If you’re one of the few who are more of a cast iron type of grill person, then welcome to the club! In this article, we are going to talk about cast iron grills. A cast iron grill is perfect for grilling as it can evenly distribute heat and is extremely durable and very tough.
This type of grill grate can overcome any type of force except for water. As rust forms when the iron comes in contact with water, a this type of grill grate can be subject to deterioration once it rusts. A cast iron grill grate which has deteriorated has rust and as far as we know, eating grilled food from a rusted grill grate is not very appetizing.
If you have rusting grill grates then it’s high time you replace them with a new set. Furthermore, you should ensure that the grill grate is well taken care of as to reduce the number of times having to replace them.
The cast iron grill grate is an efficient conductor of heat, which makes cooking easy on every square inch. It’s no surprise that a majority of the people would choose cast iron as the type of grill that they want.
Who can blame them? Since the cast iron grill grate can transfer heat better than any steel available, the cast iron grill grate can cook food even at low temperatures – and at high temperature, it sears exceptionally. With this technique, you can achieve a heavenly BBQ taste because the cast iron grate can seal that flavor within.
Compared to other cooking equipment, you can use the grill to simmer sauces, bake cornbread, and even braise meats. The cast iron grill grate can do so much more as it is indeed a real investment. If you want your cast iron grill grate to stay in good condition for a long time, proper care and maintenance are necessary.
Below are 6 steps ensuring that your cast iron grill grates is well taken care of.
Clean after use: What brush to use on cast iron grills?
It is advisable that you clean your grill grates right after using them. The best temperature for cleaning them is when they’re warm and not completely cooled off. The heat will allow you to easily scrape off the excess food and residue from your grilling.
Scrape the grate
You can find so many types of wire brushes used for grill cleaning on the market today. Find the one that works best for you and use it to scrape all of the remaining chunks of food in your grate. There are also different cleaning solutions alongside those grill brushes which can assist you further in cleaning your grill grate.
When cleaning a cast iron grill grate, you can use a combination of water and apple cider vinegar to sanitize. Repeat until you can get most of the remaining chunks of food off of the grate.
Apply mild soap
You can use mild soap to remove any excess grease and finish off by rinsing the grate with warm water.
Wipe the grate dry
You can use a clean cloth to wipe the grate, making sure it is completely dry. It’s extremely important to dry it because iron and water equals rust, and that is the last thing we would want to happen to your cast iron grill grates.
Seasoning
You might have already heard the phrase “seasoning the grill.” It means that you “season,” or oil the grate, to ensure that your cast iron grill grate is at its best performance when used for grilling.
Heat the grate
After you have “seasoned” your grate, heat it and ensure that your grill grate is fully covered. Once done, you can use aluminum foil to cover the grates and finally place them on the grill. Turn on your grill and put the temperature on high, leave it for about 10 minutes, and make sure that you close your lid while at it. After that, turn it off and season the grill again.
The cooking grate of your grill is the first thing people will notice, so before you invite your neighbors for a barbecue in your backyard, make sure that your grill is at its best condition. The cast iron grill grate is designed to survive the regular challenges of grilling.
It is porous and does a great job at soaking the oil and fats of the meat. In order to maintain this wonderful experience of grilling with your cast iron grill grate, make sure that you keep the above ideas in mind.