Hey y'all! As promised after last week's post on How to Refinish Your Grill, I'm back today with 2 methods you can use to get those grates looking new again! One is a greener method for those of you who don't mind a bit more elbow grease 🙂

Method #1: Ammonia

With this method, all you need is ammonia, a heavy duty large trash bag, and a scrub brush.

1. 1. Remove grates and carefully place them in the trash bag, taking care not to puncture holes in the bag (you need fumes to be trapped in the bag for this method to work). I placed my bag on the ground and then inserted the grates. I did this in an area where I wasn't be concerned with the ammonia leaking if the bag was punctured.
   2. Pour in 1-2 cups of ammonia and quickly tie a knot to seal the trash bag (use a twist tie or rubber band if needed to get it tightly closed). You don't need enough ammonia to cover the grates--just enough to produce fumes, which will loosen all the gunk off your grill.
   3. Leave grates in bag overnight for best results.
   4. The next day, remove grates (you may want a mask; the fumes are awful!) and scrub the loosened gunk off with a scrub brush. It should come off very easily!
   5. Rinse your grates thoroughly.
   6. Once dry, coat with oil or lard to season. For best results, fire up the grill to heat the freshly oiled grates and create a nice, clean seasoned surface. This helps prevent rust in the future.

   That's it for method 1! If your grates have really been neglected, this method will probably give you the best results. However, if you prefer to limit the chemicals you use, check out this green method:

   Method #2: Vinegar & Salt

   
   
   
   In addition to white distilled vinegar (cleaning strength 9% acidity) and kosher salt, you'll need a ball of foil and a heavy duty large trash bag (or plastic tub/bin).

   1. Fill your trash bag (or plastic bin if you have one large enough) with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water--just enough to coat the grates. Let them soak for a minimum of 4 hours and no longer than 8 hours (too long can actually start wearing away at the cast iron of the grates).
   2. After soaking, remove the grates. Cover the grates in kosher salt.
   3. Ball up some foil and use this to scrub the grates. You may need to apply additional salt. You can also try to create a little crater in your foil ball and fill that with a salt + a bit of vinegar to form a paste, then scrub.
   4. Once all debris and rust is scrubbed away, rinse grates thoroughly and dry.
   5. Coat with oil or lard to season. For best results, fire up the grill to heat the freshly oiled grates and create a nice, clean seasoned surface. This helps prevent rust in the future.

   And that's it! Once you have your grates cleaned and seasoned, be sure to maintain your hard work by:

   • covering your grill when not in use
   • using an onion half, rubbed over the grates before grilling, to make them non-stick
   • using a wire brush to remove debris after use
   • re-seasoning grates annually (or as needed) to preserve them for years of BBQs to come!

   P.S. You may also like these posts!

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