Cleaning Cooking Grates

[derekmiller]

Ok its -2C outside and I have spent 50 minutes cleaning my cooking grates after yesterdays smoke (1st brisket and it went well, will post piccies later).
Now I scrub every bit of smoke and stuff of of the grates until they sparkle
I know Weber recommend cleaning them at the next use (ie fire them up and then give them a quick scrape). I am not comfortable with that.
What do you do. Quick pole..
Derek

[Saucy Pig]

Give it a burn out till its smoking hot then scrape them off. If its been really nasty or a long time i'll give them a once over with a scourer.

[stretchie_]

Same here, I wait until I've added the lit coals to the coal basket then put the grills on while the coal basket is catching on and scrape them after about 30 mins

[BBQFanatic]

If they are the WSM grates, the 18" grates fit easily into a 60cm dishwasher. I first spray with a lemon based cleaner (not anything with chemicals), whilst they are still warm. Then I put into the dishwasher. They come out looking like new!

[derekmiller]

No 22.5, hence washing them by hand outside.

[KamadoSimon]

High heat and a bit of a scrape - that's it. But if any mould developed i would anti-bac it, then high heat it.

[Saucy Pig]

Had an environmental health officer out to check my smoker and cleaning routines. As long as there's no mould and no crusty bits able to fall off the lid onto the cooked food they don't have any problems with just a thorough scraping over a high heat.

[Eddie]

A good scrape and a good blast of heat.

Eddie

[keith157]

I have 57Cm Outdoorchef Ascona so both Weber & ProQ Excel grills fit. Turn the burners on high, drink a coffee turn them off, brush off the dust cos that's all that's left on them

[derekmiller]

So, straw pole suggests I am being a bit over cautious.
Thanks for the feedback guys, I think I may change my routine.