Let your fire run for 10-15 minutes. This will burn off any residue or grime that hasn’t been heated yet. Let your fire burn out and wait for your grill to cool before removing the lid. Depending on how much charcoal you’re using, it could take a few hours for your grill to cool. Use a well-soaped sponge and warm water to scrub the roof of your lid. Scrub hard in a circular motion and cover each part of the lid twice. Rinse your lid in warm water and dry it with a clean cloth. Most charcoal grill lids are coated in an enamel that make it easy to clean. If your grill’s lid is difficult to clean, it may be a sign that you need a new grill. Scrape vertically, going parallel to the cooking grid. You may need to scrape 4-5 times along each section of the grid to fully remove and food residue or charcoal dust.  Flip your grill grates over and scrape the bottom of the grates as well. Rinse them under cold water when you’re done. If you have a lot of residue that you’re struggling to remove, you can add dish soap to the tips of your grill brush. You’ll have to rinse the grates multiple times afterwards though to ensure that you don’t get any soap residue on your food in the future. Put on a pair of rubber gloves. Dump out the charcoal ashes into a nonflammable trash receptacle. Use a steel wool pad to scrape the inside of your charcoal grill’s bowl. Scrape aggressively in back-and-forth strokes until all of the gunk and grease is removed. Rinse it with a wet sponge and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean rag. Cover your grill when you’re done.

Summary: Light a fire in your charcoal grill and let it burn. Wipe the lid down with a sponge and dish soap. Scrub the grill grates aggressively with a grill brush. Empty your coals and wash the inside bowl.


Though you can try to use normal, over-the-counter nasal sprays to treat your blockage, you may find more success with prescription decongestants. If you suffer from allergies, ask the doctor if she recommends a steroid and/or antihistamine nasal spray to help resolve the issue. While Eustachian tube blockage is often short-lived and harmless, it can lead to painful and disorienting ear infections. If your blockage progresses to that level, contact a medical professional for a prescription for antibiotics. Your doctor may not prescribe them unless you also have a fever of 102.2°F  (39°C) or higher for 48 hours. Follow dosage instructions for antibiotics precisely. Finish the entire antibiotic cycle, even if your symptoms seem to resolve before you’ve finished it. In severe cases of blockage, the doctor may recommend surgical treatment reestablish airflow to the middle ear. There are two types of surgery, and a myringotomy is quicker option. The doctor will make a tiny incision in the ear drum, then suction out any fluid that's trapped in the middle ear. It seems counter-intuitive, but you actually want the incision to heal slowly. If the cut stays open long enough, the Eustachian tube swelling can go down to normal. If it heals quickly (within three days), fluid may collect in the middle ear again, and the symptoms may persist. This surgical method has a higher likelihood of success, but is a long, drawn-out process. Just as with a myringotomy, the doctor will make an incision in the eardrum and suction out the fluid that's accumulated in the middle ear. At this point, he will insert a small tube into the ear drum to ventilate the middle ear. As the eardrum heals, the tube will be pushed out on its own, but this can take six to 12 months. This method is recommended for patients who have chronic problems with blocked Eustachian tubes, so discuss it carefully with your doctor.  You must protect your ears entirely from water while pressure equalization tubes are installed. Use earplugs or cotton balls while showering, and use specialized ear plugs while swimming. If water passes through the tube to the middle ear, it can cause an ear infection. Clogged Eustachian tubes are usually the result of some type of illness that causes mucus and tissues swelling, blocking the normal passage of air. The most common causes of mucus accumulation and tissue swelling in this area are colds, the flu, sinus infections, and allergies. Don't allow these conditions to get out of hand and progress to inner ear problems. Seek treatment for cold and flu as soon as symptoms appear, and talk to your doctor about ongoing care for recurring conditions like sinus infections and allergies.

Summary: Ask for medicated nasal sprays. Take antibiotics if you have an ear infection. Talk to your doctor about a myringotomy. Consider getting pressure equalization tubes. Treat the underlying cause.


Many electric motor failures are caused by bearing failures.  The bearings allow the shaft or rotor assembly to turn freely and smoothly in the frame.  Bearings are located at both ends of the motor which are sometimes called "bell housings" or "end bells". There are several types of bearings used.  Two popular types are brass sleeve bearings and steel ball bearings.  Many have fittings for lubrication while others are permanently lubricated or "maintenance free". To perform a cursory check of the bearings, place the motor on a solid surface and place one hand on the top of the motor, spin the shaft/rotor with the other hand. Closely watch, feel, and listen for any indication of rubbing, scraping, or unevenness of the spinning rotor. The rotor should spin quietly, freely and evenly. A small amount of movement in and out (most household fractional horsepower types should be less than 1/8" or so) is permitted, but the closer to "none" the better. A motor that has bearing-related issues when run will be loud, overheat the bearings, and potentially fail catastrophically.
Summary: Begin to check the bearings of the motor. Perform a check of the bearings. Next, push and pull the shaft in and out of the frame.