Fish grills are a pain to clean after using them. Have you ever had the experience of leaving something unattended, thinking, ``I'll wash it later'', and then the oil stains get stuck on it, and even when you scrub it with a sponge, it doesn't come off at all?
Actually, the trick to cleaning dirty fish grills is to change the cleaning method for each part. If you know the detergents and procedures that are suitable for the grill, saucer, and inside of the refrigerator, you can easily remove stubborn burnt residue.
In this article, based on information as of February 2026, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner how to clean each part of a fish grill and 5 preventive measures to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place.
What exactly is the dirt on the fish grill?
There are broadly two types of stains on the fish grill.
The first is "oil stains". When you grill fish, oil splatters from the fish and sticks to the grill, saucer, and walls of the oven. If left untreated, it will oxidize, turn brown, and turn into a sticky, sticky stain.
The second is "scorch". It is made from pieces of fish skin and flesh that have been carbonized at high temperatures. It hardens black and crunchy, so it won't come off just by rubbing it with a sponge.
The point is that both are acidic stains. In other words, if you use an alkaline detergent (such as baking soda, soda sesquicarbonate, or Oxiclean), the neutralization reaction will break down the stain and make it easier to remove.
[Net] Baking soda soaking is the best way to prevent burnt spots
Since the net is the part that comes into direct contact with the fish, it is the part where charring is most likely to occur. We have summarized the methods introduced on the official websites of Mitumore and Tokyo Gas into steps.
Things to prepare:Baking soda (3 tablespoons), lukewarm water (about 40℃) (1 liter), toothbrush or sponge
Steps:
- Pour 40℃ lukewarm water into a sink or large vat and dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- Sink the net and leave it to soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Scrub off the burn with a toothbrush or sponge
- Rinse thoroughly with water and dry
The trick is to use lukewarm water. Baking soda is difficult to dissolve in water and its effectiveness is reduced by half. On the other hand, boiling water can damage the material, so it is best to use it at a temperature that you can touch with your hand.
For stubborn burns that still don't go away, try making a paste of baking soda (mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water), apply it directly to the burnt area, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then rub it off.
[Saucer] Sesquicarbonate soda or Oxiclean for oil stains
The saucer is a part where oil tends to accumulate. Since the main problem is oil stains rather than scorching, sesquicarbonate of soda is effective. This is the method recommended by Gekiochikun official website.
Things to prepare:Soda sesquicarbonate (1 tablespoon), lukewarm water at 40℃ (1 liter), sponge
Steps:
- Pour lukewarm water at 40℃ into a vat or sink and dissolve 1 tablespoon of sesquicarbonate
- Sink the saucer and leave it for 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Lightly rub with a sponge to remove dirt
- Rinse with water and dry
I often hear people say, "Is OxyClean okay?" According to Kazuya Mogi's cleaning course, OxiClean can also be used for placing saucers and screens. All you have to do is dissolve 1 to 2 tablespoons of the included spoon in 4 liters of hot water and let it soak for about 2 hours.
However, there is one thing to note. OxiClean cannot be used on aluminum saucers. Alkaline detergents can react with aluminum and cause darkening and discoloration. There is no problem if the material of the saucer is enamel or stainless steel, but if it is made of aluminum, use a neutral detergent.
[Inside the oven] You can't leave it on! Conquer with Sesquites
The inside of the oven cannot be removed from the grill, so you cannot leave it on. This is the biggest reason why cleaning a fish grill is such a hassle.
But it's okay. If you use a technique called "sesquipress", you can also clean the interior of the refrigerator, which cannot be removed. This method is also introduced in Duskin Official.
Things to prepare:Sesquicarbonate soda (5g), water (500ml), spray bottle, kitchen paper, plastic wrap
Steps:
- Pour 500ml of water and 5g of sesquicarbonate soda into a spray bottle and mix well
- Spray evenly inside the refrigerator
- Paste kitchen paper and spray on top
- Cover with plastic wrap and leave for 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Wipe off the dirt with kitchen paper
- Wipe off detergent residue with a cloth wrung out with water
The key is to cover it with plastic wrap. It prevents the kitchen paper from drying out and has the effect of adhering firmly to dirt.
