You think grill grates are bad, I can't keep my mother from putting soap on cast iron skillets.....    Good luck trying to convince a germophobe that 400 degrees Fahrenheit kills everything regardless.....

That said, as a couple of my Weber grills have had grates need replacement, I've gone with aftermarket stainless steel Cajun Bandit.   Those things are awesome and super easy to clean with just a brushing.