Expanded grate cleaning

[Fo Sizzle My Nizzle]

I apologize for the post as I'm sure this has been answered a thousand times but the search function on tapatalk blows.

Gonna be working on a small restoration project this weekend and the expanded grates I got look like they were rarely cleaned in the 18 years this guy had the cooker. What's the best way to get me as close to factory condition as possible since I have no clue how or what this guy has been cookin? Maybe multicolored cats for a TD?

Thanks Brethren.

[javahog2002]

I just use a wire brush on the expanded metal grate which is over the firebox of my offset cooker. However, It never looks like factory condition. Buy some new expanded metal from Grainger if you need shiny new looking grates.

What kind of cooker are you reworking ? Does the boss know about this "another cooker " ?

[Smokin' D]

Bought a used Lang from that same guy! I got some oven cleaner and plastic bags. Sprayed the grates and put them in the bag, so the cleaner would not dry out, for a day or so. Took them out hosed them off and gave them a scrape. Repeat the process. When dry hit them with a wire wheel. Re-season and they were good to go.

[Fo Sizzle My Nizzle]

Originally Posted by javahog2002

I just use a wire brush on the expanded metal grate which is over the firebox of my offset cooker. However, It never looks like factory condition. Buy some new expanded metal from Grainger if you need shiny new looking grates.

What kind of cooker are you reworking ? Does the boss know about this "another cooker " ?

Picked up an 18x30 Pitts & Spitts offset from a guy in Denver. He bought it from their showroom floor in Houston about 18 years ago. And yeah the boss knows. She approved it with a smile, and then proceeded to tell me about the new tablet she wanted.

[Fo Sizzle My Nizzle]

Originally Posted by Smokin' D

Bought a used Lang from that same guy! I got some oven cleaner and plastic bags. Sprayed the grates and put them in the bag, so the cleaner would not dry out, for a day or so. Took them out hosed them off and gave them a scrape. Repeat the process. When dry hit them with a wire wheel. Re-season and they were good to go.

That sounds like a plan. Thanks D!

[BigBlock]

I have mine sand blasted they come out looking brand new. Then coat them with the cheapest cooking spray you can find and put them on the cooker at 300 for 30 minutes and you are good to go

[Fo Sizzle My Nizzle]

Originally Posted by BigBlock

I have mine sand blasted they come out looking brand new. Then coat them with the cheapest cooking spray you can find and put them on the cooker at 300 for 30 minutes and you are good to go

How much does something like that cost?

[jorrflv]

That should be less than $10

[BigBlock]

Originally Posted by Fo Sizzle My Nizzle

How much does something like that cost?

depends on how big and how many it cost me $50.00 to do the main grate on my pig cooker and two other flipping grates and I thought that was reasonable

[Wampus]

Yeah, sandblasting will take off EVERYTHING, instantly.
Check your local listings for a sandblasting company. I've had them do a whole 55 gallon drum, inside and out, lid and all for only $25.

Just be aware that you'll end up with raw, bare metal and it will start to rust very quickly when exposed to air or moisture. Just spray the grates down with veg oil when you get them home, then heat to season.

[Fo Sizzle My Nizzle]

Originally Posted by Wampus

Yeah, sandblasting will take off EVERYTHING, instantly.
Check your local listings for a sandblasting company. I've had them do a whole 55 gallon drum, inside and out, lid and all for only $25.

Just be aware that you'll end up with raw, bare metal and it will start to rust very quickly when exposed to air or moisture. Just spray the grates down with veg oil when you get them home, then heat to season.

Yeah I got a few calls out to some local companies. I figured once I get them home to just treat them like I would if I were seasoning CI.

Thanks guys!

[Bludawg]

Blast them with a TX match knock off whats left with a wire brush re-season and cook away. If you drink more than 2 beers during this process remove a corner from your man card.

[dadsr4]

Originally Posted by Smokin' D

Bought a used Lang from that same guy! I got some oven cleaner and plastic bags. Sprayed the grates and put them in the bag, so the cleaner would not dry out, for a day or so. Took them out hosed them off and gave them a scrape. Repeat the process. When dry hit them with a wire wheel. Re-season and they were good to go.

Never tried this with expanded, but using this method every year or so, I am still using the original 35 year old grate on my Weber kettle. The plating is mostly gone, but oiled it still cooks like new.

[luke duke]

Pressure washer or blow torch.

[Ole Man Dan]

Originally Posted by Fo Sizzle My Nizzle

I apologize for the post as I'm sure this has been answered a thousand times but the search function on tapatalk blows.

Gonna be working on a small restoration project this weekend and the expanded grates I got look like they were rarely cleaned in the 18 years this guy had the cooker. What's the best way to get me as close to factory condition as possible since I have no clue how or what this guy has been cookin? Maybe multicolored cats for a TD?

Thanks Brethren.

You can use a wire brush or chuck a wire brush in your drill to clean em.
Spray it with 'Simply Green' first, then brush it.

If its really old, it may be easier to go to your local welder and give him the dimensions and get a new one.
I bought an old Offset last year. The grate was in poor condition, so I replaced, rather than attempting to clean it.
(Wasn't sure what had been on it before)