Do you have a charcoal grill that is looking worn or damaged? If so, this blog post will teach you the basics on how to refurbish your charcoal grill. This guide will also show you some great tips for making sure your new grill has a long life span.
The first thing to do is take everything out of the grill and place it outside in an area where it can be cleaned up easily with water. Once all of the dirt and debris are removed, spray down both sides of each piece with soap and water before proceeding to clean them by hand using steel wool or scrubbing pads. You can then use dishwashing liquid or baking soda if needed, but make sure that they are thoroughly rinsed off afterwards with hot water before.
If you are looking for an upgrade to your charcoal grill, then this blog post is the perfect resource! We will show you how to refurbish a charcoal grill and make it like new. The process is simple and takes only 30 minutes or less!
We’ll walk through each step of the process with pictures, so that you can see exactly what we mean. It’s really not hard at all – just follow these steps: 1) Clean out the ashes from inside the chimney by pouring them into a metal bucket; 2) Soak one half cup of salt in water overnight; 3) Scrub off any rust spots on outside of grill using steel wool dipped in vinegar; 4) Wipe down exterior with wet
Most people know that charcoal grills are durable and long-lasting. But how do you keep your grill in great shape?
It’s important to remember that gas grills are easier to maintain than their charcoal counterparts. There is less work involved with gas grills because they’re designed for quick cooking with minimal flare ups which can cause problems with the outside of the grill. Charcoal grilling takes more time and attention but is worth it for those who love smoky flavors or have limited access to natural gas or electricity for outdoor cooking purposes. Below, we will share some tips on how to refurbish a charcoal grill.
Table of Contents
Clean the grill thoroughly
A clean grill is a happy grill. Make sure you’ve removed the old bits and pieces, like old food, ashes or cleaning residues that could block airflow under the hood where your fans usually suck air through, which will cause it to overheat. Also check if the ventilation holes are not blocked by any gloves or similar things laying around. After you’re done, close the lid and let the thing cool down for 20 minutes before opening it up again.
Check your fire box / kettle
This part of your grill can become clogged too, which will lead to overheating as well. However, you can keep your fire box clean by pushing the coals to one side of the bowl, removing them and then brushing off any ashes that are left behind. This way, your heat source won’t be choked up with ashes.
Check the black air venting hoods on top of the grill
Clogged hoods will cause overheating too. A typical example is when they fill up with smoke during your cookout, making it harder for the hot air to escape through these hoods – this makes it difficult for charcoal grills in particular because airflow within a grill is essential for even cooking. Also make sure they’re not loose or broken at all. If you find anything wrong with them, buy new hoods and replace them.
Check your flue / firebox damper
Your fire box is usually equipped with a damper beside the air vent beside the hood, which you should always keep closed when not in use because this helps prevent heat from getting out of your grill, which will make it overheat too. Naturally, if yours is broken or missing, buy a new one and replace it immediately! Make sure to keep it shut all the time to avoid overheating issues. Also check that the hood damper (i.e., metal flap on top of grill) is open; this works like an exhaust by letting hot air escape through there (which prevents overheating) – closing it will make it overheat!
Now check your coal tray / fire bowl
Does it look like half-filled with ash? Or is the coal tray itself broken or clogged? If so, remove all coals and do a thorough cleaning. Also, doublecheck that the grill’s heat source is not blocked by anything – cause even though airflow should seep through there, you really don’t want to take any chances. After you’re done, let the thing cool down for 20 minutes before firing up again.
Remember to keep hood dampers open when grilling to reduce overheating issues!
Do a full test run before cooking your next barbecue. Check if the temperature is where it should be. If not, your grill might need some repairs; if that’s the case, what you can do is buy a new part and replace it (I’ll tell you where to find spare parts later). More often than not though, all you might need is a thorough cleaning.
You may like this: Top 10 Best Charcoal Grill Consumer Reports
Remove any rust or corrosion with a wire brush and steel wool
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Steel wool is an old product that was first mentioned in 1896. It most popular use today would have to be for cleaning metal and wood alike, but it also has been known as a garnish on dishes or window panes!
Steel wools process starts by cutting their wires into very fine strands then passing those through plates with dimples where they’re all twisted together until the desired shape has formed (circular scars will show). The final step involves pulling these tight bundles out from under tension – this does plenty of damage already; if there aren’t any teeth involved at some point during production
Steel wool is commonly used by woodworkers, metal craftsmen and jewelers to clean surfaces of their materials. However steel Wool can react with tannins in oak or other woods such as aluminum which cause blue/black iron stains if left on too long; brass will turn green when it reacts similarly while stainless steel won’t produce any unwanted effects at all! Bronze wools are preferable because they don’t leave behind after-rusts like copper does (although this isn’t always true).
