Best way to clean grates

[Rusty]

1. spray both sides of the grill with Pam before you place the meat on them.
2. after smoking complete, use Dawn liquid on the green scrubbing pad (not metal, the "plastic" scrubbing pads)
3. you can gently scrub everything off very easily, wipe/scrub both sides of the grill and you are done.
Works like a charm!

 

[jaramie]

Takes me more than 15 minutes to drag out the pressure washer and hook it up.

15 min to hook up a hose

 

[jshotsky]

In the good weather, I use my electric pressure washer. You can hit them with dollar tree grease remover first, to speed it up a little. In bad weather, I do it in the sink using https://www.amazon.com/Members-Mark...YJ5F3H/ref=dp_coos_3?pd_rd_i=B079YJ5F3H&psc=1
This stuff is fantastic. As you spray it, you can see the grease run off.

 

[GKS]

I've been putting them in a plastic tub with water and soap -- let them soak then scrub. This creates a mess. We have an electric pressure washer, I was considering. Much faster and I can hang them outside. I don't know if it would chip the ceramic coating.

Thoughts?

I use my pressure washer. It works great. I also use a citrus grill cleaner in a blue spray bottle.

 

[Krazy]

I put the grates on my gas grill cover with foil and turn it on high. The crud turns to ash.

 

[Jeepop]

I've been putting them in a plastic tub with water and soap -- let them soak then scrub. This creates a mess. We have an electric pressure washer, I was considering. Much faster and I can hang them outside. I don't know if it would chip the ceramic coating.

Thoughts?

I've been putting them in a plastic tub with water and soap -- let them soak then scrub. This creates a mess. We have an electric pressure washer, I was considering. Much faster and I can hang them outside. I don't know if it would chip the ceramic coating.

Thoughts?

Thank me later

 

[boomer rang]

I did my first rcook yesterday, baby back ribs. Turned out ok, a bit dry, used 3-2-1, but think I got a bit confused. I actually bought the Pit Boss grate cleaner, it did a good job, sprayed down, both sides, scrubbed with a green pad, and washed off. I'm sure Dawn would have worked just as well. How often do folks vac out firebox? The one saving grace, I placed aluminum foil on the flame broiler main plate. One less piece to clean, just crumple up foil, and replace.

 

[Dad_Roman]

I did my first rcook yesterday, baby back ribs. Turned out ok, a bit dry, used 3-2-1, .........How often do folks vac out firebox?

Important question. You dont want the ash to build up to the auger port. I have found that its a matter of how many hours vs how many cook cycles. I do mostly burgers and steaks. Its a 30 min process form beginning to end IE: cool to cool. With these short cyles I have found it unnecessary to vacum often but I do keep an eye on it after every cook. Seems like the serious build up is with the loooong cooks like your ribs (3-2-1=6) and then of course the butts or briskets etc. I fervently clean before a long cook.

 

[Dad_Roman]

As to the grate cleaning question:

My grates seem to have enough drippy gunk that I just wipe/scrubdown/fingernail scratch with a handfull of paper towels with the trashcan right next to me.

Seems simple and leaves a slight coating of grease on them for the next cook. Mine are a bit new so maybe its just real easy right now.

 

[Steelheader1974]

I empty my fire pot after pretty much most cooks unless it’s a couple short ones. Anything over six hours up to 20 hours pot gets pretty full. I noticed with fruit blend pellets seems to be more dust.

 

[andrew.short]

Takes me more than 15 minutes to drag out the pressure washer and hook it up.

THIS is why I use the garden hose and not the pressure washer on my grates. 100%!

 

[Private]

We use degreaser concentrate (we use https://www.smartandfinal.com/shop/...aner-degreaser-heavy-duty-concentrated/667578 but others should work). Key is not to add water. put the concentrate in a spray bottle and use it straight. then put the grates in a bin to sit for a few minutes, then brush off the big chunks and rinse. 5 minute job and squeaky clean.

FWIW - we use the same degreaser concentrate to clean the insides of our verticals. the creosote disolves and just runs right off. Even keeps the windows nice and clear. We put it in a harris 360 degree spray bottle (sprays at any angle - even upside down). Takes a couple of minutes to wipe out the residue - but a full clean (after dozens of cooks by guys too lazy to clean regularly) takes about 20-30 minutes. Be sure you do it somewhere where drips won't stain your deck/patio/etc. because it works so fast the grease literally runs out.