The cooking grate on mine rusts like crazy and I practically have to sand it everytime I use it. I do not store it outside either. It has never seen a drop of rain. Is this normal, is there a chance mine was not seasoned properly?
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Hello Swim Mom, With my grill I just wash in hot water (no soap) and scrub with stiff bristle nylon brush. Then I dry completly. I sometimes dry in oven at lowest setting for about 10 minutes. Then I coat all of the grill with a (light) coat of vegtable oil. I just use a paper towel for this. Put all parts of grill in the oven upside down with foil on bottom of oven to catch any excess drips of oil. Turn on oven to 350 degrees and once it gets to 350 set timer for 1 hour. You might get some smell from the hot oil baking onto the grill so it might be a good idea to open window if you can. Let grill parts just cool in the oven after the 1 hour of baking. You may have to do this every so often. I use cast skillets also and sometimes have to re-season. Remember, just keep it oiled!
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Dave--the body of the grill is coated and easy to clean. It's recommended to put some water in the bottom for the best cleaning. We fried bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns on it while camping and had no problems--and you know how those spatter! The grate is like a charcoal grill grate. I don't think I'll ever cook directly on the grate, only with pots and pans, just because I don't want the hassle of having to really clean the grill body. Denise and Bob M
832821
We don't use ours very often so I had to go see if it was ok-we just bought and had only used once. However, it is fine. I greased it up just like I do my iron skillet after use before putting away. I happened to have some non-stick spray that I drowned it in! We store in the basement. I did see a couple tiny spots that rubbed right off-which was probably a spot I just didn't saturate well. The last time we used it was the last week of August-so that is how long it has been stored in the basement. Hope this helps............
1923380
I had a bit of oil on mine and I just burned it off. I think it is there to stop it from rusting while in storage. Hope you like it, I love mine.
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Not too bad to clean because it's outdoors. It will grill without sear marks. I would suggest keeping the griddle inside because mine did rust even being seasoned with oil and a cover!
309322
Thats not good! We bought it and have used it a lot - and no problems. If you got it from Amazon, have you contacted them first to see it you go through them or Weber? Have you cleaned it off with a brush? Maybe its clogged.
1094569
It's not 100% cast...I argued with Weber on the phone. The person I spoke with actually suggested that I bring them inside so they wouldn't be exposed to the outdoor air??? It's a grill. It should be able to stay outside. I do not bring the grates or grill in the house, ever! Weber sells them as a cast iron grate, if they were 100% cast, they wouldn't rust! Weber sent me new ones. We love the grill, have two - different sizes, at least Weber made it right.
439207
No it is made just like a cast iron skillet, you will have to use Pam or another cooking grease. After the first few times when you build up seasoning it will almost be like non stick. Google lodge cast iron and click on their website for detailed info on how to take care of cast iron, if you use soap it will rust.
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Thanks Marc. I live north of Kansas City--also an area of lots of high humidity. I just hate to spend the extra $50 for stainless steel grates (I don't believe they will cook any better) just to avoid a rust issue if not necessary.
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I tempered it well on the advice of another purchaser before I ever used it to grill. I clean it when cold usually just before I use it again. Wire brush and some cooking spray keep it non stick and free of rust.
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I have used mine sporadically. After 1 winter, the pizza grate itself is pretty rusty (stored in the unit when not used). Some other rust areas showing up around the edges. There is touch-up paint for that, which I haven't used yet. Can't say for sure what I am going to do about the rusty grate. It was working nicely for pizza, but I may have to use a pizza stone on top of the grate.
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Clean it well and then store with a slight film of oil to prevent the rust. Should be just fine, this is common. bone appetit
832817
I just buy a new grate every season (no pun intended) from Lodge. Costs about a sawbuck with shipping. Every 3rd year I buy a new grill because Amazon always has them about 1/3rd off (~67 bucks) a couple times a year as it is at the time of this posting. I love the grill and use it almost daily every summer and keep it in the garage "off season" but the grill top always rusts and I don't want to deal with constant seasoning after every use. Makes it too much work. It's cheap enough to replace the top for me. All the time (and oil) saved is worth it.
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I use mine often, and think it helps to season the pan faster. I also dry it after washing. I have found what looks like little rust spots if i let it sit wet to dry. It removes easily with a good wipe.
1566197
It rusts? Lol. I spray it with nonstick oil before and after each use, so far no rust, but I've only had it a few months.I prefer to cook all meats in a real smoker and use a wired internal meat temp probe for desired doneness.
94676
I have cast iron grates and live outside of DC (high humidity). I have had the grill for almost 6 years and very little if any rust on them. My secret is before and after every use I take a paper towel, pour some vegetable oil on it and rub the grates down. The coating of oil prevents rust and makes for easy cleaning.
1777482
Good question, I just got one and I think I will run it dry in late fall and fill with fresh, I have been told to keep it full to prevent rust.