You keep your pellet grill in prime condition. Ash cleanout between cooks and a deep clean about every 50 hours, bravo! But when was the last time you deep cleaned your Sear Box? When playing with temperature ranges up to 900 degrees your grill accessory gets put through the wringer. So, with spring right around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect time to give your Sear Box a little love.
Please note that all cleaning and maintenance should take place once the appliance has completely cooled and after the fuel supply has been safely turned off at the LP cylinder. Cleaning should be done in an area where detergents won't harm the patio or lawn.
Suggested Cleaning Materials
- Mild dishwashing liquid detergent (non-citrus based)
- Wire brush
- Nylon cleaning pad
- Hot water
- Paper clip
- Soft brass bristled brush
- Cast Iron Cleaner
- Cast Iron Conditioner
At a Glance...
Daily: To protect your Sear Box from rusting, the unit must be kept clean and covered at all times when not in use. Purchase a patio cover here: 24-inch or 36-inch.
After Each Cook: We recommend a light clean and wipe down of both the interior and exterior of the unit. Be sure to dispose of the contents in your grease system drip tray between cooks.
Monthly: Clean and inspect the burner tube monthly. Wash your grease system drip tray.
Yearly: Clean the entire appliance each year and tighten all hardware on a regular basis (1-2 times a year or more depending on usage.)
Proper Care & Maintenance
Inside and Outside of the Unit:
Clean the inside and outside of your Sear Box by wiping off with a damp cloth. Apply a light coat of vegetable oil or our Cast Iron Conditioner to the interior surface to prevent rusting. The beautiful stainless steel exterior of your Sear Box can be cleaned with any stainless steel cleaner. Here's our favorite brands, (less than $10.00!)
Don't forget to clean the removable grease system drip tray found underneath your unit. After the unit has cooled, simply slide the drip tray out and safely dispose of the contents within. Wipe clean regularly and wash thoroughly with hot, soapy water monthly.
The Grates (PGSEAR-3):
Wash the cast iron cooking grates with a non-citrus based soap and hot water. Use our Cast Iron Cleaner for a more specialized cast iron clean. Rinse well and dry completely (this is very important when cleaning cast iron.) Lightly coat (also known as re-seasoning) the cast iron grates with vegetable oil or Cast Iron Conditioner before replacing on your Sear Box unit. (Note: Soap can remove the seasoning of your cast iron if you don't restore it after cleaning.)
Flavor Screen (PGSEAR-4):
Grease from your food often times drips off the grill grates and onto your Sear Box's flavor screen. It is important to keep this part clean and sanitary. After the unit has cooled, remove the grates, and lift out the flavor screen using the built-in finger hole. Wash with hot, soapy water and dry completely before returning the flavor screen to the unit.
Heat Deflector Plate (PGSEAR-5):
Periodically, it may be necessary to inspect and clean the heat distribution plate to prevent excess grease build-up. When the grill has cooled, remove the cooking grates. Wash with hot, soapy water, and allow the plates to dry completely.
Burner (PGSEAR-6)
Spiders and small insects can spin webs and build nests inside the burner. This especially occurs in late summer and fall before frost when insects are most active. These nests can obstruct gas flow and could cause a fire in and around the burner and orifice. To help prevent blockage and ensure full heat output, clean and inspect burner tube once or twice a month.
Use a wire brush to loosen corrosion from burner exterior. Clean clogged gas portholes with an opened paper clip. Replace corroded or damaged burners that would emit excess gas.
How often do you clean your Sear Box? We try to clean between each cook to keep our spring cleaning list down.
