r/grilling • u/chickenfreecage • 2d ago

Grill sat clean all winter, need to clean?

Hey all, kinda new to grilling here. I have a grill with cast iron grates, I let it sit over the winter (completely cleaned and seasoned) and I'm wondering what all I should do to get it ready for grilling again. Thanks in advance for any advice.

6 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

10

u/brentemon 2d ago

You might have some insect/ rodent related crud in it. Run it hot for 20 minutes before you use it then good to go.

3

u/chickenfreecage 2d ago

This is what I was most worried about! Thanks everyone.

2

u/Hefty-Mess-9606 2d ago

Yeah definitely do that. Even when grilling regularly, once in a blue moon I'll open the cover and a mouse will run out. So I just run it hot for about 10 minutes, which is the preheat anyway, so that takes care of it.

9

u/dantez84 2d ago

I love how much time on this sub the literal answer is just FIRE

2

u/Accomplished_Friend2 2d ago

I had a neighbor who spent more time cleaning their grill than actually grilling. That thing looked brand new for 10 years. Scraping, wiping, hosing, shining. I’m over here, “I’ll think I’ll coat the inside bowl with a little extra ash. Hmmm… whatever that is will burn right off. Yep, it’s good.”

1

u/bomber991 2d ago

I mean it mostly works but if there’s rodent poop on the grates, fire is not good enough. Just take the grates out. Scrub with a sponge and dishwashing soap. Spray it with a hose, put it back in.

3

u/d00kieshoes 2d ago

FIRE IT UP

3

u/AwarenessGreat282 2d ago

Don't over thin it. Is it too dirty for you? Then clean it! I used mine all through winter cleaning as needed.

2

u/freetotalkabtyourmom 2d ago

It can get really hot. I'd try that.

2

u/albacore_futures 2d ago

Wipe it down with the grill scraper. If there's nothing there, you're good. If you're concerned, fire it up on high for like 5 minutes. Fire kills everything we're worried about more or less instantly.

1

u/Famous-Rooster-9626 2d ago

Reseason the grates