Prep first
Before you start
- Brush off the loose rust before anything wet touches the metal.
- Let the grates cool before you clean them.
- Wear rubber gloves for any commercial rust remover.
- Rinse the grates well and dry them completely.
Rust on grill grates is iron oxide, and letting it spread only makes the job bigger. Light patches usually come off with scrubbing, but rust severe enough to eat through the metal calls for the maker's customer support. Chlorine bleach oxidizes iron further, so skip it.
Start with a stiff brush and see how much comes off before reaching for anything stronger. A scouring cleanser on a pad can handle light patches on cast iron grill grates. Once the rust is gone, dry the grates and oil them so the rust doesn't return on your griddle or grill.
Before you start
What grill grates can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care6
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat, once the stain is out
7 items
What you'll need
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- Grill brushScrapes loose flakes out of the gaps and scrubs the softened rust.
- White vinegarThe acid in the light-rust mix. Use plain white, since colored vinegar can leave a stain. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaMixed with the vinegar for the light-rust treatment. (opens Amazon)
- Cooking oilA thin layer on the dry metal protects it from moisture after cleaning.
- Wire brush or coarse steel woolFor set-in rust on bare metal, when the grill brush can't cut through. (opens Amazon)
- Commercial rust removerFor set-in rust, used exactly as its label directs. (opens Amazon)
- Heavy-duty rubber glovesProtect your skin from any commercial rust remover. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Brush off loose rust
Take the grates out and scrape off the loose flakes with a grill brush, working into the gaps between the bars. Get as much flaking rust off as you can before anything wet touches the metal.
Careful. Cleaning product shouldn't go on a hot surface, so wait until the grates are cool.
Step 2 of 6
Apply the vinegar and baking soda mix
Mix white vinegar with baking soda, then brush the mixture onto the light rust patches. Leave it on the rust until the flakes start to soften, and reapply if it dries out first.
Step 3 of 6
Scrub until bare metal shows
Scrub the softened rust with the grill brush until the orange comes off and the metal shows underneath. Keep going section by section until the light patches are gone.
Tip. Work in small sections so the mix doesn't dry out before you reach it.
Step 4 of 6
Rinse the grates thoroughly
Rinse the grates with plenty of clean water until no foam or vinegar smell is left in the gaps. Rinse well, because any acid left on the metal can keep working on it.
Step 5 of 6
Dry the grates completely
Dry every bar with a towel, then let the grates air dry until no moisture remains in the joints. Check the gaps closely, since damp spots are where new rust starts.
Step 6 of 6
Oil and cover the grill
Wipe a thin layer of oil over the dry grates, then set them back in the grill. Cover the grill between uses so moisture stays off the metal.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for rust on grill grates
Pick a commercial rust remover labeled for metal, and check that your grates' finish can take it before you buy.
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on grill grates, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The grates are working when the flakes lift with the brush and the metal underneath looks bare and gray rather than orange. If the orange still comes back after a full pass, the stain is set in and you should move to the set-in treatment.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your grill grates
Blackstone
Work the flat top in sections, brushing off the loose flakes first and then applying the vinegar and baking soda mix only to the rusted patches. Rust that has spread across a wide area is easier to handle one section at a time.
Once a section is clean, rinse it and dry it fully before you move on. Finish by oiling the top thinly and covering it between uses, since a wet steel surface rusts fast.
Blackstone griddle
Work the griddle top in sections so the mix doesn't dry out before you scrub it. Concentrate on the rusted spots, and leave the clean steel alone.
Once the spots are clean, rinse the section and dry it fully before moving on. Finish by oiling the top thinly and covering the griddle between uses.
Cast iron grill grates
Cast iron grates respond to the same light-rust method: brush, apply the vinegar and baking soda mix, then rinse and dry. A small rust patch can also be scrubbed off with a cloth and some salt before you try anything stronger.
Heavier rust on cast iron calls for the set-in treatment, and the rest of the care is specific to the metal. See the cast iron guide on this site for the full routine.
Grill grate
A single grate is easy to lift out and clean on a flat surface, so you can brush it all over and treat every side. Use the vinegar and baking soda mix on the light rust and scrub until the metal shows.
Pay attention to the spot where the rust started, since moisture left there is what brings it back. Rinse, dry, and oil the grate before putting it back in the grill.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Old rust that has been sitting for months usually needs more than a brush. Start with a wire brush or coarse steel wool on the bare metal, working until the flaking layer comes off. Lump pumice also works on bare steel if the brush isn't cutting through.
Rust that has dried hard can be loosened with a commercial rust remover, used exactly as its label directs. Wear heavy-duty rubber gloves, pretest on a small hidden spot first, and rinse thoroughly afterward.
Rust stains can be very difficult to remove, so expect to repeat the remover treatment once if rust still shows. Once the metal is clean and dry, finish with the oil and covering routine.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on rust on grill grates?
Most household remedies do little for rust on grates. The vinegar and baking soda mix is the only one in the steps, and salt has a narrow use on small patches.
Works2Helps1Skip4
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use chlorine bleach on rust
Bleach is an oxidizer made at an alkaline pH, so it oxidizes the iron further and makes the rust look worse. It sets the stain, and a set stain is much harder to lift later.
Don't mix acids with chlorine bleach
Vinegar, lemon, or any commercial rust remover combined with bleach can release toxic gas. Rinse each product fully before you use another, and keep them in separate steps.
Don't use a rust remover on porcelain or enamel
Commercial rust removers can ruin porcelain and enamel finishes, including the coated grates some grills use. Check the finish first, and if the grates are coated, skip the remover and use the brush and mix only.
Don't store the grates wet
Leftover moisture causes rust, so never leave grates soaking or put them away damp. Dry them completely before covering the grill.
When to call a professional
If the rust has eaten through the metal, contact the maker's customer support instead of attempting a repair. Light and set-in rust on intact grates can usually be handled with the steps above.
Questions
Can I use bleach to clean rusty grill grates?
No. Chlorine bleach makes rust stains worse and sets them in place. Use the brush and vinegar and baking soda mix instead.
Is white vinegar safe on grill grates?
Yes, for light rust it's the acid in the mix used in this method. Use plain white vinegar, since colored vinegar can leave a stain.
Do I need to oil the grates after cleaning?
Yes, a thin layer of oil protects the bare metal from moisture after cleaning. Skipping it leaves the grates open to new rust, even when they're dry.
Can I use salt on cast iron rust?
Yes, for a small rust patch. Scrub it with a cloth and some salt. For heavier rust, use the set-in treatment, and see the cast iron guide on this site for the full routine.
How long can a rust remover stay on?
Don't leave a commercial rust remover on a surface longer than 2 minutes, and use it only where you can rinse it off thoroughly. Follow the label for the exact directions.
Can I use steel wool on a Blackstone?
Yes, coarse steel wool can work on rust that won't lift with a brush, but only on bare steel. Rinse, dry, and oil the surface right after you're done.
Rust on other materials
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.