Best Way To Clean Grill Grates For BBQ Restaurants

Used BBQ grills leave residual oil stains and burnt marks.

Cleaning them can be tricky. If not cleaned properly, it will not only affect the grilling result but also may lead to bacterial growth.

Therefore, mastering scientific cleaning methods to keep BBQ grill plates and grilling meshes clean has become a pressing need for families and Korean/ Japanese BBQ restaurants.

This article will focus on the best way to clean grill grates for family and BBQ restaurants, providing practical cleaning tips, step-by-step instructions, and a specialized cleaning machine to boost efficiency—helping family and BBQ restaurants tackle grill grime with ease.

After a family barbecue gathering, figuring out the best way to clean grill grates is always a hassle. It involves endlessly scrubbing those stubborn stains, leaving one physically and mentally exhausted.

After a family barbecue gathering, figuring out how to clean the BBQ grill pan and BBQ mesh is always a hassle. It involves endlessly scrubbing those stubborn stains, leaving one physically and mentally exhausted.

Here are some handy tips for cleaning BBQ grates at home, MEDA BBQ CONCEPT can help you get them clean with ease.

1.First, put on heat-resistant gloves, remove the samgyupsal plate from the stove, and then clear off any remaining food residues from the plate.

2.Please place the samgyupsal plate in the sink, fill it with hot water to submerge it, add dish soap, stir well, and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.

3.After soaking, the oil stains and residues on the surface of the samgyupsal plate will have softened. Then, use a wire brush to scrub it.

4.Please use a soft sponge or soft-bristled brush to clean the BBQ hot plate with a non-stick coating. You can use a soft toothbrush to clean the gaps in the non-stick BBQ hot plate.

5. Please keep it dry after cleaning

When cleaning BBQ grill plates, ordinary dishwashing liquid is sufficient.

If you’re aiming for a more powerful cleaning effect, you can pre-soak the BBQ grill plates.  Then add an appropriate amount of soda and white vinegar to the soaking water.

Soaking for more than half an hour and then scrubbing with dishwashing liquid yields better cleaning results.

Please do not use acidic cleaning agents, as they can corrode BBQ grill plate and BBQ mesh grill made of stainless steel, cast iron, or cast aluminum, as well as those with coated surfaces.  Prolonged use will damage the surface.

In the early days of the barbecue industry, manual brushing was the best way to clean grill grates, but barbecue restaurants faced the challenge of cleaning a large number of rusty BBQ grill plates and dirty wire mesh grills every day.

Manual scrubbing is also the most primitive and mainstream method.

1. After grilling, the staff need to wear heat-resistant gloves and remove the rusty cast iron BBQ plate or grill metal mesh from the stove with a metal holder. The removed plate or mesh should first have any remaining food residues cleaned off. Then place it in the storage box to cool down.

2.Once cooled, the cleaning staff should stack the BBQ grill plate or grill metal mesh in the soaking tank, add clean water and dish soap, and stir thoroughly. Let them soak for half an hour or longer, allowing the water and soap to soften and break down the food residues and grease.

3.Then, workers should put on rubber gloves, aprons, and goggles, and manually scrub the soaked BBQ grill plate and mesh with a wire brush.

Please use a soft sponge to clean the BBQ grill plate with a non-stick coating.

This manual approach to cleaning grill grates incurs substantial labor costs.

For a barbecue restaurant, cleaning BBQ grill grates is an endless repetitive task. Due to the extremely high frequency of use, after a day’s business, the number of BBQ grill grates that need cleaning can be as many as a hundred.

Cleaning a BBQ grill grate thoroughly requires continuous movement of both arms, with every crevice needing to be scrubbed clean. After about half an hour of scrubbing, one’s arms start to ache, which is undoubtedly a physical ordeal for the staff.

It makes people feel uncomfortable if staying in a stuffy environment filled with oil stains and hot water vapor for a long time.

Is it the best way to clean grill grates by a dishwasher? Some barbecue restaurants have considered using dishwashers for this task, but it is completely unfeasible.

