How To Clean Rust From Grill Grates

Rust

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Do your grill grates look excessively dirty?

Aside from burnt-on food, dirt, and grease, rust may also soil your grates.

If your grill grates become rust-covered, it’s unhealthy to cook your food on it.

Thus, you have to get rid of the rust first before you can cook.

Some of the rust may come off with your usual dishwashing method.

However, it may require more effort to remove stubborn rust.

Continue reading below to learn how to clean rust from grill grates effectively.

We will show you various ways to clean your grates properly and safely.

Determine the Material of Your Grill Grates

Before you even begin applying a cleaning product, determine first the composition of your grates.

Is it made of cast iron, stainless steel, or porcelain?

Identify the material that makes up your grill grate to prevent it from getting damaged.

You need to utilize a method that is safe for the material.

Compared to steel grill grates, porcelain is more delicate.

If the finish of your grates is damaged and rust occurs, use a soft-bristled brush.

You could also use a nylon scrub to remove the rust.

Among the three, cast iron grates rust the quickest.

Nevertheless, a good scrubbing will lift off the rust.

You can use a stiff-bristled brush or steel wool to remove the rust.

Steel grates are resistant to corrosion.

However, if you don’t take care of them, they will still rust.

Keeping them dry is one way to prevent rust on grill grates made of steel.

If you own stainless steel items, you would know that they’re not actually stainless.

Water stains, fingerprints, and oils are visible on its surface.

Aside from that, they can also rust if they’re not cared for properly.

If your steel grates become covered in rust, here are some ways to solve the issue.

Follow this method on how to clean rust from grill grates to restore your grill.

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray container. This will allow you to easily apply the solution to the rusty area.
Alternatively, you can also soak your grill grates in vinegar. Make sure that it’s entirely covered in vinegar.
Let the vinegar solution sit for at least 10 minutes.
After the allotted time, use a grill or nylon brush to remove the remaining rust.
If there are stubborn stuck-on food and rust, sprinkle baking soda. The baking soda will react with the vinegar to loosen the rust and remove it.
Wipe with a clean cloth. Dry your stainless steel grill grates completely to prevent rusting.

Scrub your rusty grill grates with a grill brush. This step will remove loose rust, debris, and food residue.
Create a paste with mild dish soap and lemon juice. Simply squeeze a whole lemon and add a few spoons of detergent. Mix the two well to create a thick mixture.
Coat your rusty grill grates with the detergent and lemon mixture.
Leave your grill grates overnight or for 24 hours.
After a day, use your grill brush to scrub the rust. You should be able to remove the rust and stains on your grill grate easily.
Rinse with water and dry your grates with a towel.

Weber grill grates take pride in their cast iron grates.

Their grates are porcelain-covered, but they’re not insusceptible to corrosion.

One method to get rid of weber grill rust is to use a wire brush.

Coat your grill grates with olive oil. Use a basting brush to easily apply the oil.
Get your wire brush and scrub the rusty parts of your grates. The wire is an abrasive that can effectively remove rust on the grill surface.
Repeat the process for stubborn rust stains.
Wipe down with a clean cloth to rinse. Dry your grill grates before storing them.