Seasoning iron cooking grids

It is important to periodically season your cast iron cooking grids. This will prevent food from sticking, prevent rusting and increase the life of your grids for many years to come. Seasoning your cast iron grids is quick and easy to do. Follow these simple steps:

  • With the lid open, turn on your barbecue grill and set the control knobs to the MEDIUM HIGH position
  • Close the lid and wait twenty minutes to burn off any material from the manufacturing process
  • After twenty minutes, turn the control knobs to the off position and wait a few minutes to cool (around 300°F)
  • Spread a thin coating of cooking oil over entire surface of the cast iron grids with a basting brush or oil mister. Be certain the entire surface, including all corners, have been coated thoroughly. Now you are ready to grill!

Re-seasoning cast iron cooking grids

It's always best to clean and re-season your grids periodically after you have finished grilling your meal, so before you turn off your barbecue grill, follow these simple steps:

  • With the lid open, turn the control knobs to the MEDIUM HIGH position.
  • Close the lid and wait ten minutes. This will help burn off excess food debris and oils.
  • Then, open the lid and turn the control knobs to the off position.
  • Clean your grids by removing any excess food and oils using a stainless steel barbecue grill brush.

NOTE: I recommend using only a stainless steel brush for cleaning your grids. The stainless steel bristles are durable and are the most effective for cleaning food particles from your grids quickly and easily. Spread a thin coating of cooking oil over entire surface of the cast iron grids with a basting brush or oil mister. Be certain the entire surface, including all corners, have been coated thoroughly.

Storing Your Cast Iron Grids

When your barbecue grill is not in use for long periods of time, store your cast iron grids in a dry warm place. Coating clean, dry cooking grids with cooking oil (at room temperature) will create an extra layer of protection against rust.

Importance of season cast iron grids?

Just like a cast iron frying pan it is necessary to season, and re-season, cast iron cooking grids. The oil will help protect the porcelain coating, decrease sticking, and protect damaged or worn grids from rusting.

NOTE: I recommend you use vegetable, olive, canola, sunflower oil or vegetable shortening. DO NOT use salted fat such as margarine or butter. They burn off at a really low heat and will not protect the grids.

My burner(s) does/do not have an even flame

Your burner may have a blockage, preventing proper gas and air flow. When cool, remove your burner and inspect the ports. If the ports are blocked, clean with a soft bristle brush. Alternately you can clear the debris out by poking blocked holes with a paper clip (or another tool small enough – never drill or file portholes, enlarging them will damage your burner).

Next, clean out the burner venturi tubes. Use a venturi brush or pipe cleaner and push it through the entire tube while turning. Pull out the brush and examine for any debris. Be aware that spiders are attracted to the smell of gas, and may have taken residence in your venturi tubes. To prevent this, make sure the spider guards are protecting the air intake holes at all times.

There is a black oily soot building up on my cooking grids and more importantly on my food, what could cause this?

The black buildup is a sign that your venturi tubes on your burner may have a blockage, and will not allow enough gas and air flow to reach the burners. Alternately, your barbecue grill may need a thorough cleaning. To correct this, follow these simple steps:
When cool, remove your burner and inspect the ports.

If the ports are blocked, clean with a soft bristle brush. Alternately you can clear the debris out by poking blocked holes with a paper clip (or another tool small enough – never drill or file portholes, enlarging them will damage your burner).
Next, clean out the burner venturi tubes. Use a venturi brush or pipe cleaner and push it through the entire tube while turning. Pull out the brush and examine for any debris.

Be aware that spiders are attracted to thesmell of gas, and may have taken residence in your venturi tubes. To prevent this, make sure the spider guards are protecting the air intake holes at all times.

There also may be a buildup of grease burning on the bottom of the oven. To correct this, remove the cooking grids and the Flav-R-Wave™ heat medium. Use a stainless steel barbecue grill brush and scrub the bottom of the oven to loosen debris. For a thorough cleaning, use an industrial vacuum cleaner to remove any ash and debris.
       
Safety Reminders

Never leave the barbecue grill unattended while in use. Never use your barbecue in an enclosed space, under an overhang and not closer than 24" from any combustible surface. Always store your extra propane tank in a ventilated area.

BBQ Naz's grills with Broil King. Visit his Facebook page by clicking here.