Sometimes you just want to go inside and watch TV. I get it. Here’s the cheater method: soak a paper towel in vegetable oil, grab it with tongs, and just wipe down the warm grates. The oil picks up the debris and protects the metal from rust. It takes 20 seconds.
Is it a deep clean? No. But it’s something. Something is always better than nothing. Do that, and your grill won’t hate you next time. Do absolutely nothing, and you’ll be scraping for an hour next weekend. Your call.
A Final Word on Porcelain Grates
These are the white or enameled ones. They look pretty. They chip easily. Do not scrape them with metal tools. You will crack the coating. Then it flakes into your food. Use only nylon brushes or the foil ball. Be gentle. These grates are delicate little flowers that happen to be covered in burnt hamburger juice.
And for the love of all that is holy, don’t spray them with oven cleaner. That stuff is toxic. You eat off this surface. Stick to heat, water, and elbow grease.
