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What is the best way to clean BBQ Grill Grates? - Pressure wash and electrolysis?

Discussion in 'The Smokehouse' started by don2222, May 18, 2020.

  1. don2222

    don2222

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    Hello
    Just scrubbing does not seam to do the best job. :-(
    What is the best and painless way?
    A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water helps with some of the rust.

    How about a pressure wash, then a wire wheel on the drill driver and then some electrolysis to remove rust?
    or
    A good sand blasting?
    Sandblasting works well on cast iron grates but not ones with a porcelain coating.
    Can Media blasting SS grates can leave a rough profile and make the crevices more prone to rusting?

    Here is a vid on Power wash & Electrolysis


    Is Vapor Honing Tchnology just the best way to go here???


    How about a DIY wet blaster from aN inexpensive HF sandblasted turned down to 40 PSI & pressure washer! :) This looks good! Especially for washing a metal Boat or dingy!!

    What do you do?
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  2. BHags

    BHags

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    If burning them off doesn't clean them enough, I replace them.
     
  3. don2222

    don2222

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    Are your grates SS or cast iron?
     
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  4. bigfrank

    bigfrank

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    Spray with Easyoff real heavy. Put in a black plastic garbage bag, and set in the sun for awhile. I've never done it, but seen friends do it and it works good.
     
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  5. BHags

    BHags

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    Stainless steel
     
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  6. don2222

    don2222

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    Well, I did a lot of research, media blasting is just way too harsh, and even though Vapor Honing seemed like a real good way to clean our stainless steel grates, I could not justify spending $800 for a decent setup. Therefore I dug a little deeper and found that Soda Blasting cleans and degreases with no damage! Bingo!!
    They sell for as little as $25 bucks! However I did not want to cheap out although it works pretty well, I went with the HF blue which has super reviews for very short money $$ !! Only $129!!
    What do you think for only $129?!
     

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    Last edited: May 22, 2020
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  7. BHags

    BHags

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    Pretty sure my whole Weber Kettle grill didn't cost that. A new grill top will definitely be cheaper.
     
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  8. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    What are on your grates? Warm your box up and scrap or scratch the loose particles... and then cook.... The rest is called seasoning.... :cool: ... I think your way over thinking this....
     
  9. fishingpol

    fishingpol

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    Yeah, never put much effort into cleaning beyond a brass brush after heating it up. A little non-stick spray before cooking.
     
  10. Highbeam

    Highbeam

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    I’ve even been having good luck with the plastic bbq brush. Don’t want those metal bristles stuck in your innards.

    preheat the bbq to sanitize the leftovers on the grill. The only time they look new is when they’re new.
     
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  11. don2222

    don2222

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    This Soda Blasting works well on these SS grates. :)
    See vid
     

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  12. don2222

    don2222

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    Hey
    This also works great to clean up the soot from the pellet stove on the cement walkway too!
     

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  13. don2222

    don2222

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    I like the soda blaster but here is a video using Arm & Hammer with out a blaster :)
     
  14. Highbeam

    Highbeam

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    Isn't the soda in the above clip really just being used as an abrasive? Well, that plus the scrubby green side of his sponge? It's not soap after all.
     
  15. don2222

    don2222

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    I think baking soda is more than just an abrasive and has excellent ability to clean grease and grime.
     
  16. Highbeam

    Highbeam

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    You might be right. I could find a few obscure references to baking soda having some magical cleaning ability in addition to the near universal references to it's abrasive cleaning qualities. Some folks say baking soda can clean drains but then go on to describe the process of mixing vinegar and baking soda with boiling water in the trap. I don't know really. But water and a green scrubby sponge will do an awful lot of cleaning alone and more with an abrasive added.
     
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  17. don2222

    don2222

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    The price varies a lot depending where you purchase it!!
    50 lbs bag
    $39.95 / 800 ounces = $0.049 per ounce
    So if you get that 1 lb box at target for $0.85
    That costs
    O.85 / 16 ounces = 0.0531 per ounce Which is not to bad.
    The 12 lb box at Ace Hardware is $0.676 per ounce
    The 13.5 lb box at BJs at $0.0324 per ounce may be the cheapest! :)
     

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    Last edited: May 27, 2020
  18. lukem

    lukem

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    My gas grill cleaning procedure happens about 2 twice a year. It is a 2 day process, but worth the effort.

    Day 1

    Grill a pound of bacon at very low temps, drink a couple beers (maybe as many as 3 since we are grilling at low temps)while grilling the bacon, then eat the bacon. Allow bacon grease to penetrate grill surfaces overnight.

    Day 2

    Light the grill and wait until all the bacon grease flairs off. Drink another beer and wait for the grill to approach fission temperatures. Once grill is hotter than the blazes of hell, wait some more and resist the urge to put out the fire...drinking a beer while waiting helps pass the time.. After all sign of flames are gone, quickly scrape of any crunchy bits, coat with veg oil, then immediately apply 2 steaks to wicked hot grill. Enjoy steak with beer.
     
  19. don2222

    don2222

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    Hello
    I just researched another solution because keeping the baking soda very dry even with the water separator on a hot day to avoid clogging can be difficult!
    Therefore a good pressure washer with the blasting attachment seems to be an excellent solution!!

    Baking soda is an alkali so it does dissolve grease.
    3 teaspoons with one cup of water is a good mix.
     
  20. BHags

    BHags

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    absolutely