Cleaning grill grates in oven?

comfrank · 03-19-2010, 02:38 PM

I'm pretty good about cleaning the grates of my grills and smokers after use, but over time there is a build up on the bottom of the grates, in between the rungs, and in the corners where it's hard to get the wire brush into. So, my grates are due for a thorough cleaning. Anyone see anything wrong with putting them in the oven and using the self-cleaning cycle?

I've got two different kinds--steel (?) grates from my OK Joe Bandera-style smoker, and cast iron grates from my BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef. In fact I think Alton Brown suggested using the oven for these specific cast iron grates.

Downsides?

Thanks,
--frank in Wilson, NY

RichardF · 03-19-2010, 02:44 PM

one of the joys of having a gas grill is that i use it to clean all the grates from my smoker and other griills. just fire it up on hi, close the lid and enjoy the smell. after a little while i open her up, and hit the grates with a wire brush. you may need to reseason the cast iron grates if you get them too hot. the one problem with this method is it smells so good the neighbors all show up thinking i'm cooking something. you can do this in your oven (provided it gets hot enough), but you ae gonna get a lot of smoke if there's any kind of build-up.

grillzilla10 · 03-19-2010, 02:48 PM

I use a gasoline powered power washer. It cleans the grates very well.

Saiko · 03-19-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardF

one of the joys of having a gas grill is that i use it to clean all the grates from my smoker and other griills.

Yeah, that's the only thing I use my gas grill for anymore. Dunno about using an oven though, it sure kicks off a lot of smoke if I have a lot of build-up, seems to me it would smoke out your kitchen.
I was thinking about your exact question when I was contemplating getting rid of the gasser to make room on my deck. I'm holding on to it for now just so I can clean my grates. I'll be curious to hear how others clean their grates without gassers.

trouserchili · 03-19-2010, 02:50 PM

I just throw a bunch of hickory in the pit and throw the grates on top. Fire cleanses all and hickory burns hot.

Ribbin' Randy · 03-19-2010, 03:30 PM

I did that with may grates and now the are proned to rusting...I wouldn,t do it.

suprfast · 03-19-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfrank

I'm pretty good about cleaning the grates of my grills and smokers after use, but over time there is a build up on the bottom of the grates, in between the rungs, and in the corners where it's hard to get the wire brush into. So, my grates are due for a thorough cleaning. Anyone see anything wrong with putting them in the oven and using the self-cleaning cycle?

I've got two different kinds--steel (?) grates from my OK Joe Bandera-style smoker, and cast iron grates from my BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef. In fact I think Alton Brown suggested using the oven for these specific cast iron grates.

Downsides?

Thanks,
--frank in Wilson, NY

I remember seeing that. Its worth a shot. My cast iron grates have never seen the oven but they are rusting. Im thinking about getting dimensions and seeing if there are replacement grates in SS at lowes/hd
kris

Neil · 03-19-2010, 03:37 PM

hit them with the weedburner or place them ontop of the chimney starter when lighting coals.

aquablue22 · 03-19-2010, 04:33 PM

I also throw them on my gasser and fired it up, wire brush and some oil. Of course I really don't clean them that often, after a smoke i wire bursh them down and let it go at that.

PCDoctor_1979 · 03-19-2010, 06:11 PM

I don't recommend the oven method. Did it once and smoked up the whole house. Once you start the self cleaning cycle, you can't stop it. I've gotten into the habit of breaking down the WSM and putting the grates on top of the remaining coals once cooking is done. Follow that up with a quick hit with the wire brush and we're ready for the next cook.

BRBBQ · 03-19-2010, 07:54 PM

Mine wont fit

Cigarbque · 03-19-2010, 09:01 PM

OK so this is weird. I was at the doctor's yesterday reading one of the home owner type magazines and this little article attracts my eye. It was a retraction from the magazine that had offered the advice of cleaning your BBQ grates in the self cleaning oven. Apparently many self cleaning ovens can't be opened and stopped once the process begins. The house would fill with smoke and it was a mess. The magazine was apologizing for the advice.

