Care & Maintenance

Care & Maintenance

Caring for and maintaining the look and performance of your Ceramic Grill is easy. Here are some simple tips and techniques for years of use and enjoyment of your new grill.

Tightness of the Bands for the Base and Dome

There is a bolt and locking nut for each band located on the left side of the grill. Before and after the first use of your grill, use a 7/16" or 11mm wrench to check the tightness of the bands. Tighten the nuts until there is a good amount of resistance. Do not over-tighten. Periodically, check them for the proper tightness and at the beginning of the grilling season. The bolts may have a curve in them when they were tightened at the factory. This is normal and should cause no concern.

Removing Ash

Natural lump charcoal produces a small amount of ash each time it is used. Depending on the size of your Grill and the amount of cooking you do, you will need to remove it to maintain proper airflow. Always make sure the charcoal is completely extinguished before removing the ashes. There are three ways to remove the charcoal:

1.Place a metal bucket or dustpan under the draft door and scoop out the ashes with the ash tool into the bucket.

2.Remove the cooking grate and fire grate, and then use a shop vac to remove the ashes.

3.Remove the internal components and use a utensil to scoop out the ashes.

Cleaning the Grill (Exterior)

Use a solution of mild detergent and water or glass cleaner with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove dirt and grime on the ceramics and hardware. If surface rust appears on the unfinished hardware, a medium grade pad of steel wool can be used to remove it. For painted parts, brush a small amount of rust inhibiting paint (gloss black).

Cleaning the Grill (Interior)

Over time the interior of your grill will blacken with a substance called "creosote". It is the natural result of using natural lump charcoal and does not need to be removed unless the build-up begins to flake. Also, if you live in an area with high humidity and do not use your grill for an extended period, mold or mildew may develop. In both cases, either can easily be removed because your grill works like a self-cleaning oven:

1.Heat deflector plates and heat deflector racks can sit on top of the cooking grates for this procedure. (Do not leave in the default position).

2.Heat the grill to +500°F (260°C) for 30 minutes and allow the grill to cool completely.

3.Remove the internal components of the grill.

4.Use a soft bristle brush to brush the interior of the grill.

5.Remove the residue that collects in the bottom of the grill.

6.Insert the internal components.

Cleaning the Cooking Grate

Your cooking grate is porcelain coated, which is the best method for keeping food from sticking to the grate. There are a few ways to keep your cooking grate clean and looking like new.

Use the Grate Cleaning Bar to clean soft or hard food residue on the top, sides and bottom of the cooking grate rods. Another option if the food residue is soft and the grill is cold to warm is to run half a lemon over the cooking grates, then wipe the grates with a paper towel. Never use a standard wire grill brush as it can damage the porcelain coating.

Cleaning the Top Vent

If you do a lot of low temperature cooking you may see a greasy build-up around the daisy wheel and on top of the vent. While the top vent is very warm, a clean cloth or paper towel can be used to wipe off the build-up.

Replacing the Gaskets

Over time the gasket material where the base and dome meet will degrade. Depending on the amount of cooking you do it may need to be replaced every few years.

Extended and Off Season Storage

To protect your Grill for extended periods of non-use, a grill cover is recommended for indoor and outdoor storage.

Preventing a "Flash Back"

When cooking at high temperatures you may completely close off the one or both of the air vents on the grill. If the dome is lifted under these conditions, oxygen will be quickly pulled into the grill by the heated charcoal and produce a rush of white heat out of the grill known as a "flash back", which can cause a burn injury. To prevent a flash back:

1.Reopen both air vents fully (top vent and bottom draft door) and wait 10 seconds.

2.Open the dome 1/2 in. (1.25 cm) for 3 seconds, then it can be safely opened fully.