Best Way to Clean Grill Racks

[JohnnytheSkin]

Even though I grill year round (even in frigid Minnesota) I figure the majority of my OS brethren are getting their grills primed now.

So, I ask...what's the best way to clean, oil/lubricate, your grill racks?

I have a three year old gas grill with the black non-stick racks that's on it's last legs. However, I'm at least a year away from a new one. My twice yearly regimen is to:

1. Heat the sucker on high, and get as much of the gunk and grime that was stuck on.

2. Remove all the racks, burner covers/heat plates, and scrape and scrub with a wire brush and then a dry scour pad.

3. Get a bowl of olive oil, soak a rag in it, and liberally spread it on both sides of the racks.

4. Heat it back up, letting the olive oil "cure".

The rest of the time I just scrape the racks clean before and/or after cooking the rest of the time.

Any other tips and tricks?

[e0820]

Re: Best Way to Clean Grill Racks

I usually heat the grates and scrap off what I can with a wire brush. I read you can use oven cleaner.

I always have a hard time cleaning the slats that cover the burners. Those always get caked with grease and then I get flareups and of course the food is cooked unevenly. I dont even attempt chicken unless I have tried to clean the slats. So far I have used orange clean but I think thats a no-no over flame so I am going to try oven cleaner on the slats along with soap and water.

3. Get a bowl of olive oil, soak a rag in it, and liberally spread it on both sides of the racks.

4. Heat it back up, letting the olive oil "cure".

How often do you have to do this?

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Best Way to Clean Grill Racks

Yeah dude, oven cleaner. Just spray it on, let it sit for 15 minutes and just rinse it off. Less work that way.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Best Way to Clean Grill Racks

e0820, I do the big olive oil work about twice I year...by which I mean removing the racks, rubbing both sides with the oil, and then cooking it on. The rest of the time, if I notice my previous meal sticking a bit (not including sticking due to a marinade, cut of meat, fish or chicken, etc) the next time I'll spray a coating of PAM before pre-heating the grill.