Does a Stainless Steel Grill Rust?

Outdoor grills face difficult weather conditions and are exposed to changes in heat and moisture. Under these circumstances, people sometimes find that their stainless steel grill develops rust and corrosion.

Stainless Steel Grill Rust

Despite their reputation as completely immune, stainless steel grill barbecue sets can be affected by certain chemicals. Stainless steel is not a guarantee against corrosion, since steel is still made up of mostly iron, making rust possible. If a stainless steel grill is heated to certain temperatures it can compromise the corrosion resistance. The grill heated to high temperatures and then cooling slowly might be enough to trigger rust.

Cleaning Rust off

Steel wool is recommended by some, but in fact this can contribute to corrosion. A commercial rust treatment such as “Naval Jelly” will work better, but be sure to wash the entire stainless steel grill after using it, as it can be toxic. As another alternative, take it to a cleaning professional and have the stainless steel grill passivated. This involves dipping it in nitric acid to strengthen the oxide layer that makes "stainless steel" stainless.