How to Clean Rusty Cast Iron Grills
Cast- iron grills are tough and resilient to any kind of coarse-grained cleansing tool. But don’t use too rough brushes or other abrasive materials to ensure they last long. When dirty or rusted, clean them using grill brush, vinegar, salt, baking soda among other cleaning reagents.
Cleaning using Vinegar
What you need
- 2 cups of vinegar
- Grill brush
- Water
- basin
Rub the rusty surface with white vinegar. Its acidic nature is essential.
Allow the metal surface to settle for some minutes if the rust is less or soak in vinegar for 24hours or more depending on the extent of the rusting.
Use a wire brush to clean the affected area until all the dirt is removed.
Ensure you use the best grill brush and one that is soft but still effective in removing dirt.
Rinse and dry the grill surface well.
Cleaning rust off the grill gates using Baking soda
What you need
- Baking soda
- Steel wool or any abrasive tool
- Water
Apply a thick baking soda paste on the grill gates.
Allow it to settle for some hours
Scrub-off the paste using steel wire until the rust is removed.
Rinse the grill and dry its surface well.
Check this too: Can You Ruin a Cast Iron Pan?
Cleaning rusted grill burners using salt paste
What you need
- Rock salt
- Water
- Steel wire or any abrasive tool
Make a thick paste of salt and apply it on the metal surface.
Use a steel wire to scrub off the rust.
Rinse the surface and dry it well.
Use of abrasive tools like steel wire alone
What you need
- Steel wire
- Soap
- Water
Apply soap on the steel wire and then scrub on the affected wet metal surface.
Do it over and over until the rust is gone.
Rinse off the dirt and dry it.
How to keep cast iron grill safe from rust
After cleaning rust from the grill, it should be kept safe to prevent further rusting.
Seasoning is important as a protective measure. Seasoning is done as follows;
- Scrub the grill with hot soapy water
- Dry it thoroughly
- Spread a thin layer of melted vegetable oil on the cast iron rusted areas
- Place the cast iron in an oven while its upside down at 375⁰ Celsius for an hour
- Keep it safe in a dry place
Is it safe to grill on rusted grates?
It is safe to grill on the rusted grates as long as the rust is not loose. Loose rust when ingested regularly can cause short- or long-term health issues to people. As a result, one will be health-wise affected by iron oxide poisoning. To prevent all these effects, ensure you clean up the rusty iron and importantly prevent rusting.
Check this too: How Long Should a Gas Grill Last?
A rusty iron can be hectic to clean if it left out for so long in rust. Having a regular cleaning routine can help overcome the hectic task of cleaning. Also, using the right tools to clean will keep your grill grates safe for use and less predictable to conditions that cause rusting. Additionally, it protects you from the unhealthy ingestion of iron oxide.