Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: mike.stavlund on May 28, 2014, 06:20:55 PM
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I've been cleaning a couple of lids and bowls over the last week, and thought maybe I'd post up my favorite cleaning techniques. Most all of which I've learned from the folks around here, but maybe some of our newer members will appreciate some ideas from us crusty veterans.
1. Razor blade. Kudos to the first person to ever try something that seems so sure to scratch the heck out of the porcelain, but damn this works like a charm. I grab mine with a pair of Vice-Grips to give me extra leverage and to keep my hand from cramping. First thing I do is to go over the whole inside of the bowl and lid dry, before...
2. Long soak. Seriously, water works wonders. I put the lid upside down in the bowl, then submerge the whole works in a big Rubbermaid container. After an overnight soak, I scrape it again with the razor blade, then repeat.
3. Stainless steel scrubbing pad. I get these at Target, and they are great for cleaning up SS skillets in the kitchen. While I would technically not consider this a fully approved method (I'm too chicken to try it on the outside of the bowl, where I always use softer 0000 steel wool), it does a great job of scrubbing out the last of the hazy stuff once the razor blade has done its job. I use it with dish detergent, and haven't seen it scratch the porcelain at all.
4. Trash can. Big ups to Bman for suggesting this. Take an old plastic trash can and use it to hold your lid and bowl while you scrub it out. Makes a stable base, and saves your back a bit. (I've also started putting a trash liner in the can, which is a handy collection point for all the black bits that come out of the inside of these used kettles.)
...alright, what is *your* tip for cleaning up kettles?
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+1 on the razor blade. That was single handedly the most important tool in my cleanups so far.
2nd...any 5 gallon tall bucket can be used to hold up the lid/bowl upside down or right side up for a scrub down. I usually sit on another 5 gallon bucket to save my back while scrubbing/razor blading.
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I use a razor blade, to get the worst off the inside, then 0000 steel wool, a little water and Dawn dish soap to finish cleaning the inside and outside. Some of them have been pretty nasty, on the inside. I use a folding table to set them on to keep them at the right height, while sitting on my rolling stool.
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What about the crusty three wheeler vents that have been crusted over and pryed off the bowl surface by 1/4 inch?
Simple green and WD-40 to free up the vents.
600 grit to clean off the heavy crust followed by 0000 steel wool and Maguires aluminum polish and then simichrome polish.
All this scrubbing and rubbing reshapes the aluminum vent to mate with the bowl contour with no air gap.
Whew! What a rant!
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Covering the grates in Greased Ligthening and/or oven cleaner, then placing in a garbage bag to soak in the sun has worked wonders for me. Then I usually use a razor blade to scrape off what has been loosened by the cleaner. Rinse and repeat.
I really like the trash can idea. That would definately save your back and make the cleaning process more enjoyable (is cleaning ever enjoyable?).
I've given up on cleaning older ash sweepers. A cutting wheel or hacksaw to remove them and then replacing them has saved me much frustration.
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For holding the razor blade......I picked up a set of these from Harbor Freight for $7
(http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_22544.jpg)
That long handled one is just what the doctor ordered. Works great, and allows you to get good leverage without killing your hands.
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Some really good tips here I haven't read about before. And it's the details about a razor handle here or a bucket perch there that can make all the difference.
What about the crusty three wheeler vents that have been crusted over and pryed off the bowl surface by 1/4 inch?
Simple green and WD-40 to free up the vents.
600 grit to clean off the heavy crust followed by 0000 steel wool and Maguires aluminum polish and then simichrome polish.
All this scrubbing and rubbing reshapes the aluminum vent to mate with the bowl contour with no air gap.
Whew! What a rant!
Thanks, I have just such a project coming up and would't have guessed that polishing an intake vent will help push it back to where it needs to be.
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That's a great tool tip, Pez!
I couldn't find that set very easily at Harbor Freight, but found something similar at the Mighty 'Zon:
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-52000-Razor-Blade-Scraper/dp/B0002SR88C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1401383518&sr=8-3&keywords=razor+blade+holders
...all of which reminds me that I started using razor blades to scrape out the floor of the oven instead of using oven cleaners or other liquids. Most of that gunk slides right off with a razor, then I just vacuum out the shiny oven.
(...yes, we occasionally cook in the oven at my house. ;-) )
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Those blue handled small razor blade scrapers are fantastic! WAAAY better then the retractable style where the button always slips. Nice and solid!
Home Depot sells them on their own up here, think they are about $4 or $5
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You razor blade guys will have to pry the oven cleaner from my cold, dead hands.
Which might be the case based on the fumes. (Wear a mask/bandana when using the stuff.)
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Those fumes are crazy, always feel like I'm going to die using that stuff. But, it works great!
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You razor blade guys will have to pry the oven cleaner from my cold, dead hands.
Which might be the case based on the fumes. (Wear a mask/bandana when using the stuff.)
Even with the razor blades, if you're not careful you can impale yourself.
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You razor blade guys will have to pry the oven cleaner from my cold, dead hands.
Which might be the case based on the fumes. (Wear a mask/bandana when using the stuff.)
+1 a good long soak with oven cleaner and rinse with 5gal bucket of hot water.
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You razor blade guys will have to pry the oven cleaner from my cold, dead hands.
Which might be the case based on the fumes. (Wear a mask/bandana when using the stuff.)
lol, couldn't agree more - the stuff is nasty but it works SO well. I usually let it soak overnight or at least for a few hours then use the scraper to peel the gunk then #0000 to finish things off.
...and the "fume free" stuff doesn't seem to work near as well.
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The Dollar Tree oven cleaner along with razor blades and stainless steel scrub buddies work for me.
(http://www.dollartree.com/assets/product_images/styles/alternate_large/192644.jpg)
(http://www.dollartree.com/assets/product_images/styles/alternate_large/178479.jpg)
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I only use the Easy off brand, i tried the Dollar oven cleaner. its weak at best.
I decide which is better based ont he gunk of the grill.
Sometimes the oven cleaner is not gonna cut it, no matter what.
Razor blades are way cheaper. I can scrape an average bowl and lid pretty fast.
i also use the Dollar store SOS pads. Way cheaper than true 0000 steel wool.
I reseve that for straight polishing of the exterior.
For grates and OT parts, i use my $10 harbor freight grinder with a wire wheel attachment.
Thats does amazing work in a short time..
At some point I plan to get a small buffer to do the gold bowls and possibly the legs.
OK, are we still talking about Kettles? Lol! 8)
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On a really crusty daisy wheel, where it has built up underneath and between the bowl and vent, I used a rag to cover the vent and then lightly hammered all over it to loosen the crusties. That also helped me fix the warped aluminum.
Sent via smoke signals from my Weber kettle
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... I used a rag to cover the vent ...
On the outside, so that the hammer doesn't maybe dent the vent wheel?
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... I used a rag to cover the vent ...
On the outside, so that the hammer doesn't maybe dent the vent wheel?
Yeah, with the kettle turned upside down to access the bottom daisy wheels from the outside, I put a rag over the vent to prevent scratches and just lightly tap all over so as not to dent or damage the vent itself. So the hammer touches the cloth, not the metal.
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Lots of great tips here! Thanks for all the tribal knowledge guys!
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Pez, I owe you a beer. Having a razor blade scraper has made one of my favorite activities even more fun. Faster, easier, more efficient. And this one from the 'Zon has a great quick-change spring-loaded blade holder. Magic.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SR88C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks, buddy!
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I'm in the minority here and maybe I'm doing something wrong but the one time I used a razor blade scraper to begin with, it made very fine scratches in the porcelain. Not really visible unless in direct sunlight and looked for but they were there and I haven't used the razor unless it's the last resort.
I mainly use oven cleaner and let that do it's work for hours and sometimes overnight. I then reapply and then scrape w/ a plastic scraper. Then warm water, Dawn and a nylon scrub brush/sponge. If after doing that twice and it's still not clean, then I carefully use the razor. Basically, I won't reach for the razor first. Only as a last resort or for trouble spots.
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I have always relied on extreme heat (20# bag of Lump) then bare fingernails clawing @ the molten crust
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My parents used habachi's when growing up with lighter fluid yummy! Now my primary is a ceramic kamado, have a fancy non-weber gas grill that has developed a complex and feels ignored and bought a jumbo joe for camping. Have a great gas version but love the charcoal cooks. So when you folks are talking about cleaning are these super old kettles or well used (potential oxymoron) I would assume just filled and go nuclear it would burn off no? Again my kamado does that but only have about 5 cooks on the joe so just want to be prepared. And funny it's always a learning experience with a new q.
