[Qiviut]

I do love my gas cooktop & I also have cast iron grates. The grates are heavy, but easy to lift off for cleaning. I have a large farm sink so I have room to wash the grates (yesterday they had Cranberry Apple Preserves splattered on them) & with the grates off, cleaning around the burners is easy.

Bunch of shooting going on nearby - small arms & something a lot bigger. It sounds like target practice - usually happens on Sunday mornings back on the mountain - this sounds like on the river & a lot closer.

[Qiviut]

My native Monarda finally bloomed! It is a huge (tall) plant. Love the purple blooms. I will transplant it to my garden at the new house, but will have to be careful where I site it due to its size.

[Albion Wilde]

I do love my gas cooktop & I also have cast iron grates. The grates are heavy, but easy to lift off for cleaning.

I was on a bacon binge all winter and spring. Even though I wipe the stove every time, the build-up of heat-hardened grease on the burner grates was daunting. After scraping the grates with a razor blade and scouring with a wire brush and Brillo a couple of times, I hit on the idea of putting the burners—and the drip pans—in the dishwasher every time I run it.

Et voilà! The repeated hot washes have softened the burned-on bits and they come out very clean! There has been no visible wear on the paint.

It helps to spray the drip pans LIGHTLY with degreaser (I use Simple Green) and rinse under the tap before putting them in the dishwasher. They come out 99% spotless.