You can clean rust off your grill with vinegar and salt solution, baking soda, and a wire brush. All these methods work like a dream—trust me, I’ve tried them all.
Opening your grill only to find rust staring back at you is heartbreaking. The sight of rust is enough to demotivate you from making your delicious barbecues.
Fortunately, you can easily remove these stubborn stains using any of the methods I’ll share below. My father taught me these methods as a child, and I’ve been using them ever since. Continue reading to find out how I remove tough rust stains so your grill stays clean and pristine.
Before you clean rusty grill grates, you must first know the material it is made from. For instance, cast iron grill grates are generally easy to clean, so you need not apply too much pressure when scrubbing them. On the other hand, stainless steel grates require a bit more effort when scrubbing. With that said, let’s look at three ways you can clean your rusty grill grates.
It’s important to learn how to clean rusty grill grates with regular, non-toxic materials since you’ll be cooking on them. Fortunately, salt and vinegar are the ideal substances for cleaning stubborn stains from your grill. Here’s how:
Get a bowl and combine one cup of salt and two cups of vinegar.
Take out the rusty grill grates and place them in a solid garbage bag.
Next, fill the bag with salt and vinegar, then tie it up.
Set the bag aside and allow it to soak overnight.
After soaking, use an old rag to remove the rust.
The rust should scrape off thanks to the salt, which serves as a mild abrasive.
Lastly, soak the rag in the salt and vinegar mixture and use it to clean the body of the grill grates. Once you’re done, use a clean cloth to wipe the moisture off the grill and allow it to dry. It’s advisable to place the grill in an airy location.
First, use a brush to remove all residue from the rusty grates. Next, pre-heat the grill on low heat (I usually set my grill to 200 degrees) for 10 minutes before cleaning it to scrub off even more debris. The heat will allow the food and oil residues to become more easily removable. Start scrubbing once the grill has cooled off a bit and is safe to touch.
Get a large bucket and fill it halfway with hot water. Next, add 1⁄4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of soap to the hot water. Because baking soda is a mild abrasive, it works wonders to remove the rust from your grill. Mix the baking soda and soap until it foams.
Remove the grill grates, if they are removable, and place them in a bowl large enough to contain them. Pour some of the baking soda mixture on top and let it soak for about an hour. This way, the soap, and soda will penetrate the rust and loosen it.
However, if you cannot remove your grill grates or if they are too large, splash the soda and soap mixture on the grill and scrub lightly with a brush. Note that this might not be as successful as soaking the rusty grill grate, particularly if there is a lot of surface rust.
Pour some of the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it all over the grill. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, spritz it again and start scrubbing all parts of the grill. If you don’t have a spray bottle, use a wet rag to dab some of the mixtures on the rusty grates.
Lastly, ensure you dry the grill and its components with a clean cloth and wipe away all moisture. This step will prevent rust from forming on your prized grill.
Using a wire brush is one of the quickest ways to remove rust from tough spots on your grill. I advise using olive oil or soap to help lubricate the stainless steel grill so it doesn’t scratch your pricy equipment.
Firstly, remove the grill grates from your grill and lay them on a flat surface. Then, slather the olive oil or soap on both sides of the grill grate and all over the grill. You can use a soft brush for this.
Next, use the wire brush to remove the rust from all rusty parts on the grill. Remember to remove strands of wire that fall off the brush, so they don’t clog your grill.
Lastly, use a rag to wipe off the remaining rust and clean your grill with a clean towel.
Nobody likes a rusty grill. Not only is it unhygienic, but it can also be an eye sore. Luckily, these three easy solutions will have your grill looking brand new! Remember to follow the precautionary steps for preventing rust.
If you allow stubborn rust to sit on your grill for too long, it may eat into the metal and leave you with no other choice but to change the components or the entire grill. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!