The dishwasher is to clean ceramic or glass plates, bowls, and cups, which are relatively lightweight.

The BBQ plate and the grill rack are left with caked-on food residues and heavy oil stains.  Even after being run through a dishwasher, a film of oil or brown scorch marks will remain on their surfaces, as the dishwasher cannot completely remove the grease and residues.

Furthermore, the grease and food residues washed off can clog the dishwasher’s filter screen. The melted grease will re-solidify in the dishwasher’s drain pipe, and repeated use over time will lead to blockages in the drain pipe.

The accumulation of grease and residues can breed bacteria and produce odors. Continuing to use the dishwasher in such a state will not only fail to clean the BBQ plate and the grill rack properly but may even make them dirtier.

With the development of technology and the industry, a variety of equipment for cleaning Korean grill pan and Japanese stainless steel grill mesh has been developed by MEDA BBQ CONCEPT.

Among them, the three most effective and widely used BBQ grill grate cleaning devices are the floor-standing semi-automatic cleaner, the wall-mounted semi-automatic cleaner, and the fully automatic cleaner.

These three cleaning equipment have changed the situation where restaurants could only rely on manual labor to clean grill grates.

Manual cleaning of grill grates is a tedious process and takes at least ten minutes to complete. However, it takes only 20 seconds to complete if you use cleaning equipment.

1. These cleaning machines can save your time, improve work efficiency, and reduce the labor cost of the barbecue restaurant.

2. You will save the cost of detergents if you use a cleaning machine.

3. Cleaning Korean BBQ plates with strong acids and alkalis will damage their surface and reduce their service life, increasing the cost of purchasing more Korean hot plate grill.

4. Strong acids and alkalis are harmful to human skin. But no need to add acids and alkalis if you use our cleaning machine.

5.Using the machine can save more water and is very environmentally friendly.

6. You can also save on electricity costs because the power consumption of our cleaning machine is low.

BBQ Restaurants can choose these three automatic cleaners according to their own needs. Abviously this is the best way to clean grill grates.

1. After grilling, please wear heat-resistant gloves and use a holder to remove the Korean BBQ plate grill pan or barbecue grill mesh.

2.After removing the grill pan/ grill mesh, clean off any remaining food residues from its surface.

3.Then, place the grill pans/ grill mesh collectively in a storage box and wait for them to cool down naturally.

4. After the grill pan/ BBQ mesh have cooled naturally, fill the water to cover them. Then, add dish soap, an appropriate amount of soda, and white vinegar. Soak for at least 30 minutes.

5. Please clean the BBQ grill plan/ BBQ grill mesh with the cleaning machine after soaking.

Size: 800mm*600mm*650mm
Power/ Voltage: 0.75KW/ 220V/ 50Hz/ 60Hz (It can also be 110V 60Hz )
Plug: Three head plug (with a grounding wire)
Switch: industrial switch
Material: good-quality stainless steel
Motor: Pure Copper Motor (long-life)
Warranty: 1 Year (exclude the brush)

Stainless steel brush, water tap, drains, sink stopper. (Please feel free to contact us to get the plastic brush if you need plastic brush)

The machine has a stainless steel scrubbing tank, a water tap, and a circular steel wire wheel device.

And the motor inside the machine drives the transmission shaft of the steel wire wheel, enabling the steel wire wheel to rotate at high speed.

The high-speed rotating circular steel wire wheel will stir the water in the sink, enabling high-speed scrubbing of the stainless steel grill grates to achieve an efficient cleaning effect.

1.The floor-standing semi-automatic BBQ grate cleaning machine features a desktop design and has a sink.

2.We recommend this floor-stand cleaning machine to you if your kitchen has space to accommodate the equipment. It is the best way to clean grill grates.

3. The bottom of the equipment has universal wheels for easy movement. Plug in the power supply, and install the water pipe to start using it.

4. It is made of stainless steel and stands against the damaging effects of water, detergents, and oil stains, thus ensuring long-lasting durability.

