How to Clean Weber Porcelain Grill Grates: A Useful Guide
Cast iron has been a popular material for cooking food because of all of the benefits it provides, including an even surface for heat distribution and the ability to withstand flames or intense levels of heat.
The problem is that most modern individuals do not enjoy cooking on bare cast iron because the surface is difficult to clean.
Also, there is always a small amount of mineral transfer during the activity.
The Weber’s porcelain grill grates, in particular, use cast iron as the central interior material.
On the exterior, though, there is a layer of porcelain.
Just like cast iron, it can also withstand heat but, at the same time, easy to clean.
It also does not transfer unwanted flavors to the food.
That said, if you are interested in how to clean Weber porcelain grill grates and are tired of finding conflicting advice, we have a short but helpful guide for you.
A Note About Porcelain
Before anything else, you must note that porcelain forms an excellent cooking surface but does come with some disadvantages.
In particular, porcelain is frail and brittle if you use the wrong substances to try to cut down on grease.
That means you need to be careful about the type of cleaners you utilize while performing regular maintenance on your Weber grill grates.
As much as possible, avoid using contemporary kitchen cleaners since they contain chemicals that can wear through porcelain’s smooth exterior and leave behind a brittle and fractured surface.
Instead, be prepared to utilize some good old-fashioned elbow grease to eliminate buildup and charred pieces of food.
How to Clean Weber Porcelain Grill Grates
Cleaning the porcelain grill grates of your Weber Grill depends on the condition of the grates. Don't worry, though, because we will discuss most of them.
Before Cooking
If your grates lack grease and just need a basic touchup before you place some hamburgers or steaks, start by turning the grill on.
As the device is heating up, use a handheld metal scrub brush to remove debris.
The style of metal brush you employ is up to you, but it needs to be one designed specifically for a grill; otherwise, it might cause scratches and microscopic damages.
Designated grill cleaners can be either cylindrical types to reach in between the grates or straightforward bristled brushes.
Whichever one you use, be sure to pick out or knock away any wires that come loose.
You do not want someone to bite into their dinner and be stabbed by a piece of metal that was left behind on the grilling surface.
Greasy Porcelain Grill Grates
If grease and not just food debris has started to build up on your Weber porcelain grill grates, it’s time to pull out the big guns.
There are several methods available, and all of them do not employ traditional chemical cleaners.
Instead, they encourage the utilization of materials you might have around your home, as well as designated sprays made by Weber themselves to better care for the porcelain coating.
a. The First Method
A popular choice for degreasing and sanitizing grates is by using a mixture of baking soda and water.
- Combine 90 grams of baking soda with 60 milliliters of warm water in a spray bottle to apply it to the grates better.
- Mix your concoction until it forms a fine paste that you can spread across the surface of the grates.
- Allow the baking soda to remain in place for 20 minutes before removing the grates and rinsing them off in the sink.
- You can then reattach the grates and scrub away any excess residue with your grill brush.
- If 20 minutes is not long enough to cut through the grease, which has built up over time, you can remove the grates and allow them to sit in the baking soda paste overnight.
- Just remember to rinse off your concoction in the morning.
b. The Second Method
Sometimes the grill brush is not enough to eliminate all of the grease and debris left behind by weeks of cooking.
If you are struggling with hard-to-reach places or don’t even own a grill brush, you can use tin or aluminum foil.
- Like in the first method, it’s important to use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. That is to eliminate some of the buildups that have been accruing over time.
- Once you rinse off the mixture, you can bunch some aluminum foil into a ball.
- When you replace the grates, use your foil to scrape and brush away any food particles or charred bits that were not eliminated during the soak and rinse.
- You can then use your grill plates like normal without having to worry about a strange aftertaste or any chemicals coming near your cooking surface.
c. The Third Method
The third and perhaps the simplest method to cut down on grease and buildup is to use Weber’s grate grill cleaner.
One of the best things about this spray is that it is non-toxic and citrus-based.
That means no chemicals come in contact with your grill, and the citrus helps eliminate some of the bad odors which can develop over time.
Plus, the spray is USDA certified and specifically designed not to cause skin irritations.
- The spray can be applied directly to the porcelain grill grates.
- Let it sit on the surface for several minutes to break down the grease, which has accumulated over time.
- To remove the spray, you can wipe the grates with paper towels. Do not be surprised if the towels come away discolored or covered with charred bits of food you were not expecting.
How to Prevent Weber Porcelain Grill Grate Rusting
If you follow the cleaning instructions above, your grill will not rust.
Rust only occurs if the porcelain has broken or become corroded, exposing the cast iron underneath.
If you do see rust on your grates, it might be time to replace them to avoid contaminating your food or eating a rusty steak.
Although porcelain can sometimes be put in the dishwasher, you should never place your Weber grill grates in it.
The porcelain has not been tested and approved for dishwasher use, and the exterior may shatter or break.
Plus, there are often small scrapes or cracks on the surface.
When placed in the dishwasher, you will expose the grates to an immense amount of water, which can seep underneath the porcelain.
The result is an increased likelihood of developing rust, which cannot be effectively removed and will affect how your food tastes.
Conclusion
With this simple guide, you should not worry about how to clean Weber porcelain grill grates.
Porcelain is a durable material designed to withstand heat and abuse.
However, since it is nonporous, grease should not get inside to affect the cast iron, so you only have to focus on the surface.
The simplest cleaning method will always be a little amount of baking soda mixed with water, but you can also utilize specially made cleaners and a wire brush to eliminate grease and charred pieces of food.
Just remember to avoid using too much water, and never put the grates in your dishwasher.
When all is said and done, cleaning should only take half an hour, and you can then move forward and enjoy your food.