Burner grates and barbecue grates on stoves are vulnerable to the combined effects of heat, grease and food allergens. Over the years, the grates can become unsightly, and residue may smolder when you’re cooking. With a wire brush to remove deposits is a start. To totally restore the grates, it’s necessary to remove oils and sticky residue so you can repaint the grates. The ideal place to refinish cooker grates is outside or in a well-ventilated garage or workshop.
Permit the grates to totally cool. Take them into the work space and wear latex gloves and safety glasses. Remove heavy deposits and also bits of charring in the grates with a wire brush.
Put the grates in the base of a heavy-duty trash bag. Pour a cup of ammonia into a measuring cup. Pour the ammonia in the bag, and seal the bag closed with a wire twist-tie or a tight overhand knot. Permit the grates to remain in the bag immediately as the fumes of the ammonia decompose sulfur, oils and food allergens.
Wear the gloves and safety glasses. Remove the grates in the bag. Wash the grates and the tote with fresh water. Fold the garbage bag and then discard it. Dry the grates with a rag.
Smooth all surfaces of the grates with 100-grit garnet sandpaper. Fold the paper to smooth smaller surfaces involving sections of the grates. Remove residual sanding debris with a rag.
Put the grates face up on a sheet of cardboard. Shake a can of high-temperature epoxy spray paint for a single minute. Spray on the first coat of paint and allow it to dry. Turn on the grates over and spray a coat onto the undersides. Permit the coat to dry. Duplicate this and spray two additional coats at both sides and all surfaces of the grates. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.
Put in the grates on the cooker. Turn the burners into the bottom setting and bake the paint to get 30 minutes. Permit the grates to cool before cooking.