How to Restore Stainless Steel Grill Grates

Use a paper towel to remove as much grease and leftover food on the grates as possible.

Fill your kitchen sink if it is large enough to accommodate your grill grates. If not, fill a large tub with hot water and a tablespoon of mild degreasing dish detergent.

Soak the grates in the solution for several hours to loosen any caked-on grease and other debris.

Empty the sink or tub, and rinse off the grates. Refill the tub with the same detergent and hot water solution, and then scrub the grates with a nylon scrub pad or soft-bristled brush. Avoid using a metal brush or pad, such as those made of steel wool, as these can scratch and damage the grates permanently.

Rinse the grates again. Soak them in a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water if there is still substantial caked-on material. The acetic acid in the vinegar will dissolve the burned or caked-on grease and debris.

Apply a stainless steel-specific cleaner, polish and restoration compound. These restoration kits are often available by the manufacturers of stainless steel grills and are applied with a microfiber cloth in several steps. Follow the instructions on the kit specifically if you find that your grates have been damaged by metal brushes or are pitted and starting to rust.