| Author | Content |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
August 28, 2006
09:56 AM Post #2667544
| I've tried scrubbing them with cleanser and steel wool and they just never seem to get clean.
Last night I decided to put one in a gallon size ziplock bag with pure amonia, ( I keep amonia in a spray bottle ), so I just sprayed into the bag so the grate was covered, zipped it up and let set overnight.
This morning I just used one of those heavy duty green scrubber pads, and with very little elbow grease, all the burned on stuff came right off. I now have another one soaking in the bag to clean this evening.
I've heard you can set a dish of amonia in your oven overnight to make cleaning easier, but it never worked that well for me. I guess the bag keeps the moisture in helping to dissolve the burned on grease.
Before picture:
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
August 28, 2006
09:57 AM Post #2667548
| After picture: 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
 August 28, 2006
10:05 AM Post #2667566
| Wow - thanks! I'll definitely try that. I have the gray grates, too
If/when I buy my next stove, I will go back to a no-nonsense stainless steel model with cast iron grates. I'm not looking for a status symbol, I just need a hard-working, easy-to-maintain gas stove that cleans up easily and lets me make huge pots of chili, soup, and/or plunk my 7-quart canning kettle on it without chipping the grates. Grrrrr.
I can't do anything about the chips in the enamel, but the stains drive me nuts and they are next-to-impossible to clean even with a box of SOS pads. I had all but given up on making them look decent again, so I'll try your advice this week. |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
September 01, 2006
07:41 AM Post #2681095
| ginlyn, I've got my third grate soaking in a bag - the same one I've soaked the first two, and will soak the last one in later today. (Yes, I'm too cheap to use four bags and two bottles of ammonia to do them all at once, lolol.)
Other than the powerful ammonia aroma when I open the bag, I am astonished at how well it takes off the stuff I'd spend HOURS trying to scrub off otherwise. My stove thanks you, and I thank you for a great tip!
|
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 01, 2006
10:09 AM Post #2681388
| Terry, I used the same bag for all four grates too. Unless one was in a hurry to get all of them done at once, there's no need to waste bags.
I couldn't get over the fact that most of the grime came off just rubbing your finger over it. The worst of course, needed a little scrubbing, but not much.
I think, that if it doesn't work for anyone, it might be because they didn't let it set long enough, don't you?
Anyway, I'm glad you could use the tip... Ginny
|
elsie
Lafayette, NJ
(Zone 6a)
September 02, 2006
12:32 PM Post #2684854
| Ginlyn, thanks for the tip. I don't like using ammonia but I will try this on my oven grates. I have read to use that for your outdoor grill grates, but I never thought about the stove ones. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
September 02, 2006
12:55 PM Post #2684907
| If you don't like ammonia, I think soaking them in a bag of some other strong cleaner will probably work too--the ammonia is extra strong so it may work a little better, but I bet you'd have good results with at least some other cleaners too. |
magoobu
Phoenix, MD
(Zone 7a)
September 14, 2006
08:24 PM Post #2724006
| Can I do this with the heavy duty grates on this stove??? 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
September 14, 2006
08:29 PM Post #2724020
| wahhhh - that's like my old stove, that I didn't think I'd miss as much as I do ;o)
Seriously, I don't know - those are plain, uncoated cast iron grates, yes? If so, you might try a product made by Dawn called "Power Dissolver" (works great on outdoor grill grates, too.) It works good, but it just didn't have enough "ooomph" to get those blasted enamel grates clean like the ammonia did. But soaking cast iron in straight ammonia? I'd be a little afraid of creating a rust problem. |
somermoone
Tillamook, OR
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
06:57 PM Post #2838635
| Wow! I did this yesterday and it worked WONDERFUL! Now I need tips on how to clean a black stove with out getting streaks?? thanks! K~
oops spell error
This message was edited Oct 22, 2006 12:28 AM |
somermoone
Tillamook, OR
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
03:33 AM Post #2839541
| Well' I pulled the book out for the gas range and what do ya know, there under cleaning was how to clean those silly grates. If I would have read the book 2 years ago I may have found that out sooner::)) Our front burner won't ignite, it's not clogged, not the igniter must be a wire. The stove top will sparkling clean tomorrow. Took the trays out, put them in with amonia too. Took the top off washed it with soap and water and took a diaper rag and shined it right up, looks great so far. Thanks for getting me started on this much needed cleaning job. Now all I have to do is turn on the self-cleaning oven and whew la, fin'eshd. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA
(Zone 4b)
October 22, 2006
06:53 PM Post #2840925
| The amonia trick I read about in a book written by The Queen of Clean.
