How to Use Ammonia to Clean Range Grates

Ensure that none of the stove burners are on. Turn off the pilot light and wait until the grate is cool to the touch before proceeding to clean.

Open a window and turn on the exhaust fan above your range if you have one. Ammonia produces strong fumes so make sure you have good ventilation.

Fill your sink or a bucket with just enough hot water to cover the grate or grates. Add 1/4 cup of ammonia and 1 tsp. of detergent to the water. Make sure the detergent does not contain bleach which, combined with ammonia, produces toxic fumes.

Remove each grate to be cleaned from above the burner. These generally lift out of place. Set the grates into the cleaning solution and allow them to soak for one to three hours.

Put on rubber gloves and scrub each grate with a scrubbing sponge to remove remaining food residue. Employ a firm bristled brush to loosen stubborn particles.

Rinse each grate with fresh hot water and dry with a clean dish cloth or paper towel.