Stainless steel, cast iron, and porcelain-enameled steel are all common materials for cooking grates. In addition to being more heat-efficient and lasting longer than stainless steel or porcelain-coated steel grates, cast iron grates require more care and attention. You should regularly clean your grill grates to prevent rust from building up and to extend their lifespan.
In most cases, cast iron grill grates are protected from corrosion by a matte porcelain coating; however, this coating is not foolproof, and some TLC will extend their lifespan. Despite the fact that cast iron has pores that can absorb moisture, rust, and other deterioration can easily occur without proper seasoning.
In order to prevent rusting and create an easy-to-grill nonstick surface that makes it easier to grill and achieve the perfect grill marks, properly season your grilling grates before they are used for the first time – and periodically after each subsequent use.
Find out what materials you need and how to season your grill grates as you read on.
Before using a gas grill for the first time, season the cooking grates
Here’s how you can season cast iron cookware on a gas grill before you use it for the first time, whether you’re firing up a new grill or breaking in replacement grates:
Grill or packaging grates must be removed. Remove any dust or debris from the packaging by washing it in warm water and mild dish soap.
Make sure the grates are completely dry before replacing them on the grill.
In order to ensure that the cast iron is thoroughly dried, heat the grill. In addition to facilitating oil penetration, heat helps open the pores of cast iron, allowing oil to penetrate more easily.
The cooking grates should be cooled down enough to touch once the heat has been turned off.
Use a basting brush, paper towel, or spray mister to apply vegetable oil to the cooled grates. All corners should be coated thoroughly, including the entire surface. Using margarine or butter with salt is not recommended.
Turn your grill back on and heat it for 30 minutes at low-medium heat (200-400 degrees). This is what creates a protective layer of non-stick-on cast iron from the oil being baked into it. A glossy finish and a slightly darker appearance should be present on coated areas.
Allow the grill to cool completely before turning it back on.
What You Need To Know About Seasoning Cast Iron Grates After Use
Cast iron grates on your gas grill are seasoned after each use to prevent rust buildup and strengthen the non-stick coating. Seasoning them regularly will prevent rust buildup and make grilling easier. It is recommended that you season them after five grilling sessions in order to prevent rust from forming and to ensure that they stay non-stick.
Following each use, take care of your cast iron cooking grates:
Once the grill has been grilled, keep it running at medium-high heat. Allow food and debris to burn off for 10 minutes after closing the lid. As a result of the heat, the pores of the cast iron are also enlarged, which makes it easier for oil to penetrate and bake in.
You can clean the grate with a grill brush, a wood scraper, or a cut onion by opening and closing the lid.
A basting brush or oil mister should be used to spread oil evenly over the grill grate. The control knobs should be turned off and the grill should be allowed to cool as usual. By baking the oil into the cast iron, the residual heat will penetrate the metal. Following coating, areas should appear slightly darker and have a shiny finish.
BBQ SPOT TIP: You can replace bristle cleaning brushes with wood BBQ scrapers for a more natural alternative. Once you’ve used it a few times, the grooves will match the pattern of your cooking grates, so it’s the perfect cleaning brush for your barbecue.
First-Time Use of Charcoal Grill Grates: Seasoning
Following these steps will ensure that they are properly seasoned if you are using them for the first time on a charcoal grill:
Clean the grates with mild dish soap and warm water, or with an all-natural cast iron cleaner. Your grill will be ready to use once they have been dried thoroughly.
Oil the grates with a basting brush or paper towel after they have been cleaned with vegetable oil.
Using enough charcoal to burn for about three hours, lay it evenly on the bottom of the grill. Ensure that all the vents are open, light the charcoal, and burn the charcoal until the coals are reddish in color and covered with gray ash.
Close the grill lid for about 30 minutes after placing the grill grates on it.
Season the coals and grates by closing the vents after two hours and letting them cool off completely.
Cooking grids can also be baked for half an hour at 400 degrees if the above steps seem too onerous. The time and charcoal you will save will be enormous!
Seasoning Cast Iron Cooking Grates after they have been used on a charcoal grill
If you’ve just used a charcoal grill, here are the steps to reseason your cooking grates:
Allow your grill to burn off any oil and debris after you remove your food.
Remove any excess food debris by brushing or scraping the grates.
Using tongs or a basting brush, brush vegetable oil onto the clean grates.
The coals should remain lit and the vents should remain open. The grates should remain hot for approximately 30 minutes while oil sinks into them.
Once the coals and grates are completely cooled, close the vents, then allow them to continue to season.
Cooking grids made from cast iron can be cleaned
When properly cared for, cast iron grill grates can last a lifetime. After every use, you should clean and season your cast iron grill grates to keep them nonstick and resistant to rust. The following steps will help you clean cast iron cooking grates:
Hold a ball of tin foil between tongs or a bristle brush between the grates while they are still warm.
Steel wool works well for removing light rust or stubborn stuck-on bits. Using mild dish soap and water can help lift these spots if they won’t lift otherwise.
Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil to the grates once they have been brushed. Your next cookout will be nonstick with a thin coating of oil baked into the cast iron.
Cast iron cooking grates should never be placed in the dishwasher, soaked in soapy water, or let air dry.
In some cases, mild dish soap or a natural cast iron cleaner may be necessary to lift the heavy debris, especially if you are using these products for the first time. Take extra caution to reseason your grates after cleaning with dish soap – soap can remove the non-stick surface that develops after baking the oil into the grates.
Cleaning grill grates is easy if you know when to clean them and how to do it.
Cooking grids that are rusted can be removed
You don’t have to panic if you spot rust on your cooking grates! Surface rust is nothing to worry about, but you should work to prevent it from penetrating deeper into the cast iron by cleaning it off as soon as possible.
Washing surface rust with hot soapy water usually removes it. A steel wool scrub may also be necessary. You should properly season your cooking grates again after removing rust with soapy water or steel wool. Steel wool and soapy water can strip away the nonstick coating, and unless you reseason your grill grates properly, rust will return.
What You Need To Know About Storing Cast Iron Cooking Grates
You should not overlook the cooking grates on your grill. In addition to their long life and best heat retention, cast iron grill grates are ideal for achieving perfect sear and great grill marks. Cast iron is susceptible to corrosion and rust without seasoning before its first use.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time caring for cast iron grill grates. In the event that you do need to replace your grill grates, you just need to remove the old ones and replace them with new ones…once the new ones have been properly seasoned.
