Rusty BBQ grille. Can't seem to stop it

[BobsYourUncle]

I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong here.

My BBQ grille is the usual cast iron. It was nice when new, had a dark coating on it.

But after a couple uses and me cleaning it, it gets rusty on the surface. I am very anal about keeping it clean after and before use. I run it full blast after cooking until the meat residue is burnt and I can wire brush it off. I always clean it very thoroughly. The next time I go to use it, its rusty again and I have to really scrub it hard and then liberally rub olive oil all over the rusty surface, heat it, wipe it so I can cook my steaks or whatever.

It bothers me having a rusty surface and it's a lot of work to keep it clean. But I don't like to leave a greasy mess to cook on the next time around.

What am I doing wrong here?

[Ron3rd]

GordonThree wrote:
Easy, don't clean it 🙂

Clean the inside of the grill and the grease trap. The grill grate only needs minimal cleaning, just enough to keep burned on food off. Just my opinion.

x2, I never clean the cast iron grates on my Weber gas BBQ. I just "burn it off" before every use and wire brush it then. Melted cheese sits on it for weeks at a time!

[ICamel]

TxTiger wrote:
Be careful after you use a wire brush on your grill. Small wires come off the brush and if you leave them on your grill they can embed onto whatever you put on them. Then they can get embedded in your tongue/mouth. I use crumpled aluminum foil to clean mine. That being said, I rarely clean my grill. When I'm done cooking I turn it off. When I get ready to cook again I heat it up, knock the crud off the top and cook. Never gotten sick off the grill.

This makes a better grill brush. The wires aren't as small, and they cost much less than the brushes that have the small wires. You can generally find them at most hardware stores.
Capture4 by camelwhit, on Flickr

[BobsYourUncle]

Thanks for the input everyone.
I shall try to change my ways!

[TxTiger]

Be careful after you use a wire brush on your grill. Small wires come off the brush and if you leave them on your grill they can embed onto whatever you put on them. Then they can get embedded in your tongue/mouth. I use crumpled aluminum foil to clean mine. That being said, I rarely clean my grill. When I'm done cooking I turn it off. When I get ready to cook again I heat it up, knock the crud off the top and cook. Never gotten sick off the grill.

[rexlion]

After grilling I run on high for 5 minutes, shut it off, and leave it alone. Next time I want to grill, I clean it to my satisfaction and start the heat... the heat kills any germs. No rust here.

[Clarryhill]

Bob, don't clean the grates until the next time you want to use it. Then bring to high heat, give them a thorough wire brushing; apply liberal amount of olive, safflower, or favorite high heat oil applied with tongs and couple paper towels; and proceed to cooking stage. The oil and cooking particles will continue to protect the grates until following use.

[Big_Katuna]

You don’t say which brand you have.

I bought a porcelain coated cast iron grill for my Weber Q.

[mat60]

I been hoping for my wifes sake that if I make sure to get the nasty grill good and hot before cooking it will keep her from getting sick. I guess that will work.

[GordonThree]

Easy, don't clean it 🙂

Clean the inside of the grill and the grease trap. The grill grate only needs minimal cleaning, just enough to keep burned on food off. Just my opinion.

[old_guy]

the grill is just like a cast iron skillet, you can wash them but need to heat it back up to get rid of the moisture. and then coat it with oil,read up on skillets cleaning and do your grill the same way

[fpoole]

Yah, same thing, the 'Cleaning' takes the patina coating off... brush it with oil after cleaning maybe... and maybe not clean it so well.

Like cast iron pans, you don't scrub them, just paper towel and salt or the little wire mesh/chain mail cleaners so it won't take the finish off..