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How can I Remove Grease from Metal?

Erika Peterson
Erika Peterson

Everyone, regardless of how careful you are, has needed a good grease remover at some point in time. It is notoriously difficult to remove grease from all surfaces; however, one of the most difficult surfaces for grease removal is metal. Removing grease from metal may require professional care, but in some instances a great grease remover will do the trick.

One of the most common metal surfaces that will often need grease removal is a kitchen appliance. In the kitchen it is important to use a set of high quality cleaning products. Oven cleaner is a standard kitchen cleaning staple and it usually works well to remove grease both in and out of the oven. There are also other grease removers that might work in and out of the kitchen. These products are useful because while kitchen appliances; such as, stoves, ovens and cook tops can easily become riddled with grease, these are not the only metal surfaces that may need grease removal.

Oven cleaner may be used to remove grease in and out of an oven.
Oven cleaner may be used to remove grease in and out of an oven.

Grease removers can also come in handy for items in the garage, the garden and the yard. Different surfaces usually have different types of cleaners that are made to remove grease from their particular type of metal surface. To create a selection of high quality grease removers that are sure to remove grease from any metal surface around your home, it is important to include a few different types of products.

First, a tough oven cleaner, while a oven cleaner may need to sit overnight it is definitely going to be effective in removing food related grease from metal surfaces in your kitchen and on your outdoor cooking appliances.

Grease removers may come in handy for items in a garage.
Grease removers may come in handy for items in a garage.

Oxygen is another effect grease remover. In fact, any product that contains oxygen or oxy in its name is modified with hydrogen peroxide and will work well on most metal surfaces. Butyl based cleaning products are also essential degreasers to have on hand. But use caution; these products should only be used on bare metal surfaces because they can destroy rubber and some types of painted surfaces. Also add citrus based cleaning products to your arsenal. They remove grease on many types of surfaces, not just metal.

Food grease that has been left on a metal surface may need to be treated several times before it is fully removed.
Food grease that has been left on a metal surface may need to be treated several times before it is fully removed.

To remove grease from metal, start with one type of degreaser and apply it to the surface. Then follow the specific manufactures directions for grease removal. It may take a few attempts to remove grease. Don’t give up! While the first cleaner that you use may not work, there is a metal cleaner that will remove your specific grease stain.

Discussion Comments

cloudel

@kylee07drg – Lemon juice really does work. I clean the grease off of my kitchen surfaces with a solution of lemon juice and vinegar, and I don't have to use any other type of cleaner.

As far as degreasing your apron, I suppose it depends on the type of fabric. I can tell you how to remove grease from cotton, since that's probably what your apron is made of.

You can pour cornstarch on the greasy spot to absorb it. Let it sit there for about an hour to soak up as much as possible.

Then, put your apron in the sink and run warm water over the spot. Put dish soap on it and brush it in with a toothbrush.

Rinse it out and wash it in the washer, but don't put it in the dryer. You have to hang it up to dry.

kylee07drg

Some people say you can use lemon juice to remove grease from surfaces like metal and countertops. I've never tried it, but I have used a lemon dust spray, and I know that it cuts through layers of dust and grime, so I'm guessing that the power lies in the acidity of the lemon.

I use a kitchen degreaser spray on my countertops and the metal parts of my stove. It's safe to use on areas where food is prepared, so I don't feel uneasy spraying it there. I let it soak in for awhile and then I wipe it off with a paper towel.

Everything in my kitchen has been degreased except for my apron. If I could just figure out how to remove grease from fabric, I would be all set!

Perdido

@wavy58 – Your husband may not like the answer. It is pretty much impossible to fully remove grease using cold water, so you are going to have to run the hot water, even if you have to cut into his shower time.

I cook a lot of meat that leaves stuck-on grease behind. I also use shortening to grease my pans, so I have that layer of grease to deal with.

I have found that the best way to get the bulk of it off is to turn the hot water on full force. If you have a spray nozzle attached to your sink, then use it, because this works even better.

After you have sprayed the majority of it away, you can leave some hot water in the pan and squirt a bit of dish detergent in there. Rub it around with the rough side of a dish cleaning sponge and rinse it periodically with more hot water. You may want to wear gloves to keep from burning your hands.

wavy58

I've been having trouble removing grease from my metal pots and pans. I use a dish soap that is supposed to cut through the grease, but it isn't doing what it claims it can.

I usually wash the dishes while my husband is in the shower, so I've been using cold water, because I don't want to make him run out of hot water. I have used a sponge, a scrubber, and a paper towel, but nothing has worked.

What am I doing wrong? Can someone please tell me how to remove grease from these pots? I'm tired of cooking on top of old grease!

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    • Oven cleaner may be used to remove grease in and out of an oven.
      By: Tiramisu Studio
      Oven cleaner may be used to remove grease in and out of an oven.
    • Grease removers may come in handy for items in a garage.
      By: trekandphoto
      Grease removers may come in handy for items in a garage.
    • Food grease that has been left on a metal surface may need to be treated several times before it is fully removed.
      By: stocksolutions
      Food grease that has been left on a metal surface may need to be treated several times before it is fully removed.
    • Most degreasers available today are citrus-based.
      By: alexlukin
      Most degreasers available today are citrus-based.