And when I bought my gas range for the downstairs kitchen at the Lake I chose the racks that are porcelain coated because the sales person told me it is ok for them to stay in the oven during the self clean cycle. So far it has worked fine. The regular stainless steel racks turn blue if you leave them in during self clean.
The grates over the burners are cast iron ~ but they are in 3 pieces and perfectly fit in my dishwasher.
Hope this helps
arlene |
somermoone
Tillamook, OR
(Zone 8b)
October 24, 2006
02:20 AM Post #2845005
| All my pieces are porcelain, looks so great, thanks guys!
PLEASE help me declutter!!!! Anyone around my area for rent???? K~ |
catka
Saskatoon
Canada
October 26, 2006
02:10 PM Post #2852825
| Can you clean oven grates with the ammonia in a bag system or will it discolor the grates? |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
October 26, 2006
09:45 PM Post #2854129
| catka, are you talking about your oven racks?
I haven't cleaned anything with the amonia except my burner grates.
My oven racks are stainless steel and really need a good cleaning so I suppose I'll need to use a garbage bag for them.
Hopefully they won't discolor, but if they do at least I know they'll be clean.
|
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK
(Zone 7a)
October 26, 2006
09:55 PM Post #2854157
| Hello folks,
Funny I should find this thread, I just spent about half an hour
looking at a variety of stove burner covers. Round, square, rectangle,
ceramic, metal, porcelain and more.
Not to cover up dirty grates as much as they make your stovetop look
nice.
http://www.jmcutlery.com/BurnerCovers.htm
No, I don't work for them, know them or have any idea who they are. :-)
But a very nice selection worth checking out. They sell on Ebay, too. |
clutterjunky
Arlington, MA
November 16, 2006
03:02 AM Post #2918301
| Ok, I have a really dumb question...?
My stove top grates are not grey in color like the one in the photo but are black.
Is it ok to use on mine as well.
Not only are mine a different color but it also looks like a different kind of iron (or whatever they are made of).
As you can see, I am totally new to this and domestic goddess...I am not...LOL!
I am assuming since I will be using the amonia, when I take it out of the bag, I need to rinse the grates really well?
Just use clear lukewarm water to rinse?
A wonderful tip that I can't wait to try! I get sooo discouraged cleaning the stove in general but this tip sounds great! I am going to try it soon!
This message was edited Nov 16, 2006 3:09 AM |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
November 16, 2006
04:20 PM Post #2919888
| clutterjunky,
Since I've only cleaned mine, which are enamel coated, I wouldn't know how well the amonia would work on another finish. You might try a little spot first.
And yes, I just rinsed them off under running water using one of those green scrubber things in case there was a stubborn spot, but all the grime came off.
Good Luck... |
lizh
N.C. Mts., NC
(Zone 6b)
November 16, 2006
06:44 PM Post #2920260
| Ginlyn I cleaned mine too. Put one in the freezer bag with enough amonia to cover the grate. Put them on the back porch and let them sit overnight. I did one each night for 4 nights.
I didn't know there was so much crud on them. BTW, I used the same 1/2 gallon of amonia for all of them. I guess if you have a big bag, you could clean them all at one time. |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
November 16, 2006
07:04 PM Post #2920321
| Liz, did you really use a half gal of amonia ? I just put some into an empty windex spray bottle and sprayed into the freezer bag after putting the grate in. There probably was a quarter of an inch laying in the bag. Each time I put another grate in I sprayed some more.
I bet I didn't use a cup total. I made sure the top part of the grate was laying in the liquid.
I think the fumes did a lot of the work too. |
purplepetunia
Savannah, GA
(Zone 8b)
November 16, 2006
07:30 PM Post #2920407
| would this work on stainless steel grill grates? |
lizh
N.C. Mts., NC
(Zone 6b)
November 16, 2006
07:42 PM Post #2920446
| Ginlyn, I thought it had to cover them, so that is what I did. Anyway they are clean. next time I will try your way. |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
November 17, 2006
07:54 PM Post #2923405
| clutterjunky, if yours are cast-iron (like an old-fashioned cast-iron skillet), I'm not sure I'd try this technique on them...that's what I had on my last range, and (confession time) I don't think I ever cleaned them...at least not with anything harsh. Ran 'em through the dishwasher occasionally if something had boiled over and made a big mess, but they never showed the burn marks or crusted-on junk like these enameled ones do. |
clutterjunky
Arlington, MA
November 17, 2006
08:06 PM Post #2923444
| Thanks to those who answered my questions directly. I will need to have my husband look at what the grates are made of. They definitely look different from the photos posted. It must be iron of some sort???
