How to Clean a Flat Top Grill?
A flat top grill is a wonderful piece of equipment to have. It’s great for cooking up all sorts of dishes, from steaks to pancakes. However, there are some things you should know before using it the first time. For example, do not use any soap on your grill because it will leave grease stains! Here are some tips and tricks for how to clean a flat top grill so you can get started cooking right away!
How to clean a flat top grill? It may seem like an easy task at first glance but cleaning your flat top grill correctly can be quite challenging. Grills need more than just wiping down with soap and water; they require patience and persistence if done correctly or else they’ll become dirty again soon after being cleaned. To help you take the stress out of it, we have put together this guide for cleaning a flat top grill.
Table of Contents
What is the Flat Top Grill?
In an effort to prevent serious injuries and accidents in professional kitchens, there are a number of important food preparation tools that must be present. These include ovens, stoves, cutting boards, knives and a variety of other things. But one thing you might not expect in a kitchen is the flat top grill.
The flat top grill is a device that has been used by professionals for years because it does two things very well: browning and steaming. While many people think these two cooking techniques are similar when it comes to the end result — both aim to add flavor while creating a desirable texture — they’re actually quite different from each other.
A flat top grill is a perfect choice for many professional cooks because of its versatility. It’s often about three feet wide and two to four feet long, with one or more burners underneath. In addition, each burner has an adjustable setting that allows the user to control how hot it gets. This makes them suitable for all kinds of foods, from fish and steak to vegetables and potatoes.
While these grills are very popular among chefs working in restaurants of all kinds, they’re also incredibly useful at home — especially if you want a quick summertime barbecue without spending a small fortune on gas or charcoal equipment. But whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, it’s important to choose the right flat top grill.
Types of Flat Top Grills?
Flat top grills come in a variety of styles and use different sources for heat. Different types of flat top grills usually have specific cooking method, but most can accommodate many different cooking styles. To help you know what type of grill to purchase or use when cooking, here is an overview on the other names given to flat top grills: hot plate, electric griddle, stovetop grill, sandwich maker and panini press.
Hot Plate
As the name suggests, hot plates are usually used for heating food or to act as a base for cooking any type of food in saucepans or frying pans. Food with high moisture content like eggs should not be cooked on a hot plate because it will spit water onto the electrical element which can cause damage to the surface. Some hot plates have flat bottoms that allow them to sit on top of another heat source in order to provide more even heat distribution. Hotplates can become very hot when they are plugged in so use caution when placing anything on top of one during cooking. This is important information when using with children around.
Electric Griddle
Griddles are meant for cooking and also come in electric and gas powered models. They usually have a shallow lip that runs around the edge of the griddle but it very often not high enough to contain spilt liquids or grease. The heat source for this type of flat top grill is located directly under the cooking surface which allows you to get a nice even heat distribution throughout cooking. This makes them good for many different types of foods such as pancakes, eggs, sausages and bacon. Be careful when cleaning these grills because the oils from cooked food can fuse to the surface permanently if they are allowed to sit there too long.
Stovetop Grill
Although these grill plates look like hotplates, they are not. They usually come as a single unit made of aluminum and the cooking surface is curved to wrap around to one side for easy handling by the consumer. These types of grills will sit over two stove plates and the heat source should be low in order to avoid becoming too hot and causing damage to the cooking surface. This flat top grill works well with foods that contain high moisture content like fried eggs, fish fingers or veggie burgers.
Stovetop Griddles
This type of flat top grill sits on top of two stove plates and can be used for frying , browning, grilling, sauteing and many other types of food preparation methods. The surface has an even distribution so it provides consistent heating which is very important when cooking. These types of flat top grills can be used to cook meat, fish and vegetables as well as searing steaks or pan frying potatoes.
Electric Sandwich Maker
Electric sandwich makers are a good choice for a family that does not have time to sit down and eat breakfast together. Although many people have never seen one, they have been popular in Europe for quite some time now. This type of flat top grill heats from both sides at once so the bread gets heated as the ingredients inside also receive heat from direct contact with the hot plates. It is similar to making toast except it cooks much faster so you have a quick morning meal option which is great for those who do not have time before work or school.
Panini Press
A panini press is a similar appliance but it has adjustable heat and can accommodate different thicknesses of sandwiches. The pressing plates are also much deeper than the sandwich maker which allows you to cook thicker slices of bread or use pita bread to make mini pizzas or quesadillas. You can even place your ingredients inside a folded tortilla and create burritos using this type of flat top grill. Electric models do not require oil so they are healthier for you as well as easier to clean up after cooking.
