Cleaning cast iron stove grates

[thomasortega]

A few months ago Darryl and I bought a Kenmore Elite freestanding stove with convection oven and tons of bells and whistles.

I have to admit I wasn't very happy with the aquisition as I wanted a Samsung TOL model (that we couldn't afford because it was freaking expensive), but after the second time I used it i simply fell in love because the oven is FAH-BUH-LOUS adn the burners also work perfectly.

Thanks to that stove I even stopped being a Samsung Lover and became a Kenmoremaniac (now i'm on the third Kenmore product bought brand new and loving all of them)

Anyway, I love my Kenmore stove so much I'd kiss it.

Now something that made me a little confuse:

Two nights ago i made some hamburgers and as the griddle was already dirty and the kitchen was already messy, I decided to fry some slices of bacon. and instantly regret.... POOR STOVE!

Well the mess was already made, after the guests left I spent nearly 2 hours OCD cleaning the stove. You know, i'm tired so I'll just spend 2 minutes wiping the excess on the cooktop... 2 hours later i was almost polishing even the power plug prongs.

A doubt came with the grates. Those F-word cast iron grates, with those scary stains (burnt oil).

User manual tells to use the Kenmore whatever-magical-powder-that-you-mix-with-water-and-soak. (ok, the stove came with a free sample)

Then i searched online. Kenmore.com says i can simply toss the grates in the oven and run the self clean cycle (remove the silicon feet first) adn then toss the grates in the dishwasher. or, for everyday cleaning just toss them in the DW.

Strangely, searspartsdirect.com has a video related to my stove model that says to NEVER toss it in the dishwasher.

Seeing other brands, I noticed the same. GE even has a video instructiong people to toss the grates in the oven and run the longest self cleaning cycle or just use the DW.

Electrolux/frigidaire, Whirlpool, etc. the same (except that Whirlpol kindly tells to run the aqualift torture cycle and then after the cycle is done, spend several hours cleaning up the mess it makes.)

So, with so many conflicting instructions, what should i do? Toss in the oven, turn on the self clean and sing Disco Inferno? Toss in the dishwasher and pray? Use my Karcher professional steam cleaner? Take them somewhere to sandblast? throw them away and buy new grates every time they look horrible? Destroy my hands scrubbing? Use the Dremel? Mix TurboLax in the coffee and serve it for the SOAB that had the F-word idea to invent the cast iron grates?

 

[vacerator]

Steam

works well. Or a pressure washer, or you can take them to a high pressure self car wash. Iron absorbs oils. Natural gas can also stain them. In time the black will have a brown haze. Heat proof black paint is also available.
A range is to cook with. A bit of brown on the grates don't bother me.

 

[dermacie]

I have cleaned aluminium cookware in my self clean oven to great results. I wouldn't hesitate to put them in the self clean oven to clean them. They are designed to withstand high temperatures and the will come out like new.

I do put the drip pans and grates into the dishwasher for my own range. I have never put them in the self clean because mine are enamel coated since it is a 24 year old GE that is almond in color.

 

[mattl]

I have a Siemens gas cook top, and toss the grates in the dishwasher often.   Never had an issue.  But after 9 or 10 years of use they have built up a nice patina and have zero risk of rusting.

 

[maytagbear]

No to self cleaning them, and here's why.........

It's not that the grates will be damaged, it's that the racks will lose their polished finish, and become VERY Difficult to pull in and out of the oven. If, like me, you (or anyone)do/does a great deal of oven cooking, having easy-to-pull racks becomes a major consideration!!!

Of course, one can buy additional racks, but why?

Use the steamer, or soak them overnight or 24 hours in ammonia and then wash, or just gently throe them in the dishwasher several times a week.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[stchuck]

Same problem different solution

I am tired of putting mine in the dishwasher and don't like the look of a messy stove and get tired of trying to clean all the grease spots so I went and bought an extra set of grates so I can quit obsessing over keeping mine clean. I'm one of those freaks that cooks but doesn't like it when it looks like I cooked. LOL

My solution is not for everyone but I am putting it out there as an option. Just knowing I have that extra set if needed was good enough for me.

 

[thomasortega]

Thank you guys for all the info!

Maytagbear. The user manual says I don't need to remove the oven racks before the self clean because the racks are self clean-proof.

It actually encourages to put all the racks in the oven (even the ones that are clean) every time you self clean the oven.

 

[askolover]

Mine frequently go into the dishwasher.

 

[combo52]

Best Way To clean Gas Burner Grates

When they have burned on residue is putting them in your Self-Cleaning oven [ with any rubber bumpers removed first of course]

The problem with the oven racks not sliding easily after a SC cycle is easily corrected. When you are wiping any residue out of the oven after a SCC with a damp cloth you simply wipe a little cooking oil on the outer rails of the oven racks with a paper towel and they will immediately slide better than when the oven was new.

John L.