See what my husband says. I'll keep everyone posted and if I try something besides amonia, I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks again! |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA
(Zone 4b)
November 17, 2006
09:22 PM Post #2923647
| The book on my new range says my cast iron grate can be put right in the self clean oven. I do it every time I self clean.
They also are designed to fit in my dishwasher. They go in there . . . every big cooking job. Seems to me dish washing soap is harsher than amonia.
IMHO |
dutchmom
Phoenix, AZ
(Zone 10b)
January 31, 2007
03:15 PM Post #3142683
| I just finished cleaning my first grate using the amonia method. I could not believe how easy it was to get it almost totally clean. I used a kitchen sponge with a "scrubbie" on the back. I have NEVER been able to get my grates really clean before and had largely given up. My grates won't fit in a gallon-size zip-lock bag, but fit nicely in an oven bag with a twist tie (the kind you can roast meat in). I left the grate in the bag with a little bit of amonia overnight (I don't have amonia in a spray bottle so I just poured some in). |
purplepetunia
Savannah, GA
(Zone 8b)
February 06, 2007
02:44 PM Post #3163769
| After spraying my s.s. grill grates with "Dawn Power Dissolver", I left them in the sink to soak and thought I would catch up on DG. Wow, it is amazing that I went right to these post. I already called my dh and told him to stop at the store on his way home and get more Dawn. If mine don't come clean, I will use the amonia.
What great tips.
Will let you know if the dawn works. |
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK
(Zone 7a)
February 06, 2007
07:53 PM Post #3164749
| Hello everyone,
You've done it to me. You convinced me to buy ammonia today. I have
a spray bottle all ready and will try this later on this evening.
On a side note, several of us in the chat room were discussing use of
ammonia, when someone mentioned their father had a terrible run-in with
bleach mixed with ammonia. Apparently it makes a toxic gas and is NOT
a good pairing.
I realize many may already know this, and some would never mix the
two, but if it reaches one person, well, you get the idea.
Ammonia + Bleach = BAD
Karen Marie
|
Equilibrium
February 06, 2007
08:02 PM Post #3164779
| I'm sold too!
Hey WUVIE! I'm eating the cookies you passed out. They're all ending up in my rear. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA
(Zone 4b)
February 07, 2007
09:37 AM Post #3166103
| good reminder, Wuvie |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
February 07, 2007
06:05 PM Post #3167490
| This method works, no doubt about it. But after witnessing other people having the same serious problems with porcelain-coated grates, I think I'm ready to throw in the towel and get a new range for two reasons:
a) we're re-doing cabinetry and countertops around the range, so it's the right time to switch to a slide-in model with a continuous grate system. (Lack of counterspace is a huge issue in my kitchen, and more models are featuring continuous grates, which will be a nice way to have full use of the cooktop surface area); and
b) my grates are disentegrating so badly I will have to buy a new range before we sell (still a few years down the road most likely) and I might as well get some good out of this investment instead of making-do until I buy a new one just in time to please a would-be-buyer.
But lemme tell ya, one of the first things I look at on every model is the grates. Anything other than cast iron, I move on - it doesn't matter how pretty it is, how many other bells and whistles it has that I want - if it doesn't have cast iron grates, it gets scratched off my short list.
I'm really surprised this issue has apparently not surfaced with Consumer Reports. I bought back into their month-by-month subscription so I could check out their recommendations for this and a new washer/dryer (when it rains, it pours.) Bottom line with Consumer Reports - no to the KitchenAid I was eyeing, as they seem to have higher-than-average repairs; I'm now leaning towards a Frigidaire with a convection oven. |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA
(Zone 4b)
February 07, 2007
09:43 PM Post #3168110
| You are right; I love the cast iron on my new range. |
jeannebee
Mobile, AL
February 12, 2007
09:44 AM Post #3180966
| I'm trying to clean my stove for resale. Everything looks great
except for the stainless grill where the oven vents. This is a slide-in
range where the oven vents from a small grate behind the burners.
The grill is attached to the porcelain stovetop.
The center of the grill is blackened. I've been rubbing on WD-40 for
days. It softens up the burned bits and the sides have cleaned up
nicely. But the center is still a blackened eyesore.
Do you think it would work to put an ammonia-soaked rag over it, then cover that with a garbage bag? |
purplepetunia
Savannah, GA
(Zone 8b)
February 17, 2007
01:41 PM Post #3198993
| Have you tried the Dawn Power disolver? IT is very strong and worked well on my grill grates.
