A rusty BBQ can be an eyesore and a potential health hazard if not properly cleaned and maintained. The good news is that you can simply restore your BBQ to its former glory with a little elbow grease and the proper tools. We’ll walk you through the stages to cleaning a rusted BBQ, including what products you’ll need and how to remove rust from your barbecue, in this article safely.
Typically, stainless steel or another form of metal is used to make the grates for barbeque grills. Most individuals use a hard wire brush to clean their grill after each use. While most grates can benefit from removing the rust with this method, a stainless steel grill’s finish may be harmed. Here are a few techniques for removing rust from grill grates. Until the rust is removed, you might want to start with the gentlest option and work your way down the list.
How to Clean a Rusty BBQ?
You open the grill with a platter of hamburgers and hot dogs in hand, only to be horrified to see a grate covered in rust and filth. So much for a quick grilled meal, we suppose. Fortunately, cleaning the grill is easy, and we’ll demonstrate how to utilize common home items to remove rust from the grill grates.
Typically, you use high heat and a scraper to scrape the grill grates to remove old muck. While this method is helpful for routine cleaning, it cannot be used to clean a severely corroded grate.
It’s not a good idea to grill meals on a rusted surface. The loose rust particles adhere to your cooked meal, reducing not only the overall flavor but also your health if you consume rust regularly.
What are the Cleaning Supplies for Rusty Grates?
To begin, you’ll need the following:
- Salt White vinegar
- Plant-based oil
- Remover of commercial rust
- bread soda
- Sandpaper for a wire brush
- old rag or fabric
- trash bag
- Stirring spoon
How can it be Cleaned using Vinegar?
Vinegar can be a fantastic rust remover for BBQ grills, whether you’re cleaning one inside or outside. It is an acid that aids in dissolving oxidation and grease. It is necessary to create a vinegar-water solution first. Spray the entire surface after combining the two components. Give it 10 to 15 minutes to sit. Use water to rinse.
Scrub the grate with a brush to remove any remaining rust stains. After that, soak it all night in a large garbage bag. Remove the grates from the bag the following day. To remove rust, you can also use steel wool. Applying a solution of baking soda and white vinegar to a barbeque grill is another simple method for cleaning it. This will produce a highly abrasive carbonic acid.
After the grate has been wet, use a rag to brush the rust away. Another option is a steel scrub brush. The entire surface of the grate has to have the solution applied to it.
How can it be Cleaned with Vinegar and Salt?
Since you’ll be cooking on them, learning how to clean rusty grill grates using a non-toxic chemical is crucial. Both vinegar and salt are edible, but they can also get rid of rust. To remove rust, follow these instructions.
- In a bowl, combine two cups of vinegar and one cup of salt.
- Put your rusted grates in a sizable, sturdy rubbish bag.
- Put the salt and vinegar in the bag, then tie them up.
- The grill should soak for the entire night with the bag resting on the ground.
- After soaking, use an old rag to remove the rust.
- The rust should easily scrape off with the salt acting as a mild abrasive.
Can We Use Lemon Juice to Clean a Rusted Grate?
Using natural ingredients like lemon juice to clean BBQ grill grates is the finest method. Lemon juice’s mild acidity makes it simple to remove rust from metal surfaces. The dish soap helps the cleaning process by allowing the metal surface to become softer and easier to clean.
One lemon juice should be squeezed into a basin along with a few drops of dish soap. Apply the solution using a basting brush to the corroded area, then cover the grate with plastic wrap. Give the grill around 24 hours to sit.
Using the plastic wrap, clean the loose rust and dirt with a grate brush. Before installing the new grate, thoroughly rinse the surface with a water hose and dry it with paper towels.
How can it be Cleaned Using Vegetable Oil?
Like an iron pan, grill grates need to be well-seasoned. Because of the fat in the meat lubricating the grate, the more you cook on them, the less meat will stick. Additionally, the fat stops rust from developing.
- Apply vegetable oil on the grate to season and lubricate it after each usage.
- Never use vegetable oil from an aerosol can. Cans of aerosol explode close to the fire.
How can it be Cleaned Using Commercial Rust Remover?
There are many industrial rust removers available. Although they typically function effectively, they could also contain hazardous compounds you might not want near your food.
- In the barbeque department of your local home improvement store, buy a commercial rust remover designed especially for cleaning rusty grill grates.
