Snickerdoodle Sunday

Hello everyone! Thanks for stopping in to party with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!! We had over 100 link ups last week! You guys are so AWESOME!! So much creativity and inspiration shared!!

Everyone seemed to love the new hours so we will continue opening at 5pm ET on Saturday and closing at 8am ET on Tuesday. Thanks everyone for letting us know your preference! Please note there will not be a party next weekend for the holiday but we will be posting our June Favs! Hope everyone has a happy 4th!

We are so happy to have everyone here, you are all invited to kick back, enjoy the party and help yourselves to some cookies!

Snickerdoodle Sunday
Cookies and snacks provided by your fab hostesses!
Kristina & Millie @ 2CrochetHooks, Dee @ Meatloaf and Melodrama, Felicia @ Nifty Thrifty Family
Snickerdoodle Hostesses
Just a reminder of what we are doing here: Each week we will feature one special blogger, their blog and some of their posts. That featured blogger then has the option of co-hosting with us the next week and picking the best post!
Each month we will also do a round up of the most viewed/hostesses fav links so we all get some extra exposure. Make sure you follow all the hostesses so you can check if you are featured!
This weeks special co-host is (drum roll):
Paris from My Big Fat Happy Life! Congrats Paris! Our Special co-host last week, Barb at alifeinbalance.net picked Paris' post on Ice Cube Painting as her fav!
 
A bit about Paris and her Big Fat Happy Life:
Hello! My name is Paris Anderson. I love to travel and scrapbook. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my 4 year old daughter while she learns through play.
I started my blog to document our everyday life and the fun that we have along the way!
Follow her here: Blog/Pin/Twitter/FB/Instagram/G+
Some other awesome posts to check out:
mybigfathappylife
Here's your super special cookie! Everyone stop by, say congrats and check out all the fun and excitement going on at Mybigfathappylife.com!
Snickerdoodle Sunday
Just a few Rules
**Please DO NOT link and run…Yes we mean YOU….please visit, comment and pin on a few of the blogs that are sharing here today. Visit at least as many posts as you linked up! This is a great way to get people to visit you and everyone’s blogs will benefit!
  • Remember to Follow Your hostesses- 2 Crochet Hooks, Nifty Thrifty Family, Meatloaf and Melodrama and alifeinbalance.net
  • Take a second to comment below - it's the nice thing to do!
  • Link to your post and not to your blog home page
  • Linkback on your post ( optional, but always appreciated)
  • No adult content blogs, Family Friendly posts – old or new
  • Please no more than 3 links to your blog
  • No links directly to your shops or websites selling things/services please! Reviews w/affiliate links are ok!
  • Yes you can link giveaways & link parties (add them to our Party page!)
  • Share the hop via your social media pretty please!
  • Adding your link to this blog hop gives the hostesses permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Snickerdoodle Sunday- All features will be pinned to our Pinterest boards and will be linked back to the original source.
Time to get your Groove on baby! Let's boogie woogie woogie!


Soda Can Chicken with guest blogger Donna Mott


Today I am excited to have Donna Mott as my guest here on the blog today. Donna Mott is known as the “Blendermom” thrown in the mix of a blended family. On her blog www.blendermom.me which was just recently voted the 3rd top step parenting blog of 2014 on www.voiceboks.com She loves sharing her faith, her joys, and her trials of being both a biomom and stepmom. She has also written stepfamily and parenting posts for www.familyfusioncommunity.com and www.upliftingfamilies.com. Today we are blessed to have her share with us, one of her families favorite grilled chicken recipe. 

 Soda Can Chicken Finding a great recipe that will feed my family of 5 can sometimes be difficult. Because the grocery store runs great specials on whole chickens, I have tried numerous different recipes and they all seem to come out the same with the outside skin of the chicken being flavorful and the meat tasting somewhat bland. That is until I found soda can chicken. This is a family favorite and it is a variation of the original beer can chicken grilling recipe.

 Ingredients:
5-7 lb whole chicken
1 can of soda (we love to use Pepsi but any will do)
Vinegar
1 whole lemon
Olive Oil (~2 Tbsp)
Sea Salt Favorite Seasoning (I use cajun seasoning or asian seasoning.) Enough to cover chicken + 1 tsp.

