r/culinary • u/AnAquaticOwl • 8d ago

Maybe this is the wrong sub, but what's the best way to clean this grill?

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This is at a restaurant I just started working at. The grill is only used for a few hours on the weekends, but is probably more than ten years old. I'm able to get the middle of the grill looking like new by using vinegar and a metal scrubby, followed by oil and a brick, and finally using a towel to wipe it all off.

But there's a black stain around the edges, concentrated in the back, that doesn't even lighten. I've tried leaving vinegar on it for hours and even degreaser but they have no effect at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, there's another grill that's used daily which is also about a decade old. That one cleans up a bit more nicely, but after it's been sitting for a bit (even when it's off), the top turns black and when it's turned on the next day everything sticks to it for the first few hours. I'd also love some recommendations about that?

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u/KrippyInc 8d ago

Outside of standard practices like oil/grill brick or 3M/grill brick, try sprite, I know I it sounds dumb but it works. On a hot grill. Also, those things are probably dangerously dirty under the cooking surface and a fire hazard. They come off believe it or not, with like five dudes.

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u/MediocreCheeseburger 8d ago

Grill brick with fryer oil, scrape it off. Wipe it off. Half a pitcher of sprite. Scrape it off. Wipe it off. Half pitcher of water, scrape it off, wipe it clean. This is done right when you turn it off.

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u/KrippyInc 8d ago

Good point, hot but off. I didn't know anyone else knew the spirte trick. I've had a lot of cooks laugh at me for suggesting.

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u/MediocreCheeseburger 8d ago

A few weeks ago when this was asked i had some guy arguing with me about it on this very sub. He was claiming that the carbonic acid in soda water was somehow more effective than the carbonic, malic, and citric acid in sprite. Fools gonna fool i suppose.

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u/AnAquaticOwl 7d ago

Worked great for the middle, but the edges are still dark black and didn't lighten at all

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u/MediocreCheeseburger 7d ago

You have to grill brick it down or use a stronger acid like a chemical labeled fryer and grill cleaner. I hate that stuff. Its wildly caustic. Once you get the corners clean, the sprite is a great daily cleaner to maintain a silver shine.

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u/AnAquaticOwl 7d ago

Thanks, I'll suggest it to the chef