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Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: johncorvin on November 21, 2016, 05:48:10 PM

Title: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 21, 2016, 05:48:10 PM
So i thought i would document my first cleaning on my first kettle even though ive never grilled on one before. Made a post on the welcome page and had a suggestion to post before and after pics.

Since the time change i can't do this in day light so brought it in the garage. This one has a lot of build up and is slow progress.

My wife has a cleaning company so has had some good input. I don't really know what I'm doing so just going through the motions. So far tonight Go Gone has worked well. Although I don't know if it will hurt me later. Baking soda mixed with dawn and no water has too for scrubbing.

I have the lid upside down for scrubbing and it didn't appear to be touching the grate holders.

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161122/a435f8d124c0e7aa1a6915625d19b553.jpg)

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161122/df63114c15bf7e11fa5ec87eaaf57b2b.jpg)

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161122/8d76c3f9d0b78b64b26185874f075c64.jpg)

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: Neil_VT00 on November 21, 2016, 05:59:54 PM
Looks like you are off to a good start. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the WKC restoration page: http://weberkettleclub.com/weber-grill-restoration-interior-and-exterior-kettle-cleaning/

Good luck.


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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 21, 2016, 06:04:50 PM
Thanks, i have. Just using what i have on hand at this point. Steel grill brush and this handy plastic scraper my wife has. Seems to hold up rather nice. I did see a few bristels from the brush come off on a towel.  I will never use these again.  That's probably what's wrong with my stomach lol.

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 21, 2016, 06:21:14 PM
Ok, note to self,  razor blades are wonderful. Didn't think I could use one because i didn't have a scraper. Just holding it by hand.  Thanks Neil for making me give that page another look.

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: Travis on November 21, 2016, 09:45:48 PM
Quote from: johncorvin on November 21, 2016, 06:21:14 PM
Ok, note to self,  razor blades are wonderful. Didn't think I could use one because i didn't have a scraper. Just holding it by hand.  Thanks Neil for making me give that page another look.

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Invest in a scraper, a pack of razor blades, and 0000 steel wool. If you decide to find other kettles down the road it'll come in handy.


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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: captjoe06 on November 22, 2016, 12:47:39 AM
Quote from: Travis on November 21, 2016, 09:45:48 PM
Quote from: johncorvin on November 21, 2016, 06:21:14 PM
Ok, note to self,  razor blades are wonderful. Didn't think I could use one because i didn't have a scraper. Just holding it by hand.  Thanks Neil for making me give that page another look.

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Invest in a scraper, a pack of razor blades, and 0000 steel wool. If you decide to find other kettles down the road it'll come in handy.


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One of the more pleasurable parts of cleaning up a grill is when those shavings come off in nice long clean strips off with the razor scraper!
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: Neil_VT00 on November 22, 2016, 05:11:51 AM
If you don't want to invest in a scraper, just grab a blade in a pair of vice grips and you've got yourself a nice handle to work with.
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: Cellar2ful on November 22, 2016, 07:52:33 AM

Here are two razor scrapers I have found to work exceptional and stand up to multiple (30+) kettle restorations.  All the ones available locally I found the blades start getting loose.

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Multipurpose-Razor-Scrapers-2-Pc/dp/B01E4J6R9A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1479833309&sr=8-6&keywords=razor+scraper
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on November 22, 2016, 10:10:26 AM
Quote from: Cellar2ful on November 22, 2016, 07:52:33 AM

Here are two razor scrapers I have found to work exceptional and stand up to multiple (30+) kettle restorations.  All the ones available locally I found the blades start getting loose.

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Multipurpose-Razor-Scrapers-2-Pc/dp/B01E4J6R9A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1479833309&sr=8-6&keywords=razor+scraper

Thats a great combo!!!  I have something similar to the smaller one and have been looking to replace it as well as get the other style that is in that combo.
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 06:03:07 PM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161123/2df0ede81d3ba205663e48379c83d79c.jpg)

Almost there.  Looks like the handle indentions have broken through the ceramic coating. Has anyone else seen this?

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: AZ Monsoon on November 22, 2016, 06:08:12 PM
Looking good. Just an fyi. Magic Erasers work amazing to get all the grease stains off the table.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mr-Clean-Magic-Eraser-Multi-Purpose-Cleaning-Pad-4-Pack-003700043516/100666019
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 06:09:43 PM
Thanks,  that's exactly what my wife said for the table. Just keep on forgetting to bring one home.

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 06:32:30 PM
May have to get some of that Weber external cleaner. These last bits are tough.

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: Cellar2ful on November 22, 2016, 07:11:35 PM
Quote from: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 06:03:07 PM
Almost there.  Looks like the handle indentions have broken through the ceramic coating. Has anyone else seen this?

Pretty common John.  I think it is caused by the lid being dropped on its handle. The rest of the grease stains on the inside of the lid should come off with an SOS pad or #0000 steel wool.
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 07:16:08 PM
Thanks Cellar2ful, also there is a lot of "pitting". Looks like someone shot it with some bird shot or something. Any reason for this other then physical damage?

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 07:16:42 PM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161123/1ed0a0c76649fda44bf343d17c237192.jpg)

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 08:06:27 PM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161123/a15e3626f6e137fe7822429acbb944cd.jpg)

For the lid here's what finished it up.  Don't see any other way to clean the vents other then rotating and cleaning.

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 22, 2016, 08:35:13 PM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161123/184562e9e4e33cfd8a610a7dac30b4bb.jpg)

Almost done with the lid. Man that was hard.  I'll repeat the same process with the bowl but will just do a before pic and after this time. For a first timer i just want to say thanks to the community you guys have. Not sure if I'll be here for the long haul, just glad to in it for a minute. Thanks.

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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: kettlebb on November 23, 2016, 03:16:31 AM
You'll definitely be in it for the long haul. Don't know how it starts but it is an addiction. There are worse things though.


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Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: Dominic4927 on November 23, 2016, 02:52:10 PM
Easy Off oven cleaner melts that stuff right off the inside of a used kettle.
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: AZ Monsoon on November 23, 2016, 03:08:19 PM
Quote from: Dominic4927 on November 23, 2016, 02:52:10 PM
Easy Off oven cleaner melts that stuff right off the inside of a used kettle.
Ha ha. You said it, not me. I use tons of it on restorations, but it's a little taboo around here.
Title: Re: Cleaning First Kettle
Post by: johncorvin on November 23, 2016, 04:19:26 PM
Why is it Taboo? As long as the residue gets cleaned off you should be good right?

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