Cleaning the cooking grates


 
W

Wayne E.

TVWBB Member
This is probably a non-issue which I'm worrying about for no good reason, but thought I'd throw it out there. I'm in the process of assembling my new 18.5 and I am struck by how light-weight it is.

I am strongly contemplating the addition of casters to this unit so I can move it around my deck easily. I anticipate its storage location will be different than its in-use location and will need to move it between the two.

Got to thinking about scrubbing the grate with a grill brush and wondering if the light weight of the unit is an issue. With my big gas grill there is enough mass there that I can bear down on the grill brushing and the unit is not going anywhere. Do you scrub your wsm cooking grate while it's in place on the unit?

If I put casters on this 18.5 I may be chasing the thing all around the deck while brushing the grates.
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May need to put a couple of locking casters on it, eh?

Thanks
 
I don't have wheels on mine, but I do clean the top grate in place.

The WSM can get a little tipsy if you get too aggressive and brush in the wrong direction. I like to rotate the grate so its in line with one leg ( the direction of the push )pointing it towards two legs can cause it to tip away from you.

Once you get your WSM assembled, grab your lid handle and give it a couple of slight tugs towards one then both legs. I think you'll get a better feel for it that way.

Tim
 
I can't speak for someone who's got casters, but I've had no issues "bearing down" on the grates with a grill brush, except for sometimes knocking the grate off of the tabs. 90% of the time I remove the water pan at the end of a cook and let the grates get pretty hot, and then knock the crud off with my Weber wire brush.

The wsm is actually very stable, and I haven't heard of anyone mentioning a problem with the weight or being tipsy while cleaning. Most folks haven't added castors though, especially to the 18.5" model...but maybe someone will chime in that has.
 
I take the grates off to clean them and do so in a sink using a Scotch-brite and dish detergent. I never get the grates hot enough to burn food off like on a regular grill.

If Weber had meant for you to move your WSM they would have put wheels on it!

Just kidding.
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It is awkward to move so I assemble it where I want it. I'm going to need to do that when I set up to cook. When I store it, I invert the middle section to prevent water intrusion so it is assembled then as well. That covers 90% of the times I need to move it. I have a two wheel hand truck I'd probably use if I needed to move it a lot rather than compromise the integrity of the factory legs with casters. Perhaps a low platform using the rollers like the ones on mechanic's creepers would do the job as well.
 
wheels on your 18.5 OR your 22.5 WSM are handy.
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and quite easy to install.
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Wayne, since you have a "big gas grill", why not take your WSM food grate and place it inside your gas grill to burn off what you would be scrubbin' off...?
It's what i do and it works "grate"!
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Every time I use the WSM, I take the grates off the throw them on the gasser for about 10-15 minutes on high heat. Then I use to the brush to take the ash off.
 
The grates are supposed to be seasoned with gunk. Have you ever looked at the grates on smokers at competitions?

I usually just hit the high stuff on mine. I take my Weber brush and lightly brush off both grates, not even bearing down with any force. Just enough to knock off the small pieces.
 
I knock off the big stuff and throw them in the dishwasher a couple of times per season. Just the cooking grates of course - the bottom coal grate is pretty nasty, plus has a fair amount of rust from six years of rain leaking in around the seams. I swear that thing can collect 4" of rain in a 20 minute shower.
 
I throw mine in the dishwasher after every cook and they still look like new. Same for the water bowl. I don't bother foiling it since it's so easy to clean.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Wayne, since you have a "big gas grill", why not take your WSM food grate and place it inside your gas grill to burn off what you would be scrubbin' off...? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

x2.

I clean my WSM grates on my performer as I can burn everything off and then brush them down. Started this method with a gasser at the lakehouse.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John L.:
I knock off the big stuff and throw them in the dishwasher a couple of times per season. Just the cooking grates of course - the bottom coal grate is pretty nasty, plus has a fair amount of rust from six years of rain leaking in around the seams. I swear that thing can collect 4" of rain in a 20 minute shower. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

John,

Try flipping the mid section. I just moved to a house without a garage, so now I use a trash bag on my 18, but it doesn't really fit on my 22". Once you flip the midsection, water will run down the side instead of inside the cooker.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jim Lampe:
wheels on your 18.5 OR your 22.5 WSM are handy.
<pics removed>
Wayne, since you have a "big gas grill", why not take your WSM food grate and place it inside your gas grill to burn off what you would be scrubbin' off...?
It's what i do and it works "grate"!
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</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wayne, You may want to note the position that Jim drilled his holes for the casters. I did mine (18.5) to the outside curve and had two difficulties that resulted in my installing a plywood platform to keep the castors straight enough to roll properly. 1) the splay was bad -- platform needed, 2) had trouble (still) tightening the bolts/washers. Jim may have a 22 which has more space, but the platform took care of the real issue.

It looks from the pics that Jim used the same hardware I did. You'll need wheels at least this size on your deck to overcome the gaps. You may also want to consider adding handles to the mid-section. They not only help to lift that mid-section, but also help in rolling the WSM around -- one hand on the lid handle and one on a side handle. Even with a hot fire, this helps a lot to keep it stable. (I will wheel mine under cover if it starts raining during a cook.)

Rich
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jim Lampe:
wheels on your 18.5 OR your 22.5 WSM are handy.
DSCN3754.JPG

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wow, that must be a 22 huh Jim? Just noticing how much closer the heat shield is to the charcoal bowl than on my 18.5......Interesting. Never noticed that before.
 
I clean mine after every cook. I'd like to find a oil draining pan about 20" in diameter and soak the grates in there. Easier to clean after a good soaking in hot water with Dawn soap.. I have found that the Wal-Mart brand of Dawn soap works real good on the grates and is cheaper.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John M:
I clean mine after every cook. I'd like to find a oil draining pan about 20" in diameter and soak the grates in there. Easier to clean after a good soaking in hot water with Dawn soap.. I have found that the Wal-Mart brand of Dawn soap works real good on the grates and is cheaper. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Soap and water isn't necessary, and just like with any other grill grates, not recommended either. Leaving a bit of seasoning on the grates helps protect against rust.
 
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