A few things you should know before using: Donating old clotheslined needles from your kitchen drawers for use around food preparation areas? Avoid putting them directly onto cooking countertops since these contain nickel. Steel wool is a favorite among professionals who want to clean glass and porcelain without scratching it. Steel-wool pads are often sold under different trade names for household cleaning, but those products may no longer contain steel after manufacturers realized how difficult these stains were to get rid of once they set in on the surface!
Abrasive paste made from sandpaper combined with water proved effective at removing dried food residue when applied according sandy scrubbing motions over my stainless steel sink’s drain holes before power washing them thoroughly.
Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove any excess residue, especially in the grooves.
Clean off any dirt or debris on the surface of the grill with a damp cloth. Inspect for cracks in the enamel coating and chips along the edges. If there are any cracks, replace the grill. Check that all tabs are attached to the base and none are bent out of place. If any are bent, straighten them out and replace the grill if they will not stay in place.
Fix any chipped or broken spots with automotive touch-up paint. If the grill has only minor rust, carefully use a piece of fine steel wool to smooth out the imperfections in the metal surface.
If there is severely rusted areas on the grill, sand down the rust with 80 grit sand paper followed by 120 grit sandpaper. Clean off all dust and debris with water and allow to completely dry before moving on to priming steps.
Prime each area that needs attention with an etching primer until no more rust appears when you dampen it. Once it has dried, apply two coats of black spray enamel over all surfaces except for any etching primer areas. Allow one hour between coats for drying time.
Ensure the grill is free of any rust and has dried for at least 24 hours before painting.
-Scraper tool (plastic or metal), wire brush, sandpaper, 80 grit and 120 grit, painter’s tape or masking tape, automotive touchup paint, black grille coating spray paint, disposable gloves, cleaning cloths, etching primer, shop cloths or paper towels, water, paint brush, 3/4 inch -inch flat, 6 inch -inch nylon brush, rag or shop towel, screwdriver (flathead), disposable gloves.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Read all safety precautions and instructions before you begin. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. Keep work area clean and well lit. Do not smoke in areas.
Take apart the grate that holds your food, remove any rust or debris, and then wash it with soap and water
Use a paintbrush or other clean, small brush to thoroughly coat each rusty spot with the solution. Let this sit for 5 minutes before rinsing away with warm water and drying off well. You may need to scrub some areas more than others or even reapply the mixture if it doesn’t seem like everything was removed after you washed the part with soap and water prior to using this method. Repeat as needed until all rust has been removed from your grate/grill rack.
Once everything is good and dry, you’ll want to re-season the grate/grill rack with fat. This time, be sure to completely cover all surfaces in a nice even layer of oil. Doing this in an oven set to 350°F will help the oil heat up faster which will make for a more effective grease barrier against rust down the road. Once your grate/rack has been properly seasoned place it back on your grill over direct heat until all excess grease has burned away (be careful not to breathe in any fumes from this process). Then turn off your grill, allow it to cool completely before storing the grate.
Next, turn the grate over – you’ll see where it says “heat safe.” This is typically about halfway up.
Take note of the indentations in this area, which are meant to keep your food from falling through. Where you see these indents determine how far your grate can be pulled away from the heat without causing problems with cooking or safety. For example, if you want something that’s 2 inches away from heat, look for two indents just underneath the heat-safe area. If you’re using a gas grill, move 1 inch further away.
Now pull out all of these parts and make sure they line up when put back together (see below). Also make sure there aren’t any bolts or screws keeping them attached, as they may affect the way your grate sits over the heat.
You’re all set to grill like a pro! Just remember – always use your hand or an oven mitt to adjust or pull out your grate. Hot metal will never be cool, no matter how long you leave it on that side of the grill.
See more: Top 12 Best Propane Grill Under $300
Take apart the grate that holds your food, remove any rust or debris, and then wash it with soap and water
You can use a wire brush (not metal) to clean off any bits of rust or food residue.
Please note, some grates are dishwasher safe – check your manual.
To avoid over saturating your grill lighter fluid may be used to remove residues that have been left after scrubbing with wire brush(s). Please take extreme care when using this method as it may cause flare-ups from excess heat from the flames from the lit charcoal or gas burners during preheating or cleaning cycles. Never leave lit coals / fire unattended as there is risk of injury or property damage.
To clean your oven racks, first coat any rust spots with a stainless steel cleaner, then scrub thoroughly with a nylon brush. Let them dry completely before returning them to the oven where they should be free of future rusting problems for up to five years. To remove strong odors, fill an old pan (or even your sink) with water and add more than enough baking soda before setting the stained rack in it. Leave overnight; rinse well; dry; and rub gently with vegetable oil until shiny.
To clean the grates on your grill, first remove any rust or gunk with a wire brush or steel wool, then wash them using hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Use tongs to place them directly on a lit gas burner for 30 seconds to burn off excess moisture. Oil down the grates lightly before setting them back in place; it will help prevent future rusting problems. Then season them by heating your gas grill (with all burners on high) until red-hot, 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before closing the lid to “seal” in the heat; this should give you an instant nonstick cooking surface that rivals teflon for easy cleaning. If necessary after a few good cooks, hit the grates with a high-temp cooking spray or rub a little vegetable shortening over them to loosen stuck food bits. After grilling, coat grates lightly with cooking oil to keep them from rusting.
To remove strong odors such as fish or onion from your cutting board, rub the surface vigorously (and inconspicuously) against the inside of a garbage can while you’re taking out the trash. Then wash thoroughly and let sit for an hour before wiping dry and reusing it.
There’s no cure for scorched utensils but removing any burned-on food particles should at least give them a fighting chance: fill a pan with water and add baking soda—enough so that there is at least an inch of foam above the submerged metal. Bring the mixture to a low boil; remove from heat and use tongs or oven mitts to submerge the utensils in the pan. Let sit overnight, then remove and scrub with soap and water; dry thoroughly before reusing.
To remove rust from your grill grates, coat it lightly with cooking oil before heating. After you cook on it for a while (or if it starts to look rusty again), redust the grate by burning off excess food particles using a high-heat setting of your gas grill or oven burner. Once they’re cool enough to handle without gloves, rub them down with cooking fat of vegetable shortening, reseason them afterwards by heating them up again until they are bone-dry and hot enough to sizzle when you drop water on them.
Lightly oil any surface that will not be painted, including hinges, handles, grates, etc., then let dry overnight
Lightly oil any surface that will not be painted, including hinges, handles, grates, etc., then let dry overnight. Wipe surfaces with a tack cloth to remove any particles or dust on the surface of your grill.
You have several options on how to paint your grill. The easiest option is using spray-on primer and spray paint – just attach the short hose attachment to you can of primer (or follow directions for whichever brand you are using) and spray an even coat over the entire exterior of the grill (including lid). Let dry overnight before proceeding. Or you can mask off areas you don’t want painted with tape and paper if you plan on reusing most of your original hardware (grates, hinge pins, screws, …).
For a more sturdy and rust-resistant surface, use enamel paint. You can spray or brush this on. Let it dry overnight before cooking food over the flames again.
If you have a charcoal grill, be sure to clean out all of the ashes from your grill so there is nothing flammable inside your grill while painting.
Lightly sand any loose or rough patches around knobs and handles until smooth. Wipe down with a tack cloth to remove dust particles from sanding before priming/painting as above instructions.
To create an aged look quickly using oil-based paints, use a rag soaked in mineral spirits (or paint thinner) and wipe lightly over the top layer of paint – this will darken the top layer and create an antique look. Mineral spirits can be used on enamel too, but be sure to let it dry before cooking over your newly painted grill again.
Don’t forget any grease trays or drip pans when you clean your grill! You don’t want rust forming in these important parts of your grill later.
After all paint is dry (after overnight), place the lid upside down on a flat surface, unscrew the hinges from both sides, remove screws from knobs if needed, then using wire brush attachment of drill, scrub off flaky paint around screw holes and edges where hinges were removed. Clean all surfaces with mineral spirits or other cleaners as needed – careful not to get debris into vent holes or other areas around the lid.
Using a grease-cutting dish soap, scrub down any parts that will be reused, such as grate handles and hinge pins. Clean off all surfaces with mineral spirits or other cleaners as needed. Using a soft cloth, wipe down exterior of grill and grill lid and inside knobs and hinges and reassemble hardware.
Read more: 10 Best Gas Grills Consumer Reports
Apply a thin layer of high-temperature paint to the inside and outside of the grill
Using a fine grade sandpaper, slowly and carefully remove the paint from any engraved numbers or lettering. Use a plastic scraper if needed, but be careful not to scratch the metal.
If necessary, use a cotton swab with a little paint thinner to clean any hard-to-remove spots or smudges from the grill.
Allow the grill to dry completely. Apply another thin layer of high-temperature paint and allow it to dry as well. Repeat this process until there is an even coating of paint on both sides of the grill that completely covers all numbers and letters. This may take as many as three or four coats depending on how much paint you apply each time and how well you cover your grill between applications.
After your grill is completely dry and painted, allow it to sit for at least four hours before you apply the final step. This ensures that the paint is fully cured and won’t chip or flake off when you’re polishing.
Paint over any engraved numbers or lettering using a high-temperature paint available at most automotive stores. This type of paint is designed to withstand up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit (482 degrees Celsius) without degrading, so it should be safe for use on the inside and outside of your grill. Alternatively, you can use model airplane enamel that’s rated for higher temperatures if desired; just make sure you choose a color that matches the original grill paint as closely as possible.
Apply several thin coats of paint rather than trying to cover the entire grill in one application to avoid accidentally smearing any grease or oil left behind by food particles stuck in the old paint. Allow each coat about 30 minutes to dry completely before applying the next coat.
Remove any leftover paint using a plastic scraper or steel wool only if absolutely necessary. Wipe the grill with mineral spirits to remove grease and oil, then use ammonia-free window cleaner to remove any residue left behind by the mineral spirits. If there are still some areas where the heat paint is chipping or not properly adhering to the metal surface, lightly sand them down with fine-grain sandpaper. Be careful not to alter the original engraved numbers or lettering in this step.
Apply another thin layer of high-temperature paint following all previous steps until there are at least two layers of heat-resistant paint on both sides of your grill that fully cover any existing bar codes or numbers. This may require up to four total layers, depending on the thickness of each coat and how well the previous coat covered any existing bar codes or markings.
Allow your grill to cure for at least four hours after applying the last layer of heat-resistant paint before using it again to ensure that is has fully cured. You can use a hot charcoal fire or a high-heat gas grill during this process without degrading the paint in any way.
Safety when removing barcodes from grills
As with any job that you do on your grill, keeping safety in mind is going to be a big part of the process. You have some things working against you here as not only are you dealing with heat paint and fumes from it as well as the chemicals involved in removing those, but you’re also doing it outside or perhaps inside your home where there might be other chemicals that could pose a hazard to yourself or anyone else. We have our guide for you below which will list some of the issues and solutions available to help make this task a little bit safer for everyone involved.
Wear gloves when handling mineral spirits or ammonia-based window cleaners. If either liquid contacts your skin, wash it off immediately using soap and cold water.
Don’t allow the mineral spirits or window cleaner to come into contact with your eyes, nose, ears, mouth or anyplace else other than the area you are working on.
If using either mineral spirits or ammonia-free window cleaner do not use them near an open flame as doing so could cause a fire hazard. Keep both liquids away from sources of ignition such as pilot lights, electric sparks etc.
Limit exposure time by only allowing yourself to work for 15-20 minutes at a time before taking a break for 30-60 minutes during which you can go inside where it is cooler and safer for you to breathe in fresh air without chemicals hanging in the air waiting to be inhaled. If possible try working outside where there is a breeze and the evaporating chemicals aren’t going to be a concern.
Open windows in the area where you’re working, but don’t allow children or animals inside without supervision. The fumes from mineral spirits and ammonia-based cleaners can pose a hazard if there is exposure for long periods of time. This includes exposure from being indoors with the windows open, so use an electric fan if needed to circulate fresh air through your house instead of relying on just opening windows because it might not provide enough ventilation in a short period of time.
If using a gas grill try doing this outside to prevent fumes from getting into your home or other structures nearby. If only using charcoal grill then only work when you have good, clean airflow in the area by opening doors.
See more: 7 Best Grill For Beginners
Replace all old parts that are not in good condition (grates, handles, etc.)
Replace all old parts that are not in good condition (grates, handles, etc.) or are damaged. These parts are often found in the poor condition during maintenance.
Replace worn or torn grates, air filters, replacement parts etc. Repairing these parts is not economical as it would affect the performance of your furnace. Replacing them will have a positive influence on its operating cost.
Clean the blower housing before replacing the fan motor if it’s working too hard or very inefficiently. A build-up of lint can restrict air flow through your heating system and cause problems with performance and energy efficiency. The buildup may also contribute to decreased indoor comfort due to reduced airflow which commonly results in cold spots near heating registers where warm air will not circulate properly throughout your home. Use a vacuum cleaner brush attachment to remove lint, or take your furnace blower housing outside and blow it out with an air compressor.
Clean the condensing coils (on outdoor units) at least once per year to ensure proper operation of your heating system. The coil fins are very fragile; if viewing them against a good light source is difficult due to dirt & debris buildup, use a garden hose with gentle spray setting to wash them clean. Do not attempt to clean them without first turning off power to the unit! If using water, use only enough pressure as needed for cleaning.
If condenser fan motor is overloaded, it will make a clicking sound as the overload protection device opens to shut down power. In this case, replacement of the overload relay is necessary. This can be done by a qualified technician. An excessive clicking may also mean that the blower wheel is damaged or loose and needs to be tightened or replaced.
Replace worn out air filters with high quality MERV 13 filters once per season or more often if necessary. If changing filter during periods of very cold weather, leave furnace off until filter has been changed and unit has returned to normal temperature range before turning furnace back on. This is because explosive dust can be created by changing filters during periods of low furnace temperatures due to moisture accumulating on freshly cleaned components. Also, if the system contains a lot of debris and has not been maintained or serviced recently, it may require more than one filter change this season.
If outdoor unit fan does not shut off when “stop” button is pressed several times & run-timer continues to run. Replace blower motor capacitor with OEM squarish type 80/20 uF capacitor such as these. Replacing linear (tubular) type with square or trapezoidal shaped capacitors will cause the new capacitor to get quite hot before it finally shuts down from overload & high temperature protection switch in compressor kicks in.
If outdoor unit fan operates but compressor does not. Replace the run capacitor with OEM 80/20 uF square or trapezoidal type capacitors such as these. If horizontal mounted using motherboard style then you need to use 1st generation (usually white) that has 2 lead wires or 2nd generation (black, usually square or trapezoidal in shape) that has 3 lead wires if replacing with same size otherwise you need to get exact match for replacement.
If indoor fan operates but outdoor unit compressor does not: (combination run capacitor & compressor protector) Replace the combination run capacitor (located inside of outdoor unit electrical closet on end of outdoor unit coil if vertical mounted or near compressor if horizontal mounted).
Those are some of the ways you can check your grill and oven, and when you find out if it’s rusted or not working, get it repaired and replaced right away to keep your oven working. operate in stable condition and have the best power.
How to Refurbish a Charcoal Grill – Conclusion
When it comes to the grill that is on your deck or in your backyard, you want one of the best. But if you’ve had years of use and abuse for your current charcoal grill, refurbishing might be more cost-effective than purchasing a new model. We can help with this process by providing tips on how to get started repairing an old charcoal grill like removing rust and replacing parts as needed. You should consider one of these final choices as your final choice when considering which type of grill will best fit into your cooking style and lifestyle needs now and long.
There are a couple of ways to refurbish your charcoal grill, but we’ll mention the best way for you. The process is simple and will take only about short time. First, remove any soot or dirt from inside the lid with a damp cloth or sponge and dish detergent if needed. Second, scrub away rust with steel wool dipped in vinegar until all traces have been removed. Third, clean out food residue by soaking it overnight in water mixed with baking soda then using an old toothbrush to get into hard-to-reach cracks and crevices that may contain bacteria still lurking around waiting to contaminate your next meal cooked on this glorious piece of cooking equipment! Finally, apply barbecue grilling spray evenly over.
When it comes to grilling, few things are more enjoyable than cooking with charcoal. It’s the classic flavor and smell of a summer day spent outdoors that can never be matched by gas or electric grills. But what if your old grill is in need of some love? First off, you should determine whether or not it’s worth fixing up; there may come a time when you’re ready for an upgrade! If your current grill isn’t too beat-up and needs only minor fixes, then we’ve got all the information you’ll need on how to do just that right here.
We hope that we were able to help by providing a list of some of our favorite grills on the market right now. If none of these products meet your criteria, don’t worry! Just use any or all of our tips for finding a quality product mentioned in the article. The key is figuring out what features are most important to you – then find one that has them and buy it! Good luck with choosing your final choice and happy cooking!
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