has anyone been able to get the cooking grates free of the black stuff that comes off on your hands? fire does not seen to work.
237892
I suspect that is a treatment of some sort. After firing mine and leaving it outside, the grates rusted, removing the material. A steel brush took it down to the base material, which is a cast iron, at least to my eye.
237893
I haven't had that problem, but I've only picked them up by the wooden handles. After having used the grill for a few times, I now have several cracks on the grates, and they still don't index securely into the supports. The quality of the cast parts is poor.
237894
They are cast Iron , what I did was after you get them as hot as you can by boiling in water then clean them with a grill brush and after you do that wash them with soap and water rinse well and coat them in granola oil again after every use repeat the entire process . think of them like any cast iron skillet . I have gotten great use out them and no problems . it is a bit of a hassle but well worth it as long as you keep them well seasoned .
2099851
I cannot answer from experience, but I will say that I would give it a try as I have not had any problems with anything I have cooked in them. To be on the safe side, I would give them a quick spray of Pam or other nonstick spray and give it a shot!
1495797
After cleaning a brushing of vegetable oil or olive oil may help. Check with the manufacture as my grill went up in flames before a year old. If it catches fire they may blame you for it like they did me. The rubber hose under the cook surface needs replacing. The Weber grills do not start the rubber hose until they are out of the way of the heat zone. Any grease drippings can not fall on it like can from the char-broil. If you do not follow the instructions to the letter they will void any claim. Not to say they will stand behind any problem if you could prove it. Worst grill ever replaced with a Weber.
769413
We used our Chinook Trekker Set camping this summer. Biscuits were a problem and left residue that will NOT come out regardless of the scrubbing (short of steel wool which would ruin the Anodized coating). The bottoms got blackened, but I'm not sure if this is a problem or even avoidable. Since then I've learned you are supposed to cook over COALS not open flames... WHOOPS. I'm sure it would have been fine had I known that little fact.
1310292
I have the older SS grates and I find it best to clean the grill right after you are done while it is still hot. Using just papertowels soaked in water. It will get most of the caked on mess off. Watch out for the steam or use tongs. After that, anything that doesn't come off can be scrubbed off with a wire brush. The SS grates are pretty tough but I will go for the porcelain coated iron ones as a next upgrade. I think the iron grates will do a better job with retaining heat.As an additional note, I lined the inside reflector with heavy duty aluminum. Sure makes cleaning easier. Watch out for the grease drippings however, too dirty and you can start a fire with the heat. I have the older SS grates and I find it best to clean the grill right after you are done while it is still hot. Using just papertowels soaked in water. It will get most of the caked on mess off. Watch out for the steam or use tongs. After that, anything that doesn't come off can be scrubbed off with a wire brush. The SS grates are pretty tough but I will go for the porcelain coated iron ones as a next upgrade. I think the iron grates will do a better job with retaining heat.As an additional note, I lined the inside reflector with heavy duty aluminum. Sure makes cleaning easier.... » Read More I have the older SS grates and I find it best to clean the grill right after you are done while it is still hot. Using just papertowels soaked in water. It will get most of the caked on mess off. Watch out for the steam or use tongs. After that, anything that doesn't come off can be scrubbed off with a wire brush. The SS grates are pretty tough but I will go for the porcelain coated iron ones as a next upgrade. I think the iron grates will do a better job with retaining heat.As an additional note, I lined the inside reflector with heavy duty aluminum. Sure makes cleaning easier. Watch out for the grease drippings however, too dirty and you can start a fire with the heat. « Show Less
493585
I used it myself on our BBQ island, I believe I wore gloves. If you do get it on your hands it will peel off after drying or use Permatex fast orange hand cleaner.
907910
Spray the grates with vegetable oil and fire up the grill.The grates will be fine.This is the best grill I've ever owned.Tonight,I grilled corn,onions,baby back ribs and hamburgers.I love it.
1580396
Try removing the grill grate and scrub the burners with a wire brush. Some degreaser to wash the burners may also help.
199783
I got these for Christmas and mine stained right away on the second use cooking some frozen fish. Has anyone successfully gotten the stains out I tried the soap and water per instructions but that did not seem to help.
920099
I haven't had any problems with any and all the ones I have purchased. I would suggest either contact the vendor or return to Amazon OR heat up some water on the stove and hold it over steam of the boiling water as it may come out easier.... Perhaps. Good luck.
431188
Had the same issue. I could live with that but not the interior cleaning issue. Food results great but after about four or five meals interior was impossible to clean. Started to set off my smoke alarms. Decided to return it.
795912
I have not had that problem. I guess I might try spraying it with Pam or other cooking spray. Good Luck!
309323
The gas ring may have grease and such clogging the holes were the flame comes out. This happened to us. We could hear the click from the ignitor but it never fired up, we took a grill brush to the ring under the grate were the flame usually comes out and voila! It worked. Good Luck!
60712
I clean the grate in the sink with a sponge. I empty the ash from the cooker but will let a fire burn out hot and that keeps the interior fairly clean.
1309064
Just use an SOS pad or a cleanser such as Comet. I have burned things in the past and have found they release really well if you boil water in the same pan and then gently pry up the burned stuff with a Teflon utencil.
718550
I simply let the grill burn off at high heat and then clean off the ash with a wire barbeque brush. You could use an oven cleaning product but one of the secrets to great barbeque is the conditioning of the grill. Have fun!
1691632
Did you use a cooking spray on it before you used it. That's not good. It can cause stains that are very difficult to remove and clean. A scouring pad should do the job with some soap. Barkeep's Friend should certainly help. If all fails use an SOS pad.