Carol asked: Can cast iron grates/burners be “seasoned” like cast iron pans?
To prevent rust, you should always season cast iron grates and burners. The process is the same as with most cast iron, just follow these steps.
You Will Need:
- Water
- Fat (oil, lard, bacon grease, etc)
- Heat (an oven or gas grill)
- Stiff plastic brush
Steps to Season the Burners and Grates:
- Start by thoroughly cleaning the cast iron grates and burners with water and a stiff brush. They MUST be clean in order to season properly.
- Cover every surface of the grate or burner with the fat of your choice.
- Bake at 350°F for at least 30-45 minutes.
- Allow the grate to cool, then re-grease it.
- Bake at 450°F for another 45 minutes.
- Repeat until the grate is no longer gummy or sticky when cool.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Seasoning can be a stinky, smelly process. If you can do it outside on a gas grill, it’s a good idea to do so.
- Never use soap on cast iron.
- Re-season monthly, or whenever iron starts to get sticky.
I am having such a hard time with getting my cast iron gas grill grates clean…they won’t budge with my trying to scour off the stains…I’m so bummed I can’t clean them.
I have quite successfully used oven cleaner on old, grease-encrusted cast iron pans.
It made such a mess in my oven, it nearly started a fire. What kind of junk is this really. I urge no one to try this please.
I just bought a flipped house with new GE gas range. Haven’t cooked yet, and haven’t used gas for 20 odd yrs. Hated electric. I remember seasoning our cast iron pans with my dad as a teen. We lightly greased, baked or used stove top, then salted, and rubbed the salt into pan, or skillet. The salt would turn brown, then would dump salt out, wipe it and put away. How is this comparable to grates?
Update: I just found out these black grates are pretreated, and do not need to be seasoned. They have rubber on feet, and they can be removed to place in steam clean oven for cleaning.
Do you take the rubber off the grate before you put it in the oven to season?
Hi Mickey,
If the rubber is on a grate that is intended for use in the oven, then it is oven-save for the normal range of temperatures. The only time rubber on oven grates is an issue is when leaving them in during the self-cleaning oven cycle, which is a much higher temperature than normal. However, if the rubber is on a grate or burner in a place that normally would not be exposed to cooking temperatures, then it would be best to remove it. Good luck!