Cleaning the dish on my Presto space heater.

I pried the upper rim with needle nosed pliers --,just enough to get the grid off. After cleaning with Mister Bubbles, I popped the grid back in and bent the rim back down. I then took a hammer and
smoothed the rough edges. Looks almost like new!!

What worked for me was taking a small, barely damp washcloth and with the unit on it's back (unplugged, of course) slid it through the grate. Next. I pushed it around with a wooden spoon until all of the dust was gone. Then, I pulled the washcloth back out.

I tried the butter knife method first, but it was chipping the ceramic coating off of the grate....

Dip it in a tank or put it in commercial launry and then dryer. it works

If you like living on the edge, spray some windex into the dish and then hit with a spray of water while upside down in the sink. This gets 99% of the dirt without disassembling a thing. Then if you have compressed air blow off the water or else leave it stand overnight to dry. You may get some steam from the coils when you turn it on but hey...live a little. Worked for me.....zap.

The cleaner (and more reflective) the dish is, the more efficient the dish works.
I used the "pry" method with a pair of pliers. Carefully lifting the edge a very small amount. I went around about half way then "popped" the grill off. Cleaning was very easy and the grill "popped" right back on.
I rebent the soft aluminum back in place at 3 or 4 places so that it would pop off easier the next time but wouldn't pop off when you didn't want it to.

I use the can of compressed gas duster that you use for computer keyboard cleaning. It has the extension tube for hard to reach areas but be sure to use short blasts otherwise it will send mists instead of compressed air. Hope this helps.

The smell that you experience when the heater is first turned on is any combination of dust, carpet fibers, pollen etc. that has settled on the dish, element or any other part that heats up. I ALWAYS start up the heater outside for a few minutes to burn off the dust before I bring it in and then put it down gently to keep more stuff from falling onto the hot surface. I tried several methods on my old Presto heater to clean the dish including most of the ones listed above. Soap and water worked the best after prying the cover open. but eventually the heating element rusted and broke in several places after about 10 years of use. I tried to find a new coil element to replace the old broken one with but the company doesn't sell them and the universal heating coil stock (in bulk) have to be matched in the electrical circuit for resistance, length, cross-sectional diameter and other factors. Does anyone know where to get a new element for the Presto? I did end up buying a new one but would like to fix the old one too.

I have one and have kept it clean with a microfiber cloth and a chopstick; thru the grill. I got a 2nd unit, at thrift. It was grungy and a bit dented. I popped the grill off and cleaned it; knocked out dents, as well. Since it was oxidized, I polished it with Maguires Alum Mag Polish, and a random orbital buffer; with microfiber polishing pad.

I could not believe how shiny it got. Knowing that a smooth surface reflects more direct heat, I fired it up. The performance improvement is substantial. In most typical usage , I've had to dial the temp control back 1/4 turn; or more. I can see a deep red/orange glow, in the reflector, when it's on. I liked the mod so much, I did the same to my original unit. Here is a pic. Clean & unpolished unit on the left - polished beater on the right. The shine is great. I don't think picture fully does it justice.

Take it outside and blow it out using a leaf blower or a can of compressed air.

It all depends on the how much dust has accumulated on inside of the dish.

Try to use the Swiffer first before mechanically altering any part. Slide the duster in through the grate, and move it around. Pull it out and repeat on the other area. You'll just have to do this around 3 times.
If heavy clean is necessary, then you might have to resort to bending the lip of the dish to separate the grate off from the dish.

By far, the easiest way is to take a long screwdriver, wrap with a very lightly moisten thin towel. Make sure the towel part is several inches longer than the screwdriver and that you can hold on to both at the handle side. Thread through the cage at 12-3-6-9 o'clock positions. Sweep from side-to-side, tilt the heater to get close to the cage. Worked for me! PS. Never do this while plugged in..of course. Let dry before using.

I pried open the dish from the grate (with two butter knives) and cleaned the dish very easily. Thanks to the other person who suggested this! I cleaned it with water on a cloth and 409.

I took 2 thin screw drivers and with some prying, removed the grill. cleaning was a breeze and snap the grill back in.
I created a small bend which I use to clean it regularly. Works for me.

 Blowed with compressed air first then use contact cleaner, then blow it again. Stuborned lint you may use tooth brush.

Be sure that contact cleaner is dielectric.

Good luck,

Orlando

But seriously: what's with the freaky smell?
Is it killing my brain?

I've had the heater for a few weeks (Costco purchase) and the smell is becoming intolerable.
Other commentors were spot-on; it smells like a cross between cooking Fimo / lighting pre-dipped charcoal briquettes

Unplug the unit and spray with glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol, trying to minimize direct spray to the heat core. The spray will clean the residue that may cling the dust to the surface and run down to the bottom of dish. Rinse with water, then blow dry.