Grills can come with several different types of grill grates, the most popular being either stainless steel or cast iron. It’s common knowledge that cast iron cooking pieces need to be given special maintenance to avoid rusting, but grill grates often get overlooked. Nobody likes the idea of cooking and eating food that was just on rusted grates, that can’t be very healthy.
So, remember that your cast iron grill requires special steps to ensure that you will get a long life and keep your food tasting great.
Cast Iron is a definite favorite for grillers, but it’s not only because of the flavor cast iron is believed to responsible for but also because of its durability and even heating. But to ensure that your cast iron stands the test of time it’s important to season your cast iron before you start using it.
Some cast iron grill grates have a porcelain coating on them. There are some manufacturers that still recommend these grates be seasoned as well. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for your grill.
The seasoning process involves covering your piece with oil or fat and then baking for a period of time. This process will season the cast iron and protect it from rusting and create a non-stick surface. When you purchase your grill refer to the Manufacturer’s directions regarding seasoning your cast iron grill grates. If there are no included instruction follow these directions recommended by Firecraft:
Prestige Grilling recommends that you season your cast iron three times for best results. After your initial seasoning, it is recommended that you re-season your grill after every five cooks. There are some that prefer to do this process after every cook. Before you re-season, though, make sure you clean the grate before applying the oil or Crisco.
You have seasoned your cast iron grill grate but there will still be regular upkeep of your grate. Bar-B-Clean Southwest Florida, a service that does grill cleaning in Naples, FL, says that you must clean cast iron grill grates regularly and continue to season them as well. When cleaning you will want to remove all stuck-on food and build-up. The following tips will keep your grate as good as new.
Whether, or not, your cast iron grill grates have been properly seasoned and maintained; it is normal to encounter rust spots from time to time. Don’t worry, this isn’t the end of your grill grate. Here are some ways you can take to get rid of the rust and extend the life of your cast iron:
After you have removed any rust from your cast iron you will need to re-season your grate. Follow the directions above to re-season your cast iron grill grate.
Remember, your food will only taste as good as you make it. Make sure you keep your cast iron grill grate in top-notch shape so you eat top-notch food!
Tags: Best Way to Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates, Cast Iron Grill, cleaning, florida, grill cleaning, naples