We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How can I Remove Grease from Metal?

By Erika Peterson
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
About Mechanics is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At About Mechanics, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject-matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

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.

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.

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.

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.

About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By cloudel — On Jul 13, 2012

@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.

By kylee07drg — On Jul 12, 2012

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!

By Perdido — On Jul 12, 2012

@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.

By wavy58 — On Jul 11, 2012

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!

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.