 First off you will need a large bowl or the kitchen sink filled with water. Take a 5-7 lb whole chicken (cleaned out, contents inside removed) and place into the water. Then pour a little vinegar in the water. (I use ~1 cup of white vinegar) Let the chicken soak in the water anywhere from half an hour up to 2 hours. Discard the water and rinse the chicken inside and out and pat dry. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the half and rub all over the chicken inside and out. Use the other half of lemon if necessary to cover the entire chicken. Next rub the entire chicken inside and out with olive oil. Last, sprinkle the entire chicken inside and out with seasoning making sure to coat the outside well. Sprinkle salt over the chicken inside and out as well to taste.
Now we are ready for the fun! Open the soda and pour out 1/3 cup. Cut a hole on each side of the opening in the top of the can to make 2 small holes. Take a teaspoon of seasoning and pour it into the soda can, but you may want to do this over the sink because it will foam up. Next, insert the soda can into the cavity of the chicken and fold the wings in. Carefully place the chicken on the grill so that it is sitting upright, balanced on the can like a tripod. Grill the chicken for 1-1.5 hours on low to medium low or until the meat thermometer shows 160 degrees in the thickest part of the chicken.



Carefully remove the chicken from the can, slice, and serve.


Donna loves this recipe because any flavor of soda and seasoning can be modified to your family's taste and preferences.

I can't wait to fire up my grill and try this recipe. It sounds so delicious. Thank you so much Donna for sharing one of your families favorite grill recipes. Please swing by the Blendermom's site and let her know how you like her recipe.
Do you have a favorite recipe? Would you like to share it with us? If you would like to be a guest blogger please contact me thru email or in comments.


Check out some of these other great grill recipes:
Grilled Salmon
Coconut Grilled Chicken Kabobs

TLC VOXBOX




I am so excited today to get to share with you the TLC VoxBox that I received complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. This VoxBox was for the Moms of Influenster Nation. I am always thankful to received one of these boxes. If you would like to have the chance to receive a VoxBox let me know and I will send you an invite. Inside this box were 6 items: Neosporin Neo To Go, Breyer’s Gelato Indulgences free coupon, Ivory Bar Soap, Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother, Puffs to go single pack and a Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card.
My most favorite item in the box was the Breyer’s Gelato Indulgences free coupon. From the moment I saw the first date night commercial, I always wanted to try this frozen treat. I tried the Vanilla Caramel. I loved the texture and taste of this dessert. This was not your typical type of ice-cream.  I added strawberries to my bowl and it put the frozen treat thru the roof. 
The Neo To Go is a great addition to any diaper bag or purse, especially  if you have a little ones. The fast action spray works great on those scrapes and cuts our little ones get. I really like how the container is made. I am able to place the spray on my key chain, if needed. 
Having two little ones I am always wiping little noses. So I was excited to received a pack of Puffs to go. I love having a pack a Puffs reachable at anytime. You never know when you are going to need a tissue. Puffs is one tissue that is gentle on all of out little noses. 
Another item in the VoxBox that I received was a bar of Ivory Soap. I have grown up using Ivory soap. I love how it has no heavy perfumes and no dyes. I have tried other soaps but I always come back to my trusty Ivory soap. 
One of the products that I received that I had never tried before and never knew they sold was Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother. Being in my early 30’s I am now having to think about those fine lines appearing.  So that even makes me more excited to try this product.  I loved how this cream instantly turned into a powder and blended with the fine lines around my eyes. 
The last item in my TLC VoxBox was a Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card. This card is a free loyalty program that helps you save on filling up the gas tank. I had no problem on signing up with the program online. However, I did have a problem using my loyalty card at the pump. I had my infant in a car seat and my other little one when I needed gas, so I decided to pull into the Shell station and check out my loyalty card. I swiped my card, went thru the steps on the screen at the pump and then the screen started flashing see clerk inside. I was not getting my little ones out of the car, to run inside and stand inline. I am way to busy to have to do that. So I just swiped my method of payment and pumped the gas. I am still wondering if I got my 3 cent discount. I have checked the website to see my transactions and it shows nothing. Next time I need some gas, I well try the loyalty card one more time. I guess I will have to go without my children being in the car, just incase I have to go in and see the cashier. 
Overall I love my TLC Vox box. Thank you Influenster for giving me this chance to receive and test these products.

TLCVOXBOX,@influenster,#NeoReady, #GelatoLove, @Breyers, #sudlife,@ivory, #Avoninsider, #PassthePuffs, @puffs, #FuelRewards, @shell_us

Snickerdoodle Sunday

Hello everyone! Thanks for stopping in to party with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!! We had our most link ups every last week! woohoo!!!

Just a note - we have changed the days/times of Snickerdoodle - we are testing out opening at 5pm ET on Saturday and closing at 8am ET on Tuesday. Please let us know if this time will work better for everyone!