I have to admit the ammonia is much less expensive and probably about as effective. Do you have a pilot light? It wouldn't be safe to use if there is a flame nearby. |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
February 17, 2007
10:25 PM Post #3200566
| I've used the Dawn Power Dissolver and I like it for our outdoor gas grill grates (which are also porcelain), but I didn't find it to be very effective on the range grates. My stove is pilotless (I think that's the right word anyway - the burners have an elecronic ignition) |
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
March 04, 2007
11:13 AM Post #3247003
| I think all i have is "sudsy amonia" will that do the trick too?
and funny - as i was cleaning my stove top just yesterday, i was thinking -- how the heck do i get these clean??
and now i just stumbled into this forum. very cool.
terese |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
March 04, 2007
02:08 PM Post #3247487
| Terese, I think the sudsy amonia would work just as well. I haven't cleaned mine since August, and need to do it again soon.
I guess the only way to have a clean stove all the time is to never cook. Ginny |
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
March 04, 2007
03:53 PM Post #3247735
| Ginny -- i say that everytime i have to clean the stove... i mean, no one else ever cleans it.
|
Blues_Cookin
Saint Paul, MN
April 30, 2007
07:31 PM Post #3449506
| TO CLEAN CAST IRON GRATES
Thanks for all the great notes above...I have cast iron grates on my stove top, and after reading the thread here, did a little more research. I found buried on the Viking site a description of how they recommend cleaning the grates. I followed it today, and it worked amazingly well. Here's what I did:
1. Get yourself one can of Easy-Off oven cleaner, rubber gloves, and a bucket large enough to hold the grates. The instructions on the site call for newspaper to set the grates on, but I opted for the bucket.
2. Get outside...the fumes from the Easy-Off are mildy toxic and very irritating, so you dont want to breath them
3. Put on the gloves, then spray each grate, one at a time with the Easy-Off. When they are well coated, set them in the bucket (or on the news paper...make sure you are on cement, not black-top if you chose not to use a bucket or other container)
4. Let them site for a couple hours
5. Now for the fun part! Bring the grates inside (the fumes are gone) and rinse in a large sink or laundry tub. Once the initial rinse is done, lightly scrub each grate with a long bristle brush or the blue or white scotch -bite pad.
6. Dry
7. Look at your grates in amazement at how clean and new they look! If there are a few burn spots remaining, repeat the soak and rinse steps.
8. Now, you can put them back on the stove and be done, or, if you are really a clean freak, carry on to step 9
9. Place grates in oven at 200 degrees for 30 min
10. remove grates from oven one at a time, and lightly coat with mineral oil
11. Let cool, and use a clean dry cloth to remove any excess oil. You have now successfully re-seasoned your grates! Put the grates back on the stove
12. partake in an adult beverage or other indulgance of your choice and gaze proudly at your sparkling range!
Hope this helps,
Blues_Cookin
|
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK
(Zone 7a)
May 29, 2007
10:32 AM Post #3548544
| Very cool, thanks!
|
Equilibrium
May 29, 2007
11:49 AM Post #3548757
| Sounds as if Blues_Cookin's grate cleaning method is a keeper too! |
stellapathic
Cambria, CA
(Zone 10a)
June 22, 2007
12:15 AM Post #3644029
| Blues_Cookin's method is what I've always done. Works wonders on oven racks or just plain pots and pans that have crusty stuff or stains on them too. |
pamelanipper
Columbus, GA
June 29, 2007
01:40 PM Post #3675458
| I am so excited to find this tip. I have had a nightmare of a time trying to clean my stove grates since I bought my new stove. I thought the gray grates looked very nice with my kitchen decor :) but the time with a brillo pad my husband, son and I have spent with the grates to not really get them clean is too long to determine. I soaked each one and the top of the burner and the thingy around the edge overnight in the ammonia and practically everything went down the drain when I used the sprayer to rinse them! Just a little rub with a green scrubber and my stove looks new again. I wish I had found this 2 years ago when it was posted |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
June 29, 2007
03:37 PM Post #3675894
| pamelanipper, I'm glad you found this tip useful. Ginny |
JameBonds
Renton, WA
May 03, 2008
01:19 PM Post #4901296
| Thank you Ginlyn for the tip on cleaning stove grates with ammonia. I'm trying to put my house on the market and the gas stove really needed cleaning. One thing I learned though - I will never buy a Sears product ever again. I own a Sears refrigerator, Sears dishwasher, & Sears stove and I found out that the grates cost $50.00 apiece to replace. Also, the round burner caps (where the flames come out off) cost about the same. One of my caps cracked and according to Lowe's and Home Depot, Sears/Kenmore brands are highly proprietary and not a whole lot of other companies carry their parts. |
stovetop
Bunkie, LA
May 12, 2008
12:37 AM Post #4939415
| I have the gray porcelian grates on my stove, they had caked on, baked on, greese. I've tried scrubbing with sos pads, soaking over night in a sink of hot soapy water, my husband even tried presser washing them. Nothing worked. I came to this site and asked what is the easiest way to get them clean and there was only one person at the time that said to put them in the oven & press the cleaning button. I thought, thats too easy, it would never work. So after about a month still thinking about it and still not doing anything about it I finally decided to try it out. I could not believe how amazing they look. My stove looks brand new again. Thank you soooo much. I just had to let as many people know,if they have a busy life like I do, to stop scrubbing and just press the cleaning button. |
detheo
Macomb, MI
(Zone 5b)
May 12, 2008
09:05 AM Post #4940117
| I am sooooo trying this out this week sometime!!
