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Oil or no oil?

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SoDakEgger
SoDakEgger Posts: 122
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
I have an interesting question for all my fellow Eggheads out there. I was watching BBQ last night. Not my favorite show, but sometimes some interesting ideas.

Raichlen always makes a point of oiling racks before putting food on the grill. In my experience, that step has generally been more trouble than it seems to be worth. Also, to me, it seems like right on a grate, whatever oil you get on with a paper towel or old cloth is going to burn off pretty fast. This isn't like putting oil in a saute pan.

Am I missing the true BBQ secret of the universe? Anyone care to extol the virtues of a light coating of oil on the grates before grilling food?
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Comments

  • BobinFla
    BobinFla Posts: 363
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    I keep my grates "seasoned" so that they won't rust, but I just heat 'em up and slap on the meat.
    Remember, he is speaking to the masses, not those who play with fire all of the time. :P

    BOB
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  • Bear 007
    Bear 007 Posts: 382
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    I never oil mine, tried it a couple times and seemed to make more of a mess than its worth.
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  • Rolling Egg
    Rolling Egg Posts: 1,995
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    No oil. I never clean my grates. Before I throw on my food I might hit it with a grill brush to get the big chunks off, but other than that if your not cleaning them with soap or something (terrible thing to do + messy as hell), there would be no need to oil it.
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  • Turk
    Turk Posts: 114
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    I always clean my grates and never use oil. When the meat has cooked to a certain degree of done it won't stick anyway. Just me.
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  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
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    I will at times, maybe if putting fish on. I am not much of a fish eater so it's far and few between times. I will heat her up and wire brush it and throw the meat on.

    Regards,
    Bordello
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  • Oblio
    Oblio Posts: 53
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    Just broke in my AR rig from Tom, no oil, no worries :) . Cooked 3 butts and 2 StL Ribs ... I usually never clean my grids, just heat and brush, but I must admit I'm feeling a bit guilty about a bit of burnt fat on the XL slider bars since it is not a cooking surface.
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  • RU Eggsperienced
    RU Eggsperienced Posts: 1,527
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    I use a bit of oil on the grid when cooking veggies or fish...
    Cheers.....Jerry


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  • Austex_Egger
    Austex_Egger Posts: 153
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    Never used oil in my vertical smoker and don't plan to with the egg. The grill stay "seasoned" with use.

    I have sprayed the grill in my gasser with Pam when cooking chicken, but that grill is now destined for the curb. :)
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  • SoDakEgger
    SoDakEgger Posts: 122
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    There seems to be a trend developing. This is about what I though.
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  • Rascal
    Rascal Posts: 3,923
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    Really.. the curb? Would you not consider donating it to a youth camp or the like where it might be better used than by your sidewalk vulchers... The one who's nose is highest dies first when the tide omes in..
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  • DMurf
    DMurf Posts: 481
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    I just let the grill heat up and hit it with a wire brush. when I bake or do pizzas I leave the grill under my platesetter and that does a real good job of burning off any bits I have missed.

    I have never oiled my grates and I really don't use a lot of oil in my cooking, as stated earlier when the heat is right and the meat is ready it won't stick.
    David
    BBQ since 2010 - Oh my, what I was missing.
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  • Hungry Joe
    Hungry Joe Posts: 1,567
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    I've learned to brush my fish or anything else I think might stick to my grate with a little oil before putting it on, but I never oil my grate.
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