What do you use to clean your grill?


 

Gene Brownson

TVWBB All-Star
I'm just curious. In the beginning I just used a simple piece of aluminum foil balled up loosely or a wire brush. Then I found the grill buster brush a bahemouth of brushes and used this exclusively to clean.

I ask and share because I no longer use the wire brush type grill cleaner. Maybe to share a little of my paranoia, I was watching one of the cable channels, to be honest I was surfing, like a true man because I know what I'm doing ;) I think I may have gotten up to get something, probably some junk for my pie hole. When I returned there was a true story of a young man who had suddenly gotten very ill and had to be rushed to the hospital and had to stay there were he progressively got worse and then died, the doctors had no idea what he died from which kind of intreeged my curiousity. Upon the autopsy the found a tiny piece, I this piece was crazy small of a wire, from the wire brush used to clean the grill. It had become trapped in his intestine and actually punctured a small hole and was stuck there. His father had admitted that he used a wire brush to clean their gas grill the previous weekend during a cook out. The Dr confirmed it was a fragmented piece of wire from the grill brush.

Well, needless to say (along with the encouragement of my wife), I went out and threw the bahemouth away and will never used a brush again. I found Weber has a scouring pad with a handle and replacement pads, of course I bought one, me being a Weber kiss @$$ :) I also had a grill stone that has a handle which you can get replacement stones for. I also went back to old scholl and balled up a piece of aluminum foil. I use the foil first, then hit it with the stone and then the scouring pad.

I had had no idea this was possible to happen, as I'm sure neither did they, or any of you. I share this with my friends here not to scare you, nor do I get any money from Reynolds or the stone people or my beloved Weber. I share this because I care about my friends here.

It appears to me that is, that old school is the best school. Be safe my friends. I will look for your comments and how you clean yours. Have a great day!
 
Gene,

I've heard of that happening with the wire brushes and since have only used the Weber wire brush. It seems well put together and doesn't appear to 'shed'. Previously, I was finding wires in the bottom of the grill and/or the ash catcher and wondering where they were coming from. No more cheap Chinese stuff for me. Too risky.

Under edit: on further inspection, it appears the Weber brush is made in China.
 
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Clean my grill??? ;)
I'm with Jim: I threw away the cheapo and stepped up. And do a visual before the meat hits.
 
My DIY grate scrubber was made from an old cheap pair of tongs and replacement pads.
I bent the teeth inwards, locked 'em, then twisty tied 'em.

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I use the Scotch Brite #7440 coarse hand pads from 3M. Or if I am feeling adventurous will soak the sides of the kettle with charcoal lighter fluid, let it soak in
for a minute, then light it and watch as it does a nice job of burning the crud and grease off. :>/
 
If you have a 1/4" open end wrench in the toolbox.. then try it. It fits stock WSM and kettle grates. You can rotate it to scrape the top sides and bottom with a few passes. Wipe the crud off on a wad of paper towel and go to the next rod.
Usually only takes me a few minutes on a crusty OTG grate to get it to bare metal clean.
Another thing is to always wipe down the grate with another wad of paper towel lightly coated with oil. This removes any leftover residue and I keep wiping till the towel shows clean.
Tim
 
I just use the wire bristle grill brush and do a quick visual. No issues.
Last year,out at my BILs house,I was using his grill,and couldn't find his brush. I did the foil trick and he was majorly impressed! :cool:
 
I also use a wire brush which I dip in hot water and lemon juice while the grill is on. I wish I could find a brush that gets in between the grill grates. This is where the guys win...they have more strength.
 

 

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