How do I clean rust and cooked on food off cast iron grill grates?

Karianne R
by Karianne R
My parents gave us a grill last year, and they stored it outside and never really cleaned the grates very well, and my husband and I are wondering if there is a way that we can clean the rust and really cooked on food off our cast iron grill grates?
Is there a particular product or method for doing this. We would like to save as much money as possible.
  5 answers
  • Dee W Dee W on Jul 11, 2012
    we also grill and after taking the food off I let it cool a bit, and then scrub it using a crushed ball of foil. Every couple of times I will take a towel and some cooking oil and wipe the grill down. My grilll is 4 years old and this seems to work well for me. I would NOT use any type of wire bristle brush -there has been alot in the news lately about sticking bristles getting lodged in food and then people eating them and winding up with a trip to the hospital. Hope this helps you-and happy grilling!!!
  • Carroll A Carroll A on Jul 11, 2012
    I also don't use a wire brush. I spray the rack with oven cleaner, let it sit overnight outside and then wash they next morning.
  • Jimmys K Jimmys K on Jul 11, 2012
    first you have to scrub it very hard....put some lemon at the end
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Jul 20, 2012
    yup we had to do this too...spray with oven cleaner, put in sealed plastic garbage bag to work, then next day , take it out and wash. (Use gloves)no scrubbing! And you can always buy replacement grill, and start over fresh!
  • Charlene K Charlene K on Jul 25, 2012
    Another suggestion that works for me is to treat your cast iron after cleaning it. I coat my cast iron with cooking grease or oil then heat it to seal the iron. Just rub a thin layer into the iron with a paper towel or clean rag then heat. Done regularly, this helps to create a finish that is less sticky while cooking, easier for cleanup, and helps to prevent future rust problems,. This works well with cast iron pans also. And just about any kind of heat will work. When camping, I just through my pans back on the fire after treating.