Hot water and Dawn dish soap, soaked right into paper towels and draped over the mess, break down baked-on grease while you walk away. No scrubbing, no scratching, no fumes.
One Item Cleaned My Burnt Stove Grates (And It's Not What You Think)
With fall here I find myself entertaining more, which means a lot more cooking and a lot more cleanup. I looked at my stovetop grates and oven door the other day and nearly ordered takeout for the rest of the month just to avoid dealing with them.
Instead of scrubbing until my arm gave out, I remembered a trick a reader (thanks Michelle) mentioned to me once and finally gave it a real try.
It does almost all the work by itself while you go do something more fun. Below is how I do mine.
Be Well,
Anisa
The Dawn Paper Towel Soak for Stuck-On Grease
How To Do It
Run paper towels under the hottest tap water you have until they're fully soaked, then squeeze a generous line of Dawn dish soap down the center of each one. Lay the towels directly over the greasy grates, oven door glass, or stovetop, pressing gently so they make full contact, and let them sit 15 to 20 minutes, or up to an hour for really baked-on grime. Wipe away with the same towels, then rinse the surface clean.
More Ways To Use It
The same soak works on greasy range hood filters and broiler pans, just give those a little extra time. For microwave splatters, heat a bowl of water with a squirt of Dawn for 2 minutes, then wipe the inside clean, no scrubbing needed.
Ask the Genius: Is Dawn Safe on Stovetop Grates?
"Is Dawn safe to use on my stovetop grates?"
Yes, Dawn is safe on painted metal grates and porcelain stovetop surfaces. Just skip it on bare cast iron, since dish soap can strip away the seasoning you worked to build up.
Got a handy tip of your own?
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This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →