Rust can be a fact of life if you leave your grill outside, but you can make short work of it with these cleaning hacks. You may want to use the gentlest method first and work your way down the list until the rust is gone. Pick the method that works best for your situation, grab your gloves, and go to town. You'll be ready to grill again in no time!
Vegetable Oil Grill Grate Cleaning Method (Very Gentle)
Grill grates need to be seasoned like an iron skillet. The more you cook on them, the less meat will stick, due to the fat in the meat lubricating the grate. The fat also prevents rust from forming. This is a great way to clean your grill grates after each use.
You'll need these supplies:
- Vegetable oil
- Clean paper towel or cloth
- Empty and clean spray bottle
Use bottled vegetable oil. Do not use an aerosol can of vegetable oil. Aerosol cans can explode near flames.
- After each use, clean all debris off of the grill grate.
- Fill the spray bottle with vegetable oil.
- Spray the entire grate to coat it completely.
- Wipe off excess with a paper towel.
- Turn on the grill and cook the oiled grate on high heat for about half an hour.
How to Clean Rusty Grill Grates With Vinegar and Salt (Gentle)
Learning how to clean rusty grill grates with a non-toxic substance is essential, since you will be cooking on them. Vinegar and salt are both edible substances, but will also remove rust.
Grab the following supplies to get started:
- White vinegar
- Salt
- Garbage bag
- Old rag or cloth
- Mix two cups of vinegar and one cup of salt in a bowl.
- Place your rusty grates in a large, heavy-duty garbage sack.
- Pour the vinegar and salt into the bag and tie it shut.
- Lay the bag flat on the ground and let the grill soak overnight.
- After soaking, wipe the rust off with an old rag.
- The salt should act as a mild abrasive to scrape off the rust.
How to Use Baking Soda to Clean Rusty Grill Grates (Gentle)
Another easy method for removing rust from grates is with good ol' baking soda. It's a mild abrasive that works well with this type of problem.
For this, you'll just need a grill brush and baking soda.
- Brush your grill grates with a soft brush to remove as much rust as you can.
- Put your grate on your barbecue and sprinkle it generously with baking soda.
- Turn your barbecue on and watch the baking soda begin to bubble and remove the rust.
- Turn off the grill and let it cool down.
- Brush the racks again with a soft brush.
How to Clean a Grate With Commercial Rust Remover (Less Gentle)
There are plenty of commercial rust removers. These generally work well, but may contain toxic chemicals you may not want near your food. Still, if your grill grate is really rusty, this may be your best option.
Here's what you need:
- Commercial rust remover
- Wire brush
- Soap and water
- Clean cloth
Purchase a commercial rust remover specifically made for cleaning rusty grill grates in the barbecue section of your home repair warehouse store.
- Follow the instructions carefully on the container of rust remover.
- Use a wire brush to remove stubborn rust and corrosion.
- When you're done, clean the grate thoroughly with soap and water, then dry with a cloth.
Wire Brush Method for Removing Rust (Less Gentle)
The fastest method of removing rust on grill grates is using a wire brush. This physically scrapes off the residue and corrosion without the use of chemicals. All you need is a wire grill brush and an old rag.
- Take the grate off your barbecue and place it flat on your concrete patio or driveway.
- Brush the rust off with a stiff wire brush.
- Flip it over and brush the rust off the other side.
- Stand the grate on its side and brush in between each metal rung.
- Wipe off the residual rust with an old rag.
How to Use Sandpaper to Remove Rust (Harsh But Effective)
If you've got rust that is refusing to leave, then you can try sandpaper. Like a grill brush, it's a physical method for removing corrosion. All you need for this is sandpaper.
This will remove the rust effectively, but proceed with caution because it will also scratch the grate's surface.
- Wrap a piece of sandpaper around each rung of the rusty grill grate.
- Rub the sandpaper firmly up and down.
Grill Maintenance and Prevention Tips
Keeping your barbecue grill grates in good shape requires cleaning immediately after each use. The longer you let the burnt-on food stay on the grill grates, the harder it will be to clean. A few other tips for keeping your grill grates in tip-top shape include:
- Prevent rust from forming on your grill grates by covering your barbecue with a properly fitting cover that's water-resistant.
- Clean the grates after each use, preferably while they're still warm.
- After cleaning your grates, coat the grill grates with vegetable oil. Vegetable oil repels water and keeps parts from rusting.
- Inspect your grill grates frequently in the winter to check for rust.
- Remove any small amounts of rust promptly to prevent more from forming and damaging the metal.
- Dry grates completely after cleaning to prevent any moisture on them.
Clean Rusty Grill Grates With Ease
Cleaning grill grates isn't difficult. You just have to make sure to stay on top of your grill cleaning methods. A dirty grill rusts in a shorter period than a clean grill, so make sure to clean it immediately. But if accidents do happen, you can remove them with a few simple methods so you can get back to grilling.
