Last Updated on November 8, 2022
Are porcelain coated cast iron grill grates really the best way to clean them? Or should I look into other options? I thought they would be easier to care for without having to worry about rust stains or anything else.
No doubt, these grill covers are very convenient since they cover the entire surface of the cooking grate. They also come in handy especially during outdoor cookouts and barbecues. This means less cleaning time, fewer dishes to wash and no worries about burnt messes.
The problem is, these girls aren’t quite as good at keeping food off their surfaces as some new designs. Many of today’s models feature heat shields underneath the cooking grates that prevent foods from sticking.
How to clean Porcelain coated grill grates?
Cleaning porcelain coated grills is important especially if you are using them frequently. First remove any food debris, dirt or grease from the surface. Next wipe down the grate thoroughly with hot soapy water. It is recommended not to use soap because of the chemical buildup on the grates. Make sure that the water is running constantly while cleaning the grates. Once cleaned, rinse thoroughly with warm water. For extra protection against rust spray the grates with a coat of mineral oil.
Never use abrasive cleaners or cleansers such as scouring powder or oven cleaner. These products could damage the coating and cause discoloration. Do not allow children to play around these surfaces until completely dry. Using a hair dryer placed directly on top of the grates can result in melting of the ceramic glaze. A good rule of thumb is never leave the grill unattended. If you notice any damage to the grating call us immediately. We offer same day service!
How to store cast iron cooking grates?
Cast Iron Grams are heavy duty, durable and last for many years if cared for properly. With proper care, these grates can be stored in a cool dry place for long periods but should always be cleaned regularly. Store them in the same location where they were used so that they retain the original seasoning. Always wipe down the outside of the grate prior to storing and remove any debris from the bottom. Never put hot cast iron grates directly into cold storage. It may damage the surface. Place it in a warm area until ready to clean.
Do not wash cast iron grates with soap, liquid detergent or abrasive cleaning products. Use only baking soda or other non-abrasives. Cleaning a cast iron grill is easy. Just sprinkle baking soda (not granulated) onto the top of the grate, scrub lightly using a stiff brush, rinse well and let air dry. This process will ensure that the grate retains its natural black color. For cast iron skillets, simply rub with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Then season generously with salt and pepper. To avoid rust, never leave stove top burners unattended while heating cast iron utensils. Also, never stack metal pans or utensils on an open flame.
What is a grill grate and what is it used for?
Grill grates are located above the heating element that heats the bottom portion of the oven cavity. These grates provide a place where food can smoke after being cooked. A metal bar runs across the top of the oven to support the meat. Oftentimes these bars are called “spikes”. By using spikes, the meat stays flat rather than sitting directly on the heating element. This allows the juices to stay beneath the meat, reducing dripping onto the heating element. It also helps to prevent any flare ups from happening because the meat is not sitting directly on the heating elements.
Grate spacing is determined based upon the thickness of the meat or vegetables that will be placed on the plate. The closer the ribs are to the heating element, the hotter and faster the cooking process takes place. Having larger pieces of meat or thick cut meats cook faster than thin cuts or smaller pieces. The distance between the ribs determines how hot the heating element gets during the cooking process. For instance, if two rib bones are spaced 3″ apart, then the temperature of the heating element will only reach about 300 degrees F. However if four ribs were spaced 6″ apart, the heating element could reach 700 degrees F during a cooking process.
Why do I need a new grill grate?
A grill grate needs to be replaced when it becomes worn out, cracked or damaged. When your grill grate starts to wear out, it begins to look like this:
The first sign of wear is usually at the edges of the grate. As time goes by, the entire grate will begin to show signs of wear. Eventually, the entire grate will become unusable. If you notice cracks or holes developing in the grate, replace it immediately. Cracks allow grease to leak through which causes flare ups. Holes allow heat to escape which reduces the efficiency of the grill.
Cast iron grill grates are very durable and long lasting. They are also easy to clean and maintain. They are not only used for grilling but also for baking. They are available in different sizes and shapes.
Porcelain-coated cast iron grill grates are very durable and easy to clean. It is recommended to buy a porcelain-coated cast iron griddle if you are planning to cook a lot of food at a time. Porcelain-coated cast iron is available in different sizes and shapes. Porcelain-coated griddles are usually used for cooking pancakes, eggs, sausages, breads, pizzas, burgers, and other types of food.
