How to Care for Stainless Steel

Types of Surface Contaminants
Fingerprints and Stains
Its always a good idea to leave your bbq on for 5 minutes after you finish cooking to burn off any oil or marinade left on the volcanic rock. This way when you next use the bbq there will be less flare off the volcanic rocks. You can also put old volcanic rock in a pot of boiling water and clean the oil out this way or just simply buy a new bag.
Be careful when using new volcanic rock as when heating it for the first time will cause the rocks to crack and spit for at least 20 minutes as the volcanic rock has air bubbles in it and as it gets hot the air expands and causes it to split and pop, it sounds like fire crackers.
Oil and Grease
Types of Cleaners and Methods
When selecting your chosen cleaning practice, consider the possibility of scratching and the potential for post-cleaning corrosion caused by incomplete removal of cleaners. Scratching can occur by use of abrasive cleaners on bright mirror finishes, or even by ‘grit’ in wash water. This usually does not affect dull finishes or those surfaces that were completed with coarse polishing grit. The best preventative measure is to avoid using abrasive cleaners unless absolutely necessary, and to always wash down with warm water after cleaning. If the removal of tough grease, oil and stains does require abrasive removal substances, it is best to first experiment on an inconspicuous area and use a ‘soft abrasive’ such as a pumice. Harsh abrasives can permanently damage coloured and highly polished finishes so advice should be obtained from the manufacturer regarding cleaning special finishes.
Clean Water and Wipe Dry
Solvent Cleaning
Household Cleaners
Household cleaners fall into one of two categories either detergents (non-abrasives) and abrasive cleaners. Both are effective for many mild contaminants including dirt, stains and soil deposits as well as light oils such as fingerprints. Abrasive cleaners are more effective but introduce the possibility of scratching the surface, however the degree of abrasiveness will vary greatly depending on the product. Many products can be labelled as ‘for stainless steel’ though there is no guarantee that the product is non-abrasive or non-acidic so again, it is suggested to first experiment on an inconspicuous area. In all cases and after use of all products, it is always recommended the surface is thoroughly rinsed with clean water and wiped dry with a soft cloth.
- Brandon Jackson