Different people buy cast iron grill grates for a number of reasons. First, they are very durable. If they are properly maintained, the grates will actually last longer than your grill easily. The grates are also able to retain even heat when you are cooking. This ensures the food is properly cooked. Continuous use of cast iron grates with regular seasoning will also make it nonstick just like the cast iron pan. Despite the durability, cast iron grills are not 100% foolproof. They are prone to rust and if not cleaned and maintained properly, they will become unusable very fast.
Here we will look at basic maintenance tips for cast iron grates including how to clean them. We will also show you a few tips grilling made easy by Raymond-nh on how to keep the grates in good condition for a long time.
Step-by-Step Process
You can keep your grill clean by cleaning it properly every time you use it. It sounds a little obvious but you would be surprised by the number of people who actually don’t do it. Once you have finished grilling and the food is removed from the grate, open up all the vents if you are using a charcoal grill. In case you are using gas, turn up the grill and close the lid.
The aim here is to make sure that the grate gets really hot. This helps to burn off the stuck food. Once this is done, turn off the grill. Let it cool until you can clean it up using your hands. While the grill is warm, scrape off any of the remaining stuck food on the grates by using a grill brush. Clean the bare metal up after that and let it dry. Once the grates are dry, it’s time to put in some anti-rust measures. Applying a thin layer of vegetable oil should work. However, make sure you apply a very thin layer.
How Do I Clean My Cast Iron Grates?
Grates should be cleaned on a regular basis with warm water. Make sure they are also rinsed in clean water before putting them back in storage.
How Do You Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates on a Weber Grill?
You can use neutral cooking oil for this. Apply it carefully on the grill using a piece of paper or towel. This should work to prevent rust in the future. In addition to this, Weber cast iron grates need different care. For example, you can never use hard steel wire brushes to clean them. There are some custom brass or stainless steel bristles that can be used instead. Although some of the costly gas grills don’t have easy cleaning feature as compared to the gas grill in mid price range. Some of the best mid price Weber grills are really worthy which has all awesome features to make the grill ideal for customers.
How Do You Remove Rust from the Cast Iron Grill?
Normally, you can remove rust from your cast iron grill using a mixture of baking soda or white vinegar. However, in some cases, the rust may be too predominant. You will, therefore, require something more abrasive. Kosher salt and water should work here. Just apply it in all the rusty areas and use steel wool on the rust. It may take a few minutes before all the rust is removed so keep repeating the process until you are done.
Is It OK to Grill on Rusted Grates?
No, it’s not safe to grill on a rusted grate. This is because the rust will easily stick to the food. The last thing you want is to eat rust. Although ingesting it once will not cause any harm, doing it on a regular basis will pose some health risks.