Recommendations on Cleaning the Gunk?

[JGo37]

Hi Folks - this is sincere, but I don't intend this post to last - not for my needs anyway. I have an immediate need, and to get this done fast, right and simplest, this is where to turn.

My Weber kettle has been through a dozen smokes in two weeks. The gasket material came in today. I want to strip it clean, put in a grommet, a second thermometer at grate level, and apply the gasket to the lid, permanently. How do you recommend stripping the accumulation to assure I'm getting gasket and sealant onto the porcelain? I need it to set a day and go back to work Saturday morning. Thanks in advance.

[adamjs83]

I literally did this last night. Set a gasket and installed a probe port. The previous night I shopvac’ed it out, hosed it down, hit the big acumulations with a putty knife then I scrubbed the whole thing with a 6” brush on my drill with a little dish soap. Rinse repeat. Looks like new. If it’s really bad I’ve done the same but added the power washer.

[JGo37]

I am afraid you're right. This is going to take work, and the drill brush, rinse, repeat is the way to go. Great idea. Thanks.

[fuzzydaddy]

Razor blades and #0000 steel wool. Full article here. http://weberkettleclub.com/weber-gri...ttle-cleaning/

[adamjs83]

Btw be careful when you drill the hole for the grommet. I didn’t have a big enough step bit so I stupidly tried using a paddle bit and after a few seconds it got jammed, nearly broke my wrist and the kettle. Fortunately no permanent damage in either case. Use a step bit or a good quality hole saw and watch out for flying shards of kettle.

[cftarnas]

I just did it two days ago. I used meyer’s scrub (like soft scrub) and a blue scotchbrite sponge to scrub the entire rim of the lid and a one inch margins till it shone like it was new. Then I hosed it off, let it dry, then wiped the rim with rubbing alcohol.

[Troutman]

I always final clean the surfaces with acetone once scrapped down and washed clean. Make sure all grease and oils are eliminated to assure a good bond of the gasket glue.

[JGo37]

It's self-stick gasket, which of course is not enough, but it also came with a pretty big tube of sealant. Nice touch. 15' x 1/2", sealant, delivered @ $22.00.

[JeffJ]

Razor scraper

[jgreen]

I have heard of people using oven cleaner, but not sure how hard that is on the paint.

[lostclusters]

Vinegar work pretty good

[Scout789]

I've never done this exact job, but I get good results cleaning my expanded metal grills using Easy Off oven cleaner. After letting it soak for awhile, I hit it with the pressure washer. It works pretty well. Just be advised, the cleaner is pretty caustic, so use gloves and eye protection and don't wear clothes that you aren't willing to part with.

[EdF]

This stuff is a bit more environment-friendly, but it's still caustic as h**l. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Be careful!

[JGo37]

I can't find it locally. It takes two weeks to arrive. I'll get a bottle, but I also want to be done today. Thanks.

[EdF]

Oops, guess I wasn't paying attention!

[Scout789]

Thanks! I'll order some when I run out of oven cleaner.

[JGo37]

I cleaned my kettle and put on the gasket and it doesn't seal because I have a Black Dragon shelf and a Weber tool hanger on the lower kettle. It WILL seal if a put a second gasket on the lower kettle. So...

I'm going to add another Black Dragon shelf to the opposite side, use some sealant to level the field, and add the second gasket. I'll get a cover for a big wide grill at Menard's that will cover the kettle and both shelves, and that will be that. I won't take apart the bottom kettle, ever ever again. But I'll have a seal.

I should have bought a boat.

[JGo37]

HA! I'm not really thinking this thru, am I?

[Scout789]

Boats make lousy cookers. If it's an inboard you can wrap something in foil and throw it on the exhaust manifold, but it doesn't get much flavor that way.

[JGo37]

Now I'm wondering if I can cook just-caught fish, in the field, wrapped in foil, on my truck's valve covers. Got to seal it tight - my valve covers are CLEAN...

[Dadof3Illinois]

My best results have been spraying with oven cleaner and let set 30-45 mins. Use rubber gloves and some "0000" steel wool then a brass scraper to remove the hard stuff. A razor blade if it’s really stubborn. Follow up with a good washing and let dry. Rubbing alcohol or acetone to clean remaining gunk off the edge then apply the gasket.
For the outside use the "0000" steel wool and “bar keepers friend cleaner the a good washing. Mine shines like new after it’s yearly bath.

[fuzzydaddy]

Bar keepers friend is good stuff!