First Post and First Restore

[BeerBQ]

I've checked out the boards for a while and learned a lot, so I decided it was time to post.  I picked up an older Smokey Joe at a yard sale for $4.  Everything was there except the coal grate.  I've got the lid and bottom cleaned pretty well but have run into some issues. 

I removed the vents and left them in oven cleaner for a while and it looks like there's some damage.  Is this safe to use and can it be fixed?
The ash pan looks like it has some staining on it (see picture below).  Can it be cleaned up at all?


Here are some pictures:

<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0374.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0416.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0417.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0418.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0426.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0428.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0429.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2015/11/19/IMG_0430.jpg" border="0">

[AZ Monsoon]

There's nothing wrong with that grill unless I missed something in the pictures. It will make a fine cooker and with a little elbow grease you can make it look great. Go to the main page, scroll down a little and check out the links to the "Grill Restoration Guides"  http://weberkettleclub.com/ .

Oh, and welcome

[MikeRocksTheRed]

Here are the pictures without any clicking!

[firedude5015]

Welcome from the Deep South!
Looks good to me..follow the advice in this forum and be very afraid of WEBERITIS it's highly contagious.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[MikeRocksTheRed]

I think people usually try not to get oven cleaner on the bare metal parts.  You should be able to clean up the vents with some 0000 steel wool.  I think the legs and maybe the ash catcher are plated and can't be cleaned with steel wool.  Someone correct me if I am wrong about the ashcatcher.

[SmokenJoe]

Hello and Welcome to the WKC from Eugene, Oregon.   The main active ingredient in Over Cleaner is NaOH (Sodium hydroxide) I believe  ...  definitely NOT approved for aluminum components.   Great for cast iron, though.  Many here use #0000 steel wool and an aluminum polish.  Great kettle to get you feet wet -and- great price.          SJ

[weldboy]

Should make a great cooker

[BeerBQ]

Hello and Welcome to the WKC from Eugene, Oregon.   The main active ingredient in Over Cleaner is NaOH (Sodium hydroxide) I believe  ...  definitely NOT approved for aluminum components.   Great for cast iron, though.  Many here use #0000 steel wool and an aluminum polish.  Great kettle to get you feet wet -and- great price.          SJ

I've had a lot of success with oven cleaner on cast iron.  Its too late for the vents on this grill.  My only concern now is if they are safe.  I don't know if any permeates and will stay in the aluminum.

[AZ Monsoon]

.

[SmokenJoe]

Good question.  I'm no chemist, but I have always just rinsed the Oven cleaner (alias; Easy Off) from my CI with cool water and a clean soft rag.  Cooking on a CI skillet after that process has Got To Be closer to the food than a couple of vents.  There is just "so much" base in NaOH, when it's neutralized it's gone.                         SJ