I even thought about buying new ones but I think they were like $150.00
and I truly don't remember if that was just for one or not and I have two...
I've tried everything to...I "did" have little rubber things on the bottoms of them
and I did put them in the oven to "clean" them as well...and helloooooo
no rubber thingy's left!?!? Duh. And the oven didn't clean them like I thought they would either. Probobly baked the crud on more...ughhh...
So I'm crossing my fingers for this one ;o)
|
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
May 13, 2008
07:27 PM Post #4947180
| In my "shiny" kitchen I finally found that vinegar in a spray bottle would clean everything including oily/greasy stuff.
My old oven I always cleaned by putting a (dirty) broiler pan filled with a couple of cups of ammonia in it overnight or until I remembered it was there. It was an easy wipe - out after that.
|
Light_for_Jesus
(Zone 6b)
June 11, 2008
10:56 AM Post #5087336
| I bought some old skillets that are supposed to be100 years old from ebay. I have been trying to clean those. Wonder if ammonia would work on them? They said they are tin. I bought a wire brush that hooks on to a drill was trying to use. It works ok, but it takes so long.
Imagine 100 years of grime. :)
I bought them because I was reading that many of our new metals we cook with can leach heavy metals that could be poisonous. So I was really planning to use these skillets for cooking. Also, tin nourishes the adrenal glands. Since I was diagnosed with lupus, I know my adrenals are weak and need all the help they can get.
Karen |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
June 12, 2008
08:02 PM Post #5095068
| Fire up the gas grill to 500+ and burn the stuff off. Don't forget to re-oil after cleaning... |
Jeannie63
Mequon, WI
(Zone 4b)
June 27, 2008
11:14 AM Post #5167994
| OMG This works like MAGIC!!
Thanks so much for the tip :) |
suemckee
Iuka, MS
(Zone 7a)
July 28, 2008
01:44 PM Post #5332965
| Light-for-Jesus,You can get a can of Draino and put it in a 5 gallon bucket of water and put your cast iron in it and it will come out soooo clean.Then just wash and re season it. |
lavender4ever
(Louise) Leesburg, FL
(Zone 9b)
August 02, 2008
10:42 PM Post #5360794
| I am with the posters above. I put mine in my self cleaning oven and it all turns to ash and they look brand new. I have also done that with my enamel pans to renew them. |
mrskitty
Lucedale, MS
August 03, 2008
01:17 PM Post #5362901
| In response to the questions about a way to eliminate streaks on your stovetop. I had the same problem and have discovered that good ole windex will do the trick everytime. But...do not get the potpurri blend. It has the opposite effect. Happy Cleaning. |
Heidillyho
Stanwood, IA
August 12, 2008
10:06 PM Post #5406485
| Gotta'love ammonia. When my husband was in the service and we lived in base housing that is exactly how we were instructed to clean the stove racks and grates. They told us to put it all in a black garbage sack, add some ammonia and set the whole thing out in the sun for several hours. We left the stuff for about eight hours in the hot California sun and the stuff literally wiped clean with a rag. Stunk like crazy though! |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
August 13, 2008
03:57 AM Post #5407333
| Ammonia fumes are great for cleaning, aren't they. I "gotta'love" a chemical that does all of the work for me, too. Seem to burn the airways if you breathe those fumes tho'. |
MargaretK
PERTH
Australia
December 18, 2008
12:28 AM Post #5903691
| I tried the ammonia method yesterday. Armed with ammonia, a spray bottle, a large plastic bag, an elastic band and a fair bit of scepticism, I took one of my really grotty stovetop grates, did as suggested and left it outside, in the the bag for 12 hours. When I took it out and started to clean it in the laundry trough, I was amazed. It really does work. I've got the other one out for the same treatment today. Brilliant. I'm so glad I discovered this thread.
|
Light_for_Jesus
(Zone 6b)
December 18, 2008
02:10 AM Post #5903887
| Vinegar is good on bathtub ring too.
