Keeping Grill Grates From Rusting

How To Keep Grill Grates From Rusting? Any grill you purchase is an investment, regardless of its price. Grease and oil are completely different things.

Rust occurs as a result of grease on your grill grates, and if you oil them, you prevent rust from occurring. Take these steps to keep your grill grates from rusting as long as possible before you need to replace them. You will be able to grill food in your outdoor cooking area for many years to come.

Grill Grates – How To Keep Them From Rusting

If you want to prevent your grill grates from rusting, make sure to clean them after every use. Do not allow water to accumulate on the grills at any time. Also, you should oil the grill grates so that saltwater does not damage them. You should store it indoors to protect it from the weather. Buying a grill cover is also a good idea. Here are some measures you can take to prevent grill grates from rusting.

Never Pour Liquid Directly On Your Grill

While barbecue sauce is loved by many of us, you shouldn’t drizzle it directly on your food if you want to avoid clogging or rusting your grill’s burners. Instead, marinate the meat in the kitchen and grill it later.

Always Keep Your Grills Clean

After using the grill, clean it to prevent rust. Turn off the burners and brush the grates with a grill brush before cleaning a gas grill. A bristle-free brush is also helpful for cleaning your grill grates since the bristles might come loose and stick to the grates.

1. Do Not Allow The Grill Grates To Become Wet

Grilling or smoking a great meal without getting the grill grates wet is difficult. We always use some marinade, glaze, or sauce at Mad Backyard. Even the juices from your meat will saturate the barbecue grates while they cook. The aim is not to leave them wet after you’re through.

Turn the burners up or open the vents all the way and let the temperature climb as high as you can for a good 10 minutes after you remove the meat. The grates should start to dry out and turn ashy at this time, and you may turn down the heat and clean the grates with a good quality bristle-free brush. Then close the lid, wait for the grill to cool, and replace the covering.

2. Take Action Quickly To Keep A Grill From Rusting Out

If you notice signs of rust, don’t spend any time. Once the rust has cooled, you should remove it quickly. The longer you leave, the worse the problem will become. Rust spreads much more rapidly than you may imagine.

3. Lubricate To Keep A Grill From Rusting Out

You’ll need to oil your grill if you want it to run like a well-oiled machine. Professionals always recommend rubbing vegetable oil on your grates after a thorough cleaning, just like when seasoning a new grill or smoker.

What’s The Deal With Veggie Oil

It’s food-safe, eco-friendly, and cost-effective, and it gets the job done correctly. It will coat your grates in a protective layer that will keep rust at bay while still providing a safe cooking surface.

Obtain a rag and a small amount of vegetable oil. You want to apply a thin, even layer that isn’t too thick. You might also work the oil into the grate with a soft brush.

Keep The Grill Grates Clean Periodically

Maintaining your grill by deep cleaning it regularly is also necessary. To do so, remove the grate and scrub them with hot water, a cup of mild dish soap, and 1.5 cups of baking soda. Scrub them with a brush after soaking them for an hour. If there are any food or brush bristles stuck to the grates, wipe them down with a soft cloth after the grill has cooled.

Afterward, wipe the burners of the grill with a non-abrasive cleaner. Drip trays should be kept dry and clean because they are particularly susceptible to moisture build-up. You should also clean the burner holes and inlet holes with a pipe brush.

Also, you should clean the outside of the grill with mild dishwashing soap and high-quality grill polish. It does not matter how “stainless” the steel is, it is still susceptible to staining and rusting, depending on the grade and thickness.

Grease The Grill Grates

After cleaning, coat all sorts of grill grates with vegetable oil to prevent food from sticking to them in the future. The oil also repels moisture, so it helps prevent rust. 

Do not use an aerosol can of vegetable oil, however, as aerosol cans occasionally explode when used near a fire. Apply a thin layer of oil to a dishrag and use it to coat the grill.

Cover The Grill Grate & Move It Indoors

The main cause of rusting your grill grates is water. When the grilling season is over, cover it with a nylon or vinyl cover with a cloth lining.

If there is high humidity, heavy rainfall, or snow, bring the portable grill inside or put it in a covered shed. It is especially important to clean and cover your grill if you live near the ocean, as the high level of salt may also corrode it.

Are Grill Covers Effective At Preventing Rusting

You can protect your outdoor grill from rust by investing in a grill cover. It is protected by flexible and durable materials that can withstand different climates. Once you have used the grill, always cover it. By doing so, it will reduce the grill’s exposure to air, which will extend its lifespan. 

If you live in a humid area, moisture might still get under the cover. In this case, you need to check your grill regularly for moisture. 

Conclusion

Rust on grill grates is not desirable or appetizing, but it can be easily removed. Prevention is the best approach to avoid dealing with rust. However, regular cleaning and maintenance will help prevent further damage. The tips above will prevent your grill grates from becoming rusted, but you should still check for rust every time before cooking, since grilling with loose rust is unsafe, and you can get sick from eating it.