Why I DONT over Clean My Weber Kettle Grill | A Guide To Cleaning Charcoal Grills

[@RA-rf4nz]

I did a deep restoration clean when I got my Weber Performer for $50 on Craigslist about 12 years ago. I think it's time to do the second deep restoration clean at the end of this summer. I do brush the cooking grate before each use and of course empty out the one-touch cleaning system container whenever it gets full.
I used a couple of cheap plastic putty knives to scrape most of the gunk off the inner kettle and lid. Then I spray and soak with Simple Green and follow up with stiff plastic bristle brush and serious elbow grease. Then I used a razor blade to do the detail cleaning on all the porcelain. I use an SOS pad to clean all the aluminum parts followed by a wet rag heavily dowsed with Bar Keeper's Friend. I finish off with dish soap and soft scrubber and rinse. It ends up looking almost new and ready for a decade of use.
I only use charcoal -- although I tried a gas grill once and sold it on Craigslist after about 3 uses -- I really hated everything about it, never again.

[@roger80465]

Great job on the clean up. Since I also use the kettle as a smoker, I like to remove the vent wings in the bottom and bend them out just a little before reinstalling them. It is common for ash or a small piece of charcoal to get lodged underneath one of the wings of the sweeper which really messes with temperature control.

[@tomwadek]

Great tip!

[@sugar_peas]

I got my kettle from Facebook marketplace for $25. I did a deep scrubbing on it and replaced the grates and it looked amazing. Now every spring when I bring out the kettle, I use dawn power wash spray and a scrub daddy to clean the outside and inside, then bar keeper's friend and a scrub daddy to clean both grates.

[@tomwadek]

That’s a heck of a price!

[@sugar_peas]

@@tomwadek yeah I love the thing it got me into grilling and cooking. It's a green kettle with a one touch sweeper. It has a few rust spots on the lid but besides that it looks great and works perfectly!

[@kylek7005]

After 3 - 4 years I had carbon build-up flaking off the inside of the lid that required a little scraping/brushing to clean up. At first I thought it was the black porcelain but it was just carbon.

[@tomwadek]

Eventually it does need to be clean up a bit. Thanks for sharing.

[@dbkfrogkaty1]

Nice video man. I guess I should give my Weber a interior cleaning. There is quite a bit of build up in the bowl. The outside is fine in my case. It stays under a cover!

[@tomwadek]

good to see you again, hope all is well.

[@dbkfrogkaty1]

@@tomwadek We're good now. Had to deal with Hurricane Beryl. Most of the Houston area lost power. Mostly from downed trees. The winds were really tough. Our power is on now thankfully.

[@boohoohoohoo]

solid

[@dhrtiwalter8670]

Reason you didn’t buy Weber with attached table?

[@tomwadek]

No, I wanted the hinged lid design and diffuser plate

[@dpelpal]

I won't use charcoal grills and haven't for 15 years! Charcoal is just wayyyyyy too expensive, and I actually think you get better taste from a propane grill.

[@luminouslight3579]

Sounds like a skill issue.

[@dpelpal]

@@luminouslight3579 If you're having trouble with learning to use gas grills, theyre not that hard to learn. You just need practice