Like mojavean states, the grates are coated with a porcelain enamel, almost a glass like substance. It will wear, and it might be susceptible to attack by "some" of the stronger dishwashing detergents that have potassium or sodium hydroxide in them. I quote one sentence from Wikipedia under the topic 'dishwasher'-"glass dissolves slowly in alkaline aqueous solution."... you can read the article yourself. I mentioned before, it's like the porcelain coating on French cast iron ovens, such as Le Creuset and Staub. Having said that, it would probably take years to have much of an effect. Still, I would rather have the bottom of my pans wear out this coating. The grates will take a seasoning, you just wipe them with the smallest amount of oil, and turn the burner back on. Some oils smoke less than others, refined light olive oil is good, this seasoning may burn off and stick to the bottom of your expensive copper pan, especially if it's a fresh seasoning....otherwise, not a problem, and in fact it probably protects the porcelain from wear. The big thing with cast iron, even porcelain cast iron, is to keep it dry. Sometimes you'll see a light 'bloom' of rust on it, just wipe it off. But if rust gets under the porcelain, it will lift it off and chip it. To clean, I use an almost dry scrubby sponge, and leave the bowls on the cooktop. If I spill a mess of flour, or manage to make a complete mess, I do take the bowls to the sink and rinse them there.

Easiest way I've found to clean the grates (I'm guessing these are pro grates you will have) is to lay the grates in the sink, fill the sink with HOT water and pop 1-3 individual Cascade with Dawn automatic dishwasher detergent packs in there. The larger your sink/more water in your sink, the more detergent packs you will need. Let soak for 10-20 minutes then wipe with a sponge & rinse. For spots that are really stubborn, I use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Kitchen Scrubber (MEKS). I found that the Mr. Clean MEKS also works the best at getting all the grease off the enamel pan under the grates & doesn't leave streaks. I usually clean the pan while the grates are soaking. The soak works great for the vent hood filters too--the grease just melts off!

Friends-- I am *this close* to getting a 30 inch gas Bertazzoni for my kitchen. Any advice, gripes, quirks, stories about how much you love it, etc. would be very welcome. Also, if you were happy or not with your retailer. I'd be buying on the internet (which doesn't scare me for books; does scare me for 400 pound ranges). Thanks!

You can *sort of* clean it up a bit by taking it off the hinges it sits on (I pull my door straight up and it slides off the hinges) and use the backyard hose on it :-) I read somewhere here to use an old tube sock on a bent wire hanger and through the bottom of the oven door you can clean the glass - it is a pain but it does work to some degree. At least it will be somewhat cleaner anyway. Good luck! Messy job :-(