How to Clean Commercial Grill Grates (Step-by-Step)

January 8, 2026

A commercial grill with removable cooking grates is a staple in many kitchens, from steak houses to buffet lines and breakfast diners. These units allow direct flame contact, high heat searing, and flexible cooking, but they can also create zones of heavy grease accumulation, hard-to-reach carbon, and hidden fire hazards if not maintained.

Over time, drip zones, burner slots, and under-grate cavities all become breeding grounds for buildup; if these are left unchecked, they can compromise performance, safety, and food quality.

In this article, you’ll get a full, step-by-step protocol for deep cleaning a commercial grill with removable grates, plus a clear cleaning schedule, tools, and best practices. We’ll also highlight how the right product makes the job faster and more effective.

Let’s dive in!

How Often Should You Clean a Commercial Grill With Removable Grates?

Designing a commercial cleaning schedule is one of the smartest ways to stay ahead of grease, carbon, and fire risk.

How often you should do it will vary based on how many meals you serve, the fats you cook with, and how long your unit runs each day.

In many cases, you can follow these general frequencies:

Frequency	Type of Cleaning	Main Focus	Recommended Cleaner
Daily	Brush + wipe	Remove fresh food particles and grease	Hot water + scraper/brush
Weekly	Medium cleaning	Soak grates + foam degrease	Victoria Bay Foaming Cleaner
Monthly	Full teardown	Clean burner ports, underside, grates	Victoria Bay Foaming Cleaner
Quarterly	Professional inspection	Calibration, burner replacement, safety	Victoria Bay + professional servicing

Sticking to this schedule can help reduce scrubbing time, maintain food-quality standards, and extend equipment life.

Tools and Supplies Needed

Before you begin cleaning, gather the right tools and supplies for the job:

Grill brush (steel bristle, heat-rated)
Soft/medium abrasive pad (for heavy-duty use)
Wire brushes or narrow brushes (for corners, burner slots, etc.)
Buckets (hot water, rinse solution)
Clean rags or microfiber cloths
Personal protective equipment (PPE): gloves rated for chemical use, goggles or face shield, apron
Heat-resistant pads or mats
Drain pan or catch basin
Victoria Bay Foaming Oven & Grill Cleaner
Optionally, a steam cleaner or hot-water pressure spray (if available)
Soak sink (for grates)
Ventilation or exhaust hood fan

Step-by-Step: Deep Cleaning Your Grill Grates

We’ll divide this into 7 steps. Depending on your grill’s size and design you may adapt or add micro-steps to best meet the needs of your specific model.

Step 1: Safety & Preparatory Steps

Ventilate the Area

Turn on exhaust hood fans and vents, open access doors or windows, and ensure good airflow.

Having strong ventilation during the cleaning process helps protect your staff and patrons.

Put on PPE

Always wear personal protective equipment before handling any chemicals.

Don chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles or a face shield, and a protective apron.

If your kitchen is tight or poorly ventilated, consider a respirator rated for chemical exposure.

Always review the cleaner’s SDS for specific PPE recommendations.

Remove Grates & Removable Components

Remove cooking grates, drip trays, radiant shields, burner covers, and any other removable parts.

Place the trays and grates into a soak area, ideally a sink.

Protect Surrounding Surfaces

Lay mats or tarps beneath the unit to catch falling debris and chemical runoff. Cover adjacent equipment to prevent damage from overspray or foam.

Protecting the area beforehand will make cleanup much easier later.

Step 2: Pre-clean & Scrape-Off Loose Debris

Warm the Grill Slightly (Optional)

If you are allowed by policy, bring the grill to around 200–250 °F to help soften the grease.

Be careful not to overheat, as this can create a dangerous cleaning environment and cause cleaners to evaporate before they can fully do their job.

Scrape Off Grates & Surfaces

Using a sturdy scraper, remove large chunks of food, carbon, and burned fat from the cooking grates.

On the grill body, scrape away any dripped grease and residue that has built up and dispose of it.

Brush Burner Covers & Port Areas

Use wire brushes or narrow detail brushes to clear burner tubes, flame ports, and slots where grease accumulates.

This helps restore proper flame flow and reduces flare-up risk.

Phase 3: Apply Oven & Grill Cleaner

Step 3.1: Shake and Prepare the Aerosol Can

Shake the product thoroughly and ensure the nozzle is clear of blockages (per instructions; always check the product label or Safety Data Sheet (SDS)).

If the nozzle is clogged, soak it in hot soapy water to loosen the clog, then use a sewing needle or thin wire to carefully poke out the softened blockage if needed. Be careful not to damage or enlarge the opening.

Apply Foam to Grates & Surfaces

We recommend Victoria Bay Foaming Oven & Grill Cleaner. Spray generously across the grates, interior surfaces, drip trays, and underside areas. Make sure that vertical and horizontal surfaces receive full coverage, paying special attention to corners and edges.

Don’t skimp here. You need full coverage so the foam can penetrate baked-on grease. For thick buildup, apply another light pass in critical areas.

Let Dwell (Penetration Time)

Allow the foam to rest for the recommended time listed on the product label (15 minutes, or until foaming action diminishes).

The foam will cling and break down any baked-on grease, carbon, and grime during this dwell time.