Glad somebody bumped this thread up, I had forgotten where it was.
|
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
December 18, 2008
07:38 AM Post #5904076
| Yes, thanks for reviving this thread. I want to say, I am scared of ammonia as I knew a woman that damaged her lungs using it. A couple of things I have found over the years.
Oven cleaner (used outdoors), even a cheap oven cleaner will work much better with using a garbage bag or even just covering it with a plastic wrap. As long as the cleaner stays moist, it will keep working. When it dries out, it quits. I do use oven cleaner on newly acquired old and nasty cast iron cookware slipping it into a garbage sack. It can sit for a long time like that and works great. I then scrub well and reseason.
I have a gas range and to clean the burner grates and even the burners, I remove two at a time and soak them in a stockpot of hot water with a dose of Dip It. Simmering for a short time and washing will clean them well. The reason I only do two at a time is so I can use a burner to simmer them. It will also do a good job of cleaning the stockpot too. Dip It is a commercial product designed to be run thru a coffee pot to clean it. Now, I wish I could put the whole oven in the stockpot! LOL If I recall, the cleaning instructions that came with my gas stove 20 years ago recommended Dip It. I thing that is how I discovered it. I may need to try a cast iron skillet in it and see how it does. |
MargaretK
PERTH
Australia
December 18, 2008
08:04 AM Post #5904107
| That's good to know. I think we have what sounds like an equivalent to Dip it over here. |
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
December 28, 2008
11:21 AM Post #5935757
| I have to say... after I found this thread last year... i have started using ammonia, vinegar and baking soda for most of my cleaning. I go thru A LOT of baking soda and vinegar, mostly because i add it when doing laundry.
the ammonia i keep in a spray bottle in my kitchen, diluted, and i use it for general cleaning in the kitchen. Amazing stuff.
as for the streaking on the stove... i use those microfiber clothes, and they nicely get rid of the streaks. |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
December 28, 2008
01:53 PM Post #5936160
| tsc, do you ever use the Arm and Hammer washing soda to clean?
When I make coffee I always pour it into a thermal coffee carafe as soon as it's done to keep it fresher.
Eventually the carafe does get a buildup of coffee stains, so I pour a little washing soda into it and add hot water. Put the lid on, give a few shakes and let it set for a few hours. You only have to give it a few swishes to get the residue off. I used to use baking soda for that, but found the washing soda works best for me.
|
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
December 28, 2008
02:07 PM Post #5936208
| washing soda??
do you mean the powder laundry detergent?
or just baking soda?
I get the 12# bags from Sams... I use dht powder to clean, and yes, i do use it to clean my decanter.
the grunge that the soda does not get out, i'll use a Magic Eraser thing. |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
December 28, 2008
02:47 PM Post #5936301
| tsc, this is not the Arm and Hammer laundry detergent, but you do buy it in the laundry soap isle. The box has the same look as the bk soda and detergent but it's called, All natural Super Washing Soda .Detergent Booster and Household Cleaner. It is not sudsy.
You can add it to your laundry to boost cleaning power or as a household cleaner. |
tcs1366
Itasca,IL&Lk Delton, WI
(Zone 5a)
December 28, 2008
02:51 PM Post #5936314
| Oh,... interesting... i'll look for it next time i'm at the store.
i do add a scoop of baking soda to each load of wash ... i wonder if the one you are referring to would be better, more
for whitening.
for deoderizing... i add the 'soda', and use vinegar in the rinse. I never have to use softener now. |
Wvdaisy
Buffalo, WV
(Zone 7a)
March 10, 2009
01:56 PM Post #6247635
| Cleaned my grates in bags with ammonia a couple nights ago. Thanks so much for that tip ginlyn! Same night also poured ammonia on the sealed top getting it on the flame elements and all around. Covered with plastic wrap and let it set overnight got all the grunge off just wiping and didn't have to remove the elements just the grates! The stove was atrocious(sp?), looks like a new stove now :)
Lana
|
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
March 10, 2009
02:05 PM Post #6247682
| I'm glad it worked for you Lana...
The next warm day we have I'm going to do my outdoor grill grates. Just have to use a larger garbage bag .
