How to clean a flat top grill

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Cleaning a flat top grill is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, with a few simple steps and some basic supplies, you can have your grill looking and performing like new in no time.  

In this post, we will outline the necessary steps for cleaning a flat top grill and provide you with tips on how to keep it in good condition. So, whether you are a seasoned grill expert or just starting out, be sure to read our guide on how to clean a flat top grill! 

How to clean a flat top grill 

A flat top grill is more of a home appliance than an actual cooking surface. While any grill can reach high enough temperatures to be considered “flat”, this type of grill typically refers to the electric grills that plug into a wall outlet. These types of grills are often seen in restaurants, either as their primary or supplemental cooking surfaces. 

Cleaning a flat top grill is not difficult and can often be done with the same tool you use to clean any other type of grill: a wire brush.  

These grills are also easy to clean with some warm water and soap. Some flat top grill manufacturers even make disposable grill mats that prevent food from touching the cooking surface, making cleaning even easier.  

Here are some tips to get your flat top grill clean and ready for the next time you need it. 

Step 1 

First, unplug the unit or turn it off at outlet. Let it cool completely before beginning any cleaning process.  

Remember that the heating surface is hot enough to cause serious injury if touched with bare hands while still warm (be careful!) 

Step 2  

Use a wire brush to clean any stuck-on food or debris from the cooking surface. You can also use this tool to scrape down the sides of the grill where grease tends to build up over time. 

The most effective way to clean the cooking surface is with a scraper. These can be purchased at any store that sells grill utensils.  

One popular type of scraper has sharp blades on one side, and flat metal blades on the other, so they can scrape both sides of the stove top grill without flipping it over. 

These cost around $6. Another scraper has a handle on one side and the head is attached to the other end with a removable flat blade which can be replaced by flipping it over. These cost around $10. 

If you do not want to buy either of these, an old metal spoon or spatula can work just as well if it is shaped into a square or triangle. Heat up the unit as you would for cooking and scrape any food particles from grill surface with the scraper while it is warm. 

Step 3 

Wash the cooking surface down with some soap and water, making sure all the debris is removed. 

If your stove top grill has removable plates, remove one of these and soak it in hot soapy water. Scrub with a sponge to remove stuck on bits of food. 

If any bits are still stuck on, spray with oven cleaner or other grill cleaner then let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub again.  

Step 4 

Rinse the cooking surface clean with the water hose, removing any soap from the grill. 

Step 5 

Dry your flat top grill completely before plugging it back in or storing it away. To dry a flat top grill, wipe every part of the surface down with a towel and let it air dry for at least 15 to 20 minutes before putting it away.  

Pro Tips 

  • Another way to clean the unit is by using a pressurized garden hose. While the stove top is warm, spray one side of it with water and let the water run down the unit. Repeat on the other side then turn over and do this for both sides again, until all surfaces are clean, including the bottom (the part that does not heat). 
  •  If you do not have a pressuring hose available, you can also use a wet towel to wipe the plates clean. 
  •  You can also vacuum the stove top grill with a small hose attached to your vacuum cleaner, and then wipe it down with a wet towel. Be sure that all the gunk is out from between the grates; this is where most of the bacteria accumulates. 
  •  If you do not want to take apart the stove top grill to clean its parts, you can always just wipe down the surfaces with a wet towel after every use. 
  •  Never use steel wool pads or any abrasive cleansers on your stove top. These will scratch up the surface and damage it. If there is a deep scratch in it from something made of metal, this might be an enjoyable time to get a replacement unit. 
  • The flat top grill is supposed to be resistant to acids and bases, but it can still be damaged by overly abrasive cleaners. 

How often should you clean a flat top grill?

Many people love a good diner or BBQ restaurant with a grill top, but they often wonder “How often should you clean the grill at home?”. The answer depends on several factors: 

Commercial grade flat top grill 

If you have a commercial grade flat top grill for your home, it is recommended that you clean it as frequently as once every two days.  

  • To clean a commercial flat top grill, you will need to remove the plates from the grill and either wash them in a dishwasher or hand wash them thoroughly.  
  • Make sure to have a few soaps available for washing as well as a scrub brush, rinse thoroughly with hot water and allow you to dry completely before replacing your grill. 

