How do I stop grate from rusting?
1094563
I season ours like all our other cast iron cookware: completely scour it, dry it, heat it a little, apply light coat of flaxseed oil, and place in a 500 degree kitchen oven for an hour, let cool in the oven, then repeat the heat, oil, bake, cool 4-5x. My grate is outside a beach house 200' back from the ocean where EVERYTHING rusts. But this grate, it's lasted 7 years so far and the only rusted sections are where the heat is concentrated on the bottom. http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/2010/01/a-science-based-technique-for-seasoning-cast-iron/
1094564
You must soak it in sink or bucket and use a cleaner. What happens is the porcelain emamel is scratched off by using a wire brush which allow rusting of cast iron beneath. Regardless someone in the home always resorts to bushing off cooked food which starts the rusting. I had great success just putting it in the dish washer, but that last just so long because I get lazy.
1094565
I clean hot grill with a wet rag after each use. Then apply liberal amount of peanut oil. I do not use metal brushes as they seem to promote rusting and leave dangerous bristles behind.
1094566
This is our third Weber grille. Very disappointed with the grates. Now, at the end of the second season, we ordered new grates as the originals were rusting, etc. After two weeks, they are already rusting. We are not using wire brushes on this one, and it still causes a problem. We are using a steamer to clean it now, but they already look bad. Very disappointed with this aspect. Otherwise it works good and looks great, but needs stainless steel grates, which are not available. Are you reading this Weber? Don't tell us to take the grille indoors, it's outdoor grille for heaven's sake!!! Either make them better or offer stainless replacements. This is our third Weber grille. Very disappointed with the grates. Now, at the end of the second season, we ordered new grates as the originals were rusting, etc. After two weeks, they are already rusting. We are not using wire brushes on this one, and it still causes a problem. We are using a steamer to clean it now, but they already look bad. Very disappointed with this aspect. Otherwise it works good and looks great, but needs stainless steel grates, which are not available. Are you reading this Weber? Don't tell us to take the grille indoors, it's outdoor grille for heaven's sake!!!... » Read More This is our third Weber grille. Very disappointed with the grates. Now, at the end of the second season, we ordered new grates as the originals were rusting, etc. After two weeks, they are already rusting. We are not using wire brushes on this one, and it still causes a problem. We are using a steamer to clean it now, but they already look bad. Very disappointed with this aspect. Otherwise it works good and looks great, but needs stainless steel grates, which are not available. Are you reading this Weber? Don't tell us to take the grille indoors, it's outdoor grille for heaven's sake!!! Either make them better or offer stainless replacements. « Show Less
1094567
well I would love to know that also. Mine rusts just months after I get a new one. I have to keep getting new ones. Hope another person can answer your/my question
1094568
OK, I saw this answer from another poster and feel that his answer should be repeated. These are porcelain coated cast iron grates. If you want them to last, do not use any kind of metal brush on them. Here's what the other poster and I did. After grilling, turn the grill up high for about ten minutes so the stuff on the grill turns to ash. Let the grill totally cool. Then use a nylon bristle brush instead of a metal one. I brushed the grill, then went over it with a wet nylon brush, then wiped it clean with a paper towel. My last grate lasted about seven years. This method should help it last much longer. OK, I saw this answer from another poster and feel that his answer should be repeated. These are porcelain coated cast iron grates. If you want them to last, do not use any kind of metal brush on them. Here's what the other poster and I did. After grilling, turn the grill up high for about ten minutes so the stuff on the grill turns to ash. Let the grill totally cool. Then use a nylon bristle brush instead of a metal one. I brushed the grill, then went over it with a wet nylon brush, then wiped it clean with a paper towel. My last grate lasted about seven years. This method should help it... » Read More OK, I saw this answer from another poster and feel that his answer should be repeated. These are porcelain coated cast iron grates. If you want them to last, do not use any kind of metal brush on them. Here's what the other poster and I did. After grilling, turn the grill up high for about ten minutes so the stuff on the grill turns to ash. Let the grill totally cool. Then use a nylon bristle brush instead of a metal one. I brushed the grill, then went over it with a wet nylon brush, then wiped it clean with a paper towel. My last grate lasted about seven years. This method should help it last much longer. « Show Less
1094569
It's not 100% cast...I argued with Weber on the phone. The person I spoke with actually suggested that I bring them inside so they wouldn't be exposed to the outdoor air??? It's a grill. It should be able to stay outside. I do not bring the grates or grill in the house, ever! Weber sells them as a cast iron grate, if they were 100% cast, they wouldn't rust! Weber sent me new ones. We love the grill, have two - different sizes, at least Weber made it right.