Pro Tip: If the foam dries too soon or stops foaming, reapply another light coat of Victoria Bay Foaming Oven & Grill Cleaner to help keep the surface wet.

Step 4: Agitate & Scrub

Scrub Grates & Surfaces

With the foam still active, scrub cooking grates with wire brushes and medium-duty abrasive pads.

Use back-and-forth, overlapping strokes. On surfaces underneath and around burners, use detail brushes and pads to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Detail Burner Ports & Interior Zones

Accuracy is critical here. Focus on burner undersides, port holes, flame tubes, and heat shields with detail brushes and pads. Clear any obstruction to maintain a safe and consistent flame and heat flow.

Reapply if Needed

For stubborn buildup, apply another dose of Victoria Bay Foaming Oven & Grill Cleaner, let dwell again, and repeat scrubbing until surface is clean.

Repeat as many times as needed.

Step 5: Rinse & Remove Residuals

Hot Water Rinse

Rinse all parts (grates, drip trays, shields) with hot water (preferably >120 °F), working from top to bottom so debris flows into the correct drain.

Avoid rinsing with cold water hot metal to prevent thermal shock, cracking, or warping.

Pro Tip: If your kitchen is fitted with a steam cleaner or hot water system, use them here. Spray at moderate pressure (not too high or you can damage surfaces). Combined with the heat, foam, and agitation, this will rapidly lift residue.

Wipe Down

Wipe surfaces and parts with clean rags or microfiber cloths in straight, even strokes to remove any remaining residue and moisture.

Inspect & Touch Up

Under good lighting, inspect the grates, burner tubes, and other surfaces for any residual film or carbon.

If necessary, reapply some Victoria Bay foam and rinse again.

Dry Thoroughly

Allow all parts to air dry, or fire the grill briefly on low (~300 °F) to remove moisture.

This can also help flash off any remaining trace of cleaning agent.

Next, we’ll reassemble once everything is completely dry.

Step 6: Reassemble & Final Check

Reinstall Grates and Components

Put grates, drip trays, shields, burner covers and other components back into place. Ensure correct seating and alignment.

Fire up the Grill Briefly

Light the grill and bring burners to medium-high for a few minutes. Monitor for smoke or odors. Any detectable residue should dissipate.

Final Wipe & Touch Up

After the brief run-up, wipe the cooking surface with a clean, dry microfiber cloth for the final polish.

Your grill should now be ready for service again. But the job isn’t complete until you document and schedule.

Step 7: Post‐Clean Documentation & Maintenance Planning

Log the Cleaning

Record date, staff, condition of equipment, time taken, and any observations (such as heavy buildup or parts needing replacement). This helps track patterns.

Schedule Next Clean

Use the frequency table (above) to schedule: daily brushing/wipe, weekly medium clean, monthly full teardown, and quarterly professional servicing.

Adjust as needed for workload and usage.

Inspect & Maintain

Check for signs of burner corrosion, cracked grates, flame port clogging, or warping.

Replace brushes and cleaning tools regularly and monitor your supply of cleaner, pads, and PPE.

Maintenance routines are a huge driver of extended performance.

Tips, Tricks, & Best Practices

Always follow your grill manufacturer’s guidelines and the cleaner’s SDS for safe usage.
Don’t mix chemicals. Stick to the approved degreaser (Victoria Bay) rather than combining multiple products.
Maintain a “clean zone” around the grill: protect surrounding surfaces from overspray and runoff.
Warm the grills slightly (keep at a safe temperature) to help the foam work faster, but don’t overheat.
Use moderate pressure when rinsing. Excessive force can warp metal or strip coatings.
Replace worn cleaning tools (scrapers, brushes) to maintain efficiency and avoid damage.
Train staff and rotate responsibilities so no one cleaning session relies solely on one person’s memory.
Monitor hot spots or heavy-use zones and increase cleaning frequency if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use this method on cast-iron or porcelain-coated grates?
A: Yes, but always test a small, inconspicuous area first. Use gentler scrapers and avoid harsh abrasives on coatings.

Q: How often should I deep clean a removable-grate grill?
A: Major factors include volume and hours of operation, but aim for weekly medium cleaning, a monthly full tear-down and deep clean, and a quarterly professional inspection.

Q: Is Victoria Bay Foaming Cleaner safe for food-contact surfaces?
A: When properly used and fully rinsed, yes. Always follow label and SDS instructions.

Q: Will this foam damage stainless steel or chrome grates?
A: If misused (too long dwell time, too high temperature, repeated abuse), aggressive cleaners can cause surface damage. Testing on an inconspicuous area first is smart.

Q: Can I use a high-pressure hot-water rinse?
A: Yes, but be cautious and use medium pressure at most. High pressure can warp burner tubes or damage parts under high heat.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning a commercial grill with removable grates is more complex than a flat top, but the rewards are real: better cook quality, safer service, longer equipment life, and fewer disruptions.

Equip your kitchen with the right tools and build consistency, and your grill line will serve every meal with peak performance.

Ready to upgrade your grill cleaning? Choose Victoria Bay Foaming Oven & Grill Cleaner to make cleaning your grill with removable grates fast, effective, and safe.

Visit our product page, request a sample, or contact your Imperial Dade representative today.