I thought I would have to reseason the Q100 grates because I initially thought that they were cast iron. I used a wire brush and a SOS pad on it. Based on the below emails with Weber, it looks like I should not have done that since there is a porcelain finish on it. Are my grates shot now? I still have rust on it and I assume that the porcelain is probably gone.
I have provided instructions for cleaning the porcelain cast iron cooking grates for a Q100 below. Porcelain Coated Cast Iron:
Turn on the grill to High and close the lid. Allow the grill to run for 10-15 minutes or until any smoking stops. Brush any residue off of the grates with a stainless steel grill brush. For more thorough cleaning, take the cool grates out of the unit and wash using a soft cloth and hot soapy water. To remove stubborn build up scrub gently with a cleaning pad safe for non-stick surfaces. Beware: steel wool may scratch the porcelain finish. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry. Do not let the cooking grates drip dry: this will cause them to rust prematurely. Do not use lemon-based cleaners. Do not clean the grates in a self-cleaning oven. Follow this cleaning procedure as a regular maintenance procedure immediately before or right after using the grill.
Some rusting on the grates is to be expected and will cause no adverse health effects. Don't worry about replacing them if you are only having some surface rust.
I then replied with:
I am confused by your statement - Beware:steel wool may scratch the
porcelain finish.
These are cast iron grates, they have no porcelain right?
If I read correctly, I should not worry about rust right?
I will try to use a wire brush and get off as much as I can and then recoat
with a solid shortening oil and cook at a low temp?
How come you did not say to recoat the cast iron grates?
The reply I received was:
The cast iron grates are not straight cast iron. They have a porcelain enameled finish on them. As such they do not require the "seasoning" of straight cast iron.
I have provided instructions for cleaning the porcelain cast iron cooking grates for a Q100 below. Porcelain Coated Cast Iron:
Turn on the grill to High and close the lid. Allow the grill to run for 10-15 minutes or until any smoking stops. Brush any residue off of the grates with a stainless steel grill brush. For more thorough cleaning, take the cool grates out of the unit and wash using a soft cloth and hot soapy water. To remove stubborn build up scrub gently with a cleaning pad safe for non-stick surfaces. Beware: steel wool may scratch the porcelain finish. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry. Do not let the cooking grates drip dry: this will cause them to rust prematurely. Do not use lemon-based cleaners. Do not clean the grates in a self-cleaning oven. Follow this cleaning procedure as a regular maintenance procedure immediately before or right after using the grill.
Some rusting on the grates is to be expected and will cause no adverse health effects. Don't worry about replacing them if you are only having some surface rust.
I then replied with:
I am confused by your statement - Beware:steel wool may scratch the
porcelain finish.
These are cast iron grates, they have no porcelain right?
If I read correctly, I should not worry about rust right?
I will try to use a wire brush and get off as much as I can and then recoat
with a solid shortening oil and cook at a low temp?
How come you did not say to recoat the cast iron grates?
The reply I received was:
The cast iron grates are not straight cast iron. They have a porcelain enameled finish on them. As such they do not require the "seasoning" of straight cast iron.