How To Fix Rusted Grill Bottom- Step By Step Guide

People who love Barbecue and are obsessed with Grill often worry about one common thing. It’s the RUST on the Grills. And what makes it more awful is having the bottom part of the Grill get rusted severely. So, many users look for the definitive guide on fixing rusted Grill bottom.

To solve the problem, we’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to fix the rusted Grill bottom. And as a bonus, you’ll get to know how to fix the whole body if rusted. Besides, there are pro tips on protecting your Grill waiting for you at the end of the article.

So, without further ado, let’s hop into the details.

Can I Remove the Rust from My Grill? Possible or Not?

It depends on the type of rust created on the Grill. If you keep your Grill in use quite often, there’s less chance of massive rust production. But if you let your Grill sit for a long time, it produces more rust and becomes challenging to remove.

Sometimes you can see that the rust eats up the metal if the Grill has been there for so long. And, you may not be able to remove rust easily. In that case, you have to replace your whole Grill or the eaten-up part at least.

This discussion will focus on the light or semi-heavy rust on your Grill. Let’s learn how to fix the issue.

Things You’ll Need to Fix the Rust in Your Grill:

If you want to fix the rust off your Grill at home, you will need the below things handy. 

• Wire Brush
• Dish cleaning soap
• Water
• Vinegar/Cooking Oil

How to Fix Rusted Grill Bottom (Step by Step Guide)

You can follow the below steps to clean the rusted grill bottom along with the whole body. Go through the steps carefully and apply them to your Grill.

Step 1

Open your Grill in a wide-open place and look carefully at the rust build-up. See if the rust is too heavy or moderate. If it’s cleanable and not fragile, you can start working.

Firstly, take a wire brush and crap off all the rust and flakes possible. After you clean that off, remove the waste from the Grill surface. You can wash it away with water. 

Step 2

Prepare a bucket of soap and water mixture. Wash the Grill with a sponge using soap and water. Remember to use mild dishwashing soap as harsh detergent or chemicals can ruin the Grill metal. 

Once you complete washing with soap, rinse away the soap properly with water. After you clean the Grill properly, let it dry for one day.

Step 3

The next morning when the Grill is dried up, spray some vinegar mixture over the body of the Grill. You can spray more of it where the rust is building more deeply.

You can make the vinegar mixture in a bottle. Add 1/4^th of water and 3/4^th of vinegar to the bottle considering the bottle’s capacity. Shake well, and your vinegar mixture will be ready to use. 

After spraying, let the surface dry well for another day.

Step 4

The following day, spray some cooking oil on the Grill properly. After that, fire up the Grill with wood. You must set up a fire after applying the cooking oil. 

Because the molecules of oil need to polymerize joined together. Only then will the oil create an unbreakable coating to prevent future rust building. Let the fire burn up for a few hours, and the procedures are done.

Step 5

We learned all of the above steps to clean up moderate rust from the Grill bottom and the whole Grill body. But you may not need to do all the steps if the rust is not so heavy. 

Just scrape off the excessive rust and flakes. Then, simply spray the cooking oil inside and outside the surface. After that, light the fire in the firebox, and the oil will create a rust-prevention coating for you. You can also spray paint if you want a more premium new look for the Grill. 

This tie does not add vinegar or leave ashes in the firebox. It will erode the metal fast.

Why does my grill keep going out?

There are a few reasons why your grill might keep going out:

1) The grill isn’t getting enough air. Make sure the vents are open and that nothing is blocking the flow of air to the grill.

2) The coals are too wet. If your coals are too wet, they won’t light properly and will eventually go out. Make sure to use dry, fresh coals for the best results.

3) The grill is too hot. If the grill is too hot, the coals will burn up too quickly and go out. Adjust the vents to regulate the temperature and prevent the grill from getting too hot.

4) The wind is blowing out the flames. If it’s windy, the flames can be blown out easily. Try to position the grill in a sheltered area to avoid this problem.

5) You’re using too much lighter fluid. If you use too much lighter fluid, it can extinguish the flames. Use just enough to get the coals started, then let them burn on their own.

FAQs

• Can you fix a rusted grill?

Yes, you can fix a rusted Grill. For that, you need to follow a step-by-step guide to it. Or you can call on some professional to deal with it.

If the rust isn’t removable and hurts the Grill’s surface, you can also replace the part by cutting and welding it with new metal sheets.

• How do you get the rust off the bottom of a grill?

You can get the rust off the bottom of the Grill by following several steps. The scarp of the rust and flakes first. Then wash with gentle soap and water. You can add vinegar to the next step if you need it. Skip the vinegar and only spray cooking oil on the bottom of the Grill. Then, fire up in the firebox, and it’ll be done.

• Why did the bottom of my grill rust out?

The bottom of the Grill, mainly the Grease Tray or Drip Pan, gets more rust. Because while cooking on the grill, all of the food residue, juice, and oil drips on the bottom surface and sticks to it. It becomes hard to clean that off in time. So, rust can build up there quickly when sat behind.

Final Words

Now, we’ve reached the end of how to fix the rusted Grill bottom. And we hope that now you can do it on your own. Still, if you are not sure you can do it, seek some professional help.

So, here comes the pro tip that was promised. When you shop for a Grill, look for Thick Metal Grills. Try to avoid Sheet Metals because Sheet Metals are comparatively thinner, so it rusts out quickly.

Thick Metal Grill may cost more. But they give the best results in cooking and last for an extended period.