This does not apply to the heavy steel grill plates we cook on. Those are well cleaned and rust free.
The inside of the gas grill was left to sit all summer on the deck, and the inside of the grill, around the burners, is all rusted. What to do? Run the propane for a while? clean it with a brillo pad? Is it ok to cook with?
I repeat, the steel grill plates are fine, the inside of the grill is rusted. Someone here thinks the rust is going to migrate from the burners into the food, even though the grill plates are clean.
would you use a 2-year old gas grill rusty on the bottom and around the burners?
First: a gas grill is going to be self-sterilizing. Even the cooties that afflict those with OCD can’t survive the heat of a gas grill. Also, iron compounds are common in breakfast cereals and other iron-fortified foods. They kind of have to be, unless you’re insisting on iron-free iron-fortified food.
My grill (charcoal, not gas) has some rust, but I don’t worry about it at all. The rust is unlikely to get into the food, and even if it did, ingested rust is not harmful in small amounts. It’s just iron oxide, and iron is a common food supplement.
Cite:
And a previous discussion on this board:
If you really want to mollify the person who is concerned, you could spray it with rust remover and scrub with a wire brush.
Other people here have mentioned wire brushing the rusty surface(s). I am suggesting that you use a rotary tool with a wire brush attachment - wear gloves and eye protection, wear a mask if there is a lot of rust. From what you told me, I do not think it is that much. Stop right there if you don’t want to do any more…
Or: There is a product called “Naval Jelly,” made by Locktite. Get some and paint it on the rusty surface(s). This should remove all of the rust that remains from the wire brushing. Wash the surfaces with soap and water afterwards. Stop right there if you don’t want to do any more…
Or: Paint the surfaces that were rusty with some spray paint that will withstand up to 3000 degrees. You mentioned that some of the rust was on or near the burners themselves. So you might want to tape off the burners before you paint.
You ever taste his cooking? :o
Seriously, as everyone else has said, a bit of rust is no issue. However, if there has been so much rust that you can see holes thru the metal then potentially the integrity of the fire box is compromised. The concern there is bumping, jostling, or potentially tripping into a structurally weakened device that contains an active fire & suddenly has catastrophic metal fatigue. Though at two years old, unless you stored it outside, with the top open, & live in an area particularly known for bad acid rain I probably wouldn’t worry about that.
The rotary tool brush is a good idea but DO NOT use “Naval Jelly” or any other chemicals on your grill. DO NOT paint the grill or any of the inside of your fire box. These products are not rated for food contact and can be toxic, hazardous, carcinogenic.
Brush the surface rust off, heat it up, and repeat.
I used my old charcoal grill until it rusted out. Like, the thing at the bottom that regulates airflow just rusted away. I still have it – it’s my backup for when one grill isn’t enough.
Heck, until a month ago, my husband brewed his tea in a kettle rotten with rust.