How to Clean a Cast Iron Grill
Do you wish you could own a cast iron grill but are hesitant because you do not know how to take care of it? Cast iron pans are excellent for cooking evenly cooked food. This makes them excellent kitchen cookware to own. Cleaning a cast iron grill is easier than you think, and you do not need any special cleaning agents to maintain it.
Did you know you can clean a grill with lemon juice?
You can clean a grill without chemicals. All you need is something to scrape off stuck food, grease stripping, which can be done using hot water, and oil to season the cast iron cookware.
It is not advisable to use strong detergents and soaps to clean your cast iron cookware as it can seep into the cast-iron metal pores. It can corrode the cast iron metal. Additionally, do not use any fragranced or scented soaps to clean your cast iron cookware. The soap will then leech into your food the next time you use it, altering the taste of your food.
What You’ll Need:
- Mild dishwashing liquid
- Hot water water
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda or salt
- Vegetable oil
- Dish drying cloths
- Stiff-bristled nylon brush or nylon scrubber
- Grill scraper or wire brush
How To Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates
Since cast iron is not rust-resistant, it is best to clean the grate as soon as you are done using it. First, let it cool down but not completely. As you need it to be able to scrape off the fatty, meaty bits stuck to it. This is much easier if the fat has not caked onto the grates.
You can use a homemade solution of four parts water and one part vinegar or lemon juice to sanitize the grill. Do not use a highly acidic solution as this will degrade the cast iron. Or you can buy a commercial made cast iron cleaning solution.
Wipe off the solution immediately and repeat if there is any residue left on the grates. If it is still greasy, use a mild soap diluted in warm water to clean it. Then dry it off completely to avoid rusting while in storage.
You should also season the grate, especially if you intend to keep it stored for a prolonged time. Once it is completely dry, apply a thin coat of shortening or oil on the grate to seal it and prevent exposure to moisture. Then heat the grate so the fat can melt and get into the pores in the iron.
Check this too: How To Light a Charcoal Grill Without Lighter Fluid
Then wipe off the excess fat or oil with a paper towel. Then store it is a dry place without exposure to moisture or humidity.
How To Clean Cast Iron Grill Pan
The premise for cleaning a cast iron grill pan is similar to that of cleaning a cast iron grate. It involves removing stuck food, then removing the grease, and seasoning it before storage. To scrape off stuck food, use a mixture of salt or baking soda and water to make a past for scrubbing the pan. You can also use a semi-hard brush to scrape off the food.
You can then rinse it with hot water to remove any leftover grease and dry it off completely. Then apply a thin layer of oil and fat to protect the pan from exposure to moisture. Another alternative for scraping the pan is using a cast ion pan scraper or chain-link wire scrubber.
If the food particles are still stuck to the bottom of the pan after rinsing it with hot water, you can use it to boil some water. This will cause the stuck food particles to get dislodged once the water starts boiling. You can also use a spatula to dislodge them as the water boils. Then process to rinse the pan and sealing it.
You can also use a commercially made seasoning spray to season your cast iron cookware. The renewed popularity of cast iron cookware has led to an influx of cast iron cleaning agents. Be sure the products you use do not end up damaging you cast iron pans.
How To Clean a Flat Top Grill
Following the cleaning process stated above, start by cleaning with a grill brick to remove any food residue stuck on the flat top. If you have a heavy flat top cast iron grill, use a wet cloth to wipe off the food particles that have been dislodged. You can also rinse the grill at the sink.
Then proceed to clean off any leftover grill. Then seal it as you would your other cast iron cookware. You can use a soft sponge to remove any food particles stuck on the ridged side of the grill pan or flat top grill.