What am I doing wrong? (Re: Grill gates and rust)

[JackofAllTrades]

I replaced a rusted grate in the spring that was only 1 years old and I pulled out my grill a week ago after about a month or two hiatus and it's starting to rust as well. I keep both of my 22.5"s in the garage with a grill cover on them. I do not scrape the grates after cooking.

Am I missing something?

Regards,
Keith

[HoosierKettle]

Yes. Rust doesn't hurt anything as long as it's not rusted through what's the problem?  give it a scrape and rub with some cooking oil and grill on.  Grilling frequently and leaving the grease from the last cook prevents rust


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[JackofAllTrades]

I was worried rust was unhealthy to cook on and perhaps ingest... That could be my ignorance though.

It didn't seem rusted through so I'll try to salvage it if possible. I typically do something once or twice a month, I had just gotten really busy on the weekends and 2 months went by. I thought it would be okay being inside and covered.

Thanks for the reply @HoosierKettle

[pbe gummi bear]

Jack, where do you live? sometimes a damp environment can cause rusting. I would leave your top and bottom vents open to release any trapped moisture. Frequently cooking at high heat or extremely high heat can also lead to the breakdown of the chrome plating and cause rust more easily. You can oil your grates at the end of the cook to mitigate this. Surface rust is no problem. Just wipr brush it off at the beginning of the next cook. You would only need to worry about large flakes of rust. We dont need to eat that much iron. hope that helps

[JackofAllTrades]

South Carolina so it stays pretty humid here. The last time I had cooked on it, there was a little bit of condensation on the lid and bowl due to lower temps and humidity so maybe that's what caused this particular event.

So you're saying once I kill the charcoal and get the kettle cooled down, open the vents back up indefinitely while it is being stored? I'll definitely try oiling the grate at the end of my cooks to help with this.

Thanks @pbe gummi bear

-Keith

[Filibuster]

   The missing link seems to be oiling the grates immediately after washing them. Case closed.

[swamprb]

Practice your ABC's

Always Be Cookin'!

[Lightning]

Are you near the Atlantic coast by any chance?  Salt air from the sea can be rough on iron and steel.

[kettlebb]

Find stainless replacements.


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[TD]

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Hinged-Cooking-Charcoal-Grills/dp/B01M1LEKPX/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480994316&sr=8-2&keywords=stainless+7436+round+weber+grate

[kettlebb]

That's strange. I was going to post the link to those grates but when I searched Amazon they were not in stock an hour ago. Those are nice grates. I'm using it right now in my Performer and they are of great quality and workmanship. You'll be happy you bought them.


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[JackofAllTrades]

   The missing link seems to be oiling the grates immediately after washing them. Case closed.

I never stated that I was washing them, but that is good advice, thanks!

[JackofAllTrades]

Are you near the Atlantic coast by any chance?  Salt air from the sea can be rough on iron and steel.

I'm far enough away that salt air should not be an issue. I'm 100+ miles away.

[JackofAllTrades]

That's strange. I was going to post the link to those grates but when I searched Amazon they were not in stock an hour ago. Those are nice grates. I'm using it right now in my Performer and they are of great quality and workmanship. You'll be happy you bought them.

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Hinged-Cooking-Charcoal-Grills/dp/B01M1LEKPX/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480994316&sr=8-2&keywords=stainless+7436+round+weber+grate

I was looking at these yesterday as well and they were also out of stock then. I'm ordering now, thank you!

[YardBurner]

Are you near the Atlantic coast by any chance?  Salt air from the sea can be rough on iron and steel.

Nobody ever seems to mention the salt trapped in the fat from the previous cook.
It's left in direct contact with the grate.  A quick brush down once the kettle is cool
and a light coating of oil either sprayed or wiped on will do the trick.

It's especially true for CI grates.

-Rob