Thanks everyone for making this party such fun, so creative and inspirational!! Pat yourselves on the back, grab a cookie and let's get to the fun stuff!

2 Crochet Hooks
Cookies and snacks provided by your fab hostesses!
Kristina & Millie @ 2CrochetHooks, Dee @ Meatloaf and Melodrama, Felicia @ Nifty Thrifty Family
Snickerdoodle Hostesses
Just a reminder of what we are doing here: Each week we will feature one special blogger, their blog and some of their posts. That featured blogger then has the option of co-hosting with us the next week and picking the best post! Each month we will also do a round up of the most viewed links so we all get some exposure. Awesome fun for us all! If you want to co-host let us know!
This weeks special co-host is (drum roll):
Barb at alifeinbalance.net! Congrats Barb! Our Special co-host last week, Bobbie from 3glol.net picked all of Barb's post as her fav but we can only have one so she settled on Fruit and Vegetable Canning Recipes as her choice for best post!
 
A bit about Barb @ A life In Balance:

Follow her here: Blog/Pin/Twitter/FB/Instagram
Some other awesome posts to check out:
barb pic
  Here's your super special cookie! Everyone stop by, say congrats and check out all the fun and excitement going on at alifeinbalance.net!  
2 Crochet Hooks

Are you ready to Party!?!?

Just a few Rules
**Please DO NOT link and run…Yes we mean YOU….please visit, comment and pin on a few of the blogs that are sharing here today. Visit at least as many posts as you linked up! This is a great way to get people to visit you and everyone’s blogs will benefit!
  • Remember to Follow Your hostesses- 2 Crochet Hooks, Nifty Thrifty Family, Meatloaf and Melodrama and alifeinbalance.net
  • Take a second to comment below - it's the nice thing to do!
  • Link to your post and not to your blog home page
  • Linkback on your post ( optional, but always appreciated)
  • No adult content blogs, Family Friendly posts – old or new
  • Please no more than 3 links to your blog
  • No links directly to your shops or websites selling things/services please! Reviews w/affiliate links are ok!
  • Yes you can link giveaways & link parties
  • Share the hop via your social media pretty please!
  • Adding your link to this blog hop gives the hostesses permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Snickerdoodle Sunday- All features will be pinned to our Pinterest board and will be linked back to the original source.

Grilled Salmon



Looking for a fabulous date night meal? Grilled Salmon is the dish to make.  Don't fear grilling salmon. It is very easy and quick. Some people don't like salmon, I used to be one of them. Salmon  can have a strong fish taste, but there is ways to tame the strong taste. 

I have tried some recipes that use brown sugar and soy sauce. But I think my favorite is Allegro Game Tame Marinade . Once you find your favorite marinade, marinate your salmon for several hours before cooking. 
Cut the fish in sections. It helps in removing the fish off the grill when the fish is done.



When your salmon is almost done marinating, fire up the grill. When cooking salmon I would either use a grill plank (board) or reynolds wrap. You need something to support the fish. Fish is delicate and sometimes it breaks into pieces when cooked. 




Cook the salmon on low for about 12 minutes depending on the thickness. Keep the salmon moist while cooking. I usually pour more marinate on the meat while it grills. Once the salmon is grilled to your perfection use a spatual to remove it to a plate. 
As you can see salmon is very easy to cook. Try cooking it on a seasoned grill plank or make your own rub. I have never cooked on a grill plank and I want to try here soon. Don't forget you can buy salmon with the skin on one side or with out. If you buy the salmon with the skin,when the salmon is done you should be able to remove the skin with a spatula before you remove it from the grill. I buy my salmon with out the skin. 
To add to the perfect date night meal add some grilled asparagus and you have a fab meal. Like always I love to hear how you cook your salmon. Is there a special marinade that you use? If you would like to share you favorite grill recipe by guest blogging please send me a message and I will contact you with a date. 

Check out my other grill posts from the series Grilling 101.

Disclaimer: I did not get paid to advertise anything in this post. The views expressed is of my own liking and what I use for my family.


I have linked this post to the following sites:




How To Make A First Aid Kit




I have to be honest, I don’t have a first aid kit in my home.  Do you own a first aid kit? I have things all over the house. Band aids in one place, alcohol and peroxide in another.  If I really had an emergency, I would be up a creek with out a paddle. With two children in my house, it is time I created a first aid kit. So with that being said, I had to learn  what items should be included in the kit.

