How to clean cast iron grates on a gas stove: tips available

A cast-iron grill on a stove is a convenient and practical solution because it is heavy and ensures the reliability of the appliance. But it also takes on all the splashes and spilled food, and you need to be careful enough to avoid damaging it.

Experts say that with the right approach, your grill will serve you for a long time. OBOZ.UA found out how they recommend cleaning the cast iron parts of the stove.

What not to clean cast iron with

Cast iron is a rather sensitive alloy to aggressive cleaning methods. Therefore, when caring for products made of it, it is important to avoid certain products:

• abrasives, including hard brushes;
• acids, including vinegar;
• chlorine and other aggressive bleaches and disinfectants;
• excessively hot water.

In addition, cast iron rusts, so it should not be kept in water for a long time. For this reason, it is not recommended to soak products made of this alloy for longer than 10 minutes or clean them in the dishwasher.

How to clean cast iron correctly

To clean cast iron grates, you need to choose the right tools. These should be a soft brush or sponge and the softest possible metal wire sponge if there are traces of rust on the metal.

Start by cooling the grates you are going to clean. Next, fill a sink or some other appropriately sized vessel with warm water and add a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Put the grill in this solution and leave it for 5-10 minutes – no more.

When the dirt has dried slightly, scrub the grill with a brush or sponge. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and metal sponges, which can damage the cast iron. Finally, rinse the item and dry it with a towel. Do not allow the grill to air dry, as water on the surface of the cast iron can cause rust.

If rust does appear on the cast iron grates, use a soft metal sponge to remove it. Make sure to use the thinnest possible sponge to scrape off the rust without damaging the metal itself.

How to protect the grill from dirt

To protect your cast iron grill from dirt sticking to it, you can heat it in the oven with oil. To do this, treat the entire surface of the object with a thin layer of refined vegetable fat and put it in an oven preheated to 170-200 degrees for 30-60 minutes. This will cover the grill with a protective layer.

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