Help: How-to

Cooking Grids

Cooking grids come in a variety of styles and materials. The most common are chrome plated and porcelain coated rod. Also available are cast iron, porcelain coated cast iron, stainless steel and porcelain coated steel. Many grills are also equipped with a warming rack that rests above the primary cooking surface, which can be used for both keeping foods warm and as a cooking area when using an indirect method of cooking.

• Chrome plated - Generally the least expensive cooking grids. They are subject to rusting and food sticking, however should provide several years of satisfactory service. Warming racks are generally chrome plated.
• Porcelain coated rod - Their shiny black or gray porcelain coating makes these cooking grids easier to clean and helps prevent the food from sticking. Care must be taken not to chip the porcelain coating which will expose the steel rod and allow rusting. A soft brass bristled brush should be used to clean the grids. Scraping will damage the coating. Porcelain coated grids vary in quality by the thickness of the rod and the thickness of the porcelain coating.
• Stainless steel - Offering excellent rust resistance, these grids generally have a wide configuration allowing easy food handling and providing wide sear marks. They cool easily and meats may have a tendency to stick.
• Cast iron - Offering the most mass, these grids have excellent searing capabilities as they retain their heat the longest. They are available with or without a porcelain coating and because they are so heavy, should last for many years. Non-porcelain coated cast iron grids require curing with vegetable oil in a manner similar to curing a cast iron frying pan.

  Maintenance Hints.....

• Cleaning - Cooking grids can be cleaned by heating them in the grill with the lid closed much like using a self cleaning oven. A layer of aluminum foil over the grids will help concentrate the heat. Do not overheat your grill, and do not leave your grill unattended. A maximum of 5 to 10 minutes on HIGH is recommended by most grill manufactures. After baking, brush the loose residue from the grids with a brass bristled brush. If desired they can then be cleaned with a mild soap and water.
• Vegetable oil - Coat the cooking grids with vegetable oil before cooking. This helps prevent the food from sticking and makes cleaning easier.
• Rusting - There is no fix for chipped away porcelain and rusting food grids. Clean away rust and coat with vegetable oil. Do not paint cooking grids or any cooking surface.

NOTE:   The information provided is not intended to take the place of the owners manual that was supplied with your grill.  Specific safety, repair and maintenance information varies between grill models and brands.  Always refer to your owners manual first.