Newb question

[Lemonhead78]

I love keeping a grill nice and clean. I read that some people foil and some don’t. Is it a pain in the butt trying to foil ? And what I was thinking can I put a foil pan underneath the bottom rack to catch drippings ? I don’t have an upper shelf yet so that configuration is out of the question. I’m thinking the foil pan is probably a no go because it will mess up the air flow. Will I be able to keep a pellet grill clean or is it too hard ?

[rwalters]

Depends on your definition of clean. Personally, I lay a sheet of foil down -or- a drip pan as often as possible. Probably about 60% of my cooks.  I never foil when I grill (using the Flame Zone setup) though. I have come to the point that I don’t really stress over the inside. I keep it tidy, but more often than not, there’s evidence that it’s cooked in. What’s funny is that I am much more picky about keeping the exterior squeaky clean. I love a nice shiny SS MAK sitting on my back patio

**edit: I didn’t mention that I have two stiff metal scrapers (paint section at Home Depot). One wide and one narrow. They work wonders when it comes time to scrape the crusties away. Prior to scraping, I always make sure that the MAK has run at 375°+ for a bit to harden the gunk up. Makes for easy scraping.

[FinsnFeathers]

I love keeping a grill nice and clean. I read that some people foil and some don’t. Is it a pain in the butt trying to foil ? And what I was thinking can I put a foil pan underneath the bottom rack to catch drippings ? I don’t have an upper shelf yet so that configuration is out of the question. I’m thinking the foil pan is probably a no go because it will mess up the air flow. Will I be able to keep a pellet grill clean or is it too hard ?

I foil. Make sure all openings on the flamezone sides aren't covered. All four of them. I just smoking no need to poke holes in the foil. It is not a pain and pretty quick. Sure makes clean up easier.

Use a small tinfoil pan in the grease drawer.

I even foil the flamezone covers. Many here do not so it is a personal choice.

[Lemonhead78]

I’m a little retarded. So can I put a foil pan underneath the grate or would that impede heat and smoke flow. I see that people foil but what about a pan

[rwalters]

I’m a little retarded. So can I put a foil pan underneath the grate or would that impede heat and smoke flow. I see that people foil but what about a pan

Not underneath the main grate. Buy an upper grate and absolutely!

[Pappymn]

Not trying to break the bank but the upper shelf is a must.

[Dave R.]

Not trying to break the bank but the upper shelf is a must.

I agree and if doing it again I would have gotten two 1/2 grates instead of just the one. I plan to order another 1/2 grate after the holiday season. It's gotten just a wee bit spendy this year. LOL

[smokeasaurus]

I never foil. When going lo and slo I cook on the upper grate with a foil pan on the main grate.  Got that tip from Tee.

For high heat grilling, I do not foil. Clean up is easy. That flamezone gets hot and there aint much left to scrape off.

[akjeff]

I don't use foil either. Crank it up on Grill every now and then, and it just scrapes/brushes away.

Jeff