Well, I was feeling a bit energetic, and seeing I've had a problem with one burner lighting, deciding to do some grill cleaning. Out came the brass brushes, scrapers, rubber gloves, detergents, degreasers, GKF bottles, Simple Green, 409, sponges, buckets, etc. Armed with this array of gear, I went outside to view the grill. Dismal. I looked at all the built up crud, and said "no way". Packed up all the gear, every last bit of it. That would take four hours minimum, the sun is out hot, it's terribly humid, I'm tired and maybe a little lazy. So......... I trekked over to one of my storage buildings, and dragged out the pressure washer and backpack blower. Hee hee. Ten minutes later, no crud. Yes, still blackened, tarnished and scorch discolorations, but other than that, clean of any buildup or debris. The pressure washer got rid of all the buildup. Then the blower (900 mph wind) did it's job of drying everything before the water could do any damage (what - to 304 stainless)? I put it all back together, and now feel better. Twenty minutes, start to finish. No elbow grease, no tedious scraping, no time consuming rubbing and scrubbing. I didn't want it all shiny, just, well, kinda empty of buildup, you know? Good enough to make some steaks tonight. Heh... In my opinion, this is the Best Way to Clean Your Grill. Unless, you want mirror like finishes, in which case, I'd just as soon buy a new one......

Here's twenty minutes of my afternoon:

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The "Best Grill Cleaning Tools Available":

13 Horsepower, 4000PSI Grill Washer:
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Red Max Backpack Blower, 900 MPH Velocity Grill Dryer:
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I'm happy. Not squeeky clean happy, but basically "clean" happy.

By the way, the failing burner works fine now. Go figure....

Mike

cuskit,

Great job! Did you protect your ceramic burners from getting wet, or does it matter?

Protect? What, are you serious? Nope. Just turned the washer up to full throttle, and blasted away. The only time I "drew back" a bit with the tip was when directed on the outside by any writing (burner "Hi-Lo" labels, etc.). I think the letters are ink stamped on, but I didn't want to take a chance "blasting" off the writing. Like when I washed my boat, and the decals went "south"!

I just blasted everything, and boy did the ash and crud go flying! Like I said, now it's clean, albeit not shiny...

After blowing dry, ALL burners lit immediately and went full flame with good blue color! Even the back burner, which has been failing to light as of late....
I did leave the burners running on high for fifteen minutes, just in case my blower did not get some of the "crooks and crannies" dry.

Mike

Hmmmmmm, Patty just came in and asked "What did you clean? You said you were going to clean the grill. It still looks black"! I pointed to a can of BKF, and said "I did the heavy work, now you shine 'er up"!!! She though a moment, smiled and said "You did such a nice job! It looks really good"!!

Women...............

Mike

Patty sounds like a great gal, Mike!

Grill does look better with your innovative cleaning method! My girl in my avatar is has fake brick which is fiberglass. I've yet to clean the fiberglass yet!

My boat (25' cuddy cabin) acquired a nice 1" diameter hole in the stern, just below the swim platform one day while I was power washing it. A friend had pulled up his car while I was washing, I turned to say hello, and at that moment the wand stayed still in one spot. Drilled a clean hole right through the 5/8" thick fiberglass molded to 1-1/2" thick marine plywood that makes up the stern. That made "blowing" off the decals look rather tame! So........... I'd be very cautious with your fiberglass! Then again, the size of my washer was a bit "overkill" just to clean up the little bit of barnacle growth I had......

Mike

I was gonna say! Boy Mike..I'd be careful blasting your grill with that power washer. It worked great for you....so no problem. You could certainly damage some things...hell...many things with that high pressure blast! You have more guts than I do!

Jason

Great Tip! Thanks.

I already own a Redmax blower (7001) so now I have another reason to buy that pressure washer.

Cool!

Not sure I have more "guts" than you, but I'll guarantee I have a "bigger gut" than you!

Mike

Hey, I use mine almost on a weekly basis! Grill, deck, grill, boat, grill, car, grill, sidewalks, grill, house siding, grill, tractor, grill, trailer, grill, etc.

My Red Max is the EP6200, maybe 2002 year model? What have they changed for the 7001? I haven't kept up with the newer models after buying mine. Red Max equipment is hot in our area - most of the landscapers use this stuff exclusively! Made to last a lifetime.

Mike

Mike,
The 7001 actually puts out more air than the 6200 and believe it or not, they also have a 8000 now that is an absolute beast. Regarless of the models, the Redmax really "blows"

You can't beat it.

-T

I'll agree there! Cleaning up my leaves in the fall is an absolute pleasure with this thing!

Mike

The best that I know how to clean a used grill to look like new, is to have kitartus do it!!!