Cleaning GrillGrates when used as replacement grates

[bbq_esq]

I probably only have one season left with my old Char Broil gasser (3 moves and 2 kids, so it's had a good run) so I figure perfect time to ask this. I replaced the rusted out grates with GrillGrates a few years back, and switched to using the flat side only soon thereafter.

I have yet to figure out an easy way to keep these things clean.

Mine are perfectly fit (after some home cutting of one panel) to sit in the gasser. There is less than 1/4" gap on any side.

Let's say I cook a bunch of burgers on there and there is bunch of grease and gunk. I get it hot and scrape it all up, but then what? It's not like it's going to fall into the grill and burn up, and I can't even really scrape the back edge without taking them.

How do people keep these things clean without taking them every time?

[Hulagn1971]

I scrape the flat side with a long handled razor scraper.

[Hulagn1971]

bbq_esq I toss it in the trash.

[bbq_esq]

Hulagn1971 lol well I didn’t think you were saving it

[Hulagn1971]

A zesty topping for baked potatoes bbq_esq lol.

[N227GB]

I use a pair of pliers to pick them up and hold them while scraping. Done carefully; I've yet to damage the hard anodizing.

https://www.amazon.com/Tools-VISE-GRIP-GrooveLock-Pliers-4935351/dp/B0030XMFJI?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&gQT=1&th=1

[bbq_esq]

Exactly what I want to avoid lol

[jfmorris]

I use a spatula to help collect the scrapings from the rear of the grill, if scraping the flat side. If scraping the railed side, I scrap the tops clean, then brush, then use the Grillgrate spatula tool to scrap AND shovel out the valleys, pushing to the back wall of the grill, and getting what I can. To be honest, the only TRUE way to get all the loose debris off is to remove them from the grill, and use a hose. Because of that, before cooking I often spray with oil and wipe with a wad of paper towels to get any loose stuff that got left behind.

I kinda feel like I was the world's biggest Grillgrates evangelist in the 2017-2020 timeframe. And I still use them ON OCCASSION on my gas grill, and frequently if I want to do a full grill 1-zone cook on my kettle or kamado.

BUT I don't use them all the time, and seldom as a full replacement set on the gasser, after a grease fire BELOW the Grillgrate panels caused permanent damage to a 1 year old Weber Genesis 4 burner grill, AND warped 2 of 7 panels in the Grillgrate set to beyond repair. They simply trap TOO MUCH heat below the grate, compared to conventional grillgrates, and can cause grease fires in the firebox that don't happen otherwise.

[Mosca]

I also liked them, for a while. Now I use them as a trivet for hot grates on porcelain/wood/painted (Weber Performer) surfaces.

[bbq_esq]

Yeah, I’m kind of over them. The gasser is on its last leg so I’m just gonna get a griddle, which is pretty much how I use it now. I do like 75% of my cooking on either the SnS kettle or the PBC at this point (thanks to this site and forum lol)

[randy.56]

I pre heat when it gets to about 200 scrape and wire brush. Once every couple months, Maybe once a month depends on usage , I take em out, clean them real good with Sam's grill and oven cleaner. On the ribbed side I bought some wire brushes, the size of a tooth brush and run up and down between the ridges. Then hose them off.

[DaveD]

I've loved mine from when I first got 'em for my Weber Spirit back in Virginia. Those stayed behind with that grill, and I have a new set (back)ordered for the one I inherited here. I will admit that I've rarely done more than scrub them with a wad of aluminum foil while they are good and hot (using heavy grill gloves of course). That said, I rarely use them for cooks that generate a lot of grease/fat, those cuts are usually cooked in some other way. And I really like how hot they get for searing steaks and chops etc. Still a firm fan!

[Steve R.]

This is the thing that turned me off about these. Cleaning was just a massive PITA, and dirty GrillGrates are the worst.

[jtw]

I have GrillGrates on my gasser and so far it hasn't been a problem. 5 panels total and I keep the three on the left "grates up" and two on the the right are flat side up. The flat sides scrape nicely, where the bits either fall through and get turned to ash on the burners/flavorizers, or pushed to the back where they also eventually turn to ash. The grates scrape up okay too, but I have a piece of hardwood about 1" wide that just fits in the grooves to push all the stuff to the back where it, too, burns up eventually.

There doesn't seem to be a good answer for the grooves where the panels connect because it's just an odd-shaped bump in the groove. Seems to burn up on its own okay....

[Jerod Broussard]

I scrape right before the cook. I have just enough gappage on the edges for what is scraped to disappear.

[bbq_esq]

Yeah that’s what I’m missing. It all just gathers in the back