Advice for cleaning lid vent/daisy wheel?

[DaveP-PA]

After a couple months of smoking my lid vent had a decent amount of “smoke stains”. Initially I tried rubbing alcohol w/ a paper towel which did nothing (actually scratched the finish, who knew paper towels are abrasive).

The other night after a burger cook (while the kettle was warm) I used warm water on a microfiber rag which worked better, but still not that new look. Note* do not wipe a microfiber towel against the bowl where you have coals banked (ask me how I know) thankfully a wet dish scrubber took off the melted microfiber if I worked quickly.

I have thought about using a cleanser like Bar Keepers Friend. I’m looking for a solvent, that will dissolve the smoke residue/creosote and will be able to wipe away. Is there such a product?

 

[Randy]

Give simple green a try. It works pretty good I used it on my webers

 

[Kevin L (NKY)]

The vents are stamped from aluminum which is very soft. So once you clean them the stains will return. I used a little simple green and steel wool. To make the scratches less noticeable work the steel wool in one direction during the final pass. You could also use a aluminum polish like Metal, or Never Dull that would make it easier to just wipe off. But you will need to repeat the polish after a good cleaning of stubborn stains.

 

[Jim C in Denver]

Damp rag applied to the vents when the cooker is hot and cooking. Kind of like steam cleaning.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

Windex when it’s warm with a pretty well saturated paper towel wad sitting on it will work pretty well in many cases .

 

[Samuel]

#0000 Steel wool works. Do not use anything courser. #0000 steel wool is good at removing the rust off of the bolt but it takes a lot of time

 

[DaveP-PA]

#0000 Steel wool works. Do not use anything courser. #0000 steel wool is good at removing the rust off of the bolt but it takes a lot of timeView attachment 67207View attachment 67208

More than likely going to go with this, and an all purpose cleaner. I may drill out the factory rivet & replace it with a stainless screw & nut, for ease of future cleaning.