5.It is easy to clean and maintain, keeping the machine in a hygienic condition.

6. The motor drives the steel wire wheel’s transmission shaft via a rubber drive belt. Rubber is insulating, so there’s no need to worry about accidents such as short circuits in the machine.

7.The steel wire wheel has a stainless steel splash guard, which prevents water in the sink from splashing everywhere and also protects the cleaner’s hands from harm.

8.Ordinarily, manually cleaning a Korean griddle pan takes ten minutes, whereas using the semi-automatic cleaning machine takes up to 20 seconds.

9.Moreover, you only need to hold the samgyupsal pan grill/ BBQ wire mesh and place it above the steel wire wheel for scrubbing, without expending a lot of physical strength.

10.Equipped with a stainless steel brush head as standard, it effectively cleans stainless steel grill grates, stainless steel BBQ plate, copper grill grates and cast iron grill.

11.If you need to clean Korean barbecue grill pan with a non-stick coating on their surface, you can remove the steel wire wheel and replace it with a plastic brush. The plastic brush is suitable for non-stick coated barbecue grill pans and will not scratch the non-stick coating during cleaning.

(The plastic brush head is not part of the standard package. Contact us for this optional accessory)

1.Turn on the faucet of the cleaning machine. When the water in the sink touches the bottom of the wire wheel, turn off the faucet and add detergent to the water.

2.Then plug in the power, start the cleaning machine, and the steel wire wheel will rotate immediately. When the steel wheel rotates at high speed, it will stir the water in the sink.

3.Please wear protective gloves, then hold the BBQ hot plate/ barbecue mesh with your hand and place it on the wire wheel for scrubbing.

4.Please turn off the machine after cleaning.

5.Finally, wash away the residual detergent with water.

After cleaning, please wipe the machine clean with a cloth to keep it dry and tidy.

From 2023, our cleaning machines are upgraded versions, which come with two speed bands as standard configuration.

It is easier to brush off food residue, more wear-resistant, and lasts longer than single belts.

Size: 390mm*265mm*462mm
Power/ Voltage: 0.55KW/ 220V/ 50Hz/ 60Hz (It can also be 110V 60Hz )
Plug: Three head plug (with a grounding wire)
Switch: industrial switch
Material: good-quality stainless steel
Motor: Pure Copper Motor (long-life)
Warranty: 1 Year (exclude the brush)

Accessory: stainless steel brush, water tap. (Please contact us to get plastic brush if you want plastic brush)

The wall-mounted semi-automatic cleaning machine works on the principle that a motor drives the wire wheel’s transmission shaft, causing the wire wheel to rotate at high speed.

When paired with a properly adjusted water flow, it can achieve the effect of quickly scrubbing the Korean barbecue plate/ BBQ mesh grate clean.

The rubber drive belt is for the motor and the transmission shaft. The insulating property of rubber prevents the equipment from accidents such as electric leakage and short circuit.

And the stainless steel waterproof cover above the wire wheel to prevent water from splashing and also protects the hands of workers from injury.

1. We recommend this wall-mounted cleaning machine to you if your kitchen has limited space and no extra room for placing equipment. It is the best way to clean grill grates.

2. It is a wall-mounted design with a compact and convenient design.

3. You can mount it on the wall above the existing sink.

4.Equipped with a stainless steel brush head as standard, it effectively cleans stainless steel BBQ hot plate, copper grill grates, stainless steel grill grates, and cast iron bbq plate.

5.If you need to clean samgyup grill pans with a non-stick coating on their surface, you can remove the steel wire wheel and replace it with a plastic brush. The plastic brush is suitable for non-stick coated samgyup grill pans and will not scratch the non-stick coating during cleaning.

(The plastic brush head is not part of the standard package. Contact us for this optional accessory)

1. Hang it above your existing sink with expansion screws and connect the water pipe

2.Then adjust the water flow to the appropriate size, and then turn on the power. The wire wheel assembly will rotate at high speed, and you can start cleaning.

