Best Ways To Clean Grease Off Your Grill Pan

Cleaning a greasy grill pan can be a tough task, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be done effectively. The first step is to remove any excess grease, either by pouring it into a container or absorbing it with paper towels. Avoid pouring grease down the drain as it can cause clogs. For non-stick grill pans, a mixture of baking powder and hot water can be used, along with a nylon brush to scrub away the grease. For cast iron grill pans, a mixture of hot water and salt can be applied, followed by scrubbing with a nylon brush. Reseasoning the pan with olive oil is also recommended. Stainless steel grill pans require a mild dish detergent and warm water, scrubbing in the direction of the grill grates to prevent scratches. For burnt grease, baking the pan in a high-temperature oven and then soaking it in hot, soapy water can help loosen the grease. It's important to avoid using harsh chemicals and always season the grill plates to prevent rusting.

Degrease the upper cookbox

To degrease the upper cookbox of your gas grill, start by disconnecting the gas supply. Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from grease and cleaning products.

Mix a solution of 20% dish soap and 80% water in a spray bottle. Open the lid of the grill and spray down the inside of the upper cookbox. Leave the solution for a few minutes to dissolve the grease, then brush it thoroughly with a stainless steel brush.

Next, carefully remove the cooking grates and balance them on top of an open garbage can lined with a garbage bag, ready for cleaning.

Clean the cooking grates

To clean the cooking grates, you'll need to remove all debris from the grill grates. First, scrape off the biggest pieces of gunk with a putty knife. Then, use a wire brush on the top and bottom of the grates to get what's left. Once all the debris is removed, spray the grates thoroughly with a grill cleaner, then wipe them clean with a heavy-duty disposable shop towel.

If your grates are particularly dirty, you could try a few different methods to clean them. One method is to soak the grates in hot, soapy water overnight, then scrub them with a nylon brush. You could also try baking your grill pan in an oven at 500 °F (260 °C) for 2 to 3 hours, then letting it cool down to room temperature before scrubbing it. Another method is to mix hot water and salt in the pan, then scrub the pan with a nylon brush. Finally, you could try using steam to clean the grates. Fill a regular metal tin with water and boil it on the grill. Push the tin to the side and scrape the grates with a bristle brush. The steam will help the grime come right off.

Clean the grease tray and catch pan

To clean the grease tray and catch pan of your grill, you'll first need to open the grill's cabinet doors and carefully pull out the grease tray and catch pan. Dump any loose debris into a garbage can. If your grill's catch pan has a disposable aluminium liner, throw it out and replace it with a new one. Before installing a replacement, ensure the inside of the catch pan is perfectly clean.

Spray both the tray and the pan with a grill cleaner and wipe them down thoroughly with a shop towel. Remove all grease and stains from both sides of the tray. Once everything is clean, carefully put the grease-catching components back in place.

Clean the inside of the grill cabinet

With the cabinet doors of your grill still open, vacuum or sweep every surface. This includes the top of the cabinet doors, as these can easily collect grease and drippings. Once all dust and loose debris is gone, spray and wipe everything with grill cleaner, paying close attention to the top edges of the cabinet doors. Depending on your grill's design, these may have caught grease drippings during use.

Clean the outside of the grill

To clean the outside of your grill, start by removing the control knobs and wiping the surface underneath. Wipe each knob individually, removing any grease and dirt.

Next, use a grill cleaner to spray and wipe down all outside surfaces, paying special attention to grime-prone areas near the cookbox. If your grill has a side burner, lift the lid, vacuum or brush away all loose debris, and wipe down all surfaces.

If your grill is stainless steel, finish by wiping down the outside of the whole unit once more with stainless steel wipes.

If you're dealing with stubborn stains on the sides of your grill, mix a paste with three parts baking soda and one part water. Coat the paste on the side of your grill and wait about 15 minutes. Then, wipe the grill clean. To help break down tough grease and baked-on food, add vinegar to the baking soda paste before letting it sit.

Frequently asked questions