No chemical cleaning!
Put it in your grill at the highest setting for a couple of hours.
Let cool and finish cleanup with an angle grinder with wire cup.
Scrub with soapy water and 3M green pad.
Rinse well. When you think it rinsed enough; rinse again.
Dry with towel and heat on kitchen range to super dry.
Season as usual.
I’ve done a lot of pieces this way.
Never had any iron crack using this method? I personally wouldn’t use this method on a treasured heirloom or an expensive piece of iron.
No. CI is made for heat - like many cooking grates in grills, and even hibachi grill bodies.
I use my gas grill and get it to its highest temperature (~550*) and put the CI in for a couple hours. Depending on how much buildup there is, it will smoke. If one is very concerned, the CI can be put in the grill cold, and then lit.
Of course water in it while hot can cause cracks. Let it cool before washing.
The thermal stress of water in a hot pan is what causes any cracks, not simple heat.