Ginny |
Wvdaisy
Buffalo, WV
(Zone 7a)
March 10, 2009
10:59 PM Post #6250076
| Hmmm, yeah, I need to do those, too :) Need to get some more ammonia! |
bseward
Kilmarnock, VA
(Zone 7a)
March 22, 2009
05:58 AM Post #6302586
| Wow, what a find this information is. I've been at my wit's end here trying to get these grates clean. I think they are the grates that are coated with something -- possibly porcelain and there are 2 continuous grates on each side of the stovetop. I tried the ammonia trick yesterday afternoon and went to check on them this morning. I was a little bit disconcerted when I found out that the liquid had leaked out. However, it still worked because the grates came out perfectly clean with only a little scrubbing. I have one grate left and need to find some way to keep the liquid in the bag. I used a white kitchen trash bag. Do you think a big black garbage bag would work and not leak? Because there are 2 grates together I can't use a Ziploc bag; they're not big enough. Hope someone has a good suggestion. Thanks.
Betty |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
March 22, 2009
07:13 AM Post #6302652
| I've had good sucess with kitchen size and the big black garbage bags. |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 22, 2009
08:06 AM Post #6302721
| I'd try the black bags ~ they seem sturdier. I think too that part of the success is to keep the grates moist and the plastic will do that even if the liquid leaks out. |
ginlyn
Harford County, MD
(Zone 6b)
March 22, 2009
09:39 AM Post #6302963
| I think also, that brand name bags seem to be thicker than store brands, so may not be as apt to leak.
I've found that true with the kitchen garbage bags at least...
Gin |
time2009
Annandale, VA
May 29, 2009
11:32 AM Post #6613844
| I've tried using the Dawn Power Dissolver and it works magic for me. Try it out too.
I've stumbled on this site that sells it, you can try it too..
http://www.thehardwarecity.com/?sku=4115465 |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
May 29, 2009
07:57 PM Post #6615663
| Do you know what the ingredients are right off? |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
June 01, 2009
01:41 PM Post #6626945
| Does anyone remember the old oven cleaner that come in a plastic jar with a brush that hung around the top of the bottle. That was the best stuff for cleaning the grates and white porcelain surfaces. They seem to have taken it off the market. I love the Dawn Power Dissolver. It works much like the old brush on stuff. I have gotten sprays on the wrong places and damaged formica surfaces even. So be careful with the stuff that works so well. (Wash hands really well - don't let anything stay under your wedding band.) Maybe it's like my son, the almost doctor says, "If the drugs work, there are side effects. If the drugs don't work, there are no side effects."
I'm almost looking forward to getting my stove dirty so I can try the ammonia on the grates. :0) Years ago my aunt told me that she cleaned her oven by putting a pan of ammonia in the bottom of her cool oven and letting the fumes soften the gunk over night. Sometimes the old ways are the good ways. |
fizzbomb
Lenora, KS
June 06, 2009
12:54 AM Post #6648852
| My aunt taught me the ammonia trick 20-odd years ago using a black garbage bag (sealed with tape), but with the extra kick of setting it outside in the sun for an afternoon. The crud should rinse off with the garden hose; if not, put back in the bag & reseal for another afternoon.
Has anyone tried that 3M Stovetop cleaner? I think it's great and use it on a lot more than just my stove top. |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
June 06, 2009
06:46 PM Post #6651306
| My brother in law talked my sister into putting the grills from outside barbeque pit into the dishwasher. It made a huge mess. It got greasy scum all over the inside of the dishwasher, the silverware and the dishes. DONT EVER DO THAT!!!
I told her about the ammonia in the black plastic bag. |
huggergirl
Columbia City, IN
(Zone 5b)
June 10, 2009
07:18 AM Post #6667542
| I run my blk.stovetop grates through the dishwasher on a regular basis,before they get real bad,would never run the bbq grate through,I can only Imagine that mess,also I have used good old no fume easy off oven cleaner,Iam sure the amonia will work very well also,alot of fumes though. |
smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)
July 18, 2009
08:17 AM Post #6833956
| I've never been in this forum before, but can tell it will be one of my favorites! All you out there, be careful with ammonia... It's nasty stuff. I work at a chemical company, trust me. And DON'T EVER mix it with another chemical. |
Bubba_MoCity
Missouri City, TX
July 20, 2009
10:14 AM Post #6841317
| The fumes are deadly - 13 people were killed in Houston when a tanker truck of ammonia overturned in an interstate intersection (US59 @ IH 610) years ago. - also it is heavyer than air.