First item needed is a bag or container that you would like to use as your kit. It could be a back pack, plastic bin, etc. The container or bag needs to be big enough to hold all items. 

The American Red Cross says you should have the following in your first aid kit: 
  • 2 - (5 x 9 inches) absorbent compress dressings 

  • 25 (10 yards x 1 inch) assorted sizes adhesive bandages 

  • 1 - (10 yards x 1 inch) adhesive cloth tape 

  • 5 - (approximately 1 gram) antibiotic ointment packets.   
  • 5 antiseptic wipe packets. Instead of wipes you could include the Neo To Go from Neosporine. 

  • 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)

  • 1 blanket 

  • Breathing barrier 

  • 1 instant cold compress

  • 2 pair of non latex gloves 

  • 2 hydrocortisone packs

  • Scissors

  • 1 - 3 inches wide roller bandage 

  • 1 - 4 inches wide roller bandage 

  • 5 - 3 x 3 inches sterile gauze pads 

  • 5 - 4 x 4 inches sterile gauze pads 

  • Thermometer

  • 2 triangular bandages

  • Tweezers

Once you have stock piled your first aid kit you will need to check it ever so often to make sure items are not out date.
Do you have all the items above in your kit? I only own have 3 items on the list. I have a thermometer, assorted size adhesive bandages and the Neo To Go. Guess I need to really stock up on everything, the next time I go to the store. 
You should also carry the Neo To Go from Neosporin in your purse or diaper bag with band aids when you are going out and about. You never know when a scrape or cut will happen. I would love to see and hear what is in your first aid kit.


Disclaimer: Please note that I received the Neo To Go complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes and I am entering a brand challenge for a chance to win a prize.

#NeoReady, #contest, @influenster, #TLCVOXBOX





I have linked this post to the following sites:
Diana Rambles: Pin Me Linky Party 90
Sincerely Paula: No Rules Weekend Blog Party #90
Weekend Wind down 24 - A Living Sacrifice

Snickerdoodle Sunday

Hello everyone! Thanks for stopping in to party with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!! We love catching up with everyone each week and seeing all the cool stuff you have been working on! So grab a cookie and let's get to the fun stuff!

2 Crochet Hooks

Cookies and snacks provided by your fab hostesses!

Kristina & Millie @ 2CrochetHooks, Dee @ Meatloaf and Melodrama, Felicia @ Nifty Thrifty Family

Snickerdoodle Hostesses

Just a reminder of what we are doing here: Each week we will feature one special blogger, their blog and some of their posts. That featured blogger then has the option of co-hosting with us the next week and picking the best post! Awesome fun for us all! If you want to co-host let us know!

This weeks special co-host is (drum roll):

Bobbi at 3glol.net! Congrats Bobbi! Our Special co-host last week, Sarah from Sadie Seasongoods picked Bobbi's The Making of a Terrarium as her choice for best post! As always it was so hard to choose but we can only have one and this is a great one!

A bit about Bobbi and her blog 3glol.net: Co-contributor/author for www.3glol.net. I have 1 husband (hehe), 4 kids, 2 son-in-laws, 1 daughter-in-law, 9 grandkids, and 5 pets. Breast Cancer Conqueror - 15 years now ;) I have worked from home for over 10 years. I am OCD about a lot of things....clutter, organization and cleanliness being the main issues of mine. I love to cook and have started putting my food up on the blog. Go look see!!

Check out some of these awesome posts by Bobbi:

3glol features DIY Pallet Bench / Mason Jar Landscape Light / Loaded Potato Salad

Congrats Bobbi!! Here's your super special cookie! Everyone stop by, say congrats and check out all the fun and excitement going on at 3glol,net!

 
2 Crochet Hooks

Everyone had such fun last week with our Retro Theme - we are going to keep it happening! So link up old posts or new posts but please keep it fresh - don't link up the same thing each week!

Are you ready to Party!?!?