03-19-2010, 02:38 PM	#1
comfrank On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-29-08 Location: Wilson, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Cleaning grill grates in oven? I'm pretty good about cleaning the grates of my grills and smokers after use, but over time there is a build up on the bottom of the grates, in between the rungs, and in the corners where it's hard to get the wire brush into. So, my grates are due for a thorough cleaning. Anyone see anything wrong with putting them in the oven and using the self-cleaning cycle? I've got two different kinds--steel (?) grates from my OK Joe Bandera-style smoker, and cast iron grates from my BBQ Galore Bar-B-Chef. In fact I think Alton Brown suggested using the oven for these specific cast iron grates. Downsides? Thanks, --frank in Wilson, NY __________________ OK Joe Bandera style smoker; WSM 22"; blue DigiQ II

03-19-2010, 02:44 PM	#2
RichardF is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-07-05 Location: what was the 2nd largest banking city in the US Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	one of the joys of having a gas grill is that i use it to clean all the grates from my smoker and other griills. just fire it up on hi, close the lid and enjoy the smell. after a little while i open her up, and hit the grates with a wire brush. you may need to reseason the cast iron grates if you get them too hot. the one problem with this method is it smells so good the neighbors all show up thinking i'm cooking something. you can do this in your oven (provided it gets hot enough), but you ae gonna get a lot of smoke if there's any kind of build-up. __________________ if you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him Live every week like it's shark week

03-19-2010, 02:50 PM	#5
trouserchili Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 06-30-04 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I just throw a bunch of hickory in the pit and throw the grates on top. Fire cleanses all and hickory burns hot. __________________ Pork so good you'll chit your pants.

03-19-2010, 03:30 PM	#6
Ribbin' Randy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-06-09 Location: Carmel, Indiana Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I did that with may grates and now the are proned to rusting...I wouldn,t do it. __________________ WSM, El Cheapo Brinkman, Weber One Touch Gold, Trash Can Turkey Oven

03-19-2010, 03:37 PM	#8
Neil Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-04-04 Location: St. Joseph, MI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	hit them with the weedburner or place them ontop of the chimney starter when lighting coals. __________________ "You can't always get what you want but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need" Mange Bene Viva Bene! NB Bandera-Firebox & Baffle Mod, WSM, Weber: Performer(Col. Steve Austin Mod), WSM, Three 22 1/2" Kettles, 2 Brinkman Dual Zone Proffessional Grills, Smoky Joe, Uniflame Tabletop Gasser, Luhr-Jensen Big Chief, Turkey Fryer, Rocky Mountain Camp Stove & 3 UDS's.

03-19-2010, 02:48 PM	#3
grillzilla10 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-03-10 Location: lexington ky Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use a gasoline powered power washer. It cleans the grates very well.

03-19-2010, 04:33 PM	#9
aquablue22 Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-26-08 Location: Ormond Beach, Florida Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I also throw them on my gasser and fired it up, wire brush and some oil. Of course I really don't clean them that often, after a smoke i wire bursh them down and let it go at that. __________________ Weber Spirit E-310 Gasser 1 - Big Green Egg - Large 2 - 22.5 Weber Kettles 2 - 18.5 Weber Kettle Magma Newport - Gasser (on the Boat) 1 - Terracotta PIG 1 Masterbuilt Modified Smokehouse [COLOR=Green]2 - Super FAST, Super ACCURATE Green Thermapen[/COLOR]1 splashproof)

03-19-2010, 06:11 PM	#10
PCDoctor_1979 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-01-09 Location: West Des Moines, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I don't recommend the oven method. Did it once and smoked up the whole house. Once you start the self cleaning cycle, you can't stop it. I've gotten into the habit of breaking down the WSM and putting the grates on top of the remaining coals once cooking is done. Follow that up with a quick hit with the wire brush and we're ready for the next cook. __________________ Brian Sweeney - CBJ #3691 - '77 Step Van Mobile Kitchen, Horizon Marshall, WSM with Pro Q Stacker, Weber Kettle & Smokey Joe GOLD. "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" - Clarke's Third Law

03-19-2010, 07:54 PM	#11
BRBBQ is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 06-05-08 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Mine wont fit

03-19-2010, 09:01 PM	#12
Cigarbque Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-19-09 Location: N.W. New Jersey Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	OK so this is weird. I was at the doctor's yesterday reading one of the home owner type magazines and this little article attracts my eye. It was a retraction from the magazine that had offered the advice of cleaning your BBQ grates in the self cleaning oven. Apparently many self cleaning ovens can't be opened and stopped once the process begins. The house would fill with smoke and it was a mess. The magazine was apologizing for the advice. __________________ BWS Party, UDS, Yellow Thermapen, Gasser

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newbie - Need Help Cleaning SS Grill Grates	Tom Dean	Q-talk	16	08-05-2011 08:42 PM
Cleaning Grill Grates, Smoker Grids, Cast Iron	doctorsmoke	Q-talk	2	07-23-2010 10:22 AM
Cleaning grill grates?	Derek	Q-talk	24	04-02-2010 12:36 PM
Cleaning old grill grates	ComputerMike	Q-talk	12	09-10-2008 12:29 AM
cleaning grates?	bobaftt	Q-talk	14	07-27-2008 05:06 PM