GRILL MAINTENANCE
Frequency of clean up is determined by how often the grill is used. Make sure coals are completely extinguished before
cleaning inside of the unit. Thoroughly rinse with water and allow to air dry before using again. Wipe out the interior of the
unit with a cloth or paper towels.
When finished cooking, and the unit has adequately cooled, clean out all remaining ashes. Ashes collect moisture, which
can lead to premature rusting and decay. Periodically coating the interior surfaces with vegetable oil will aid in the protection
of your unit. Also, occasional touch up of the exterior paint will be required. Black, high-temperature spray paint is
recommended. NEVER PAINT THE INTERIOR OF THE UNIT.
Cooking Surface:
If a bristle brush is used to clean any of the grill cooking surfaces, ensure no loose bristles remain on
cooking surfaces prior to grilling. It is not recommended to clean cooking surfaces while grill is hot.
PREPARING TO USE YOUR GRILL
Before cooking with your grill, the following steps should be closely followed to both cure the finish and season the interior
steel. Failure to properly follow these steps may damage the finish and/or impart metallic flavors to your first foods.
Brush all interior surfaces including grills and grates with vegetable cooking oil.
Build a small fire on the ash pan/fire grate, being sure not to lay coals against the walls.
Close lid, position butterfly dampers at approximately one quarter turn open. This burn should be sustained for at least
two hours. Begin increasing the temperature by opening the butterfly dampers halfway and adding more charcoal. Your
grill is now ready for use.
Rust can appear on the inside of your grill. Maintaining a light coat of vegetable oil on the interior surfaces will aid in the
protection of your grill. Exterior surfaces of the grill may need occasional touch up. We recommend the use of
commercially available black high temperature spray paint. NEVER PAINT THE INTERIOR OF THE GRILL!
GRILLING
Charcoal is recommended, however, wood or a combination of both may be used as the fuel source for grilling with the
fuel source placed and ignited on the ash pan/firegrate. Do not build too large of a fire. We recommend starting a fire with
no more than 4 pounds of charcoal (approximately 60 briquettes) and adding more as needed during cooking. After
allowing the fire to burn down, place the cooking grate on the unit. Failure to read and follow instructions for lighting
charcoal may result in serious personal injury and/or property damage.
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Please see information regarding Uncoated Cast Iron Grates below.
First Time Use:
Before using a cast iron grate or other cast iron cooking tool, wash it thoroughly with a mild dishwashing liquid to remove the
protective wax coating applied for shipping. Rinse with hot water and dry completely with a soft cloth or paper towel. NEVER
ALLOW TO DRAIN DRY OR WASH IN A DISHWASHER. Now season the grates to prevent rust and sticking.
Seasoning:
A solid vegetable shortening is recommended for the initial seasoning. Spread a thin coating of solid vegetable shortening
over the entire surface, including all corners, with a paper towel. Do not use salted fats such as butter or margarine.
Preheat grill for 15 minutes; carefully place grates in the grill. Allow the grill to heat grates for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Allow the fire to
burn out on its own, and leave cooking grates in grill until they are cool. Your cast iron cooking grates are now ready to use.
To Prevent Rusting:
Re-season your grates frequently, particularly when new. If rust occurs, it is an indication that the grates have not been
seasoned enough or the seasoning has been burned off. Clean with a heavy brush like Char-Broil’s Brush Hawg. Reapply
vegetable shortening and heat as indicated above to re-season the grates.
Maintenance:
Do not do a burn-off after you grill, but rather leave the cooking residues on the grates to keep a protective coating on the
cast iron. Do a burn-off just before you grill. The more you use your cast iron grates, the easier the maintenance will be.
Store in a dry place. If you store your grates for an extended period of time, grease very lightly with vegetable shortening,
then wipe dry with a paper towel.