- Pay close attention to the directions on the container.
How to Use Baking Soda to Clean a Rusty BBQ?
Baking soda is another simple approach for removing rust from grates, but using baking soda to remove rust from grill grates is also inexpensive. One of the greatest items you may use around the house to get rid of rust from a variety of surfaces, including the grill. It is a gentle abrasive that removes rust as well as dirt and grease.
Dish detergent and baking soda should be added to a big bin or pail filled with boiling water. Before putting the grate into the soapy solution, remove the grate from the grill and use a grill brush to remove any loose dirt.
After letting it soak for an hour, scrape the loose rust with the brush. Before putting the grate back on the grill, remove any leftovers and spray them with a garden hose.
Galvanized metal can also be cleaned using this method, but avoid using a wire brush because it can pierce the coating. Instead, use a nylon sponge or an old rag to clean.
What is the Wire Brush Approach?
Using a wire brush to remove rust from grill grates is the quickest approach.
- Remove the grill grate from your barbeque and set it flat on your driveway or patio made of concrete.
- Use a hard wire brush to remove the rust.
- Turn it over and clean the other side of the rust.
- Brush the spaces between each metal rung while the grate is on its side.
- Use an old rag to remove the remaining rust.
How to Clean it by Using Sandpaper?
Try using sandpaper if the rust on your surface is stubborn.
- The rusted grill grate has a piece of sandpaper wrapped around each rung.
- Firmly move the sandpaper up and down.
- Effective rust removal will result from doing this but proceed with caution as it will scrape the grate’s surface.
How to Clean it by Using Acid Rust Remover?
Rust removal from your grill can be a frustrating process. You have a few options if you’re seeking an acid rust remover. While some are natural and safe to use, others are chemically based.
Use a solution of baking soda and vinegar to get rid of rust for the greatest results. Rust and loose dirt will dissolve as a result, and they will be lifted off the surface. Applying the paste evenly is something you’ll want to watch out for. You can scrub the mixture off with a brush or a non-metallic sponge when it dries.
Lemon juice is another acid rust remover. With this acid, rust will be easily removed. Rust can be eliminated safely and naturally by using lemon juice. You should be sure to rinse it off thoroughly.
Rust can also be removed with the citric acid in various citrus fruits. You may get citric acid at your neighborhood supermarket.
Using a Robot to Clean the Grill
Keeping your BBQ clean can be accomplished by using a robot grill cleaner. An automatic appliance that cleans your grill with the touch of a button is called a cleaning robot. It can even thoroughly clean your barbecue. Rechargeable batteries power the grill cleaner.
A clever computer chip in the robot that cleans the grill regulates the movement and speed of the brushes. This makes it possible for the grill cleaning robot to clean your BBQ thoroughly. Since the bristles are made of nylon, heat will not cause them to melt. They work on all different kinds of barbecue grates.
A carrying case is another feature of the grill cleaning robot that keeps your gear neatly arranged. An audible alarm will let you know when the cleaning cycle is complete, and the LCD panel displays how long it will take.
The grill cleaning robot is suitable for both cold and hot grills. Using a grill cleaning robot on your gas grill, you can eat your BBQ while the machine cleans it.
How do you Maintain a Grill?
Preventative Maintenance for Grills
Cleaning your barbecue grill grates immediately after each usage is necessary to keep them in good condition. The more time the burned-on food is left on the grill grates, the more difficult it will be to remove. Other pointers for maintaining the condition of your barbecue grates are as follows:
- Cover your BBQ with a correctly fitting, water-resistant cover to stop rust from accumulating on the grill grates.
- After every use, wash the grates, especially while they’re still warm.
- Apply vegetable oil to the grill grates after cleaning them. Vegetable oil prevents corrosion and repels water.
- In the winter, check your grill grates frequently for rust.
- Small quantities of rust should be removed immediately to stop it from spreading and harming the metal.
- To avoid any moisture on the grates after cleaning, fully dry them.
Conclusion
Grill grate cleaning is simple. Just be sure to keep up with your barbecue cleaning procedures. Make sure to clean the grill immediately since rust will develop on food debris left on the grill more quickly than on a clean grill. However, if mishaps do occur, there are a few straightforward ways to get rid of it. Find out now how to remove rust from concrete.
