What do you folks use to deep clean your kettle (or whatever cooker)?

[adamcoe]

So it's time (a little overdue if anything) to do a proper clean on my kettle (and likely do my offset smoker at the same time). Is there any one product that people have had a great experience with? In the past I've usually just used a citrus based degreaser or Simple Green, often with a stiff brush and/or steel wool (SOS pads), and had decent sucess, but I'm wondering if there's anything out there that works even better. Thoughts?

Thanks all

[WayneT]

I use the Weber grill cleaner spray for my huge, heavy racks and immovable objects. For my cast iron griddles I use hot water and Dawn followed by a salt scrub if there’s any baked on carbon. I will also occasionally use Barkeeper’s Friend. I use a wire brush on the grates and a Scotchbrite sponge/scrubber on griddles, thermometer probes, etc. oh, and some elbow grease, available everywhere.

[Henrik]

I use a wire brush on the grates (while hot water is running on/over them), then I use steel wool to make them shine.

As for the grill itself:
1. Flip it upside down to empty it.
2. Use hot water and a cheap brush to get rid of fat and other residue. I do this with the bottom vent fully open and any ash catcher removed, and I also place the grill on a surface that can handle the hot water mess running out.

That's it. I tend to the inside of the grill more than the outside.

[HawkerXP]

I use this as a guide. Basically, a razor scrapper on the inside of top and bottom.


Weber Grill Restoration: Interior and Exterior Kettle Cleaning - Weber Kettle Club

[jfmorris]

Yep this is the process I follow for deep cleaning as well.

[fzxdoc]

Wow, I would have thought that a razor blade scraper would damage the surfaces of the kettle grill. I use a plastic scraper but then the inside of my grills are not squeaky clean either. I focus more on keeping the grates as clean as any kitchen skillet.

Kathryn

[Mosca]

Plastic scraper here, too. Anything that doesn’t come off with that, I don’t stress, because it’s not coming off in the food then, either.

[Dadof3Illinois]

Get yourself a brass scraper (putty knife) and round the corners, it's softer than a stainless or carbon steel scraper but much tougher than plastic. I've been using one for several years now and have had no scratching issues at all!!

[jfmorris]

The razor scraper actually works, and at least on my performer, has yet to damage the inside of the grill. I do it every couple of years, or when the bottom gets crudded up to where the ash sweeps don’t work wel.

[JCBBQ]

Well I have a primo xl so my cleaning consists of a high heat burn off. 800-1000 degrees w all the vents open. Cleans up like a champ. Nothing survives. Just a matter of brushing off the ash. One of the great features of a kamado.

[smokin fool]

Same
Then a scotch bright pad to clean off the ash and chunkage.
Try to keep water out of the Keg

[Finster]

Wait. What? I'm supposed to clean it?

[Steve R.]

This news comes as a shock to me as well! In all seriousness, I just line the charcoal grate with foil and change it out after every cook. Nothing to clean out, at least in the bottom, that way.

[MBMorgan]

I've been known to use a steam cleaner. It works pretty well but, if you don't already have one, it might not be worth the cost.

[Panhead John]

Yeah, I just use a 2” metal putty knife, then rinse with the hose. I’m not too concerned with the lid till it starts flaking. I rarely use a grease pan in my kettle, so I occasionally have to scrape the bowl too.

[SmokeyGator]

I use fire to clean my Primo. But it is ceramic and that is just how they work. I do take steel wool to the inside of the lid to knock off the stuff that accumulates before it flakes off on whatever I am cooking, but that is about it.

For metal parts, Easy-Off is the funk on rye. Put the racks in a plastic bag (kitchen size trash bags work), spray them with a thick coating, then close the bag. This way the good stuff remains in contact with the gunk on the grates. After 20 or 30 minutes (cant really leave it in place for too long, I do not use a timer or anything) everything should be dissolved or easy to scrape off with a brush. Then hose em off. I also have a container (plastic kitchen size trash can) I use to flush a small outboard engine. I can fill that thing with water and leave the grates to soak. And add degreaser or anything else I want.

I would avoid the dishwasher, because grates tend to have more stuff on them than plates. I could use mine, but it is easier to just use the lye spray or a long soak in the bucket.

[STEbbq]

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/other-aa/955537-zero-credit-s-official-grill-rescue-brush-review-accept-no-substitutes

[Rod]

I do a scrape of the bowl with a plastic putty knife after every cook. I've done one deep clean for the first time with a citric acid based cleaner and non-abrasive scotchbrite pads and/or steel wool and razor blades. Then follow that up with Dawn and the non-abrasive scotchbrite pads. I've only done this deep cleaning once on my kettles this past winter (probably because I take the time to scrape them down after every cook).

I found it best to let the degreaser soak for a bit and then use a razor blade very carefully. Between both of my kettles I used a whole 100pc pack of razor blades as they dulled rather quickly after 3 or 4 six inch long scrapes (give or take). It did leave some light surface "scratches", but no more than the ash sweep has left under normal use. At first I was reluctant to use a razor blade, but there was no way a degreaser and scrubbing alone was going to get down to the enamel.

So any future deep cleans I'll...

1. Hose out the lid and bowl, then let dry.
2. Spray with a degreaser (I think I used Zep citric acid cleaner), let soak for a couple minutes and scrub with non-abrasive pad without too much effort. Maybe repeat.
3. Use the degreaser and razor blades. Again, toss the blade after a couple scrapes and grab a new one. I think a dulling blade may cause deep scratches as you'll have to use more force.
4. Use Dawn and scotchbrite to do a final clean and hose out everything.

[Smoked Transistors]

500,000 BTU, Flamethrower

Cleans the grates and anything stuck at the bottom of the kettle. Quick and simple.

[rlozinak]

Have not done mine yet....not a deep clean anyway

[WillTravelForFood]

Was happy with GOO GONE GRILL CLEANER the other day. Racks came out SHINY. Did the oven racks too, sparkles!

same process as the garbage bag method mentioned above