1094570
I am going to presume, that you are referring to winter storage. The only method that works for me, is to clean off the grate, bring it into the garage and spray it with WD40 oil, and put it into a plastic bag. If you leave the grate outdoors all year, well then it is going to rust. Hope this helps.
1094571
I/m not sure about rusting. I keep my grill covered. I do spray with a cooking spray.
1316087
This appears to be the heavy cast iron grate and if so, should not be flaking black paint off. It's not painted. What I do is use a cheap grade of spray oil such as Pam, etc. and I keep it sprayed before use and after use. It's just like an iron skillet. Before turning burner on, I have a steel brush that I go over the grate with just to knock the burned residue off. It really stays clean and with the spray oil, it does not show rust.
891555
U can use any kind of long stiff tool, even tongs or a steel spatula. It just will not be as sturdy as using the tool. The tool is great, you can use it to life out the entire grate as well
2049361
No problem with the finish at all. Nice grill grate. We put a kettle on it with chili and it held up great.
1633633
The grates come off really easily with a screw driver... pop them off and then use a paper towel.
359860
I have not had any problems with rust. After I use it, I rinse it under the faucet and throw it in the drain rack. I had my first one for 15 years and have had this one for 9 months. I love it!
2041893
We got a cleaning kit that came with the grille. Haven't used any of the cleaning solutions in it, but it did contain a wire brush that we use to clean the grates. I think the grate is stainless steel on this grille that doesn't rust. I hope so anyway. I don't know of anything else to remove the solid deposits.
388676
Just get a grill cleaning brush. I use my brush to clean the grates after I use my grill and I've never had an issue getting anything off.
600133
I also have a rust problem and found the best method is to install a prefilter upstream of this one. Use one of the white string wound type filters. It helps this filter last longer. Otherwise, you get about a month or so of use.
517901
To be sure wrap it in cardboard and take it inside or just the 4 inserts and let the ring rust a bit. To store outside clean out the grill(ash somehow increases the humidity inside), leave it a bit open for air circulation on top and bottom and use a grill cover, you should be fine too. Mine was a bit rusty after the winter, I use a spatula to scrape it off and a cloth dipped in veggie oil to clean. Let the grill heat up for an hour and the grate should be like new.
2018744
The grill can rust,plus you want to keep the electrical parts of it dry.Its in your best interest to cover it.
666985
The rust you see, may just be mineral deposits. Stainless steel often becomes discolored in hard water. Try soaking in white vinegar (the acid in the vinegar removes the minerals). Thoroughly rinse the pot in warm soapy water. If you are worried about germs add about 4 drops of bleach and let soak. A stronger bleach solution may remove other discolorations. Be careful of using too much vinegar or bleach if they come in contact with plastic parts.
533223
I have had this product since Oct. 2014 and the grommets have not rusted. Hope this help!!! P.S. I still have it hanging.
1503463
The grates like the body of the hibachi are CAST IRON. What you are experiencing comes from either moisture causing rust, or excess heat causing oxidation or BOTH. The very best thing you can do to prevent the problem is to care for those grates better than you have. FIRST use a stiff brass bristle brush to clean as much of the oxidized metal away. Second coat your grates with a good cooking oil BEFORE use. The more you can get to soak into the cast iron which is porous, the better. Watch your heat, cooking meats more slowly is usually better anyhow. Third, when you are done, brush cooking debris off the grates with the same brass bristle brush OVER the fire so it all incinerates. Coat the grates with cooking oil. Store in a dry location. Grates SHOULD last 5-10 years with good care. Order replacements from the manufacturer.
326468
It is recommended (and I do!) use distilled water...very inexpensive and I've seen no rust at all.
1369127
I use a Weber wire brush grill cleaner with some liquid Weber grill spray-on cleaner. Both work well together. I never let water even touch my grill grate. I always keep the top on my BBQ and I always keep it covered so I've never worried about rust.
289609
The very best way to deal with rust is to soak your cookware in a solution of water and vinager for about 15 minnutes, then reseason with lard, Bacon grease or olive oil. DO NOT soak for an extended period of time.as the vinager will degrade the iron. It is that strong!