3.When cleaning, please hold the samgyupsal grill plate/mesh grill grate and scrub it on the wire wheel, and it takes just 20 seconds to get it clean.

4.Then, wash away the residual detergent with water.

5.After cleaning, turn off the faucet and the machine.

After cleaning, please wipe the machine clean with a cloth to keep it dry and tidy.

This machine operates on 380V three-phase power and must be wired by a qualified electrician to prevent short circuits or motor burnout.

The equipment has a dual-motor drive system. One motor is responsible for driving the rubber conveyor belt, and the other drives the transmission shaft of the wire wheel device.

Both motors use rubber belts to drive their respective transmission shafts. The insulating property of rubber effectively eliminates the risk of electric leakage and short circuits.

Insert the cast iron Korean grill/ stainless grill mesh into the inlet of the machine, and it is sent to the steel brush system inside the cleaning machine for scrubbing.

During cleaning, the brush rotates at high speed, and the water spraying system inside the machine is working. It only takes 10-20 seconds to clean a cast iron Korean grill/ stainless grill mesh thoroughly.

The entire scrubbing process operates fully automatically, saving labor and time.

1.The fully automatic cleaning machine also features a floor-standing design.

2.It can save more labor during use.

3. An integrated stainless steel brush at the inlet of the machine to prevent water spillage during operation.

4. The machine comes with a stainless steel detergent dispenser. Add the appropriate amount of cleaning solution, then open the detergent valve during the wash cycle. The detergent will mix with the water flow, enhancing cleaning performance for Korean barbecue pans and barbecue wire meshes.

5.You can adjust the stainless steel brushes clearance inside the machine to control the cleaning intensity based on actual cleaning results, ensuring a more thorough clean for the barbecue pans and barbecue meshes.

(Note: The factory presets the brush clearance before shipment, so no initial adjustment is needed when you receive our machine. But after prolonged use, you may fine-tune it based on cleaning performance—but avoid excessive tightening to prevent unnecessary wear on the machine.)

6. The bottom of the equipment has universal wheels for easy movement. Push the equipment to the kitchen, plug in the power supply, and install the water pipe to start using it.

7.The fully automatic cleaning machine has requirements for the size of the BBQ hot plate grill and stainless steel BBQ grill mesh. The size range of the applicable BBQ plate grill/ grill mesh is 295mm ~ 330mm.

8.Equipped with a stainless steel brush head as standard, it effectively cleans stainless steel BBQ grill plates, 304 stainless steel grill grates ,copper grill grates and cast iron BBQ plate.

9. If you need to clean samgyeopsal grill pans with a non-stick coating, we can replace the stainless steel brush with the plastic brush. The plastic brush is suitable for non-stick coated grill pans and will not scratch the non-stick coating during cleaning.

(The plastic brush head is not part of the standard package. Contact us for this optional accessory)

10.Due to its composition of dual motors, which enables fully automatic cleaning, its manufacturing cost is also higher than that of other cleaning equipment.

11.If your kitchen has enough space to place cleaning equipment and your budget for purchasing equipment is sufficient, then this full automatic cleaning machine is highly recommended. This is the best way to clean grill grates.

1.Pour an appropriate amount of detergent into the stainless steel cleaning agent box.

2.Power on and start the machine.

3. Turn on the water outlet valve and the detergent valve, then adjust both valves appropriately to control the flow rate and moderate the flow of both water and detergent for a steady, controlled release.

4.After approximately 9 seconds, align the cast iron Korean BBQ grill plate/ mesh grill grate with the machine’s cleaning entrance. Gently press downward until you feel water flowing into the machine – at this point, release your grip. The brushes at the machine’s entrance will automatically grip and feed the tray/rack into the washing chamber.

（When inserting the BBQ grill plate/ mesh grill grate into the machine entrance, keep your hands clear of the intake area to prevent pinching hazards.）

5.The conveyor belt transports the grill plate/ mesh to the wire wheels for scrubbing.