Killed all the vegatation in that intersection, too.
|
smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)
July 20, 2009
12:31 PM Post #6841937
| yeah, it's really nasty stuff. we had it segregated in a separate room, away from any other chemicals in our building. Luckily, we don't use it anymore in any of our products. I personally would not ever use it for anything, but that's me. Too many horror stories. |
Rumble40
Van Nuys, CA
August 04, 2009
12:34 PM Post #6906222
| Thanks for the advice. Mine is a bit dirty and needs some cleaning. |
jcoakley
Chicago, IL
(Zone 5b)
August 04, 2009
11:33 PM Post #6908861
| Just stumbled on this thread (still going for almost 3 years!) and am excited to try the ammonia trick on my grates. Someone mentioned not being able to keep the ammonia in a garbage bag and that ziplocs were too small for the oven racks . . . Ziploc & Hefty both now make over-sized bags . . . I use them for storing baby clothes & extra bedding. I bet one of those would work great for cleaning all the grates and racks at once with ammonia. |
WigglyPaw
Hastings, MI
(Zone 5b)
October 02, 2009
10:41 AM Post #7126694
| We buy Janitor strength ammonia from the "GFS" stores in the area. I am sure there is a food/restaurant
supply store other than them that might have the same item.
We use it for cleaning the window of the woodstove.
We also mix a tablespoon of ammonia,add a T of alcohol and then water to fill a quart bottle and use that on everything.
That's an old recipe from everywhere.
Hey, thanks for the tip to put my grates into the oven when doing the self cleaning cycle.
Lot easier than ammonia in the bag for me.
Sher |
onaemtnest
Rigby, ID
October 05, 2009
02:44 PM Post #7137834
| I have a GE Profile Gas Range with the procelain coated grates (grey) in less than 3 years of use the grates have crazed with mini cracks which are now chipped leaving raw rusted cast iron showing through. What I've learned...they cannot go in the dishwasher, apparently that is what caused them to craze. Get this, GE says its because of high heat...Hello? They are gas burner grates???? Can't take high heat of a dishwasher but should stand up to gas flames????...GRRRRR!
With GE it's the consumer's fault I'm guessing, rationale thinking not allowed. Purchased at Sears with extended warranty...only thing not covered on range within warranty is the grids. Not acceptable to me for a $2K appliance, store manager agreed superceded on my behalf new grids are now on the way...parts cost $300+ for the three grids Sears is covering the cost. Had a GE gas range for 20 years with porcelain grids no problem...guess they don't make em' like they used to.
Thanks for the ammonia solution the new grids will forever more be cleaned this way by me can't take a chance on that high heat of the dishwasher again. :o) My question is this... does it harm the grids to sit in ammonia or should there be a container of sorts placed in the bag just to hold the chemical? Now I need to find a plastic bag large enough for grids as they are each 20" X10"
We're a retired couple that hoped this was our last range appliance purchase but now I wonder if it's going to be a huge headache...just wanted a range that would last 20 years... |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
October 05, 2009
11:46 PM Post #7139908
| There are bags that are very thick and have strong zippers. they come in very big sizes and are made by ziplock. I bought the first set of them in the camping department of walmart.
However, if you want to keep re-using them, maybe you should lay an old towel in the bottom so the grid won't make a hole in the bag in case it's got a sharp edge on it. I'm looking forward to getting my grids dirty just so I can try this method. |
gavafriend
Los Lunas, NM
October 26, 2009
09:49 PM Post #7212118
| Oh - this is the coolest method. I did not scrub my grates for several weeks just so I could try it. And they were the dirtiest that they had ever been. I bought some huge heavy ziplok bags and put all 4 grates in there. I put a cotton towel in the bottom so they would not make a hole in the bag. Then I poured in about 1/2 cup of amonia and sealed it up. I left it to sit about 24 hours and when I removed them I held my breath. They came clean like magic. I rinsed the bag and towel really good and can't wait to do it again. AMAZING!!! I thought it would require scrubbing. I just came off like it was soap. My stove looks new now.
Thanks for sharing this method. |
rainycity1
Seattle, WA
November 04, 2009
01:52 PM Post #7240977
| Wow, nobody knows the easy way. I was an appliance repairman for over thirty years and found the easiest way to clean grates was to take out the oven racks, lay the grates in the bottom of the oven and set it to self clean for two hours. After they cool simply wash them in soapy water and they look like new. I have been doing that with our grates for years. If your grates are not the heavy cast iron type you might want to try one first to see how it comes out. If you don't have a self cleaning oven (why not???) I guess the ammonia method is your next choice but ammonia makes me gag.
Also if you have a self cleaning oven and accidentally leave your racks in, during the clean cycle, you don't have to replace them because they don't slide in and out easily. Sure you have ruined the chrome finish but by simply soaking a paper towel with cooking oil and rubbing it on the side rails of your racks they will slide better than when new. DO NOT use spray oil. Then you can leave them in to clean again and just re-oil them when finished. |