Why Clean a Flat Top Grill Important?
If you’re like many grillers, you might be wondering whether or not your flat top grill needs to be cleaned after each and every use. After all, the taste of grilled meats and vegetables is delicious, and if you can enjoy that taste daily, then why wouldn’t you? Well, there are a few reasons why it’s important to keep your grates clean between uses.
Flavor: The flavor profile of foods cooked on cast iron can’t be beat. Rejuvenating your rusty cast iron grids through seasoning makes them as good as new and works wonders on stainless steel as well. Once you’ve tasted grilled foods cooked on cast iron, you’ll never go back to the old stainless steel again. When grates are new and clean though, cooking can be even more pleasing with a proper seasoning build-up of carbonized oils which lends to better browning and superior flavor development. The right amount of seasoning also helps protect your food from sticking as well as adds to the non-stick qualities that often come with cast iron cooking surfaces.
Food doesn’t bind: Properly seasoned grids (or grates) help prevent foods from binding together during cooking. Foods such as fish filets and boneless chicken breasts will cook beautifully without fear of them tearing apart or breaking up while turning on a less than perfect grate surface. Additionally, properly seasoned cast iron and stainless steel grates both help prevent foods from sticking excessively.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Before attempting to clean any cast iron or stainless steel grated cooking surfaces, please ensure they are completely cooled down first. Hot cooking surfaces can cause severe burns if touched with bare hands so use caution and care when dealing with hot grates after cooking. Cleaning of hot grating surfaces can be done, but extreme care must always be taken to avoid getting burned. How to clean a flat top grill? For the safest possible way to clean your cooking grids on a hot surface, please consult the manufacturer’s instructions first before cleaning your grill grate surface under any situation.
You may like this: 10 Best Electric Griddle Consumer Reports
What are the signs that your grill needs cleaning?
The last thing you want when preparing a meal is to have your grill work less on what you’re cooking. Cleaning the grill from time to time ensures that it’s in great working order and ready to give you delicious results.
Here are some signs:
If you notice excessive smoke coming out of your grill, this means that grease and food particles got past the grates and onto the burners. You’ll need to disassemble your BBQ and clean each part carefully . It’s best if you do this over a drop cloth or plastic sheet so that falling grease doesn’t go all over your deck or patio. Hose down the exterior with water after using degreaser cleaner. Pay special attention to removing grease from all crevices.
If the burners are rusted or you can see grease on them, it’s time for a replacement. They should be checked out once every few years for any damage. While replacing your grill might seem like an expensive option, it will help to save you money in the future since you won’t have to keep buying new ones.
Your grill grates should also be replaced if they’re warped or heavily scratched . These spots can serve as extra receptacles for food particles and grease which could get stuck there while cooking. If this happens, not only will your food taste awful but you’ll also face health risks due to chemicals released by these buildups. For clean grates that make flipping easy, steel wool pads to remove rust are often work the best.
If you discover that your igniters aren’t working, this is also serious. Igniters are crucial to the process of getting your grill started because no one wants to deal with lighter fluid or matches. They should snap and spark just like they’re supposed to every time you turn on your grill.
With all of these signs in mind, it’s clear what must be done if your grill isn’t working its best for you anymore – clean it! Try parts before buying them so that you know which part is causing the problem. If you need any help with this task, find a professional griller online who can assist you. With this information at hand, it shouldn’t take very long before your grill is back in the best condition. Don’t let your grill go too long without being serviced or it will become useless to you!
How to Clean a Flat Top Grill?
The ways to clean a flat top grill are as numerous and varied, with some utilizing copper brushes or dish detergent while others utilize baking soda. Regardless of what you use though it’s important not only wash your equipment but also keep an eye on how often they need maintenance so that you don’t wear down their surface faster than intended by using too abrasive methods such as scrubbing when gentle cleaning would suffice just fine.
– Be sure not leave debris behind after removing grease
– Use soap water mixture if needed before wiping off excess liquid
We have compiled a list some effective ways to clean a flat top grill, so you can extend the life of your asset through proper care.
Vinegar and water mixture
Are you wanting to find out how to clean a flat top grill with vinegar and water? If so, keep reading below.