Caution:Do not spray directly onto the burner or igniter at the top of the oven. This may cause a malfunction. Check the range that can be cleaned in the instruction manual before starting work.
[Exhaust vent] The cause of odor that is often overlooked
Have you ever cleaned the grill exhaust vent behind the stove? In fact, this is where the smoke and oil vapor from grilling fish pass through, so oil stains tend to accumulate here. If you say, ``Even though I cleaned the grill, it still smells...'', there is a high possibility that the exhaust vent is dirty.
According to Tokyo Gas "Uchikoto", the mesh cover of the exhaust port is often removable, so you can remove it and wash it with a neutral detergent in the same way as the net. Wipe the inside of the exhaust vent with a cloth sprayed with sesquilate water.
Prevent stains in the first place! 5 preventive measures
Cleaning is important, but if you take measures to prevent it from getting dirty, it will be much easier to clean up after each use.
1. Fill a saucer with water and then bake
If you fill the saucer with water, the water will catch any oil that falls and prevent it from burning. If you dissolve potato starch (about 4 tablespoons) in water, it will harden into a gel-like consistency when it cools down, so you can throw it away and clean up even more easily.
2. Apply oil to the grill before baking
A thin coating of salad oil or olive oil on the grill will prevent the fish skin from sticking. All you have to do is dampen kitchen paper with oil and quickly apply it all over the grill.
3. Lay aluminum foil (for single-sided grilling)
If using a single-sided grill, place aluminum foil on the grill and grill on it so that the saucer will hardly get dirty. After use, just roll up the aluminum foil and throw it away. However, avoid using a double-sided grill as the bottom burner will hit the aluminum foil.
4. Use a grill plate or grill pan
Recently, various manufacturers have been selling grill plates (around 800 to 2,000 yen) for grilling fish. If you bake on a plate, the grid and saucer will hardly get dirty. Since only the plates need to be washed, the effort of cleaning up is greatly reduced.
5. Wash immediately after use (this is the most important)
Although this may sound trivial, the most effective preventive measure is to wash the product immediately after using it. Oil stains oxidize and harden over time, so most stains can be easily removed by washing with a mild detergent as soon as the surface cools down. ``I'll do it later'' is the biggest cause of stubborn stains.
FAQ
Can I use Hiter or Mold Killer to clean the fish grill?
Chlorine bleach (Hiter or Kabi Killer) may corrode stainless steel or aluminum, so it is not suitable for cleaning fish grills. Use oxygen-based alkaline detergents such as baking soda, sesquicarbonate of soda, or OxiClean.
Which should I use, baking soda or sesquicarbonate soda?
Roughly speaking, Baking soda is recommended for burnt spots, and Sesquicarbonate soda is recommended for oil stains. Baking soda has an abrasive effect, so it is suitable for scraping off burnt deposits, and sesquidium has a high alkalinity, so it has a strong ability to break down oil.
Is it okay to scrub the inside of the refrigerator with a melamine sponge (Geki Ochikun)?
Melamine sponge has a fine abrasive action, so if you use it on a fluorine-coated refrigerator, the coating may come off. Please check the instruction manual for the presence or absence of coating. It is OK to use if there is no coating.
Do I have to clean the inside of the grill every time I use it?
It is difficult to clean the inside of the refrigerator every time, so it is OK to clean the grid and saucer every time, and the inside of the refrigerator once or twice a month. However, if you leave the oil splattered inside the oven, it will cause smoke and odor the next time you use it, so if you notice it, clean it as soon as possible.
References
- Does cleaning the fish grill require detergent? Explaining how to remove oil stains — Tokyo Gas
- How to clean the fish grill! A thorough explanation of the causes of dirt, odor countermeasures, and how to use it to keep it clean — Duskin
- Clean easily with sesquicarbonate soda! Introducing how to clean a fish grill! — Gekifall-kun
- You can just leave it alone! How to pickle grilled fish in oxy-oxygen — Kazuya Mogi
- Cleaning techniques taught by a stove professional: Safe and effective "fish grill" maintenance guide — Tokyo Gas Uchikoto






