Removing Rust from Outdoor Grills

Outdoor grills can get rusty after a few months of not being used. It is important to clean the rust away to ensure food safety before using the grills again. Here are some methods that work.

Grill Abrasive

A grill abrasive scrub can remove a good amount of rust in no time. If the rust is only surface deep, soak the grill with water using a damp sponge and begin scrubbing the rusty surfaces. To clean thicker rust, pour some mild detergent into the water first before using it to soak the rusty metal parts of the grill. After scrubbing, wash the rust and the soap residue with water.

To clean the grill a lot more easily and thoroughly, detach it from the unit first. This allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas. It also allows easier rinsing.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda and vinegar are two of the most environmentally friendly ways of cleaning rust from grills and any other metal objects. Get a cup of baking soda, add vinegar bit by bit until it forms a consistent paste. Apply the paste onto the grill using a sponge or a scouring pad. Allow the paste to sit for about 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub the grill with the scouring pad until the rust is removed completely. Use a grill abrasive scrub for tough rust stains. Rinse with water to remove any residue.

Lemon Juice and Detergent

Lemon juice can also dissolve the rust much like vinegar. Mix the juice with detergent and water to create a paste. Apply the paste onto the grill’s surfaces and cover it with plastic so the water does not evaporate easily. Allow the paste to stay on the grill for about 24 hours. Afterwards, remove the plastic covering, scrub the grill with a scouring pad or brush, and rinse with water thoroughly.

Coca-Cola

Coke drinks contain phosphoric acid, which is a main ingredient in many commercial rust removal products in the market. Because the drink is so accessible, it can be used as a quick solution to rusty outdoor grills. Buy 2 to 3 liters of coke to soak the grill. Submerge the grill into the coke and leave it overnight. On the next day, scrub the rust away with a scouring pad or brush. Rinse the rust and the residue with water. If some of the rust still clings onto the metal surfaces, repeat the process.

Naval Jelly

Use this product only when the rust is too deep for any of the above methods to remove. Make sure to use rubber gloves because the product is made up of concentrated phosphoric acid. Apply the product onto the grill and let it sit for about 10 minutes but no more than 15 minutes. Scrub the rust away and rinse thoroughly with water. Mix a paste of baking soda and apply it on the metal surfaces. Allow the paste to sit for about 20 minutes to neutralize the effect of the acid. Wash with water thoroughly.