How to Clean Rust from Grates

Most grill grates have some type of a finish on them that prevents the metal from rusting. With time and use, the finish begins to fail. You'll find that even stainless steel grill grates eventually rust. Rust forms when condensation collects on the metal, typically at night when temperatures are cool. A tight-fitting cover can help to reduce the formation of rust, but eventually your grill grates will rust if not properly cared for.

To remove rust from grill grates and other parts of your grill, you need something that cuts through the rust and breaks it down. While you can choose professional rust busters for your grill, using more natural products is seen as safer, as they lack overly strong chemicals.

The important thing about removing rust, regardless of the method used, is to give the grates time. The cleaning material needs to reach all parts of the grates, and get to work dissolving the rust.

After cleaning and drying your grill grates, brush a tiny bit of cooking oil on the grates. This forms a barrier between the surface and the moisture in the environment around it, preventing it from rusting.

Removing Rust with Salt and Vinegar Soak:

Soaking your grill grates in undiluted white vinegar may be the easiest and most hands-off approach to cleaning rusty grill grates. Just leave the grate to sit in the vinegar for 12 hours and the rust will slowly dissolve.

The idea to remove rust with vinegar is simple as the acid in vinegar dissolves the rust. Adding salt will increase the natural acidity of the vinegar to the point where it can dissolve the already oxidized metal. However, it won’t damage the metal around and underneath it. The salt also acts as an abrasive when it comes time to start scrubbing.

Combine two cups of white vinegar with one cup of salt in a bowl. Put your rusty grill grates in a big heavy-duty garbage bag. Pour the vinegar-salt mixture into the bag and tie it shut. Jostle it around to make sure it covers the entirety of your grate.

Lay the bag flat and let the grill soak in the mix overnight. Then, wipe the rust off with a cloth. The salt acts as a mild abrasive that scrapes off the rust. A wire brush may need to be used for heavily rusted areas.

Removing Rust with Baking Soda and Vinegar Paste:

Option #1: Like salt, baking soda can also be used as an abrasive. Baking soda works well for small areas of rust or rust stains. Add enough white vinegar to the baking soda to form a sort of loose paste. A one-to-one ratio of baking soda to water will typically make a good paste. Then, apply the paste to the areas covered in rust.

Let the baking soda and vinegar do their thing for 30-40 minutes. After that, use a brush to scrub off the paste, rinse with warm water and wipe down the grates with a dry cloth.

Option #2: Baking Soda and Vinegar This works using the chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda. First, you'll spray or wipe vinegar onto the rusty grates, then sprinkle with baking soda. [FMM: Just the opposite works, too. Sprinkle the baking soda on the rust areas and spray with vinegar.] The soda will fizz up and release the rust. Vinegar can be reapplied to more stubborn areas and scrubbed with aluminum foil. Rinse it off when you are done. Grill grates can also be soaked overnight in vinegar to remove heavy rust. Use a shallow pan so that the grill grates are fully submerged.

Removing Rust with a Wire Brush Method:

If you are cleaning stainless steel or porcelain-coated grill grates, you need to have A Soft Brush. Don't use a wire brush on these materials because it can cause scratches that lead to more rust in the future. Cast iron grates are best cleaned with A Wire Brush. You can even use a wire wheel on a grinder to quickly remove rust from cast iron.

If you don’t mind a little elbow grease, using a wire brush is a good way to get rid of rust on your grill grate. Take the grate off your barbecue and set it flat on the ground on a concrete patio or driveway. Use a stiff wire brush to brush the rust off.

Start with one side of the grill grate and then turn it over and brush the rust away from the other side. Prop the grate on its side and then brush between each of the metal rungs. When you’re done, wipe the extra residual rust off the grill with a rag.