My ideas for starting coals, cleaning grill

[Bob Correll]

May not be original ideas, but I came up with them on my own.

I have several cans of Sterno type chafing dish warmers left over from a family reunion.
They are cheap, if purchased by the case at Costco.
Not wanting to uncover the Performer to start the coals for a butt smoke, I put about a teaspoon on a piece of paper towel, then balled it up.

15 Minutes later:

The other thing that worked well is a steel pot scrubber for grate cleaning.
About a buck at Walmart, I think, under $2 for sure.
Nice to have when your brush is gunked-up.

 

[Jim H.]

Those both look like great ideas, Bob. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dave Russell]

Sound like good, original ideas to me, so thanks, Bob. Just checked the cans that were in the pantry, but they're the liquid fuel, not the gel.

 

[Sean H]

Cool ideas, Bob! The scrubber one is especially useful for me.

 

[Wolgast]

There is brushers out there that works with scrubbers. Cheap in the long run. I had the weber one like you BoB. Worked great lasted thru the summer. Now i buy these cheap ones and toss em away. lasts a month and then toss away. Still cheaper then the weber one.

 

[TroyRedington]

i use the steel scrubbers as well.

here's an add on - dip one in grapeseed oil to oil your grates before you cook. It scrubs, seasons, and doesn't catch on fire.

 

[Rita Y]

I have been using one like Wolgast's for several years and have been very pleased with it. I usually squeeze 2 steel scrubber pads on it at a time. They seem to hold up longer that way. Mine is like the China Grill Brush (second one down), but with a classic, partially melted black plastic handle. I see that they are now selling them with wooden handles, a wise decision.

http://grillwizard.com/prod.htm

Rita

 

[Brian Staley]

Both great ideas! I have just been using a ball of foil to clean the grates.

 

[Steve Whiting]

There's also This one which Cooks Illustrated Recommends. I have it and like it very much.

 

[Bob Sample]

Your supposed to clean the grill?????????

 

[Brian Staley]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Your supposed to clean the grill?????????

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After spending this much on my 22, it takes every bit of my will power to not shine the crap out of it. But I guess I am getting proud of the build-up now.
Still, I could see car polish and a buffer going to work on it!

 

[Jon Des.]

Great ideas Bob. I was using sterno cans for a while but got sick of the ashes forming a crust on top and clogging them up. Not to mention the fact that they're about 1,000,000 degrees by the time you can pull it out from under the chimney. Fortunately I found a deal on some organic firestarter cubes that are about 1/3rd the price of the Weber cubes, so I'm out of sterno.

I have to admit that the title of this thread made me imagine you were using a flamethrower to both light coals and clean your grill at the same time.