Porcelain grill grates require regular cleaning and maintenance. These grates are made of metal and coated with a layer of thick porcelain. The metal core is either iron or steel. But Weber uses iron for this purpose because Iron gets hot faster than steel, and it works pretty well with porcelain as its coating. Cheaper grills have steel in them, but both grills have porcelain coating on them. With this coating, cleaning and maintenance of your Weber grill become very easy that would otherwise be. But over time, your Weber porcelain grill grates also require a good cleaning. And this is especially the case if you have been using your Weber grill quite frequently.
If you have been thinking about how to clean Weber porcelain grill grates, you have come to the right place. This guide will share some essential steps you need to take to get those grates as clean as if they were new.
Let’s begin with a few methods that you can use to clean your Weber porcelain grill grates.
Methods to Clean Your Weber Porcelain Grill Grates
Here are some of the most popular methods you will find useful when cleaning Weber porcelain grill grates.
1. Scrubbing
When it’s the matter of how to clean Weber porcelain grill grates, in most cases, you will only need some elbow grease to clean them up. It is the best way to be highly effective.
- A 2-gallon bucket.
- A soft-to-touch surface (either plywood or heavy drop cloth-covered table).
- Dishwashing soap.
- Warm water.
- Rags.
- An old toothbrush or a brush with soft bristles.
The Method
First, you need to fill a bucket with warm water and add some dishwashing liquid to it. Next is to remove the grate from your Weber grill and hose it with clean water. Lay it on a soft plywood surface to keep it safe from any dents. Now, take a rag and dip it into the water bucket with a liquid dishwasher. Start scrubbing the grates and get into those tight corners and crevices. If the material is still stuck to the grates, then you can use a brush and try to get it off but be gentle during the process. Now rinse the grates with clean water and let them to air dry. You can also use a dry cloth or a soft towel to dry them off.
Things to keep in mind
You need to be very careful if your brush has a scraper on the end. Do not use scrapers on a porcelain grill, whether the burnt food is coming off from the grates or not. Scrapers can severely damage the porcelain coating making your grates entirely useless because moisture can seep through the layer and corrode the metalcore.
2. Soaking
Scrubbing is your go-to method when it comes to how to clean Weber porcelain grill grates. But if you already have sore biceps and don’t want to put a lot of effort in, you can use the soaking method to clean your porcelain grill grates. But keep in mind this method takes longer to produce any significant results.
- A large plastic storage container (30-gallon).
- A scrubber with soft bristles.
- Warm water.
- Soap for cutting oils and grease.
- A towel or a rag.
The Method
First of all, blast the grill grates and allow any residue to char for about ten minutes or so and then allow it to cool down completely. Now, take an empty storage container made of plastic and fill it with warm water. Add some dishwasher soap liquid to form a solution. Now, remove the grates and place them in this water allowing it to soak for about half an hour, at least. If you don’t have an enormous container, then you will have to soak each side of the grates for about half an hour to a full hour.
Now, hose the racks off. But a pressure wash will produce some excellent results but don’t go for a full-fledged power washing session. Lay the grates down on an old rag or towel.
Take out your brush with soft bristles along with a rag to clean off any of the remaining residues. Weber also has its porcelain grill cleaning brushes that you can buy for this purpose. These brushes have soft bristles, and they are made to use on porcelain surfaces. Now, rinse the rack once again and allow it to air dry.
This is a time-consuming cleaning method, but it will save you from putting in a lot of effort that you have to do, like scrubbing.
3. Cleaning with a cleaner
Dish soap can produce pretty good results when talking about how to clean Weber porcelain grill grates. But there are times when you need a more powerful cleaner. You have two options to choose from here. Either go for a commercial cleaner or opt for a natural one.
Commercial cleaners may have harmful chemicals in them, while natural cleaners are organic. If your grates require hard cleaning, then commercial cleaners are better; otherwise, stick to the natural cleaners because they are environmentally friendly.
- Natural or commercial cleaner like Weber Grate Grill Cleaner.
- Warm water.
- A spray bottle.
- Apple cider vinegar.
- A towel or a sponge.
- A toothbrush or a brush with soft bristles.
The Method
Begin by blasting your grates for about ten minutes so any residue can burn off. Allow the grates to cool down, and then remove them from your Weber grill. Set the grates on your porch or somewhere where it can soak and stay in the cleaner.
Now, you can use your natural or commercial cleaner to coat the grates of your Weber grill. Allow the grates to sit and soak for at least half an hour – You can also let it soak for several hours if the residue is tough. Now, use a rag and a brush with soft bristles to scrub the grates and wipe them down. To reach those challenging corners and crevices, you can use a soft toothbrush as well. Now, use a hose to rinse your grates and allow them to air dry.
If you are using a commercial cleaner, make sure to use gloves. Apart from that, apple cider vinegar will have a residual smell, but you can remedy it by blasting your Weber grates for some minutes before you begin cooking on them.
You can also use the Weber® Porcelain Enamel Grill Maintenance Kit 6251 for this cleaning method. It is highly recommended to use this cleaner kit for all Weber grills because it contains all the accessories and supplies you need to clean your grill, and it’s safe to use at home as well.
How to Season Porcelain Grill Grates?
Using Weber grills has an advantage, and that is, you don’t have to season your new Weber grill at all. But with time, as you use your grill for cooking, residue starts to develop, and you need to take some steps to clean the grate before you start cooking. But before that, you will have to season your Weber porcelain grill grates.
With the help of a paper towel, spread a thin film of solid vegetable shortening on the grates. And make sure that it reaches all corners and crevices. Keep in mind not to use any salted fats like margarine or butter for this purpose.
Now, preheat your grill for about 15 minutes and place your grates on the grill. Close the lid and turn the burners to low, and you have successfully seasoned your Weber porcelain grill grates to be ready to use.
How to Clean Weber Grill Brush?
With frequent cleaning and maintenance of grill grates, your grill brush also requires cleaning over time. Make sure to dip your brush in water before you start using it on your grates each time, so the bristles stay intact for a more extended period.
Try to clean them frequently before and after each grilling or cooking session. This way, you are keeping your grill clean and extending your grill brush’s life because you won’t have to fight and scrub off any harsh residue from the grates as you are taking care of your grates already pretty well.
Don’t use harsh chemicals or cleaner to clean your grill brush. It will start losing its bristles over time, and you will have to get a new one before you know it.
Final words
At times, you don’t have to clean the entire grill rack but focus on one area. For this, you will only require some soapy water or even vinegar along with a brush with soft bristles or a toothbrush. Just spray the area you need to clean and allow it to sit for some time. Then, use your toothbrush to scrub the sprayed area.
You can dip the brush into the soapy water and scrub the targets gently. All the grim will get loose, and your grates will come out clean. Take proper care of your porcelain grill grates as the coating protects the metal core underneath.
Prevent banging the porcelain surface with utensils, or don’t scrub too hard. Also, avoid placing the grates on hard surfaces and clean before and after each cooking session. There you go; now you know everything on how to clean Weber porcelain grill grates.
Have fun cooking on your clean new Weber grill!