Rust spots on grills

Ron, 'til somebody smarter 'n me jumps in with the right answer I'll give 'er a go. Sounds to me like you've rubbed the plating off of the grills and are now down to the base metal which is copper. I think that Scotchbrite pad may be more abrasive than you think. We have a passel o' Calphalon and they recommended using SOS pads when we got it. Calpnalon's hard to hurt cause the Teflon's right in the metal.

Anyway, that's my two bits worth

Don

Ron, the plating on the grills is the only thing I don't like about the CS.. It is NOT stainless and it is NOT chrome according to Tony, or whoever the guy was that I talked to. I'm sure it is simply a cost issue with CS.

Scotch brite is quite abrasive.. they use large scotch brites to strip floors on buffing machines. Take a piece of chrome.. like a bumper and I think you would see scratches on it after rubbing with the green scotchbrite... and chrome is quite a bit harder than what is on the grills.

That said, I'm down to copper and steel in some places on my grills. It doesn't affect the cooking. In fact, I doubt any of the log burners
have anything but steel/iron grills.. they get a good coating of whatever and just keep on cooking.

Don't worry about it.. it'll cook just fine. Enjoy the product you turn out.

After a smoke, I put my racks in the bathtub and cover them with hot water. I use a grease cutting detergent like Dawn and let them soak about 30 minutes. The dirt comes off pretty easy. You might have rubbed too hard.

Thanks, guys... I didn't think that I was scurbbing that hard, but I may have been...

Ron

My grills were toast about 8 months after I bought them as well

I think the size of those in the Smokette are quite standard.

Best to simply replace them.

Posts I've read have said the "orangish" tint isn't harmful... I've continued to use mine. But new ones are on the agenda soon.

All 3 of my grills are still good. I have only ever used Dawn, hot water, and a plastic scrubby thingy on them. 2+ years.

I use greased lighting for all my cleanup.
spray it on and watch the grease roll off.
no scrubing needed just wipeoff with a damp soft cloth. works great on rack holders also.
since i clean comm. exhaust hoods for a living i have found this to be the best cleaner for the money. make sure to rince well.
im sure you will find this to be a lot easier and faster way to clean your racks
j.foley

When I'm finished with a smoke, I simply throw the grills on my gas grill and crank it up for about 15 minutes. Normally, the next day. Wipe them off with a non abraisive cleaner and brush and put them in the diswasher. After 1 1/2 years, they're still looking good.

That's why I went with a Smokin-Tex, it's all stainless inside and out, including the drip pan and grills. Plus it was cheaper in price.

Just for the record, I'll defend CS on this one, but a ST is cheaper because it's made in China. The customer service for ST isn't often discussed, but I think the CS for Cookshack is will regarded. And of course this forum is hosted by CS so we'll give them credit for having a forum that everyone can use.

The only time the grills are an issue is when someone scrubs them to the point of the plating coming off. While it's a known issue, it's not a problem if you use something more gentle to clean the grills with.

If the only issue is the grills, I'd suggest CS for the responsiveness from the company. Since I'm not a paid CS employee, who does this for free, that's just my opinion, but I don't hear a lot of positive comments about ST other than the cheap price.

Regardless, ST owners are certainly welcome here, just expect me to defend the "turf" when we talk about Smokers. I know and respect the CS company for a lot, so that certain means I'm loyal to them.

now it's time to jump down off my soap box

I for one would be willing to spring for stainless grills that would fit in the 08/55 series of smokers. Perhaps CS will take a look at offering an upgrade on the grills. Roger

I'm still trying to get over the guy who puts his in the bathtub. Gives me the heebee-jeebes. Now I wouldn't go sharing that piece of info with your BBQ guests--or the local health dept. Spend $10 and get a plastic tub to soak them in.

Generally speaking, the more distance you put between where you wash your butt and where you smoke your butt, the better.

I worked my Smokette like a "borrowed mule" for six years in a salt storm,on the beach in south Fl.

I used most of the approaches above.

Greased Lightning works well.

I'd cook thirty pounds of product,3-5 days a week.

Yep,you'll find some ruboff.

Does that affect anything?

I haven't found it.

This is not a Teflon skillet.

It's A SMOKER.

Gave mine to my boys,who are cattle ranchers.

They work it like a "borrowed mule".

Same racks.

Clean it up a little,spray it with some Pam, and go cook something.

This is not a paid endorsement from the company,since they are happy I'm not abrasive.{Sometimes}

Worry less about the cosmetics,after awhile,you'll agree.

Have fun & enjoy.

I love that expression"borrowed mule" It is so visually descriptive.Mind if I steal it from you? My husband will be impressed.he is from rural Ok and learned lots of those and I never have anything close to that to say.