An outdoor grill is a great investment. When you own a grill, you can cook a variety of different foods and the flavor is amazing.
The cost of an outdoor grill varies depending on the size and the features. You can find a good grill for under $200 if you are an occasional griller. If you are an expert griller who cooks out often, you can pay upwards of $1,000 for a built in grill.
Regardless of the amount of money that you spent on your grill, you need to protect it from rust. If you protect your grill from getting rusted, you won’t need to worry about replacing your grill. Also, you can be sure that the food that you are serving is safe for consumption.
If you want to know how to prevent a grill from rusting, there are a few tips that you should follow.
How Should I Protect My Grill From Rust ?
Tip #1: Don’t Pour Liquids Directly On Your Grill
If you are planning to add a marinade to your meat such as barbecue sauce, you should avoid pouring it over the meat while the meat is on the grill. The excess sauce will get into the grill’s burners. Not only will this clog the burners, it will also cause it to rust. If you are planning to use a marinade on your meat, you should pour it over the meat over a plate in the kitchen. This will protect your grill from becoming rusted.
Tip #2: Keep Your Grill Clean
A great way to keep your grill from rusting is to keep it clean. If you have a gas grill, allow the grill to cool down before you start to clean it. If there are any grill particles stuck in the grates of the grill, you should use a grill brush to remove them. When the food particles have been removed, you should use a bristle-free brush. This will remove any bristles that have fallen off the bristle brush.
If you have a charcoal grill, you want to clean it while it is still hot. Before scrubbing your grill with a brush, you should sprinkle some water over the grates. This will help to remove any food particles. When the grill has cooled down, you should get rid of any leftover ashes or coals and clean the box with soapy water.
You should remember that a clean grill is a protected grill.
Tip #3: Deep Clean Your Grill
It is a good idea to do a deep cleaning on your grill after every 10 to 15 grilling sessions. To give your grill a deep cleaning, remove the grates. You should soak them in hot water combined with a ¼ cup of baking soda and a mild dish soap. Allow the grates to soak for about an hour. This will loosen up any food particles that have stuck on. Before putting the grate back on the grill, wipe it down with a wet cloth to be sure that all of the food particles have been removed.
The next step is to clean the burners. Start by putting a non-abrasive cleaner on a cloth and wipe down the burners. You also need to clean the burner holes and the inlet holes. A pipe brush will work great because it will fit easily into the holes.
Next, clean the drip trays. You can either wash them by hand or for a deeper cleaning, you can put them in the dishwasher.
Finally, you should clean the outside of your grill. All you will need is a mild detergent and a cloth. Wipe down the outside of the grill, wheels and all. Not only will keeping the outside of the grill clean prevent rust, it will also make it look better.
Tip #4: Oil Your Grill
When you first bought your grill, there is a chance that you “seasoned” it using vegetable oil. This is done to prepare the grill for use. The first time you use the grill isn’t the only time that you need to apply vegetable oil to your grill.
After cleaning your grill, allow it to cool down. Next, apply a thin layer of oil over the grate. This will repel the moisture, keeping it from rusting. You should never use aerosol vegetable oil because it can be dangerous. It is best to pour the oil on a rag or on a bush to apply it to the grates. You should allow the oil to sit on the grates for maximum protection.
Tip #5: Cover and Store Your Grill
It is important that you cover and store your grill when it is not in use. The method that you choose depends on where you live. If you live in a warm climate, you should remember to cover it when it has cooled down. If it rains, your grill will be protected.
You can purchase a grill cover at your local hardware store or online. Fortunately, grill covers are very affordable. If you live close to the ocean, you need to pay special attention when you clean and cover the grill. If you don’t properly care for your grill, the salty air can cause it to corrode. Finally, if you live in a cold climate where it is cold and snows during the winter, you should cover it with a tight-fitting vinyl cover.
If possible, you should store it in the garage or the shed for the winter. Because the moisture levels can be high during the winter, you should keep your grill covered while it is being stored.
Make Your Grill Last Years
If you want to increase the lifespan of your grill, you need to know how to prevent it from getting rusted. When the grill starts to rust, the rust can get into the food that you serve.
Before you use the grill each time, you should inspect it for rust to be sure that you are serving food that is safe. After each use, you should follow the tips listed above to keep the grill from becoming rusted. It will take some extra time after you are done grilling but it will be worth it in the long run.
