Burner grates may become discolored with normal use. Some cooking methods or cookware result in heavier staining. A white or gray residue may be left on burner grates if using pots and pans made of metals other than anodized aluminum, stainless steel, or cast iron.
The white can be residue or minerals left behind after hard water evaporated by drying on the stovetop. Burned away seasoning more often happens in clear rings like OP, but it can depend on how the spots get bare when overheating. Dry pan equals ring, oil but uneven dry bits can look speckled.
Reseason cast-iron stove grates regularly by applying a thin coat of neutral cooking oil to clean grates and curing them for 30 to 60 minutes in a 350°F to 400°F oven. For more information, consult our guide for expert-approved tips and detailed instructions for seasoning cast iron.
Place the grates in your cleaning vessel and mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes but no longer than one hour. You'll know they're ready to come out once the rust flakes off.
Cleaning your grill grates will help reduce rust buildup and ensure tasty food when you grill. You want to scrape your grates after each use, but you should also do a deep cleanse at least once a year.
No! With that said, you don't want to cook on any surface or use any utensils that are currently rusty. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ingesting rust is not safe. In fact, the USDA warns against cooking with rusty utensils and discarding all food stored in rusted cans.
A white or gray residue may be left on burner grates if using pots and pans made of metals other than anodized aluminum, stainless steel, or cast iron. Acidic food spills, such as tomato sauce, can leave permanent stains.
After the grids have cooled, they are seasoned and ready to use. Re-seasoning cast iron cooking grids: It's always best to clean and re-season your grids after you have finished grilling your meal.
How do I clean cast iron stove grates? If your cast iron grates are seasoned, place them in the sink and soak in soapy water for 20 minutes. After they are done soaking, wipe the grates clean and thoroughly dry before placing them back on your stove.
Bake. Place the cookware in the oven upside down on the top rack and place aluminum foil on the bottom rack to catch any excess oil that may drip off the cookware. Bake at 450-500 degrees F for one hour. Allow to cool and repeat as necessary to achieve the classic black patina.
Common cooking oils like olive oil will gradually produce seasoning, but won't be as effective as grapeseed oil. Canola, other vegetable oils, and shortening are a little better.
Spray a solution of half water and half white vinegar onto the cast iron grates and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, wipe the grates with a damp sponge or cloth. Apply a baking soda paste to the grates and let it sit for 15–30 minutes. Scrub the grates with a damp sponge, and rinse the baking soda off.
You can't over-season cast iron so season as often as you'd like, but don't go crazy thinking you need to season your cast iron every Sunday. Clean and maintain your cast iron properly and your cast iron will continue to look and perform fantastic.
Maintaining and Seasoning Your Cast Iron Grates and Griddle
Seasoning is just oil baked onto cast iron through a process called polymerization. It gives your grates and griddle that classic black patina. Seasoning forms a natural, easy-release cooking surface and helps prevent rust.
Place the cookware in the oven upside down. Place a large baking sheet or aluminum foil on the bottom rack. Bake at 450-500 degrees F for one hour. Allow to cool.
Enameled cast iron pots can sometimes develop white spots, which are often caused by cooking with starchy ingredients, like beans, or mineral deposits from water.
Wash in soapy water
Fill the sink with hot water until they cover the grates, and add some dish soap into the water. Allow the cast iron grates to soak in the soapy solution for around 10-15 minutes. This will allow the soap to get to work in lifting and cutting through the grease or stuck-on food on the grates.
After washing, make sure to dry the grates off entirely with a towel. Using a paper towel or brush, brush the grill grates with cooking oil. We recommend vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, or bacon fat. After the grates are coated, you can place them in a 400-degree oven for an hour or on a 400-degree grill for 40 minutes.
Applying vinegar to rust dissolves the oxide and leaves behind a water-soluble salt that you can remove easily. It is called neutralisation, and this reaction happens between rust and acetic acid, which is why cleaning vinegar helps remove iron oxides from household surfaces and objects.
What do you soak grill grates in to clean them? If you want to go all-natural, mix two cups vinegar to one cup baking soda in a garbage bag, seal the grates in the bag and let them sit overnight. Scrub any remaining grease or food off the next day and rinse with water.