How can I clean up some filthy Cast Aluminum GrillGrates (TM), the brand name aluminum cooking godsends?? HELP PLEASE!!

[jfmorris]

Grillgrates recommends against using cast iron on top of the aluminum grates - it can cause them to warp due to trapped heat reaching temps above what is safe for aluminum, and due to the difference in temperature rise/fall rate in the two metals. Glad it is working for you, but I put my original Weber grates back when using cast iron on my gasser.

[EubieQ]

I'm not sure if it's approved by the manufacturer, but I accidentally found an easy way to clean them. Place a cast iron griddle on top for, let's say, a reverse sear of a tri-tip or some strip steaks...Mmmmm. I usually let the griddle heat up for ~15-20min prior to the sear. After dinner (long after) when the griddle is cool enough to remove, voila! I have nice clean grill grates. Not spotless, mind you, but certainly much, much cleaner than before dinner. Please note that I use them on my gasser mostly, which is where the reverse sear usually takes place, not over lump, but I can't imagine it would make much difference as long as it's good heat.

[jfmorris]

Stuey1515 I don't think I've ever seen GrillGrate.com refer to them as cast - only the article about them here on the free side of AR says that. We really ought to get that corrected.

[Stuey1515]

100% agree mate, the only part of my gasser that gets cleaned is the outside. Heat 'em up, knock off the dags and grill away

[Stuey1515]

Thanks John, it was annoying me why these are referred to as cast. Even the local BBQ shop owner said this and it was clear as a bell that they are extruded.

[Oak Smoke]

After seeing it do miracles on range brass, I've been using a mixture of Lemishine and Dawn ultra to soak things in. It is amazing! I don't own grill grates, but I'd give it a try.

[GolfGeezer]

GrillGrate.com has a whole page on cleaning with several videos. One is the use of Simple Green. Look for the video titled "Spring Cleaning".

https://www.grillgrate.com/care-and-cleaning/

[FireMan]

Embrittlement, wow! Sent me to my dictionary. 👀

[HawkerXP]

Welcome to the Pit!

[TxF]

The tool works, and is a lot of work. The best way I’ve found to use it is to scrape down one side and then pull on the handle to lever it to across the bottom. Very tedious and you have to go all the way from one side to the other the spin the grate 180 and go back. That’s for the carbon that won’t come off after soaking and brushing and power washing.

Once they are clean the tool really works best for spots. The majority of the time I keep my grates flipped upside down and use the as a flat surface and the tool makes quick work of cleaning that side of them.

[Deaf Arty]

STEbbq posted about this cleaning tool . Sounded so good, I ordered one and will try it on my GrillGrates, along with the other suggestions in this thread.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/member/42950-zero_credit

[Mosca]

Simple Green can cause embrittlement in aluminum. Use with caution.

[Old Glory]

Soaking then power washing sounds like it would work.

PS I had a set and really really hated cleaning them

[bbqLuv]

When you clean them, leave the patina, the seasoning, the non-stick coating that develops.
Black is beautiful.

[FireMan]

I second that emotion!
BTW, it’s called piling on. 👍