For thousands of years, cast iron has been utilized in cookware, covering several civilizations. It remains unrivalled in durability. It remains very affordable compared with many other current kinds of cookware. Cast iron has distinctive health benefits: there is no other commonly accessible cooking surface which actively provides the cast iron manner with a substantial amount of a nutrient needed. Grill makers have recently used cast iron to replace steel and other materials that are not robust.
It’s a high-maintenance situation.
The first thing you should know about cast iron is it’s maintenance. You must be careful when cleaning your cast iron because they can easily get damaged.
The best way to clean them is by using soapy water or detergent mixed with water. If possible use an old toothbrush to scrub off any dirt on the surface. Make sure to dry the grate thoroughly before putting back into service.
Porcelain power
If you want to make your cast iron look like new again then you need to apply some kind of coating over its surface. The most common type of coatings found on cast iron pans include enameled coating, ceramic glaze, and stainless steel. These coats will protect the pan from rusting and help prevent scratches.
Enameled coating come in two varieties; white and black. White enamel is more popular than black due to its lighter color. Black enamel tends to crack after being exposed to heat so it isn’t as practical as white enamel. Ceramic glazes are made up of small particles of glass fused together. This makes these products scratch resistant and nonporous. Stainless steel is another option for protecting cast iron surfaces. However, this material does require regular maintenance such as washing and polishing.
While porcelain makes it considerably easier to deal with cast iron by minimising the need to season or cure bare metal and simplify cleaning processes, it also has its own set of disadvantages. Porcelain enamel was relatively sensitive, therefore affecting the protective qualities of porcelain by more fragile and abrasive cleaning equipment and chemicals.
Soapsuds or elbow grease?
Give your gratings a gentle yet firm dry scrub when the gratings heat up, when facing with the chore of preserving the porcelain covering cast iron grills. Take the marinades and sauces easily and after cooking, make sure that you run over gratings again.
We are obliged to receive our grates through time, unchangingly. This is normal, and all preventative measures in the world (without just using a grill) won’t ensure that our treasured grates are not unpleasant. Consider the following methods to clean your porcelain-coated cast iron grate correctly
Remove the grease with a baking soda solution.
If your grates are really unclean, try cleaning them with a baking soda solution. Make a paste with 6 teaspoons baking soda and 2 ounces warm water and apply it to the iron grates.
Clean it with a bristle grill brush after 20 minutes. Remove the paste from the brush before cooking anything on the grill, and clean it afterward. To let the solution to soak, remove the grates overnight. Replace the grates and clean them with the grill brush after washing off the solution.
To clear the gratings, use the tin foil
Tin foil can be used to clean the grates without having to wash them first. Simply wrap the grates tightly in aluminum foil and place them directly onto the coals. After about 15 minutes, unwrap the grates and wipe away the excess ash. Rinse the grates under running water until they’re completely free of ashes.
You may use tin foil to clean the grill brush when it’s hard to acquire or unavailable. Fold the metal film into your fingers to form a big ball fitting. Then execute it across the grates to remove any waste. Use the tin foil to clean it to avoid burning your finger when it cools. The tin foil should be sufficient to provide a barrier between your fingertips and the grates.
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Wash the grates with dishwashing liquid.
Dishwashing liquids or regular dish soap work well at removing stubborn stains from the grates.
To use: Pour 1/2 cup of detergent into a bowl large enough to hold both the grates and the sink faucet. Add hot tap water to fill the bowl halfway. Place the grates inside the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for 30 minutes. Drain the grates and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Dry the grates with paper towels. Repeat if necessary.
Does porcelain grill rust?
Porcelain coated cast iron grates do tend to get rusty over time. If this happens, simply rub some vegetable oil around the edges of the grates to keep them shiny. You don’t need to worry too much because these grates will last forever as long as you take care of them properly.
The porcelain grills are rust-proof and hold heat thoroughly but keeping them smooth at all times is always important. The scratches and chips expose the metal below that allows water to corrode. Be careful when cooking not to scratch metals.
How often should I clean my porcelain coated cast iron grill?
It depends on how dirty your grates are. It takes approximately 10 minutes per hour to heat up an average sized charcoal grill.
So, if you have two hours worth of cooking, then you would need to clean your grates twice during those two hours. However, if you only cook once every few days, then you could probably skip one cleaning session each week.
Conclusion
There are many ways to clean porcelain-coated cast iron grates. Some methods require more effort than others. But no matter what method you choose, make sure you follow instructions carefully so that you won’t damage your grates.
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