Cleaning without busting my back....

[putoluto]

dbhost,

After every few cooks, it doesn't hurt to remove the grates and use a plastic putty knife (about 1-2" wide) and just scrape down from the rim to the bottom. Repeat all the way around the kettle. Push everything through the slots/slats/spaces/vents in the bottom. Then empty the ash pan/collector. Voila!

[Jules V.]

Just get one of these for your drill/driver. These are nylons so don't use it while the grates are hot.  You'll need to wash the grate with soap  and rinse thoroughly as it contains aluminum oxide.