6.The cleaned grill plate/ mesh will pop out from the outlet at the bottom of the machine. It is necessary to reserve space at the outlet to place a basin or box for receiving the grill plates/ meshes.

7.Then, wash away the residual detergent with water.

8.After cleaning the Korean grill pan/ BBQ metal mesh, pour some water into the insertion port while the machine remains powered on to rinse the entry area. （For thorough maintenance, we recommend monthly internal cleaning by opening the top cover.）

9.Turn off both water and detergent valves, then let the machine run empty for one minute to self-clean the internal brush system. Finally, switch off the machine.

Are you still looking for the best way to clean grill grates? Please send us an email or contact us via WhatsApp to get full detail and formal quotation for the cleaning machine. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +8618138505729

1. Improper insertion of the BBQ grill plate/ grill mesh may cause the machine to malfunction.

2. Loading the Korean yakiniku grill pan / wire mesh grill grate too rapidly may cause jams and potentially lead to the machine malfunctioning.

3.Use only mild detergent – strongly acidic or alkaline cleaners are prohibited

4.For extended machine inactivity, thoroughly clean the interior, run a complete empty cycle, and apply lubricant to the chain mechanism on the side panel to maintain proper lubrication.

5.If the BBQ grill pan/ wire mesh becomes jammed: Power off the machine for 10 seconds, then activate the reverse switch to eject the trapped items.

6.After daily use, wipe off water stains from the equipment’s outer shell with a cloth to keep it clean and tidy.

7.This machine has a drainage outlet. When cleaning the BBQ grill pan/ wire mesh, food residues may flow into the drain with the water. Regularly check for potential clogs caused by debris and clear any blockages if found.

1.These three cleaning equipment all boast excellent safety performance.

2.All three equipment are equipped with earth leakage switches and use rubber drive belts.

3.Rubber is insulating, which fundamentally prevents the potential safety hazard of electric leakage and short circuit.

4.In the event of an internal wiring fault in the machine, the power-off switch will automatically cut off the electricity, preventing electrical leakage or short circuits.

5. Semi-automatic cleaning machines have stainless steel waterproof covers above the wire wheels.  These covers prevent dirty water from splashing around.

6. For the fully automatic cleaning machine, the brush is inside the machine. The only thing you need to do is insert the Korean BBQ induction grill/ barbecue grill wire mesh into the cleaning opening. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the wire wheels hurting the cleaning staff’s hands.

The stainless steel brushes and plastic brushes of the cleaning machine are consumables.
They will wear out over time with the frequency of cleaning and usage, but both the stainless steel brushes and plastic brushes are replaceable.
Replacement brushes are available for purchase. Please feel free to contact us for orders.

For a Korean/ Japanese BBQ restaurant, using our cleaning machine is the best way to clean grill grates. You can also use our cleaning machine to remove rust from the BBQ grill grates.

After cleaning, please wipe the Korean pan grill/ BBQ grill grate with a dry towel.  And keep dry to prevent it from rusting or harboring bacteria.

Please replace the Korean cast iron grill pan with the new one if small cracks appear.

And please replace the non-stick samgyeopsal grill plate with the new one if the coating peels off.

You should replace the stainless steel Korean barbecue grill plate with the new one if deformation or rusting occurs.

North America, Europe, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, China

Packaging: Wooden box packaging,
Delivery: Door-to-door transportation.
Shipping costs vary from country to country and city to city.
Please feel free to contact us to inquire about the price and specific freight.

If your restaurant has limited kitchen space, our wall-mounted semi-automatic cleaning machine is the ideal solution.

For establishments with available floor space, we recommend our freestanding semi-automatic cleaning unit.

For operations with more generous budgets, our fully automatic cleaning machine delivers maximum efficiency.

WhatsApp: +86 18138505729

Email: [email protected]

Now you know the best way to clean grill grates. Please send us an email or contact us via WhatsApp to discuss the cleaning machine, the quantity, and your country, city, and zip code.