Steps to clean a flat top grill:
First, gather your supplies. You will need an empty spray bottle, a scrub brush and a large bucket of water. Next, prepare the solution you are going to use by mixing one part vinegar with three parts water in your empty spray bottle. Most people prefer using white distilled vinegar because it is usually less expensive than apple cider vinegar. This mixture can also be used on grills for outdoor cooking so you might want to keep some extra prepared just in case you ever need it! Once your solution is ready, set up an area that will allow you to move around freely without spilling anything. If possible, hang the grates off of something like chains or hooks so they are easily accessible while making it easier to push the mixture off of them. Next, spray down one section at a time with your vinegar and water solution. You may need to avoid allowing the liquid to drip into any burners that are still turned on. With either your scrub brush or damp dishcloth in hand, begin working by removing anything stuck onto the grates. Scrubbing is not required so you can choose whichever method works best for you! Once completed, hang each section back up above the sink or away from anything that could get damaged by dripping cleaner so it can dry out while you work on another section if needed.
This cleaning process should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete; much less time than it take using other methods like oven cleaner! Now, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
See more: Top 10 Best Smokeless Indoor Grill Reviews in 2022
Dish washing liquid and sponge
Clean a Flat Top Grill shows you how to clean your commercial flat top grill with just some dish washing liquid and a sponge! No need for commercial products. Homemade works just as well if not better! Saving money is always good right? Of course there are other ways out there but this method is by far the quickest and simplest one I have found so far.
Simple enough.. take some dish detergent (Dawn) and start scrubbing away at all your burnt on grease and grime.
Don’t forget to rub down the drip pans! Once you are finished, give your grill a quick wipe with the hose and it should be good as new!
All Done! No need for heavy duty cleaners or steel brushes. This method is so simple you will wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner!
BAM! Grill looks brand spankin’ new again. What’s even better is that this same method can be used on any kind of flat top grill– not just at your local restaurant/cafeteria/etc.
Lemon juice and water mixture
There is a lot of misinformation about how to keep your flat top clean and without pesky residue. I’ll get straight to the point about what works for me; lemon juice and water.
It’s cheap, fast, readily available (most people have lemons in their kitchen), and it makes short work of any burned on food or grease that has become caked onto your griddle surface.
How to clean a flat top grill? I use lemon juice because it smells nice, but you can substitute with water if you like; it will do the same job just not smell as nice.
The best part is that this process is not only good at cleaning up after cooking fish, which has a tendency to stick in some places when it cooks, but also helps to season your griddle. The acidic lemon juice helps to break down grease, but it also gives your cooktop a nice sheen that aids in making amazing, crispy pancakes by adding extra non-stick oil to cooking surfaces.
It’s worth mentioning that you should not use this method on other surfaces like flat bottom or electric griddles or ovens – only the cast iron variety!
Steps:
– Pour about 1/8 cup of lemon juice onto your cold griddle surface and spread it around using a dry kitchen scrubber (i.e.: sponge). Make sure it is evenly distributed so as to avoid any wiping unevenly too much. If you find there are still some caked on spots, use more lemon juice until all areas are addressed.
– Add about a 1/8 of water to your lemon juice and scrub with the kitchen sponge. Continue adding small amounts of lemon and working it into the surface until you’ve added about half a cup total (give or take) of both lemon juice and water.
– Wait 15 minutes for the acid in the lemons to work on breaking down any gunk, then begin wiping up with a dry kitchen towel until residue is removed from cooking surface. If you have some stubborn caked on spots, add more lemon juice mixture but only if necessary so as not to create too many acidic fumes where customers could be affected by them near range tops.
– Let cooktop completely air dry before using again! This process is a good alternative to using chemical cleaners which could be hazardous if handled poorly.
– If you find your cooktop is still dirty or greasy, repeat the process again until residue is removed from griddle surface – do not re-season before removing all grease and residue so as to avoid possible contamination of food cooked afterwards.
Soda water and carbonation
Even though soda water is not as acidic as other beverages, like lemon juice for example, it can still be corrosive to the coating of a flat top grill. Soda water has carbonation which makes it acidic and thus harmful to your flat top grill. This is especially true if you are using an aluminum or cast iron griddle.
Stainless steel is less reactive than aluminum and some other metals, but it will still react with soda water if left on for too long. The reaction that occurs between soda water and stainless steel results in rust spots that will need to be scrubbed off before you cook anything else on your flattop grill. If you use soda water sporadically- once every few months, for example- then this might not be a problem for you. But if you use soda water more often, it’s best to keep an eye on your cooking grates and make sure they are getting perfectly clean every time.
The first thing that happens when soda water comes into contact with stainless steel is bubbling of the metal. This bubbling looks like rust spots forming but does not result in any actual staining or discoloration on your flattop grill grates unless you let them sit there for hours or days before cleaning them. If this occurs, scrub the rust off with baking soda and hot soapy water after letting the grilling surface cool completely.
Soapy water and a hard copper brush
A hard copper brush and warm water will break up anything stuck on your flat top without scratching or damaging any of the porcelain coating.
