On 04/13/2015 05:11 PM, G. Ross wrote:
Lew Hodgett wrote:
Some time ago was looking for input from the group about how best
to clean some BBQ grill grates.

Harbor Freight was the tool source and the results are in.

First a little background. The grill grates are cast iron complete
with a porcelainized coating.

For all you BBQ aficionados out there, those grates lay down
some mean grill marks.

The drill motors tested were an 18 VDC, 3/8" drill, and a 120VAC,
3,000 RPM, corded drill.

The brushes tested were an 80 grit, 3" dia, nylon abrasive, 1/4"
shank wheel and an 80 grit, 2" dia, nylon abrasive, 1/4" shank
cup brush.

Wire wheel and cup brushes were specifically excluded since they
might damage the porcelain coating.

The results.

The 18 VDC motor simply operated at too low and RPM to be effective
and it also did not store enough energy to get the job done.

The 120 VAC, 3,000 RPM was more than adequate for the task.

Either of the brushes got the job done, but I preferred the cup brush.

Took about half an hour to clean the grates and restore them to
factory finish.

Once cleaned, time for an in service test.

Just happened to have a rack of baby backs in the fridge, smothered
in dry rub for 48 hours, waiting for a hot grill.

That was also another great test.

Lew



Would Easy-Off spray work? Probably not good on bare metal but on
porcelain it possibly would dissolve the gunk.


I clean my cast iron cookware including BBQ cast iron grates (bare
metal) by putting them in the oven on self clean. They come out with
zero gunk, but a white ash coating. A little wire brush work and
reseasoning with several coats of flax oil and they look like they have
a porcelain finish.

I only do this if the seasoning breaks down and I can't get the gunk off
with a damp rag or a grill brush in the case of BBQ grates- maybe every
3-5 years.