How to clean the top vent

[GrillSergeant]

What's the best way to clean the top vent?  I have brown grease stains from a recent cook using wood smoke, and it won't come off.  I just bought this grill and I want to keep it looking new for a little longer.

[Grillagin]

I'd start with steel wool, then use the Dremel, if the wool didn't do it.

[Darko]

Try 0000 steel wool and dawn dishwashing liquid.

[hawgheaven]

Try 0000 steel wool and dawn dishwashing liquid.

Yup. That works.

[kettlebb]

The steel wool has worked for me. I have not polished a vent yet, some guys here can make the top vent a mirror.


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[Neil_VT00]

I start by putting painters tape just under the edges of the vent to protect the porcelain.  Then hit it with #0000 steel wool following the grain in the aluminum. Last step is the Mother's metal polish.

[Cellar2ful]

As others have indicated, #0000 steel wool.  I use it dry,  in a circular motion.  Once you remove the smoke and grease stains, use less pressure with the steel wool, still in a circular motion.  It will smooth out the marks left from hard sanding with the steel wool.  If you want a more polished, shiny vent, you can then polish with Mothers or Rolite Supra 90.



 When using the polishes, I slip two pieces of paper underneath the lid vent. This keeps the polish from getting all over the porcelain, which creates another step of cleaning.

[Neil_VT00]

@Cellar2ful I'm definitely going to try the paper idea as opposed to painters tape.  Thanks.

[toolhead]

barkeepers friend for cleaner with scrub sponge..to clean the mess.

then use steel wool and or fitz metal polish to polish..pending your finishing preference

[pbe gummi bear]

barkeepers friend for cleaner with scrub sponge..to clean the mess.

then use steel wool and or fitz metal polish to polish..pending your finishing preference

Won't BKF etch the aluminum?

[johnny 2 shack]

99 % rubbing alcohol works if you don't want to remove the factory anodization .

[pbe gummi bear]

99 % rubbing alcohol works if you don't want to remove the factory anodization .

top vents are clear anodized?

[johnny 2 shack]

i always assumed so ,though am often wrong lol , i notice that on my polished ones they have to be repolished  every once in a while where as the newer ones just need a little alcohol to keep there shine . i test with a clothe if gets black it's raw aluminum if not there's a coating .

[GrillSergeant]

Thank you everyone!  Very helpful!  I'll try to 0000 steel wool.  I had grease/smoke trails coming down from the vent onto my lid, and was able to clean it off finally with a "non-scratch" pad from the grocery store cleaning aisle.  Worked great, and removed the stain, except you can still see the tale tale signs of the streaks in the sunlight.  No big deal, the color is back again.