. If you live in an apartment, you can ignite the grate above the gas stove, but be sure to open the windows before that, and also turn on the hood.

Resourceful housewives suggest using a not very hard brush head on a drill. It must be installed on the device, turned on and driven over the entire surface of the grate until a result is achieved.

If your family has a car, you can use car engine cleaner. It must be applied to the sponge, and then carefully treated with the composition of the grate. After that, you need to rinse the part and dry it.

The easiest way to clean an enameled steel part is to place the grate in the dishwasher. If the pollution is small, a high temperature setting will do. If the dirt is firmly ingrained, then use additional soda tablets.

Soda is good even if you don't have a dish washing machine.Place the grate in a large, durable bag, boldly pour a pack of baking soda inside, and then fill everything with warm water. After tying the bag, leave the grate for several hours. Just rinse and dry thoroughly. If the size of the grate allows, you can soak it in the sink, after closing the drain.

Laundry soap will also help save the situation. You will need a container that will fit the grill. It is necessary to prepare a strong soapy solution in it, and then soak the grate overnight.

If you are not a fan of long mechanical work, prepare one of the pastes that will help you cope with the task:

• Mix 100 g of washing powder with 30 ml of ammonia. Treat the metal with the composition and wash thoroughly after 20 minutes.
• Prepare a gruel of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, rub the grate well with it, rinse thoroughly.
• Mustard powder diluted with 9% vinegar, plus a small amount of dishwashing liquid. This paste is applied to stainless steel. After 25 minutes, clean under running hot water.

Here are some helpful tips to help you clean your grate without damaging it:

• Never soak the cast iron grate in liquid and do not wash in the dishwasher. The material may crack and lose its strength.
• Any metal begins to break down if you place a hot grate in cold water or a solution. We advise you to cool it before cleaning.
• Do not try to scrub the surface too vigorously with metal brushes.This will destroy the material.
• It is necessary to wipe the grate dry every time after cleaning.
• To facilitate further cleaning, you can use the following method. We will need stationery transparent glue (50 ml), washing powder or detergent (2 tbsp), soda (150 g). The ingredients are thoroughly mixed, and the composition is applied to the grate. After drying, it disappears from view. All that is needed for the next cleaning is to wash the applied layer, and the pollution will come off with it.
• The easiest way to keep clean is to wash the grate after each cooking, and for steel grates, soak once a week in soapy water.
• Grids can be soaked not only in a separate basin, but also in a bathtub, as well as in a sink.
• If you did not achieve the desired result the first time, do not despair and just repeat your steps when the opportunity arises.

Each of the above grate cleaning methods is able to cope with the task, the difference is only in time and effort expended. The choice of folk remedies or household chemicals is always yours. It is believed that the kitchen is the face of the hostess. Spending a few minutes on the daily cleaning of the grate, you do not have to be upset because of unpleasant soot. It not only spoils the appearance of the stove, but also your mood. Even dishes cooked in clean and pleasant conditions taste better.

For information on how to quickly wash the gas stove grate, see the following video.