Quick answer: Turn every burner off and let the cooktop and grates cool completely. Check the owner’s manual to identify whether the grates are enamel-coated steel, enamel-coated cast iron, bare cast iron, or another finish. Wash with the method approved for that model, rinse away cleaner, and dry thoroughly before reinstalling. Do not put grates in a dishwasher or self-cleaning oven unless the manual specifically says those parts are designed for it.
The right method depends on what the grate is made of
Heavy black grates are often called cast iron, but the exposed surface may be porcelain enamel. That coating changes which pads, cleaners, and heat treatments are safe. Rubber bumpers underneath are another clue: GE excludes some grates with bumpers from self-cleaning instructions. A brass cap, aluminum burner head, and coated grate can sit inches apart yet require different care.
Find the range model number and read the cooktop-care section before assuming an online method applies. If the manual is missing, use a conservative warm-soapy-water wash with a nonmetallic cloth or brush, then contact the manufacturer for stubborn deposits.
Make a quick parts map before lifting
- Confirm every control is off and the surfaces are cool.
- Photograph the grate orientation and any interlocking center edges.
- Lift one grate with both hands; do not drag it across glass or enamel.
- Set it on a padded, stable surface large enough to support its weight.
- Keep burner caps and heads in their original positions if they are also removed.
Large grates can chip a sink, countertop, or themselves. Do not stack them where coated corners rub. If a grate is cracked or rocks badly on the cooktop, replacement is safer than trying to bend it.
Choose the least aggressive approved cleaning step
| Condition | Start here |
|---|---|
| Fresh grease or spill | Hot soapy water after full cooling |
| Dried food | Soak only as the manual permits, then use a nonmetallic pad |
| Rust on exposed iron | Use the manufacturer’s rust and seasoning guidance |
| Unknown coating | Avoid abrasives, dishwasher, oven cycle, and strong chemicals |
GE lists several stronger options for specific grates, including dishwasher or self-clean treatment on eligible parts and controlled ammonia use for burned-on soil. Those are not blanket household rules. Ammonia must never be mixed with bleach or another cleaner, and a sealed-container method requires the exact product guidance, ventilation, protective equipment, and safe handling. If your manual does not approve it, do not improvise.
Rinse, dry, and reseat completely
Cleaner left in pores, seams, or rubber feet can smoke or smell when the burner heats. Rinse the full grate, wipe it dry, and let hidden pockets finish air-drying. GE advises returning burner parts only when they are completely dry and level. Moisture near igniters can delay lighting, while a misplaced cap can produce an uneven flame.
Set each grate straight down in its original orientation. Verify that feet contact their pads and cookware would sit level. Reassemble caps and heads with their locating pins aligned. The gas burner-cap guide covers that smaller component in more detail.
Before lighting, wipe the cooktop around each burner and remove any towel fibers. Confirm that no rubber bumper was lost in the sink and no cleaning pad fragment remains beneath a grate. A missing foot can make cookware unstable and can let metal scrape the cooktop finish.
Read the flame after cleaning
During the first test, light one burner at a time and observe from a safe distance. Switch it off if ignition keeps clicking, the flame is unusually yellow or sooty, gas odor persists, or the cap appears crooked. Ventilate and follow the appliance’s safety instructions; if gas odor is strong, leave the area and contact the gas utility or emergency service as directed locally.
A blackened grate is not always dirty. Heat exposure can change appearance, and aggressive polishing may remove or unevenly brighten a finish. Likewise, glass-cooktop scraping guidance does not transfer to coated gas grates.
Bottom line
Cool first, identify the finish, lift without dragging, and start with the gentlest approved wash. Dishwasher, ammonia, and self-cleaning methods are model-specific exceptions. Fully dry and level every burner part before relighting, and treat unusual flame or gas odor as a service issue.
Sources
- GE Appliances: Cleaning gas grates and burner caps
- GE Appliances: Cleaning burner heads and the area below
Photo: GlemGas Gas Stove (1023).jpg by Gary Dee, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for this guide. The photograph shows the maintenance context; appliance and finish details vary by model. Reviewed by the Gohall Clean Team on September 6, 2026.