Cleaning WSM 18.5" and Performer After Years of Neglect

[JeremyC]

Sup folks, I see a lot has changed here the past few years. I got started back in 2007, got really into Q, got married, had kids and was too busy to for Q (sinful, I know). Now, I'm back, I've unpacked my Performer and WSM after years of non-use and neglect sitting out in the elements.

I'm pretty sure I need a whole new set of grates, top to bottom, but take a look at the pics and see if I should do any more hardcore cleaning. It looks like under the lids of my WSM and Performer are flaking and the WSM body is pretty gunky and rusty.

Would you pressure wash? Oven cleaner? Or just get some new grates, and do a burn off and get both as hot as can be?

Looking forward to re-integrating into the community after all these years...


https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3oHtf_wDoDAZU1mZk1CQkM2bEE&authuser=0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3oHtf_wDoDAZGdGRGk4RGtuZzQ&authuser=0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3oHtf_wDoDAcDBSalhlRVEwMW8&authuser=0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3oHtf_wDoDATnhzNXFpUzRqZ00&authuser=0

Any of these grates salvageable?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3oHtf_wDoDAVzdnbGttdHB3Q2c&authuser=0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3oHtf_wDoDAel9zdlpHRHViY0E&authuser=0

 

[Bob Ivey]

You can try steel wool in the grates. Might need to replace some of them but the kettles and WSM look like they just need a good cleaning and then seasoning. Good luck and enjoy cooking again.

 

[Enrico Brandizzi]

IMO, W/eyeglasses on I can affirm you can just start 2 whole chimneys and run a very hot empty cook. With the grates in.