Methods to Get Rid of Rust on Grill Grates

Curious about the best way to remove rust from grill grates? It’s particularly important if you keep your BBQ grill outside, as you may notice the grill grates getting rusty over time. Not only do rusty grills look unattractive, but they can also adversely affect the taste of your grilled dishes.

If you have any rust on your grill grates, you do not have to worry about that. Because cleaning rust or getting rid of it is a very easy and simple task and you do not need any harsh chemicals for it.

In this blog, we are going to share some useful methods of getting rid of rust from the grill gates. In addition, we will also discuss how to maintain and prevent your grill from being rusty.

How to Get Rid of Rust on the Grill Grates

Here are some of the simplest methods to clean the rust of your grill grates. All these methods include non-toxic, household items that you may already have in your kitchen. Let’s move towards the methods.

Method: 1 With Baking Soda 

•  Scrub the Grill Grates with a Grill Brush 

Before you start cleaning your grill, take a grill brush and scrub any leftover residue from your grill. As the grill brush may have wire bristles that will easily remove any burnt food residue and some of the rust.

If you have to remove more residue, it is better to preheat your grill for at least 25 minutes before going to scrub it. It will certainly loosen any leftover food and grease as well as make it easier to get off. Turn your grill and then start scrubbing while the grill is still hot.

• Take a Large Bucket of Hot Water, Baking Soda, and Dish Soap 

Grab a large bucket that must be enough to fit the grill grates. And fill it with hot water until your bucket is almost full. Add about 240 ml or 1 cup of dish soap and 59 ml or 1/ 4 cup of baking soda in it.

You may know that baking soda is lightly rubbing, so it will certainly do an excellent job to get rid of rust from your grill grates. Mix it thoroughly unless it forms a paste. You may also use vinegar along with dish soap in the same way.

• Remove the Grates and Soak them in Water

In case your grill grates are removable then take them off from the grill and soak them in the bucket. Let them soak in the baking soda and dish soap mixture for a minimum of an hour. It will allow both of the ingredients to penetrate and loosen the rust from the grates.

But when the grates of your grill are too large to be soaked in a bucket, you just have to scrub the baking soda mixture on the grates with a brush. However, remember that this way might be less effective than letting the gates soak in water particularly when there is a significant amount of rust on the grates.

• Scrub the Grates again with a Grill Brush 

As your grates are soaked for an hour, rub them with a grill brush to off the rust. It will remove very easily as you have let the rust sit in the baking soda. When you are done with that, wash off the grill gates with cool water unless all of the soap is gone.

• Dry the Grill Grates Completely 

It is very important to dry your grill to prevent the rust from reappearing. Take a clean cloth or towel and wipe it unless it gets completely dry. And put them in the grill when they are thoroughly dried.

Method: 2 Creating a Vinegar Bath 

• Take Table Salt and White Vinegar 

Vinegar is a substance that is mostly used to remove rust. It has different natural properties that may react with rust and dissolve it from metal. While salt is used to improve the cleaning action of this substance.

Mix 1 cup or 240 ml of table salt and 2 cups of 470 ml of white vinegar in a bowl. It is better to use a measuring cup to exactly measure the salt and vinegar. After pouring them into a bowl, stir the mixture with a spoon to get the salt completely dissolved.

• Take a Garbage Bag 

After that, you have to take a garbage bag, put the grill grates inside it, and then pour the salt and vinegar mixture inside it. Lay this trash bag on a flat surface or a large table. Place the grill grates inside the bag, in such a way that they are laying down flat. Pour the mixture over the grill and make sure you have completely covered all the parts that are the most rusted.

Keep in mind that your bag must be heavy-duty, so you do not have the risk of poking holes in it with the grill grates.

• Tie the Bag and Let the Grates Soak Overnight 

Seal the bag from the top to lock the moisture as you have done with pouring off all of the vinegar mixtures on the grill grates. And let the grates soak for a night, particularly when the rust is severe. Ensure that the bag is closed firmly and placed thoroughly flat so that none of the mixtures spills out.

In case your trash bag does not come with a drawstring closure, you have to seal it by tying it in a knot or securing it with the help of a rubber band.

• Remove the Grates and Rub off the Rust with Rag 

When the grill is done with soaking, remove them from the bag. Clean the surface with a cloth and you may see the rust will quickly disappear. You can rub it with a grill brush or rag if there is any stubborn rust stain. After that wipe out the grates with cold water, dry them off. After that, you can start grilling again. As you know how to get rid of rust on grill grates by now, you can remove it by using any of the methods mentioned above.