I bought my 22" kettle 4th of July weekend and have cooked on it every sat. and sun. since. I've cleaned it with dawn and water after each weekend. With all this rain and humidity in my area the lower charcoal grill is already rusting though. I am wondering if I could remove the rust and use a high temp. paint? I worry that this could put chemicals into the food though. Any thoughts and opinions are appreciated.
Charcoal holding grill rusting.
- Thread starter Ben in MO
- Start date
Richard in NS
TVWBB Wizard
This is totally normal. It is regular carbon steel so it rusts. Do not paint it as the paint can outgas fumes that you do not want in your food.
J Grotz
TVWBB Wizard
I suppose you could scrub it clean down to bare metal then rub it with vegetable oil; treat it like it was a cast iron pan.
If it really bothers you, there are SS grates available. Killa Grilla makes a direct replacement for Weber 7441, but it's pricey for a charcoal grate, $57.
https://killagrilla.square.site/pro...ll-grate-kg-7441-weber-replacement/11?cs=true
That's nearly the price of three stock Weber 7441 grates, but the killa grilla will easily outlast ten stock grates.
If it really bothers you, there are SS grates available. Killa Grilla makes a direct replacement for Weber 7441, but it's pricey for a charcoal grate, $57.
https://killagrilla.square.site/pro...ll-grate-kg-7441-weber-replacement/11?cs=true
That's nearly the price of three stock Weber 7441 grates, but the killa grilla will easily outlast ten stock grates.
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Thank you all for your replies. I did what J said and scotch brited it down to metal, threw it in the oven and then coated it with vegetable shortening like it was cast iron. I doubt it will last forever with direct heat but it will at least extend the life of it. I appreciate all the responses. I figured paint was a bad idea but you all helped confirm it.
Kyle in Woodstock
TVWBB Guru
Just oil it don't even bother grinding it at all.
I got a SS grate and think it's just about perfect and doesn't break the bank
tvwbb.com
I got a SS grate and think it's just about perfect and doesn't break the bank
Aura EZ Light SS Charcoal Grate for 22" Kettle
One of the gifts I got from my 2 and 4 year old daughters for Father's Day was a nice new charcoal grate for one of my Performers. I have a list I share with my wife of "stuff I'd like to have but don't need", and this was on it. It feels about 2-3x heavier than the standard charcoal grate. The...
tvwbb.com
Timothy F. Lewis
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
This is truly a mystery to me, I have had my original kettle in the “overperformer” for pushing twenty five years and I’m maybe on a third coal grate. What are people doing to destroy these things? Proximity to seawater not withstanding.
I don’t treat it as a showpiece, it is a tool which needs some maintenance but, I’m not one to tear down and clean it after every use, heck, if it gets brushed out twice a year (spring and fall) that’s about it. But, I use my grill year round, major holidays, birthdays, Sadie Hawkins day, New Years, 12th night, Valentine’s Day, the list goes on...
but, how do people eat up a coal grate in a year or two (or in the OP’s case a matter of months)?
Tim, are we related somehow?
I don’t treat it as a showpiece, it is a tool which needs some maintenance but, I’m not one to tear down and clean it after every use, heck, if it gets brushed out twice a year (spring and fall) that’s about it. But, I use my grill year round, major holidays, birthdays, Sadie Hawkins day, New Years, 12th night, Valentine’s Day, the list goes on...
but, how do people eat up a coal grate in a year or two (or in the OP’s case a matter of months)?
Tim, are we related somehow?
It's not "ate up" by any means just beginning to rust on the surface. Being a sheet metal and body guy I jump on any form of corrosion right away lol. Probably a little nit picky and anal retentive about it honestly. That's the reason my '99 dodge is rust free and that's saying something in the midwest 
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Michael Richards
TVWBB Emerald Member
I was looking for this post earlier today when I read the original post but I could not seem to find it even when I searched, a me issue for sure. I am glad you added to this thread!Just oil it don't even bother grinding it at all.
I got a SS grate and think it's just about perfect and doesn't break the bank
Aura EZ Light SS Charcoal Grate for 22" Kettle
One of the gifts I got from my 2 and 4 year old daughters for Father's Day was a nice new charcoal grate for one of my Performers. I have a list I share with my wife of "stuff I'd like to have but don't need", and this was on it. It feels about 2-3x heavier than the standard charcoal grate. The...
When it is time for me to replace my charcoal grate I will be spending the money and going Stainless Steel. I have bookmarked this post to reference whenever it becomes time.
Kyle in Woodstock
TVWBB Guru
No problem! It's a nice grate, I know the KillaGrilla might be a little beefier, but so is the price. This one is only $34 shipped so much more reasonable
Mark Foreman
TVWBB All-Star
After each cook, I use a stiff brush and give it a quick brushing. Mine is rusty and 5 plus years old. I would also point out that I keep covers on my Performed and my WSMs. Not sure that it helps???
Karl Quist
TVWBB Pro
The charcoal grate on my Performer doesn't even get brushed off. I just let it roll. 5+ years now and on my 1st grate still. Granted, I live in the Utah desert, so there isn't any humidity issue to deal with.
OP whatever you are doing currently is fine I'm sure. Keep on truckin'.
OP whatever you are doing currently is fine I'm sure. Keep on truckin'.