How hard is it to clean the infrared 'grate' -- I'm particularly concerned about the slots getting plugged up?...
575450
Very easy to keep clean as they provide a slotted tool to scrape clean the grate. The heat turns any residual to ashes. I use a stainless steel Brillo pad type cleaner that cleans the top ridges of the grill surface. Just a couple quick back and forth scrubs and it is clean. I have cooked out on it 3 or 4 times a week for months and never have had a drop of grease in the drip tray because it all burns to ashes. 2 thumbs up!!!
575451
Another tip is when your done grilling just close the lid and keep it on high for about 10-15 minutes. This grill is so bad ass it turns all the gunk to ash. Let it cool take the grill grate off and hold it on its side and use the scraper to brush the ash and debris off. Then just use a paper towel with some canola oil on it and wipe it clean. Good to go. This grill rocks.
575452
I've not had a problem I run it for a few minutes then brush and use the tool after it cools down some I also use grill spray before and after I cook
575453
Best brush to clean the grate--wirebrush found in the paint section at harbor freight ($1).It looks like a large comb. Not the std. wirebrush with rigid bristles. Cleans all debris & gunk easily.http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-bristle-brush-38491.html
575454
It comes with a scraper that fits the grate and works well, but does not actually clean the open slots. However, after scraping and preheating, the slots stay clean enough so as not to change the cooking. We have used ours at least 30-40 times so far. My concern is being able to buy a replacement grate when the time comes.
575455
Not hard at all. The grill actually comes with a cleaning tool to fit between the slots. Love mine. Little to no flare up and cooks an excellent staeak!
575456
I bought this as a Christmas gift for our son, so I am sorry that I can not help you with your cleaning question.
930274
Did you take the shield in the back (inside) and cleaned it? I have had my machine for at least 10 yrs and never had a smoking issue. If you have something that touches the burners, I can see it causing smoke but it should not be for very long. I always make sure nothing can touch the burners, and I cook a 15lb turkey in mine. What type of smoke is it?
1633633
The grates come off really easily with a screw driver... pop them off and then use a paper towel.
1404092
I'm ok with the basic cleaning, but two things annoy me. 1: the chrome shutter disk is difficult to clean, since it appears to 'bake on' the grinds. It cannot be removed and needs to be scrubbed to clean off the cooked on grounds. 2: Not sure how to run the last batch of beans through the grinder before cleaning the grinder. This has required me to hand pick out the beans from the grinder. A tedious process at best. Any suggestions or hints on the above two items would be appreciated.
387069
The grill does not come apart so that is why there is a small challenge to clean the grates. It isn't to hard to clean just have to work at it a bit. I use small soft brush to clean the grates. I have had this grill for over a year and I love it.
449069
Unplug the unit from the power supply and the pad itself. Replug it in. Check the cords as well so they are impinged.Check for humidity levels in the room. Also, mine has been set for minimal time needed and not on the 8 hour settings. I also power it down every day. I don't wash it either.The instructions also stateto checky the connectivity. It also could be set at a too high of temperature.If not resolved by any of these methods, it needs either service from the sales staff or it is broken.
1245399
Mine aren't dirty enough to warrant a cleaning. Suggest send it back to manufacturer or buy a new one (doubt they take trade-ins, eh...)
861003
No the infrared grill has no specific emitter. It cooks on stainless grate with pinhole injected in the tray. I got ours a week ago and cooking at low temps requires more work. You have to cut gas off watch temp with gauges and fire up to low after temp drops from 700-400 degrees. Can use PAM to make cleanup easier on grates also...
1970388
No, it is not very good quality, hard to clean. Gravy gets inside the thermal shell and you can't clean it.
1209783
I was actually wondering how to clean the fans inside as well. I can't figure out how to get the grills off. I can't even find the user manual online...not sure where box is. And I am not sure what the 800 # is to call.
713247
I'm looking at mine right now, the IR window is not covered. Pic here http://i.imgur.com/OxmYpaO.jpg
633098
If the wire is too hot to keep your finger/hand join it longer than 30 seconds, I think there is a problem.We have two of these heaters and I have never noticed this to occur. By the way, after dust does accumulate inside these heaters and vacuuming will not remove slot of it. AT LEAST once a year I use an airless to "blast out" the accumulated dust. This will keep them at their optimum performance.JM2C
1495801
I have had no issues with my grill. I brush the grates with oil, and it has been a great grill.
1341994
After the third time that I used my WSM, I got little flakes falling from the inside of the lid, onto the cooking grates. Since then, I have given the inside of the lid a quick wipe with a paper towel, soon after I finish smoking, while it is warm and moist. Everything I have read recommends that you clean the cooking grates after every use, with crumpled aluminum foil or wire grate cleaning tool. It is easy to do. I like to wipe the water bowl. I don't get it shiny clean, but I don't line it with foil and it usually gets a lot of grease drippings in it, which I like to remove. I don't know how much harm would come if you didn't wipe the bowl. After the third time that I used my WSM, I got little flakes falling from the inside of the lid, onto the cooking grates. Since then, I have given the inside of the lid a quick wipe with a paper towel, soon after I finish smoking, while it is warm and moist. Everything I have read recommends that you clean the cooking grates after every use, with crumpled aluminum foil or wire grate cleaning tool. It is easy to do. I like to wipe the water bowl. I don't get it shiny clean, but I don't line it with foil and it usually gets a lot of grease drippings in it, which I like to remove. I don't know... » Read More After the third time that I used my WSM, I got little flakes falling from the inside of the lid, onto the cooking grates. Since then, I have given the inside of the lid a quick wipe with a paper towel, soon after I finish smoking, while it is warm and moist. Everything I have read recommends that you clean the cooking grates after every use, with crumpled aluminum foil or wire grate cleaning tool. It is easy to do. I like to wipe the water bowl. I don't get it shiny clean, but I don't line it with foil and it usually gets a lot of grease drippings in it, which I like to remove. I don't know how much harm would come if you didn't wipe the bowl. « Show Less
929979
So far I haven't felt the need to clean it. If you had to you may be able to snap the front screen off then wipe it out or else you would need to blow it out with compressed air.
573565
I'm about to purchase this, and I'll share the same cleaning method on it as I do my george foreman grill... when done, unplug it, and while still hot, wet a couple of paper towels, loosely wring them out so they won't drip, lay them over the open grill, then close it ... it'll 'steam clean' itself, & when you're done eating, open it back up again & use the paper towels to complete the wipe & clean process before storing.
431606
Yes, I scrape the grill itself and use the wire brush after each time I use it so it is ready for next time. Then every once in a while I take the grate off and scrape the sides into the aluminum throw away pan underneath that collects all the debris and grease and replace it with a new one. That is about all you need to do......easy.