Like a number of other NG users, I have a rusted cast iron grate for my
Weber Silver B. Does anyone have a good way to try to remove the rust and
clean the grates? Someone suggested using oven cleaner, with or without the
cleaning cycle of a self clean oven. I'm afraid to do that because the oven
is about to explode, hopefully not
until we install the new one this spring.
As I said in the post just above, I bought the porcelein coated grate, and
am very happy with it.
It would be interesting to compare the coated and non coated seasoned grate.
I'm afraid the seasoned grate
may win, though we'll see.
Thanks for any ideas that work,

Kent

"Kent" > wrote in message
...
> Like a number of other NG users, I have a rusted cast iron grate for my
> Weber Silver B. Does anyone have a good way to try to remove the rust and
> clean the grates? Someone suggested using oven cleaner, with or without
> the cleaning cycle of a self clean oven. I'm afraid to do that because the
> oven is about to explode, hopefully not
> until we install the new one this spring.
> As I said in the post just above, I bought the porcelein coated grate, and
> am very happy with it.
> It would be interesting to compare the coated and non coated seasoned
> grate. I'm afraid the seasoned grate
> may win, though we'll see.
> Thanks for any ideas that work,

My suggestion is first wire brush as much of the rust off as you can. Then
apply multiple applications of naval jelly, following the directions. When
you have only bare metal (no more rust), then wash the grates thoroughly
with soap and water (especially if these grates hold food directly). After
the final water rinse, season the grates with veggie oil and heat.

Oven cleaner will work only on organic substances...the lye is the active
ingredient.

Unless the rust is flaking off, I'd take a more moderate approach. I'd
just wire brush or sandpaper them to get as much rust off as reasonable,
then grease them up and heat them up. When cool, I'd wipe them down
really well with a towel, recoat and heat again. In a couple sessions,
you should not get much rust back when you towel them off. From then
on, I'd just get to cooking.

This is the primary reason I don't like raw cast iron grates. It's the
mass of the grates that transmits heat to create the sear lines we all
like. Sure, SS has a lower coefficent of heat transfer, but it still
works. It works without hassles, heats up pretty quick and wire brushes
clean. If you go away and it gets damp, it won't rust. For the best
compromise between hassles, rust, heat transfer and looks, I'll still
take the heavy SS rods.

Nonny

Lawrence Akutagawa wrote:
> "Kent" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Like a number of other NG users, I have a rusted cast iron grate for my
>> Weber Silver B. Does anyone have a good way to try to remove the rust and
>> clean the grates? Someone suggested using oven cleaner, with or without
>> the cleaning cycle of a self clean oven. I'm afraid to do that because the
>> oven is about to explode, hopefully not
>> until we install the new one this spring.
>> As I said in the post just above, I bought the porcelein coated grate, and
>> am very happy with it.
>> It would be interesting to compare the coated and non coated seasoned
>> grate. I'm afraid the seasoned grate
>> may win, though we'll see.
>> Thanks for any ideas that work,
>
> My suggestion is first wire brush as much of the rust off as you can. Then
> apply multiple applications of naval jelly, following the directions. When
> you have only bare metal (no more rust), then wash the grates thoroughly
> with soap and water (especially if these grates hold food directly). After
> the final water rinse, season the grates with veggie oil and heat.
>
> Oven cleaner will work only on organic substances...the lye is the active
> ingredient.
>
>

--
---Nonnymus---

TINSTAAFL
There Is No Such Thing
As A Free Lunch

I'm not sure this idea will work for rust since I have not had that problem,
but it is at least a good way to do normal cleaning of your cooking grates.

Wad up a piece of aluminum foil, start with a sheet about one foot square.
Use the wadded ball to rub the grates in the direction of the rods, not
across the rods.

This is an excellent cleaning method, cheap, quick and easy to use. It
might also work on your rust problem. At least it is easy and cheap to try.
Good luck. Bob

"Kent" > wrote in message
...
Like a number of other NG users, I have a rusted cast iron grate for my
Weber Silver B. Does anyone have a good way to try to remove the rust and
clean the grates? Someone suggested using oven cleaner, with or without the
cleaning cycle of a self clean oven. I'm afraid to do that because the oven
is about to explode, hopefully not
until we install the new one this spring.
As I said in the post just above, I bought the porcelein coated grate, and
am very happy with it.
It would be interesting to compare the coated and non coated seasoned grate.
I'm afraid the seasoned grate
may win, though we'll see.
Thanks for any ideas that work,

Kent

Kent wrote:
> Like a number of other NG users, I have a rusted cast iron grate for my
> Weber Silver B. Does anyone have a good way to try to remove the rust and
> clean the grates? Someone suggested using oven cleaner, with or without the
> cleaning cycle of a self clean oven. I'm afraid to do that because the oven
> is about to explode, hopefully not
> until we install the new one this spring.
> As I said in the post just above, I bought the porcelein coated grate, and
> am very happy with it.
> It would be interesting to compare the coated and non coated seasoned grate.
> I'm afraid the seasoned grate
> may win, though we'll see.
> Thanks for any ideas that work,
>
> Kent
>
>
Get yourself a bottle of pool acid. That will take all your rust off.
Brush, rinse and reseason.

"Kent" > wrote in message
...
> Like a number of other NG users, I have a rusted cast iron grate for my
> Weber Silver B. Does anyone have a good way to try to remove the rust and
> clean the grates? Someone suggested using oven cleaner, with or without
> the cleaning cycle of a self clean oven. I'm afraid to do that because the
> oven is about to explode, hopefully not
> until we install the new one this spring.
> As I said in the post just above, I bought the porcelein coated grate, and
> am very happy with it.
> It would be interesting to compare the coated and non coated seasoned
> grate. I'm afraid the seasoned grate
> may win, though we'll see.
> Thanks for any ideas that work,
>
> Kent


I noticed the cast iron grates on my grill rusting too. It finally occured
to me that I burn the seasoning off every time I used the grill. Now I just
dip a wire brush in oil and give them a good coat as soon as the grates cool
off a bit and no more rust.

Ms P