Proper cleaning, maintenance, and storage of your Weber Bullet will keep it operating well and looking good for years to come. Just follow these tips to get the most out of your investment in Weber quality.

Cleaning The Cooking Grates

There are several approaches to cleaning the cooking grates:

• Scrub the grates in the sink using hot, soapy water and a scouring pad, then dry thoroughly. A short 15 minute soaking helps (overnight soaking promotes rust), or you can use a product like Dawn Power Dissolver to reduce the amount of scrubbing required.
   
• Spray the grates with oven cleaner or a degreasing product like Greased Lightning, then rinse and dry. Some people place the sprayed grates in a plastic garbage bag for 30-60 minutes to help the spray work better.
   
• Burn off the residue over hot coals, in a gas grill, or with a propane-fired weed burner after a cooking session or before the next one. A grilling brush or a wad of crumpled aluminum foil can be used to scrub large debris from the grates. Keep in mind that burning off the grates will speed the breakdown of the nickel-plated finish. This finish keeps the grates looking bright and also inhibits the formation of rust.

To prevent the cooking grates from rusting after washing, dry them thoroughly and store them in the garage or other dry location. Grates left in the cooker out in the weather are likely to rust over time.

To make cleanup of the grates a little easier after use, spray them with non-stick cooking spray before use. Make sure every part of the grate is sprayed--top, bottom, edges, and handles.

Disposing Of Water Pan Waste

Let the water pan cool enough to handle safely before removing it from the cooker. There are several proven methods for disposing of the contents:

• Separate the fat from the liquid. If the fat has solidified on the surface of the water, skim it off and place it in the trash, then pour the remaining liquid down the sink.
   
• Bottle the fat and water. Using a funnel and an empty one-gallon milk jug, ladle the warm (not hot) pan contents into the container. Cap and place in the garbage.
   
• Bag the fat and water with the cold ashes. Put several plastic bags one inside the other, place the cold ashes in the bag, and then carefully pour the pan contents into the bag. The ashes absorb the liquid nicely. Tie the bag shut and place in the garbage. Thanks to Doug D on The Virtual Weber Bullet Board for this idea.

Some people run the pan contents, fat and all, down the drain followed by hot, soapy water. This is probably not the best thing for your plumbing, so following one of the options listed above is probably a better choice.

Other folks that live in wide open spaces simply dump the pan contents somewhere on their property. The problem with this practice is that the grease will attract a variety of insects and critters that you probably don't want around.

Cleaning The Water Pan

Soak the water pan in hot, soapy water to loosen stubborn build-up inside the pan and smoke residue on the bottom of the pan. A non-abrasive cleanser like Soft Scrub can be used safely on the water pan and makes cleanup easier.
 
To make cleanup of the water pan easier next time, cover it with heavy duty aluminum foil before use. See Using A Water Pan In The WSM for details.

Caring For The Inside Of The Cooker

Before each cooking session:

• Check the inside of the lid. If the coating of cooking vapors appears shiny, smooth, and is not flaking, don't do anything. However, if it appears dry and even the slightest bit flaky, spray it with the garden hose, scrub with a stiff bristle brush, and rinse. You don't want that stuff falling onto your barbecue.
   

• Brush the inside of the middle cooking section down into the bottom of the cooker.

After each cooking session:

• Use a paper towel to wipe off any grease from the edge of the lid and from the lip on the middle cooking section where the lid rests. If you don't, depending on what you've cooked the lid can get stuck to the middle cooking section and can be really hard to remove. For best results, do this while the cooker is still warm.
   

• Remove the middle cooking section and set it aside. Remove the charcoal chamber and charcoal grate and brush them off.
   

• Dispose of the ashes and brush-out any ash residue left in the charcoal bowl.
   

• To prevent premature rusting of the charcoal grate, store it separate from the cooker, in the garage or other dry location.

Disposing Of Ashes Safely

Ashes that seem cold on the surface may still be hot deep inside, even after sitting for two days, so take care when handling and disposing of them.

The absolute safest way to dispose of ashes, regardless of whether they're red-hot or seemingly stone-cold, is to put them in a small, galvanized metal trash can that is dedicated to the purpose of ash storage. Keep the can away from any flammable materials, including your house, wood pile, dry grass, or weeds. Let the ashes sit for a good, long time until there is absolutely no doubt they are fully extinguished, then dispose of them in your regular household garbage.

If a dedicated ash bin is not an option, stir through the ashes to make sure they are absolutely cold before dumping them in the garbage.

Caring For The Outside Of The Cooker

Reassemble the cooker. Wipe down the exterior with a soft, damp cloth. Windex or a similar product may also be used. Place the vinyl cover over the unit when not in use.

Periodic Maintenance

There are several things you can do on a periodic basis to ensure your Weber Bullet provides years of dependable service.

• Steam-clean the exterior during cooking. Wipe the outside surfaces with a damp cloth while the surface is hot. This does a great job of removing dirt, grime, and smoke stains. Make sure to wear heat-resistant gloves so you don't get burned.
   

• Inspect the cooking grates for rust and replace when necessary. The nickel-plated finish will break down over time with normal use, allowing rust to set in. The rust first appears on the bottom of the grates and works its way toward the top surface. Grates should be replaced when the rust reaches the top surface where it would come in contact with food. The 17-1/2" top grate can be purchased at most home centers and barbecue stores. It will be labeled as a replacement grate for the 18-1/2" charcoal grill. The 17" lower grate must be ordered directly from Weber. See the Parts Schematic for part numbers.
   

• Inspect the charcoal grate and charcoal chamber for rust-through. Since these parts don't come in direct contact with food, they can go for a very long time without needing to be replaced. In fact, they may last as long as the cooker itself. If they are in particularly bad condition--for example, the grate is completely rusted and about to fall apart--you might want to consider a replacement. The charcoal grate and charcoal chamber must be ordered from Weber. See the Parts Schematic for part numbers.
   

• Check for loose screws and bolts that attach the legs and cooking grate flanges, tightening if necessary.
   

• Check the fit of the access door. Bend the door gently by hand to ensure a good fit against the middle cooking section. See Parts Troubleshooting for details.
   

• Check the access door knob. Tighten the knob by holding the door latch with pliers and turning the knob clockwise by hand, taking care not to overtighten.
   

• Check the lid handle. Tighten the handle, if necessary. If the handle is cracked or missing, replacement handles are available from Weber. See the Parts Schematic for part numbers.
   

• Check the vent dampers. The lid damper can become sticky and difficult to turn with use. If so, apply a spray degreaser or white vinegar to loosen it, then rinse. If a damper on the lid or charcoal bowl is bent out of shape, see Parts Troubleshooting for instructions on how to replace it.
   

• Wash the lid, cooking section, charcoal bowl, and access door with warm, soapy water. Wash these parts both inside and out. There is no need to wash the charcoal grate or charcoal ring. Dry the exterior surfaces with a soft towel to prevent spots. Allow the sections to dry completely before reassembling the cooker
   

• Check the condition of the protective vinyl cover. Replacement covers are available from Weber or Amazon.com. See the Parts Schematic for the part number.

Weber does not recommend waxing the exterior of the cooker, as this can cause streaks on the finish.