Just a few Rules

**Please DO NOT link and run…Yes we mean YOU….please visit, comment and pin on a few of the blogs that are sharing here today. Visit at least as many posts as you linked up! This is a great way to get people to visit you and everyone’s blogs will benefit!
  • Remember to Follow Your hostesses- 2 Crochet Hooks, Nifty Thrifty Family, Meatloaf and Melodrama and 3glol.net
  • Take a second to comment below - it's the nice thing to do!
  • Link to your post and not to your blog home page
  • Linkback on your post ( optional, but always appreciated)
  • No adult content blogs, Family Friendly posts – old or new
  • Please no more than 3 links to your blog
  • No links directly to your shops or websites selling things/services please! Reviews w/affiliate links are ok!
  • Yes you can link giveaways & link parties
  • Share the hop via your social media pretty please!
  • Adding your link to this blog hop gives the hostesses permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Snickerdoodle Sunday- All features will be pinned to our Pinterest board and will be linked back to the original source.
Never know which code so here's both:

Coconut Oil Grilled Marinated Chicken Kabobs


Fathers day is this Sunday. Have you thought about what you are going to do for that special father in your life? If you don’t have anything planned yet, plan to impress him with grilling dinner on the grill. Coconut Oil Marinated Chicken Kabobs is a fun, easy recipe that anyone could make on the grill. Your children can also be your little helpers in prepping the Kabobs.

Coconut Oil Marinated Chicken Kabobs. 

Items needed:
Cold Press Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Kabob sticks - skewers
Chicken breast (depending on the size of the chicken breast will depend on how many breasts you will need) 
Peppers - red, green and / orange
You can add more items to your kabobs. You can add cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or onions. Basically you can add anything your heart desires to eat on your kabob,


Cut the chicken into cubes. Slice the peppers, I usually cut the peppers long ways into sections then I cut the sections in halves. Once you have all your ingredients prepped. It is time to start up the grill. While the grill is preheating you need to add the food to the kabob sticks. Place a pepper, then a piece of chicken, repeat that process until the kabob is full. Try to leave some room at both ends for cooking and holding.


 Once you get the kabobs ready it is time to brush the coconut oil on the chicken. Coconut oil becomes a liquid above 78 degrees. I just scope out a spoonful of coconut and melt it in the microwave. Once melted take a basting brush and coat the coconut oil on the chicken.  Doing this will make the chicken so moist. The oil locks in the juices. When you are ready to place the food on the grill lay the kabobs on the grill. I lay down a sheet of reynolds wrap just so I don’t loose any food in my grates. If you do use reynolds wrap or a grill pan, coat it with some coconut oil. You can even coat your grill grates with it. Coconut oil can tolerate high heat and it will help your food from sticking. 

I have a picky eater so I made a plain chicken breast along with the rest of the meal. 

Cook the kabobs on, low turning them often. Your meal is ready when your chicken is done. Now you are ready to eat some of the most moist chicken that you have ever eaten. 

I would love to hear how your grilling is coming. Let me know your thoughts on cooking with coconut oil. I just started cooking with it and I am in love.
Don't forget to check back next Thursday for more grilling ideas. If you missed last weeks post you missed a great article on how to clean your grill grates. Check it out here.

Check out other grilling recipes that is from our grilling series:
Grilled Salmon
Coconut Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Soda Can Chicken

I have linked this to the following sites:

Snickerdoodle Sunday

Hello and once again it is time for Snickerdoodle Sunday!! The most fun, crafty and delish link up party in the blogging world!
A little fun today in honor of Sarah - she likes to bring new life to old objects so this party is RETRO!!! Dust off those old posts and link them up to show them off one more time! What's old is new again!
2 Crochet Hooks
Cookies and snacks provided by your fab hostesses!
Snickerdoodle Hostesses
Just a reminder of what we are doing here: Each week we will feature one special blogger, their blog and some of their posts. That featured blogger then has the option of co-hosting with us the next week and picking the best post! Awesome fun for us all!
This weeks special co-host is (drum roll): Sarah from Sadie Seasongoods!
Hi there! Thank you kindly for welcoming me to your Link Party. I'm Sarah with Sadie Seasongoods, my blog dedicated to upcrafting, cooking, and antiquing adventures across the Great American South. I love to try my hand at DIY projects around my home and garden, often with a repurposing twist. I have a soft spot in my crafty heart for farmhouse primitives and cottage/vintage decor...with the occasional "mantique" thrown in for good measure. Please swing by and give me a social media shout-out!
Find Sadie Seasongoods on her website, Facebook, Instagram, Etsy, and Pinterest.
Sarah's Summer in a Jar is the post that Robin from Redo It Yourself Inspirations fell in love with. This is a super fun craft! I am thinking I need one per season! There are so many awesome posts over at Sadie Seasongoods that I had a hard time picking just three more to feature! Seriously you need to check out this blog! Sadie Seasongoods
Congrats Sarah!! Here's your super special cookie! Everyone stop by, say congrats and check her out (but don't be creepy about it)!!
2 Crochet Hooks
There is a Special Giveaway for Snickerdoodlers over at 2Crochethooks! For the month of June they are hosting a giveaway especially for those who link up to Snickerdoodle Sunday! Kristina found this cool yarn in the mill end bin at AC Moore and made a couple scarves. They turned out so cute and there is so much yarn, they decided to share!
Bestie Selfie Giveaway
Visit their facebook page - like it - and link up a picture of you and your best bud - a "Selfie Bestie"! At the end of June they will pick the best shots! Winner will receive two skeins of this fun yarn (enough to make two scarves or some other fun creation). Enter as often as you like, just use different selfie shots!

