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How to Deep Clean a Weber Kettle After 4 Years of Neglect | Pitmaster Essentials

Pitmaster Essentials

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I let my Weber Kettle go untouched for over 4 years... and it was completely caked in grime. In this video I show you the full deep cleaning process step-by-step.

It was honestly so satisfying watching it transform while editing — the before and after is night and day! We’re going for function, not perfection, but it’s so much cleaner now and ready to grill again.

✅ What I used:
• Dawn Power Wash
• Wire Grill Brush
• Wooden Paddle Scraper
• Plastic Puddy Knife
• Razer Blade Paint Scraper
• Shop Napkins
• 0000 Steel Wool
• Scouring Pad
• Toothbrush
• Cloth Rags
• Easy Off - Only for the Top Vent Damper

0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Why Clean the Weber Kettle
0:59 - Cleaning Supplies
1:32 - Caution Before You Start
1:46 - Condition of the Kettle After 4 Years
2:23 - Grate Cleaning
3:18 - Charcoal Grate Cleaning
3:51 - Deep Cleaning the Bowl
6:09 - Cleaning the On Touch System
8:41 - Deep Cleaning the Grates
10:01 - Cleaning under the Lid
12:41 - Cleaning the top of the Lid
13:27 - Stubborn Exhaust Vent
14:09 - Final Wipe Down
14:21 - Final Thoughts and Looks Like a New Grill

If your Weber is long overdue for some love, this should give you the motivation you need!

Drop a comment: How long has it been since you cleaned your grill? ⬇️

#WeberKettle #GrillCleaning #PitmasterEssentials

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20 Comments

@fredmackay7896 3 months ago

Thanks, inspired me to clean my cookers today.

@pontos89 2 months ago

This video gave me the motivation to go and take a look at my kettle grill in the garage as well. It really deserved a proper, thorough cleaning, so I finally got around to it.

I do clean it regularly anyway, especially the cooking grates, and I always empty out the ashes, but I had never even thought about cleaning the inside of the lid. That was a mistake on my part. After more than 20 years, I finally took it apart and cleaned it properly, and now all the black soot, carbon buildup, and grease deposits are gone and it’s turned back to a nice clean silver finish. Thank you for this video and the motivation, because I never would have thought that so much buildup could collect on the inside of the lid over time in my case as well.

@Tworescue01 3 months ago

Hello Thomas! Tommy here from California. Nice video!! I like to use EZ Off on the entire Kettle, inside and out, including the grates. I also use a putty knife, Scotch Brite Stainless steel heavy duty scour scrubber, and Scotch Brite green scour pads. Much like the razor blades, the heavy duty stainless steel scour scrubbers won't harm the kettle, but they work great! They work really well on the grates too. Once I've gotten all the crud off, I follow up with the Dawn Dish soap and green scour pad on everything to ensure I've removed all the chemicals. Rinse well and let air dry in the sun. I usually wipe down the outside with paper towels to help dry off the water spots and give it that extra clean look. After a cook while the coals are still hot I often use the heavy duty stainless steel scour scrubber on the end of my tongs to scub the hot grate clean. This usually makes it easier to do a quick clean and gets it ready enough for the next cook. I like the stainless steel scrubber better than the aluminum foil method. To me it looks like the foil rubs off onto the steel grates. All the best, and happy grilling!!!

@MrSpichka007 3 months ago

Thanks for the tips! Make more videos on grill maintenance, how to use a starter for coals, what kind to choose, which firestarters are better, etc

@robmoen4609 2 months ago

My tip is to watch your video. Great job. I clean mine once per year but now I need to go restore that exhaust vent.

@michaelharkey9675 2 months ago

Very motivational! And I use my Slow and Sear every cook, an essential. Get one 👍

@joesofiasr.8185 1 month ago

Suggest picking up a cheap plastic Hot Water Heater overflow pan. They're "grate" to soak and scrub your grill grates!

@ericthetallman8638 2 months ago

I just bought mine, and will use it for the first time this weekend. I just wanted to see how to clean it. Thanks for this great instructional video!

@kevinanderson705 3 months ago

Bro- Wirewheel, then EasyOff, the yellow cap is all you need. Nice job sir!

@raymunddelossantos 3 months ago (edited)

for the grill grates, i have a torch that i burn off all those sticky and thick oil until it turns out to dust then i brush it with a steel brush...works everytime. Also try to use the Members Mark degreaser from Sams club. Lay paper towels on the grease parts and spray the degreaser on the paper towels. this will soak the thick greasy part and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. you'll slowly see the grease being pulled out from surface....use the steel wool prior washing...

@DesertDwellerAZ2026 3 months ago

I just take mine down to the local car wash. After a few minutes of the ol High pressure spray along with the engine and tire degreaser and it's good as new! Use some if the spray on top coat sealant and wax they offer and it's good to go! A good coat of armoural on the plastic wheels is a nice touch as well.

@CorsoMax 3 months ago

This is about the way I do mine however, I bought a curved bowl scraper off the interwebs and that's been a game changer in time savings as it's shaped to the bowl and you're not just scraping with the corners of a putty knife.

@ToonBroon-t5m8n 3 months ago (edited)

I clean my kettle every 4 or 5 cooks, makes it easy. Then a deep clean at the end of the season before putting it away for the winter.

@Lowe6052 1 month ago

This is to everyone. Stop using wire brushes. Get chain mail like you clean cast iron. Works great! Amazon has them for cheaper that wire brushes.

@justinlindsay6406 3 months ago

Could you do another video on how to clean out a Hasty Bake?

@OlesonMD 3 months ago

I clean my grill after every cook. No need to wait four years! My Kettle was purchased in 1979, ans still looks new.

@dsonyay 3 months ago

Throw the grate in a large trash bag… add a cup or two of Ammonia. Close the bag tightly.. let it sit there for a few hours. Afterwards just a light scrub and rinse… all that buildup will be gone. Magic

@Joshsunfinishedprojects 3 months ago (edited)

I never have any downtime to clean mine.
I'll let you come and film my 22 and 26 and I won't charge you at all. Plus my Weber Q and 2 pellet smokers, in fact you should pay me for the free content that you'll get 😂

@HiVizCamo 3 weeks ago

Ah yah, that was too long to wait, especially that lid creosote 😬 I ususally tear them down at the end if a season, pretty much like this without water in the bowl. I've tried cooking oil to soften whatever is left inside after scraping, wiped up with paper towels. Doesn't take long to burn off the oil residue the next time its fired up. For the grates I've used oven cleaners containing lye, in a garbage bag for an overnight dwell time, cleaned up with dish soap to finish. Always a perfect result 😅