Home flat top grill 

If you have a home flat top grill, it is recommended that you clean them as frequently as once a week.  

  • To thoroughly clean a home grade flat top grill, remove the cooking plates from the grill and thoroughly wash with soap and hot water.  
  • Allow to dry completely before replacing back onto your home flat top grill. 

Outdoor gas grill 

If you have an outdoor gas grill for use in your backyard, you should clean it once a month. Outdoor gas grills are inherently difficult to clean because of the open flame which can damage the grill plates over time.  

  • To thoroughly clean your outdoor gas grill, sweep any dust and dirt from the exterior with a soft brush and use a wet sponge on the exterior of the grill as well as on the cooking plates.  
  • Make sure to scrub the grill plates with a wire brush and be sure to scrape away any food particles that might have fallen between the plates before you begin cooking again.  
  • Wipe down your gas grill from top to bottom, making sure it is clean when you are through. 

Outdoor charcoal grill 

If you have an outdoor charcoal grill for use in your backyard, you should clean it once each spring. Outdoor charcoal grills are inherently difficult to clean because of the open flame which can damage the grill plates over time.  

  • To thoroughly clean your outdoor charcoal grill, sweep any dust and dirt from the exterior with a soft brush and use a wet sponge on the exterior of the grill as well as on the cooking plates.  
  • Make sure to scrub the grill plates with a wire brush and be sure to scrape away any food particles that might have fallen between the plates before you begin cooking again.  
  • Wipe down your outdoor charcoal grill from top to bottom, making sure it is clean when you are through. 

FAQs about Cleaning A Flat Top Grill

There are numerous methods for cleaning your grill, but the majority involve chemical-based cleaning products. Cleaning your grill without using chemicals is possible. 

The first method utilizes a straightforward combination of water and steam. Utilize a grill brush to remove any remnants of recently cooked food. 

Add some water and continue maneuvering the brush along the surface, working it into it. It is worth noting that when this water meets the grill’s heat, it will condense into steam, so exercise caution. 

Another viable option is to use an onion. While the grill is still hot, you must scrub the surface with an onion. 

Alternatively, you could use carbonation in combination with soda water. Both products’ properties will help to soften any hard food that has clung to the surface of your grill. After pouring the solution onto your grill, thoroughly clean it. 

The short answer is no, not if they are in good condition and are not chipped or beyond repair. 

There are several ways to prevent food from sticking. The simplest is to oil the grates before heating them up, using a paper towel with veggie oil or solid cooking spray. You can also use an approved cleaner/degreaser for your stove top grill which will keep food from sticking to the grates 

If you are cooking something that is likely to turn into a sticky mess, spray the top of it with cooking spray or veggie oil before putting it onto your grill. This will prevent stuck-on food from burning onto the surface of the stove top grill. 

Do not use cooking sprays on stovetop grill- they produce toxic fumes when heated. 

To restore your flat top grill, you will need a few simple tools: oil, a scraper, a grill stone if you have one (if not, steel wool or wet-or-dry sandpaper will suffice), a scraper, and some paper towel. 

To begin, turn on your grill and allow it to heat up. This will facilitate the removal of any food debris. After approximately 20 minutes, could you turn off the grill to allow it to cool? Scrape the surface with your scraper. This enables you to zero in on the rust. 

Then, pour some oil onto the grill and rub it in with your grill stone. You will notice that your grill appears excessively oily, and you will need to clean it with some paper towels. 

You can use water and bar soap to wash the dried-on cooking residue off the griddle. Make sure that all the cooking residue is gone, because if it dries on there, it will make your grill rust out much faster than normal. If you want to get your grill extra clean, you can use oven cleaner (spray-on kind). 

Wash this off with hot water and lots of dishwashing soap. If you want to be extra thorough, it is a clever idea to wipe the griddle down with a wet rag after washing it off with dish soap. This is to remove any residue of the oven cleaner. If you do not do this, all kinds of weird colors can form on your new grill! 

Conclusion

The flat top grill is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for cooking anything from eggs to steaks. It is important to keep the grates of your flat top clean to cook food properly and avoid cross-contamination between dishes. 

There are many ways to clean a flat top grill. We will go over the best way but be sure to check out your manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning instructions as well. 

We hope that you found the above article to be informative and helpful in keeping your grill clean. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out! 

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