Grill Repair: Body Maintenance

Grill Repair Topics

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Keeping your grill body in top shape

Cooking on a clean-looking BBQ is like stepping into the spotlight on a red carpet.

It’s all about the sizzle, the excitement, and the thrill of the culinary adventure. When your grill is sparkling and ready for action, it’s like you’re the star of your own backyard cooking show.

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General Cleaning

Use a mild soap and water and wash the grill as you would your car, and consider purchasing a grill care kit.

The “Insides” of your Grill Body

Food grease. It might sound innocent, but it’s like the supervillain of your grill world. It’s sneaky, it’s corrosive, and it’s out to cause trouble. So, what do you do? You become the grill superhero. Grab yourself a trusty putty knife, and with the finesse of a ninja, scrape away that accumulated grease lurking inside your grill, especially on the bottom. You see, if you leave that stuff unattended for too long, it’s like letting the bad guys win – it’ll corrode away the very foundation of your grill. Do not use a putty knife on porcelain coated surfaces as this will damage the porcelain and expose the steel to the corrosive food greases.

Now, for the finishing touch, break out the vacuum to suck up any flaky rust or food debris. It’s like giving your grill a spa day – a well-deserved cleanse.

Specific Care by Grill Body Material

Determine in which material your Grill Body was crafted for proper care

 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a popular choice for gas grill bodies because it is durable, resistant to corrosion, and can withstand high temperatures. There are different grades of stainless steel, with 304 stainless steel being a common choice for high-quality grills due to its corrosion resistance. To maintain a stainless steel grill body, regularly clean it with a stainless steel cleaner or soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. Avoid using abrasive materials or steel wool, as they can scratch the surface.

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Cast Aluminum

Some gas grill bodies are made of cast aluminum, which is lightweight, rust-resistant, and an excellent conductor of heat. To maintain a cast aluminum grill body, clean it with a mild detergent and water, and avoid abrasive cleaning tools that could damage the surface. Aluminum is resistant to rust but extreme temperatures and weathering may cause oxidation to form white spots. It has been our experience that the use of a grill cover will minimize but not eliminate this problem. A light coating of vegetable oil or polish will help this situation.

Cast Iron

While less common for the entire grill body, cast iron may be used for certain components, such as grates or burner covers. Cast iron needs special maintenance to prevent rust. After each use, clean the cast iron components, dry them thoroughly, and apply a thin layer of cooking oil to prevent rusting.

Other Care and Refinishing Techniques

To refinish aluminium or iron grill castings

Clean the exterior to remove burned on grease and oils. Lightly sand with steel wool, medium emery paper or fine sandpaper. Clean off residue with a vinegar and water solution. This neutralizes the finish. Rinse with clear water. Once dry, paint with a high temperature paint. These paints can withstand very high temperatures and are cured by heat. After the paint has thoroughly dried, bake it on by operating grill for 15 minutes on a medium heat.

Get rid of white spots on exterior castings with Stove Polish

Available at most hardware stores, sold as a liquid or paste. Apply with a soft cloth. The polish contains black pigments which will revitalize the finish by adding color and the wax offers protection from the weather.

Use Vegetable Oil on Castings

A light coating of oil applied with a soft rag will add luster and offer protection to the outside of the castings. Heavier coatings of vegetable oil will have a tendency to build up and appear sticky. Coat the inside of the grill when it is new or when it is clean to give it extra protection from food acids.

Glass Grill Windows

The viewing glass featured on some grills can be cleaned using a water and ammonia mixture. Windex or other glass cleaners will also work. Abrasive cleaners and pads will scratch the glass surface. Never attempt to clean the glass when it’s hot and do not use cleaners containing lye or oven cleaner. If the glass is removed to clean, be sure to allow a loose fit in the frame which gives the glass room for expansion when heated.

Always refer to your owners manual. The information provided is not intended to take the place of the owners manual that was supplied with your grill. Specific safety, repair and maintenance information varies between grill models and brands.