How To Restore Your Cast Iron Grill Grates

Cast iron grill grates are heavier metal than stainless steel so they retain more heat. They’re great if you want an even cook with deeper grill marks. The marks not only look fantastic on a grilled steak but also help develop textures and flavors. Heat radiating from the grates allows for both a red hot sear and a slow cook which makes cast iron a versatile material to barbecue with. Cast iron grates are often coated with a porcelain ceramic finish to help protect them from wear and tear, rust, chips and scratches. They’re a very durable and long lasting material. But they need proper care and maintenance to stay in good condition. When the grates start to wear out, you can restore them with proper care, cleaning and maintenance.

Burnt food, sauces, sugars, oil, grease and other debris can accumulate on the grates. This can interfere with their nonstick properties and may grow bacteria. Grease and oils can trap moisture which can create rust. Small amounts of surface rust can be cleaned with a brush or steel wool. But if you don’t maintain the grates, rust can spread deep which destroys the metal.

If you leave the grates outdoors and uncovered for long periods of time, they may become rusty or grow mildew. Make sure your grill is covered and dry when not in use.

Cast iron grill grates can usually be cleaned and restored if you regularly maintain them. However, you may need to replace the grates if rust starts to eat deeper into the metal, if they start to crack, chip or become difficult to clean.

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your grill grates helps prevent and restore rust, chips, cracks, scratches and their non-stick properties.

Remove Debris From The Grill Grates

Regular maintenance is very important if you want your cast iron grill grates to last. They’re a heavy duty metal that’s durable and long lasting, but they’re susceptible to rust. Make sure to clean your grates after every use and keep them dry. If small amounts of surface rust starts to appear, you can restore the grates by sanding the rust off with some steel wool or a wire brush.

Scrub cast iron grill grates with a dry wire brush or steel wool to remove rust, burnt food particles, sauces, grease and grime. Scrub off as much as possible with a grill brush and use a metal scraper to chip off large chunks.

Keeping your grates clean is very important because it helps prevent rust.

Remove Surface Rust

Surface rust should be removed from cast iron grill grates immediately. If you allow the rust to sit uncleaned, it can eat deeper into the metal which can destroy the grates. Cast iron is a very durable material, but it’s highly susceptible to rust. Most grates are covered by a matte or glossy enamel finish which helps prevent rust. But over time the coating wears off, chips or scratches which allows moisture to reach the iron. As soon as you see any signs of rust, clean it off immediately and oil the grates.

Clean surface rust off your cast iron grill grates with a dry wire brush or steel wool. Rub gently until the rust is removed.
Coat a paper towel in vegetable oil. Rub the grill grates with the oil until they come clean.
Soak another paper towel with white distilled vinegar and scrub any remaining rust spots. Only use the vinegar as a last resort if the wire brush and oil don’t work.

You can maintain and restore cast iron grill grates with proper care, cleaning and maintenance. Take rust seriously and clean it off as soon as you find it. Iron is a very durable material but it’s prone to rusting which can eventually destroy the grates.

How To Restore Cast Iron Grill Grates

One of the best ways to restore your cast iron grill grates while preventing future rust is to season them with oil. Seasoning is oil baked onto cast iron through a process called polymerization. It seals the grates and gives them a natural, easy-release cooking surface which helps prevent rusting.

Apply a layer of vegetable oil to the grates with a paper towel.
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, or preheat your grill on low.
Place the oil-coated grill grates in the oven or covered grill.
Check the grates every 30 minutes and apply more vegetable oil if they dry out.
Let the grates bake for 1 to 2 hours while checking every 30 minutes.

Remove the grates from the oven and wipe them clean with paper towels. Make sure to completely remove all the oil. Then repeat the entire process a 2nd time.

Apply a final thin coat of vegetable oil to the entire grate. Turn the heat off and leave the grates in the oven or grill until it cools. This could takes several hours. This allows the oil to slow bake into the iron.

Once cool, remove the grates and wipe them dry. Place them back on the grill or store them in a dry place until you need them.

How To Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates

The best way to keep your grill grates clean and rust-free is to clean them after every use. Once you’ve finished grilling and removed your food, open the vents if you’re using charcoal or turn up the heat to high if using a gas grill and close the lid. This allows the grill to get hot enough to burn off loose food particles, sauces, grime and sugars.

Let the grates bake for about 5 minutes before shutting off the heat. While your grill is still warm, scrape the grates with a grill brush. Use a scraper to remove food that won’t come off the grates with your brush.

Once you’re done scraping the grates, wipe them down with some vegetable oil. Use clean paper towels to remove excess oil from the grates. Close the hood and let the grill cool down with the grates inside.

If you use your grill regularly, remove the grates and let them soak in warm soapy water about once a month. Rinse and dry them completely before placing them back on the grill or into storage.

Make sure to remove any surface rust you find immediately with a dry wire brush or steel wool. Then rub the grates with oil and season them to prevent future rust.

Summary: How To Restore Your Cast Iron Grill Grates

If you leave the grates outdoors and uncovered for long periods of time, they may become rusty or grow mildew. Make sure your grill is covered and dry when not in use.

Cast iron grill grates can usually be cleaned and restored if you regularly maintain them. However, you may need to replace the grates if rust starts to eat deeper into the metal.

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your grill grates helps prevent and restore rust, chips, cracks, scratches and their non-stick properties.

If you have any questions or comments about how to restore cast iron grill grates, email any time.