How to Clean Rusted Grill Grates

Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of table salt and 2 cups (470 mL) of white vinegar in a bowl. Vinegar is a widely used substance to remove rust. Its natural properties react with rust and dissolve it from metal, while the salt is used to improve the cleaning action of the vinegar. Use a measuring cup to accurately measure out the salt and vinegar, and then pour it in a medium bowl. Finally, stir the mixture with a spoon until the salt completely dissolves.^[7]

Place your grill grates inside of a garbage bag and pour the salt and vinegar mixture inside. Lay your trash bag on a large table or another flat surface. Put your grill grates inside of the bag, so they are laying down flat. Pour the vinegar and salt mixture over the grill, making sure to cover parts that are the most rusted. ^[8]

• Make sure your bag is heavy-duty, so you don’t risk poking holes in it with the grill grate.

Tie the bag and let the grill grates soak overnight. Seal the bag at the top to lock in moisture once you have finished pouring all of the vinegar mixture over the grill grates. Let the grill soak overnight, especially if the rusting is severe. Make sure the bag is closed tightly and placed completely flat so that none of the vinegar spills out.^[9]

• If your garbage bag doesn’t come with a drawstring closure, you can always seal it by tying it in a knot or securing it with a rubber band.

Remove the grill grates and scrub off the rust with a rag. When your rusted grill grates are finished soaking, remove them from the trash bag. Wipe the surface with a cloth, and you should see the rust quickly disappear. If there is still some stubborn rust that remains, scrub it with a grill brush, and it should come right off. When you’re finished, rinse your grill grates with cool water, dry them off, and you’re ready to start grilling again!^[10]

• If you don’t have a grill brush, aluminum foil is just as effective. Just roll it up in a ball and scrub the rust stains just as you would with a brush.

Remove rust from cast iron grills with a wire brush. To use this method, grab some olive oil and pour 1 cup (240 mL) in a bowl. Dip a basting brush in the olive oil, and brush it on the grill grates where rust is present. Use a flat wire brush to scrub off the rust. You will need to scrub very hard, especially if there is a significant amount of rust on the grill.^[11]

• The olive oil is used to protect the grill from any damage that may be caused by the wire scraper, so do not skip that step.

Mix lemon juice and detergent to remove rust. Lemon is another popular household cleaner that can also be effective when removing rust. Squeeze juice from a whole lemon in a bowl and add a few drops of a mild detergent. Mix it with a spoon until it forms a thick paste. Apply the lemon mixture to any rust areas with a brush. Then cover the grill grates with plastic wrap so the mixture doesn’t evaporate. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours, then remove and scrub off the remaining rust with a grill brush.

• Make sure to rinse off the lemon mixture and dry of the grill grates completely when you’re finished.

Use a commercial rust remover. If a natural method does not work to remove all of the rust, you may need a more heavy-duty solution. You can find a commercial rust remover online or at most home improvement stores. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove the rust from the grill.

• Some of these products have toxic chemicals. Make sure the rust remover you choose is safe to use on grills.

Avoid excess liquids when cooking on the grill. If you’re using marinades or special sauces while cooking on your grill, avoid pouring them directly on the grill’s burners. Instead, add your sauces to the food before you put it on the grill. Excess sauce can cause rusting and clogging.^[12]

Clean your grill regularly. It’s important to clean your grill before and after each use. To do this, use a grill brush to scrape off leftover food residue that’s stuck on the grates. If you clean with soap and water, make sure to dry it off completely when you’re finished.^[13]

• If you’re using a charcoal grill, clean it while it’s still hot and throw away remaining ashes and coals.

Oil your grill to prevent food from sticking. Oiling a grill is an important step in the grilling process. Every time you clean your grill, you’ll want to coat it with oil. Dip a handful of paper towels in canola or vegetable oil and rub it on the grill grates. This not only prevents food from sticking, but it also repels moisture.^[14]

• Do not use an aerosol can to spray vegetable oil on the grill. They are known to explode flames.

Make sure the grill lid is tight and cover it when it’s not in use. To avoid moisture getting into your grill when you’re not using it, make sure you close it and cover it with a nylon or vinyl cover. It should be a tight seal, especially when it’s raining. Moisture is the main reason why rust forms in the first place.^[15]