Best Cleaner

[BigVinnie]

My charcoal grill, Char-Griller Legacy 33in, is in need of a good deep cleaning and I am looking for recommendations on cleaning solutions. Something effective that won't damage my grill and won't leave a nasty residue behind. From Weber to citrus cleaners there are a lot of options out there.

 

[Fueling Around]

I use a plastic scraper
Pull smoker out into the sun to get it warm and scrape away

 

[SmokinEdge]

For a deep clean use whatever works but in the end, a cleaner that contains sodium hydroxide is the bomb. Sam’s Club sells a “grill cleaner” under Makers Mark brand that contains sodium hydroxide as is a fantastic deep cleaner. For a lighter cleaner there is a product called “Greased Lightning “ you can buy that at your local Walmart and it contains SH as well just a lighter concentration but a great all purpose cleaner. Otherwise good ole white vinegar works very well if things are warmed up before cleaning.

 

[BigVinnie]

For a deep clean use whatever works but in the end, a cleaner that contains sodium hydroxide is the bomb. Sam’s Club sells a “grill cleaner” under Makers Mark brand that contains sodium hydroxide as is a fantastic deep cleaner. For a lighter cleaner there is a product called “Greased Lightning “ you can buy that at your local Walmart and it contains SH as well just a lighter concentration but a great all purpose cleaner. Otherwise good ole white vinegar works very well if things are warmed up before cleaning.

Yeah, that's what I'm looking for. Something to cut through the grease. Thank you!

 

[SmokinEdge]

This is the stuff from Sam’s. I will caution you to use protective gloves and avoid using on aluminum or painted surface. Read the warning label before use. This stuff will cut grease though. B BigVinnie

 

[forktender]

I use my pressure washer with Dawn dish soap, so far it's got everything nice and clean. I only deep clean it once a yr. For touch up's I use straight simple green, then rinse it well.

 

[normanaj]

Dawn Heavy Duty Powerwash is my go-to now.

 

[Bumppo]

I usually just use simple green and a plastic putty knife from the painting section at Lowes. It doesn't get my stuff "like new" but keeps it in good enough shape to last.

I've kept my cheap store brand gasser going perfectly for over eight years with nothing fancier. Other than the grates starting to rust and a few bends from the friendly neighborhood bears, its still in perfect shape.

 

[1MoreFord]

Members Mark Grill Cleaner is available at Walmart too, but it's about twice as much at my local stores.

Easy Off Oven Cleaner, and other oven cleaners, contain Sodium Hydroxide too if that's easier to find. Several drain cleaners do too.

As mentioned, be careful around aluminum and painted surfaces.

 

[forktender]

I usually just use simple green and a plastic putty knife from the painting section at Lowes. It doesn't get my stuff "like new" but keeps it in good enough shape to last.

I've kept my cheap store brand gasser going perfectly for over eight years with nothing fancier. Other than the grates starting to rust and a few bends from the friendly neighborhood bears, its still in perfect shape.

I buy the original S.G. 2 gals at a time, it's great for washing trucks, boats, pots and pans, driveways, stucco, bricks, you name it I've cleaned it with S.G. the stuff works great unless you dilute it too much. For heavily stained goods, I use 1 cup S.G. to 1 cup hot water. My wife completely scorched my favorite S.S. pan, it looked like hell, after a 2 day soak in S.G. and a little elbow grease, the pan looks as good as new, the stuff works.

 

[voyager 663rd]

I've also used it to clean my bicycle chain. Amazing how that stuff works on grease & oil.

 

[zwiller]

My go to is Dollar store oxy in HOT water. I would say it's the strongest "mild" cleaner meaning anything more potent will likely etch/strip. I also like purple power but it can etch/strip. Usually anything that oxy can't clean will clean up with PP but I tread lightly. No idea why but cannot stand the smell of Simply Green.

 

[SmokinEdge]

There was another pretty decent cleaner I used for a while that I can’t find any more, but it was called “Mean Green” that stuff cut grease and grime really well. It’s still available just not for me locally. I’d have to order it.

 

[forktender]

There was another pretty decent cleaner I used for a while that I can’t find any more, but it was called “Mean Green” that stuff cut grease and grime really well. It’s still available just not for me locally. I’d have to order it.

The Dollar stores around here used to sell that, the stuff worked great.
I haven't been able to find it for a few years now. I figured CA made it illegal to sell, they do that with everything that works.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Racing Motocross for 30 years... We've seen our share of mud.... Mix simple green 50/50 with water.. Pre wash bikes and then spray (2 G. pump up sprayer) with simple green let soak for 5 minutes... Pressure wash clean... If you want it shiny.. Dry with towel and spray whole bike (try not to spray on brake rotors) with WD 40 ...

 

[02ebz06]

I used Greased Lightning and Barkeepers Friend.

 

[ajbert]

I use Dawn or Simple Green on the outside, same on the inside but with one of those paint stripper pads you use with a drill or grinder. My grill is stainless steel inside and out with brass burners. Not sure I'd use the stipper pads on chrome let alone paint.

I do soak the grates for a few hours to loosen up the burnt on stuff, same with the heat deflectors over the burners.