How to Remove Rust From a Barbecue

Even avid outdoor cooks may not clean their grills as often as they should, and many barbecues are left exposed to rain and damp conditions throughout the year. That leads to rust, even in the best makes and models.

Things You'll Need

• Kitchen soap
• Old rags
• WD-40
• Wire brush
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Spray can of Rust-Oleum High Heat Enamel

Instructions

1. Remove leftover charcoal and dump any ash remaining in the pan. Rinse out the pan. As long as you are removing rust from one part of the barbecue, you should inspect the entire thing for additional rust patches.

2. Remove the grill and scrub off burnt food residue with soapy water and a wire brush. Dry the grill with an old rag.

3. Spray WD-40 onto the grill and scrub the rust off with a wire brush. This is the quick method, but you may be uncomfortable with applying WD-40 to a cooking surface. In that case, go to Step 4.

4. Mix lemon juice and salt in equal proportions. The mixture should have the consistency of sludge. Smear it onto the rusty patches of the grill and leave it on overnight, then wipe it away. This method takes longer but uses only natural components.

5. Wash away any rust-removal residue, whether it be from salty lemon juice or WD-40, using soapy water and an old rag.

6. Spray Rust-Oleum High Heat Enamel onto any rusty patches on the barbecue grill. This will paint over the rust and destroy it but will hold up under cooking temperatures.

References

• Thrifty Fun: Removing Rust
• Removing Rust Stains