Dealing with Rusty Grill Rack
Datetime:2015-05-19 Hits:
If you leave your barbecue outdoors, you may soon need to know how to clean rusty grill grates. Keeping grill racks rust free can be a challenge due to the exposure your grill receives outdoors.Whether your grill is charcoal or gas, the racks need to be cleaned properly on a regular basis. Cooking on clean grill racks will improve the taste of your food, minimize food safety hazards, make clean-up easier, and extend the useful life of your grill.
The method you use to clean your grill racks will depend on what material they are made of. Typically barbecue grills racks are made of stainless steal or another type of metal. Most people clean their grill after each use with a stiff wire brush. This can be effective in removing the rust off of most racks, but could harm the finish of a stainless steel grill. Below are several methods of cleaning rust from grill racks. You may want to use the gentlest method first, and work your way down the list until the rust is gone.
1. Brush away any loose food particles left on the grilling rack with a brass grill brush while the grill is still warm, but after the coals have died out.
2. Rinse the grilling rack completely and leave the grill uncovered so the grate can dry thoroughly.
3. Remove the cold ashes from the bottom of the grill to prevent them from retaining moisture, which can cause the grill racks to rust prematurely and interfere with airflow the next time you use the grill.
4. Prevent rust from forming on your grill racks by covering your barbecue with a proper fitting cover; this will keep most of the moisture off of your grill. Clean the racks after each use; food debris left on the grill will rust in a shorter period of time than a clean grill. After you have cleaned your racks, coat the grill racks with vegetable oil. Vegetable oil repels water and keeps parts from rusting. Inspect your grill racks frequently in the winter to check for rust. Remove any small amounts of rust promptly to prevent more from forming and damaging the metal.