On to the Party!!

Just a few Rules
**Please DO NOT link and run…Yes we mean YOU….please visit, comment and pin on a few of the blogs that are sharing here today. Visit at least as many posts as you linked up! This is a great way to get people to visit you and everyone’s blogs will benefit!
  • Remember to Follow Your hostesses- 2 Crochet Hooks, Nifty Thrifty Family, Meatloaf and Melodrama and Sadie Seasongoods
  • Take a second to comment below - it's the nice thing to do!
  • Link to your post and not to your blog home page
  • Linkback on your post ( optional, but always appreciated)
  • No adult content blogs, Family Friendly posts – old or new
  • Please no more than 3 links to your blog
  • No links directly to your shops or websites selling things/services please! Reviews w/affiliate links are ok!
  • Yes you can link giveaways & link parties
  • Share the hop via your social media pretty please!
  • Adding your link to this blog hop gives the hostesses permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Snickerdoodle Sunday- All features will be pinned to our Pinterest board and will be linked back to the original source.

Does your grill grates look like this?




How well do you know how to cook on the grill? I am not a pro and every year I want to learn how to become a better griller. So this year I have made a decision that I am going to try to become the best I can be. 
To start off the grilling season I would recommend giving your grill a good cleaning. Most grills over some time in their life will develop some rust on their grates. Especially if they are out in the elements. You don’t want your food tasting like rust. 
About a year ago I noticed rust starting to form on the sides of our grill grates that was hardly used. I did not know how to solve the problem at that time. So I put it out of sight and out of mind. When I cooked on the grill I used reyonolds wrap or a grill plate and I never worried about the outer edge. Over the winter our grill got used a few times. Here we are grilling fish in a snow / ice storm.  I think what caused  most of the  damage is when the grill grates became wet and left in sub zero temps

Then when I opened the grill for the first time this spring I noticed that our grates did not look their best, rust was starting to form and there was a charcoal marinade clumped all over. I am embrassed to even show the below picture. I knew we had to do something or we would lose our grill. The picture looks bad, huh? 
                  



I looked at purchasing some new grill grates. But for the price of just buying grates, I could almost buy a new smaller grill. I thought to myself, there has to be a way, to save our grill. 
So where do you go if you need help? Pinterest!!! I just love Pinterest. You can find anything and everything there. Just like this article you are reading. I searched ways to clean cast iron grill grates. And yes there is many ways to clean them. I wished I would have known about this sooner. 

You will need the following items:
Vinegar
Salt
Garbage bag(s)




A metal grill brush and some type of oil (vegetable, olive or coconut oil).

Place the grill grates in garbage bags add vinegar and salt. Some people say to use 2 cups of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of salt. I just put enough vinegar in the bag to reach the bottom of the grates and I sprinkled salt all over the grates. If I had to guess it was probably about 2 tbs of salt and 2 cups of vinegar. Leave the bag(s) with the grate and mixture set over night. I suggest placing the bag(s) in the yard. I layed mine on the concrete and I noticed the mixture had ran out leaving a white trail.  Some people heat up their grates on the grill before they place them in the bag. I did not do this. But I think the next time I cook on the grill I might let the grates cool just enough that I could handle them and I will redo the cleaning method. My grates were so bad they need several cleanings. 
While the grates are soaking use this time to clean out the grill around the burners and the drip pan. 
When you remove your grates from the bag use the grill brush to remove everything and then spray them off.  To finish up the grates you will need to oil the grates. Oiling the grates will help season the cast iron and help prevent rust from coming back. Also oil the grates before winter comes. It will be an added protector. 
Now your grill should be in top notch condition to grill on.  You will be amazed at the grime and grease that will be removed. The next step is to start making delicious recipes. Check back next Thursday for another session of learning to grill.  I plan to be showing how to cook Chicken Kabobs with Coconut Oil.
 If you would love to share a grill recipe or anything about grilling I would love to have you as a guest blogger during this series. Just comment or email me.