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My parents used habachi's when growing up with lighter fluid yummy! Now my primary is a ceramic kamado, have a fancy non-weber gas grill that has developed a complex and feels ignored and bought a jumbo joe for camping. Have a great gas version but love the charcoal cooks. So when you folks are talking about cleaning are these super old kettles or well used (potential oxymoron) I would assume just filled and go nuclear it would burn off no? Again my kamado does that but only have about 5 cooks on the joe so just want to be prepared. And funny it's always a learning experience with a new q.
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Welcome to WKC. After a certain point you can't just burn off the crud and hope it falls off. When it become pure carbon and bonded to the surface it's especially hard to remove. It doesn't really affect the cooking much imo but some people like their q's shiny and clean.
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My parents used habachi's when growing up with lighter fluid yummy! Now my primary is a ceramic kamado, have a fancy non-weber gas grill that has developed a complex and feels ignored and bought a jumbo joe for camping. Have a great gas version but love the charcoal cooks. So when you folks are talking about cleaning are these super old kettles or well used (potential oxymoron) I would assume just filled and go nuclear it would burn off no? Again my kamado does that but only have about 5 cooks on the joe so just want to be prepared. And funny it's always a learning experience with a new q.
I actually tried a torch to attempt to burn the carbon off.. No go.. Then I learned about the magical razor blade.. Best part, they're cheap! Oven cleaner is $5 a can, One blade is 20 cents..
No chemicals added to the environment.
As for clean grills, I can't remember the last time I cleaned by daily cooker.. 8)
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Welcome to WKC. After a certain point you can't just burn off the crud and hope it falls off. When it become pure carbon and bonded to the surface it's especially hard to remove. It doesn't really affect the cooking much imo but some people like their q's shiny and clean.
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Thanks guys looking forward to the day I have had enough cooks on it to worry about cleaning 👍
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For example.....I like to clean my daily cooker once a year or so. Not because I need to have it sparkling clean (it's usually filthy), but because I like to stay ahead of any potential rust, corrosion, or potential issues that might pop up. Last year, I cleaned it up and replaced all of the hardware with stainless steel fasteners. The originals were already beginning to show corrosion, and the grill is only 2 years old. Replacement parts get expensive. I would prefer to spend $6 a year on oven cleaner and razor blades ;D
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I'm in the minority here and maybe I'm doing something wrong but the one time I used a razor blade scraper to begin with, it made very fine scratches in the porcelain. Not really visible unless in direct sunlight and looked for but they were there and I haven't used the razor unless it's the last resort.
I mainly use oven cleaner and let that do it's work for hours and sometimes overnight. I then reapply and then scrape w/ a plastic scraper. Then warm water, Dawn and a nylon scrub brush/sponge. If after doing that twice and it's still not clean, then I carefully use the razor. Basically, I won't reach for the razor first. Only as a last resort or for trouble spots.
Interesting. I followup the razor with 000 steel wool and those microscratches or whatever go away. I've done this so many times I didn't think they were actually scratches.
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Yeah, I've scratched down to metal with a razor.
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I'm in the minority here and maybe I'm doing something wrong but the one time I used a razor blade scraper to begin with, it made very fine scratches in the porcelain. Not really visible unless in direct sunlight and looked for but they were there and I haven't used the razor unless it's the last resort.
I mainly use oven cleaner and let that do it's work for hours and sometimes overnight. I then reapply and then scrape w/ a plastic scraper. Then warm water, Dawn and a nylon scrub brush/sponge. If after doing that twice and it's still not clean, then I carefully use the razor. Basically, I won't reach for the razor first. Only as a last resort or for trouble spots.
Interesting. I followup the razor with 000 steel wool and those microscratches or whatever go away. I've done this so many times I didn't think they were actually scratches.
Ah, ok. I'll try that.
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Another suggestion... Do it in the yard not on your driveway.
I just ended up with a a 2nd mess to clean up : :-\
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Bump I put in two hours cleaning a old grill today. I said #f it and started using the metal end of a grill brush to get the cooked rusted gunk underneath the lid.
My back hurts.