Imagine going to set up your grill for a barbeque or cookout, only to find the grid, rack, or other parts to be rusty. Such a scenario can be very frustrating and may discourage you from putting your cooking skills to the test.
Downsides of a Rusty Grill
One of the major disadvantages of cooking on a rusty grill is that the rusty material on the grill’s surface may easily come off. These particles may find their way to your food and affect the taste of your food.
Long-term exposure to the rust substance by ingestion raises the risk of gastrointestinal distress. It’s possible that the rust will alter the color of your meal as well. The problem of declining confidence is another factor. No one will be hungry after eating food prepared on such a surface. You might not be in as good of a mood to cook as you otherwise would be.
The good news is that there is a solution to this problem that will leave your grill in great shape. If you want to know how to clean a rusty grill, stick it on as we take you through the process of restoring it.
What Do You Need to Clean a Rusty Grill?
To have your grill in the best form, vinegar works wonders! You will need a vinegar bath, vinegar, salt, rugs, grill brushes, and a heavy-duty garbage bag or a plastic basin.
If you have all the mentioned items, you can follow the steps highlighted below to clean your rusty grill.
Step 1: Remove the Affected Parts from the Grill
The first step involves the disassembling of the grill to check on the affected parts. Pay much attention to those that are most affected and easy to deal with. Most of the time, you will find that the grid and rack have the most damage and are easy to clean.
Once you know which parts you will deal with, you can develop a concrete cleaning plan.
Step 2: Mix Vinegar with Salt
Vinegar is a universal household item that performs many functions, including cleaning. It does an excellent job of removing rust, which is the reason we bring it to the equation. On the other hand, salt improves the vinegar’s potency, helping it deal with the oxidized parts.
If you are dealing with two grids or racks, mix vinegar and salt in a 2:1 ratio. In this case, 2 cups of vinegar to one of salt will do. If you have many components to clean, you can increase the amount.
Step 3: Place the Parts in a Basin or Garbage Bag
Bring in the plastic basin and put in the parts. You then pour the salt-vinegar mixture into the container to soak the rusty parts. You have to let the racks rest in the mixture overnight to allow the vinegar solution to deal with the rust.
A sturdy basin will do a good job as it will be at rest and less prone to any disturbances. Optionally, you can use heavy-duty garbage bags. You can use two to secure the vinegar mixture for the best results.
Step 4: Removing the Parts and Light Cleaning
After soaking overnight, you will find that the solution has a brownish hue to it. Most of the rust will be off the metal surfaces. You can remove the residual rust using a grill brush and disposable rugs.
You can then spray the parts with water and dry them gently to prevent the recurrence of rust. If the grill is a stainless steel build, you can skip using grill brushes. A rug or cloth will do the job.
Other Options for Cleaning a Rusty Grill
There are other ways to clean a rusty grill besides using vinegar and salt. The following are different options for restoring a rust-ridden grill.
Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
In this instance, we will go back to using vinegar. However, instead of salt, we bring in baking soda. It is ideal when dealing with a small patch of rust on your cooking utility. You will need a cup of baking soda, and gradually add baking soda until it forms a thick paste.
Using a sponge or a similar item, apply the paste to the grill components’ affected sections. Let the paste rest for around half an hour. Now, gently scrub the areas with a soft cloth and rinse with warm water. Do not forget to dry the rack.
Soap and Water
Soap and water can also do a decent job I
in removing rust, especially if it is not that serious. Mix a mild detergent with water and gently scrub the surface of the parts with a rug. If the grill is not a stainless steel build, you can use a grill brush.
A good grill brush will do you justice, guaranteeing you an effortless cleaning session. The Kona 360 grill brush is one of the best that you can find. It has a unique design, sporting three brushes and a well-placed handle. These features are ideal for effective cleaning. Its solid build comes in handy in dealing with tough stains and boosts its durability.
Using Lemon and Detergent
You can use lemon and detergent to get rid of rust from a grill. Apart from lemon and mild detergent, you will also need a cup of olive oil and a grill brush. Dab the brush on the olive oil and gently scrub the rusty sections.
The purpose of olive oil is to protect the grill from abrasions. After scrubbing off the rust from the racks or grids, you focus on the lemon and detergent.
Juice the lemon, and collect its juice in a cup. Use a handful of powder detergent to create a paste with the lemon juice. Put the paste on the affected areas and cover the components with plastic wrap.
Let the paste rest on the surface overnight. You should then rinse the paste with warm water.
Using a Commercial Rust Remover
A commercial rust remover can come to your aid when dealing with a rust problem. The good thing with the rust remover is that most of the time, they are very effective. When getting a rust remover, you should be keen, on ensuring that it is fit for use with cooking tools.
An excellent example of such a reagent is the CLEAN MY STEEL rust remover. It is an effective solution to grease, rust, and other dirt that affect your grill. The cleaner has powerful cleaning properties that will restore your grill’s shine.
Additionally, you can use it to clean your fridge, microwave, and sinks.
Preventive Measures
Preventive measures are the best solution when it comes to dealing with rust. Some of the efforts to pull include washing the grill after each use. After cleaning, you have to dry it well, as moisture is a rust-causing agent.
Store the grill well in areas where it won’t come into contact with moisture. A grill cover can help you shield it from rust agents when not in use.
Closing Remark
Rust on the grill is a turn-off to many as it gets into the way of a perfect grilling session. In case of such an occurrence, you can follow the steps highlighted in this piece to deal with the rust. Prevention is the best weapon against rust. Prevent your grill from getting rust by storing it away from rust-causing agents.