Barkeeper's Friend on cooking grates


 

J Ross

New member
My All-Clad pots and pans still look like the day I purchased them, thanks to the miraculous Barkeeper's Friend. Has anyone used BKF on the WSM's cooking grates? If so, did you use the powder or liquid version? Do you use it often, or once a season? Any risk to the nickel-plating?

Thanks!
 
New Weber cooking grates are no longer described as "nickel-plated", just "plated", so depending on the age of your grates the question of nickel may be a moot point.

Like you, I'm a big fan of BKF for All-Clad cookware, but have not used it on grill grates. BKF's "two-stage cleaning method" consists of oxalic acid and "micro scrubbing particle". I'm just as curious as you to hear from people to see how BKF works on grates.
 
I just throw my grates into my gasser and hit them with the brush and 700+ degrees. You're curious to hear how BKF works, I'm just curious what BKF stands for :)
 
I can't imagine using BKF (Bar Keepers Friend - ChuckO) on grates. The work involved seems way out of proportion to the benefit. There is the burn off method like ChuckO mentions. Personally, I soak my grates in a utility sink in hot water and dish soap and hit them with a Scotch Brite pad. Pretty quick and easy after a 15 min. soak. There is also oven cleaner which I don't use but I understand provides good results. After all that, there is the cost of a new grate, which is a lot cheaper than an All-Clad pan so about every 5 years or so, I just get a new grate. Curious, yes, willing to do it myself - not likely.
 
Go to Lowe's or HD and pickup a Hot Water Heater tub. You can get metal or plastic, I have plastic much easier to work with. Fill with hot water and add dish soap, soak grates for a couple hours and than hit them with a Scotch Brite Pad. Easy Peasey
 
Go to Lowe's or HD and pickup a Hot Water Heater tub. You can get metal or plastic, I have plastic much easier to work with. Fill with hot water and add dish soap, soak grates for a couple hours and than hit them with a Scotch Brite Pad. Easy Peasey

You mean like this?...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Camco-24-in-ID-Plastic-Drain-Pan-15829/204220094

I was thinking along those line myself, but I never thought of using a drain pan. Sounds like a good idea.

Harry Soo mentioned something about spraying cooking grates with oven cleaner and placing them in a trash bag for a few hours.
 
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Go to Lowe's or HD and pickup a Hot Water Heater tub. You can get metal or plastic, I have plastic much easier to work with. Fill with hot water and add dish soap, soak grates for a couple hours and than hit them with a Scotch Brite Pad. Easy Peasey

Exactly what I do except I use my utility sink. The main point is that you get something that you can lay the grates flat in so you don't need a ton of water to soak them. Laying them flat, you only need a couple inches of water. A little soap, a soak, a quick scrub and you're all set.
 
Will the non-fume-free formula melt the bag or something?

It could I guess depending on the quality of the bag, but most importantly when you open the bag you wont be breathing in those nasty fumes. I know some like to use Ammonia instead of Easy-Off, tried that once and about lost my breath..

Tim
 
I did the Easy Off thing with my oven grates which were very dirty. Overnight in a heavy duty trash bag and then to the car wash for a high pressure rinse. Couldn't use my pressure washer cause the hoses are all put away. They look brand new!
 
Different strokes...

Tim
i'm serious.
WHY clean them? How dirty do your grates get?
after i grill or smoke, run a wire Weber grate brush over them and they're ready to go again.

Why clean them?
and it's NOT different strokes tim.
 
I had pretty much just typed out what Jim said.
Please let me/us know why anyone feels that cook grates need a deep thorough cleaning.
Germs?
Looks?
Spouse says so?
Just because?

Next time a bbq show is on about a popular bbq joint take a look at their cooking grates, and shudder.
 
i'm serious.
WHY clean them? How dirty do your grates get?
after i grill or smoke, run a wire Weber grate brush over them and they're ready to go again.

Why clean them?
and it's NOT different strokes tim.

Well, it depends on how funky or gunky they look. I always have spare clean grates hanging in the garage, so i'll swap them out and do a soak on the funky ones.
I don't do this all the time, maybe 1-2 times a year.

Edit: I haven't used my 18.5" WSM since X-mas. (forgot about it) and opened it up yesterday. The top grate was just dang fugly looking so I put it in my washtub with some simple green.
I'll hose that off later on today and give it a good scrubbing.
Tim
 
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