WARNING: follow all safety instructions provided with your grill. DO NOT DROP CAST IRON GRATES, they will break.
FIRST TIME USE
Wash grates thoroughly with mild dishwashing liquid. Rinse with hot water and dry completely with a soft cloth or towel. NEVER allow water to sit on the surface of the grates or wash them in the dishwasher. You must season the grates BEFORE use to prevent rust and keep food from sticking.
PORCELAIN COATING
Most of our cooking grids are coated with a durable porcelain enamel to assist in cleaning and to reduce the amount of food that sticks to them. This is essentially a glass coating and some chipping may occur if mishandled. This will not affect the use or performance of the grids. If rust appears, remove with a scrub pad and re-season the grid.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEASON CAST IRON GRIDS?
Just like a cast iron pan, it is necessary to season and re-season cast iron cooking grids. Oil will help to protect the porcelain coating, decrease the amount of food that sticks to the grids, and help prevent the grids from rusting.
WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO SEASON CAST IRON GRIDS?
A solid unsalted vegetable shortening is recommended for initial seasoning but cooking oils such as vegetable oil will work. NEVER use Pam or other non-stick cooking sprays to season your grids. They burn off quickly, cause premature rusting, and do not protect the grids. DO NOT use salted fat such as margarine or butter.
Spread a thin coating of vegetable shortening over the entire surface of the cast iron grids with a cloth or towel. Be certain the ENTIRE surface, including all corners, has been coated thoroughly. Preheat grill for 10 minutes on HIGH. Turn burners to MEDIUM with the lid closed and allow grill to heat for 30 minutes. Turn all burners off and leave grids inside the grill until they are cool. Your cast iron grids are now ready to be used!
After each use, the grids should be re-seasoned by coating them with a solid unsalted vegetable shortening or a cooking oil like vegetable oil. The more you season the grids the longer they will last.
DO NOT DO A BURN-OFF AFTER YOU GRILL. Leave the cooking residues on the grates to protect the coating on the cast iron. Do a burn-off just BEFORE you start grilling. Brush off charred residue.
STORING YOUR GRILLS
Prior to storing your grills, grease them lightly with solid vegetable shortening or oil then wipe dry with a cloth or towel. Store grills in a dry space when not in use for long periods of time.