Burnoff for the 18" WSM

[tjkoko]

I plan to do the burn as instructed here: http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/cleanup.html

With the water pan removed, would it be alright to leave the grates inside during the procedure so that the heat can help to clean them off? Would the intense heat from the burn off accelerate their pitting???

 

[justin.williams]

I don't know about the accelerated pitting, but i leave mine in

 

[Dwain Pannell]

I'd leave em in.

 

[tjkoko]

The burn off is proceeding. Onto a full chimney of unlit coals placed into the ring I added a full chimney of half-lit coals and within 15 minutes the temperature has climbed to 275F; and, that setup is with all three grates installed and a spare grate placed atop the top one and without the water pan.