Removing Grill Tar

[The Preserver]

Grilling season is here in my little neck of the woods. I use a charcoal grill. A little problem I am having right now is a buildup of a pesky black film derived from the smoke and food residue that has gradually collected underneath the lid. It has become so thick now that it is even difficult just to pull up the lid because the greasy stuff practically sticks it shut like super glue ( for lack of a better analogy ). Even sliding open the upper vent has become a chore because of how much of this stuff has accumulated inside. I tried using a spray bottle of "Citrusafe BBQ Grill Cleaner" and it doesn't seem to be working. I have seen that many youtubers who participate in those grilling competitions prefer to use Dawn. In recent years, I have dropped my use of Dawn Dish Liquid in favor of Biokleen out of concern that the chemicals used in synthetic soaps and cleaners may be harmful.

What are some of your recommendations for cleaning out really thick grease from a grill?

 

[Ruderunner]

Oven cleaner. Note, this can remove any paint as well.

Alternatively, fire. With enough heat the film will burn. This works great for cast iron, might warp sheet metal though.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Just for your info, while a alkaline pH product is great for oil removal and degreasing, once close to the metal an acid is often used such as the barkeepers friend product, which is oxalic acid.

 

[The Preserver]

Just for your info, while a alkaline pH product is great for oil removal and degreasing, once close to the metal an acid is often used such as the barkeepers friend product, which is oxalic acid.

I am late to reply but I have honestly never used oxalic acid for cleaning anything. Are there different forms of it available besides just the powdered concentrate? Are there any video demos or articles which instruct on how to clean charcoal grills using it?

Oven cleaner. Note, this can remove any paint as well.

Alternatively, fire. With enough heat the film will burn. This works great for cast iron, might warp sheet metal though.

Alas, mine is not a heavy cast iron grill. I still have yet to try the oven cleaner as a possible solution though. It would be a very delicate task to do correctly without ruining the paint.

 

[DirtMechanic]

I am late to reply but I have honestly never used oxalic acid for cleaning anything. Are there different forms of it available besides just the powdered concentrate? Are there any video demos or articles which instruct on how to clean charcoal grills using it?



Alas, mine is not a heavy cast iron grill. I still have yet to try the oven cleaner as a possible solution though. It would be a very delicate task to do correctly without ruining the paint.

We use a liquid barkeepers product that is great for the glass stove top. I use a powdered version and also found some powdered oxalic only on ebay so I bought a couple of pounds (kilo). It goes a long way.

 

[The Preserver]

We use a liquid barkeepers product that is great for the glass stove top. I use a powdered version and also found some powdered oxalic only on ebay so I bought a couple of pounds (kilo). It goes a long way.

Do the products have a brand name per chance?

 

[Anniekay]

Do the products have a brand name per chance?

It's called "Barkeepers Friend" comes in a tall paper can like Comet does only taller. Works much better than Comet.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Do the products have a brand name per chance?

These have felspar as a abrasive rub in oxalic acid. But soaking is a key beforehand imo. I use oven cleaner too.

 

[The Preserver]

View attachment 105118

These have felspar as a abrasive rub in oxalic acid. But soaking is a key beforehand imo. I use oven cleaner too.

Mine has little eyelet holes in the basin, so I might have to improvise a solution to prevent all the liquid from draining. Perhaps some Flex Tape might be useful?

 

[DirtMechanic]

Mine has little eyelet holes in the basin, so I might have to improvise a solution to prevent all the liquid from draining. Perhaps some Flex Tape might be useful?

I have put things in big plastic bags to stay wet. I have used wet towels. You can leave them for a soak in a bag too. Usually its vinegar sometimes muratic or what acid I can find in the shed. I am not always sure what reactions make so I got the oxalic crystal since BLF is used as a foodsafe cleaner.

 

[Ruderunner]

Duct tape for the holes.

 

[The Preserver]

Not to bump an old thread but has anyone tried steam-cleaning their grills?

 

[DirtMechanic]

One way trip for my wife. She would never use it again for wallpaper. Bet it works though, at least on the metal ones. I could only use it on the grills for the egg.

 

[pepper2.0]

Not to bump an old thread but has anyone tried steam-cleaning their grills?

For my smoker grills I put them on foil in the over and turn it up to about 425 for a couple hours, the grease will burn off and dry out. Then I soak them in hot water with dish soap for a while, then scrub them. The tar should flake off.

If it's cast iron grills I'd just toss it in a fire and burn it off, then season it with oil like you would with an iron pan.

 

[dirty hands]

Not to bump an old thread but has anyone tried steam-cleaning their grills?

I have a carpet cleaning business and my wife has a cleaning business. One customer we work for i clean their grills once a month.
I use about 200 degree water at about 900 psi from my carpet cleaning van. Then I just wipe the stainless steel with a towel. I remove and clean the grates and then clean inside of grill.
Its still stained from heat and grease inside but no build up.
I could scrub them more but they are ok with this.