How to clean a flat top grill? I start this process by pouring some dishwashing liquid into my pail of warm water. I prefer to use liquid dish soap because it binds with the oils and proteins on the grill; this will make removing them much easier. Then I take my hard copper brush (I like to use these, they are not too rough on the porcelain) and begin scrubbing.
As you can see there is food residue all over my cooktop, but after scrubbing for just a few minutes with soapy water, everything comes right off!
After scrubbing your flat top grates thoroughly rinse off the excess soap with water and dry thoroughly before storing away for your next cooking session.
When you’re finished washing down the flat top use hot soapy water or clean water to wash down any grease or food that spilled over the edges.
The water will likely be greasy, but use dish soap to break up all of the oils and grease on the counters. Then finish by rinsing with clean water.
If you follow these steps after each cooking session your flat top grill should last for many years!
Onion scrubbing
Items Needed:
– Onions
– Bowl
– Washcloth
Procedure:
– Take some onions and cut them in half so they are easier to handle on the flat top grill.
– Place the onion halves on both sides of the grill and let it soak for about 10 minutes.
– While that’s soaking take your wash cloth and dip it into water then ring out excess water so there is just a little moisture left still on the rag.
– Keep an eye on how much grease, oil, food particles has accumulated on each side of the grill while you wait for this step to pass.
– Once the wait is over grab one onion half off of the plate with tongs or any other cooking utensil that will not melt from the heat of the grill.
– Use your rag to scrub down both sides of the flat top grill pushing all grease, oil, and food particles off into a bowl.
– Move onto next onion half and repeat step 6 until you have done this for each side of the flat top grill.
– Place towel or paper towel on flat top grill and wipe down excess grease, oil, and food particles left behind after scrubbing with onion halves.
– Let it cool for next use or if storing away let it completely cool before placing in storage container to prevent mold build up as well as bacteria growth inside of your equipment as well as potential rust building up on oven burner surface.
– As always wash your hands, utensils, and cooking equipment to prevent cross contamination when using them in the future.
Coffee soak
Materials:
-Grill grate (over flat top grill)
-Ground coffee (the more coffee grounds, the dirtier it will be and the more intense the de-greasing and de-gunking power you will get out of this soak.)
Instructions:
– Soak your grates in a bucket/tub with enough ground coffee to submerse your grates. Let them soak for at least 2 hours, up to overnight. (Do not add water!)
– Rinse off the coffee grounds under running water before putting your grates on your flat top grill.
– If you can’t take all of the gunk off right away, don’t fret! Let them heat up on medium-high for a little bit to help break down the debris, then you can scrub it off with an appropriate tool.
– Repeat if needed!
See more: 7 Best Grill For Beginners – Top Picks and Reviews
Beer cleaner
How to clean a flat top grill? To effectively clean my Lodge Cast Iron Flat Top Grill, I use a mixture of one part beer and two parts water.
I pour the water into a small bowl and add enough beer to make it sudsy (Cascade dishsoap also makes good suds). Then I take an old toothbrush and go to town scrubbing out all of the nooks and crannies of the grill grates.
The excess food bits come right off with a brush, but for some stubborn grease spots, I’ll let them sit on there a while so that they can really soften up, then hit it again with the barbecue brush. Once everything is squeaky clean, rinse it thoroughly under hot water and then dry by placing on the stove over medium heat. The grill grates should be slightly warm and dry to the touch when ready to use.
I’ve tried various other concoctions, including straight vinegar and baking soda, but this is definitely my favorite and most effective method so far. It’s also gentle enough that it won’t damage the seasoning on the iron.
One bottle of beer usually goes a long way for me since I only use about 1/4 cup at a time in cleaning, but if you’re not as frugal as I am or want to save yourself some trouble later on by avoiding stuck-on gunk build-up, then just go ahead and pour it down your drain after using it. Otherwise ,just drink it or use it in another recipe!
Do you have a different method for cleaning a griddle? How do you keep your grills in shape? Let me know in the comments section below!
>>> How to clean a flat top grill -See more: HOW TO COOK BREAKFAST ON A FLAT TOP GRILL
Conclusion
The flat top grill is a popular type of stove that can be used for grilling, frying and sautéing. If you’ve recently purchased or received one as a gift, it’s important to know how to clean the appliance before using it on your favorite recipes at home. When you’re finished cleaning your grill, it should be as good as new. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. How to clean a flat top grill? If you want to keep your grill in pristine condition and save yourself some time later on down the line, follow these steps for a quick and easy cleanse.
See more:
