Keeping Stainless Steel Clean

[Cayuga Kid]

Here is my question, and query? Does anybody have any idea or method to keep the stainless steel clean on a BBQ. I have my BBQ for 2 yrs and it is a constant chore to keep the steel clean. I'am not taklking about the steel near the burner surface, but on the side aprons and front controls, it is driving me nuts trying to to keep it clean and shiny. I'am not a clean freak, but grease spots etc, that mar the surface finish just rub me the wrong way. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Michael in Cayuga

[J.P. Rap]

I hope you get some good answers because I was going to ask the same question.
We purchased a SS BBQ last fall and it's already beginning to get stained up pretty good. I cleaned it up about a month ago and it looks like hell already.
Mine stays outside because I BBQ all year round.

[Brent in Pickering]

Don't have a SS BBQ to know if this works or not, but Bar Keepers Friend does a great job of keeping SS sinks clean.

http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/products.htm

[Ken in Regina]

I think the secret is to wipe the crap off right after you use it rather than giving it a month or two to build up and get really crusty. :rolleyes:

...ken...

[kcjones]

There are cleaners out there just for SS appliances. Whether or not it will work on a BBQ or not I don't know. My better half bought some at HD.

[JG]

I keep my SS BBQ covered but when it needs cleaning I found a damp rag is fine. The SS cleaners didn't do much so I stop using them.
As a side point, a friend of mine who worked in resturants (where SS is often used) for years thinks the trend for SS appliances in a home kitchen is silly as they require constant maintaince to keep them looking good. JG

[Cayuga Kid]

Thanks Guys for your input, just wondering where to buy Barkeepers friend cleaners, in Canada, also JG that is why when my wife and I bought new appliances for the kitchen,we were advised by my brother inlaw who was in the buisness, to stay away fromm SS finish. Thanks again Michael

[Brent in Pickering]

I ordered the Bar Keepers Friend through that website. At the time they did not use UPS (not sure what the policy is now) so the shipping was relatively cheap. I haven't seen it in any stores (US or Canada).

[BruceMac in KW]

I have SS pots and pans from Paderno - they have a product in their stores that contains a weak solution of H2SO4 (that is sulfuric acid) works like a charm on the pots and they get dirty! so it would probably work on your BBQ.

no affiliation etc...

[Spokeshaven]

This probably doesn't help much now, but the quality of the SS you buy greatly effects its cleanliness/"cleanability" and longevity.

No offense to anyone who has done so, but people mistakenly think that they can leave a $400 SS bbq they bought at HomeDepot outside year round and not get splotches, dull spots and rust. Stainless steel is expensive and to get something that will stand up to Canadian weather you have to spend the cash.

To keep it clean: use your cover religiously and make sure it has a moisture absorbing lining, wipe down after each use (especially if you get sauces and such on it), use any SS cleaner now and then.

[Paul O in Paris]

Paderno - they have a product in their stores that contains a weak solution of H2SO4 (that is sulfuric acid) works like a charm on the pots

You can also boil rhubarb leaves and get the same effect.......the leaves contain a derivative of sulphuric acid, which is why you don't eat them. The results are stunning!! Not sure about slopping it over the BBQ though.............Paul

[J.P. Rap]

No offense to anyone who has done so, but people mistakenly think that they can leave a $400 SS bbq they bought at HomeDepot outside year round and not get splotches, dull spots and rust. Stainless steel is expensive and to get something that will stand up to Canadian weather you have to spend the cash.

Ain't that the truth. There are many grades of SS. I knew that when I bought mine but the price was right and it's a great BBQ.
I admit I don't cover it or even clean the outside that often but the stains I would like to clean up are not food stains.
I BBQ all winter and when it's -20 out, I'm not about to stand out there and clean it off after each use. I suspect a lot of the stains are because i just turn it on and let the snow melt off. Any impurities in the snow would be left behind on the SS.

I know I should be more careful with it but hey, when the foods ready, I'm ready to eat.:D

[MsDebbieP]

when I was a waitress in my teens we used to clean with vinegar. It worked well

[Lee Brubaker in Edmonton]

You can test the quality of your SS by simply applying a fridge magnet to it. A magnet will have very little attraction to quality SS. The greater the draw the poorer the quality.

Lee

[Bryan @ Woodstock]

Now here I am lusting for a SS one and reading all the negatives. My Broil King aluminum BBQ may last another year, the metal frame is rotting away under the one corner. I guess I should take a magnet with me to HD and check out their lineup of BBQ's. CTC ones any good? they have a nice one for $750!

[J.P. Rap]

Now here I am lusting for a SS one and reading all the negatives. My Broil King aluminum BBQ may last another year, the metal frame is rotting away under the one corner. I guess I should take a magnet with me to HD and check out their lineup of BBQ's. CTC ones any good? they have a nice one for $750!

Hi Bryan.
I bought a Centro from CTC. I think I paid under 500 for it (IIRC). ( I don't remember what I paid but I'm pretty cheep so I know I didn't pay more than that):rolleyes:
http://www.canadianwoodworking.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1224&d=1158547459

It's mostly SS construction with some steel tubing inside. It has 3 U shaped tube burners, a long warming burner along the back that can also be used with a rotisserie and one side burner. It also has cast iron grills, electronic start (battery operated), a condiment tray, a grease trap (just under the right burner knob) and 4 swivel casters.
I bought it last September on sale. At the price I paid I wasn't expecting quality SS. I was more interested in the features.
So far I have no complaints and it has seen quite a bit of use. It's about twice the size of my old one (behind it in the pic) but because of the 3 burners, it's actually more efficient on gas...or at least it seems to be.
The old aluminum BBQs always outlast the components and it's rarely worth replacing the components as apposed to buying a new one. Only time will tell how long the components will last in this one but with a little more maintenance than what I normally do, I expect it to last at least as long as my old ones did.
I'm quite satisfied with my purchase and have no regrets but like I said, only time will tell.
If you like you can come by and see what it looks like after 7 months of use and try it out.
HTH
BTW...I PM you my phone number. Give me a call some time this weekend.

[J.P. Rap]

Just updating an old thread.
The other day I was cleaning some rust spots off my deck with CLR. I noticed some rust around the Knobs on the BBQ so I gave them a squirt with the CLR. After rinsing I noticed there were clean spots all around were I had sprayed.
I sprayed the whole thing down and rinsed immediately and it came up looking like new. No scrubbing or rubbing needed.
I have tried several products and lots of elbow grease since this thread started and none of them took all the stains off. The CLR not only cleaned the new stains but all the old stains that the other products didn't touch.
Really. It was that easy. Spray it on and rinse it off.

Hope that helps someone.

[Lost in the Woods]

Where's a metallurgist when you need one?

I'm on the verge of buying a new BBQ and would like to know the ins and outs on this issue myself.

[Greg from K/W]

Hey guys my wife takes baking soda and makes a thick paste out of it and dish soap. Thicker than tooth paste. You take it and wipe it on in circles and then wipe it off with a wet rag. It take everything off our SS stove which gets abused almost every day. With no time to clean it daily we wind up waiting a week maybe more. This stuff takes off everything we have ever had to take off. Why spend money on something when you have what you need in your kitchen all ready.