We asked experts how to clean rusty grill grates the right way, and their tips will save you so much scrubbing

Put away that elbow grease.

• Run your outdoor grill at 500°F for 10-15 minutes first, before cleaning.
• “The heat causes the metal to expand a little,” he says, “which breaks rust's hold at surface level.”
• With this method, he says you can “pull off twice the [rust] in half the time.”

Spring is almost here, ushering in long-awaited sunshine and milder weather. That means it’s finally time to brush the dust off your outdoor cooking equipment and get ready for outdoor entertaining. If your grill has been sitting untouched under a cover for months, then it probably needs some TLC before its inaugural firing. So, to get ready for the most delicious time of the year, we asked experts how to clean rusty grill grates in time for grilling season.

The number one mistake? “Most people will just grab a brush they find lying around and start brushing their dry, cold grates,” says Jeff Patten, Co-Founder of Flatiron Wines & Spirits, where they frequently host tastings with outdoor cooking on the menu. “Unfortunately, this method doesn't really do anything because rust binds tighter to cold metal, and a dry brush on a cold grate just scratches the surface.” He says the quickest way to avoid wasted effort is to heat the grill first. Read on for more expert tips that are guaranteed to save you hours of scrubbing.

Top Expert Picks for Cleaning Rusty Grill Grates

• Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush, $20
• Hatoku 4-Pack Grill Cleaning Bricks, $10
• Grillart Bristle-Free Grill Brush and Scraper, $20, originally $25
• Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner, $20, originally $23
• Caron & Doucet Ultimate Cast Iron Set, $36

Grillart Bristle-Free Grill Brush and Scraper

"I quit recommending wire-bristle brushes years ago because the loose bristles can get stuck in the grate and end up in people's food,” says Elena Navarro, a cleaning expert and professional organizer at Sparkly Maid Austin. “This brush has a coiled design made of stainless steel that cleans just as effectively without the risk of having bristles fall into food. I use it to wipe down grates after every use to knock off charred debris while the grates are still warm, and before any rust has a chance to form.”

Evapo-Rust Heavy-Duty Rust Remover

"This is my go-to product to remove rust from grates that have sat in a garage all winter and have built up heavy rust,” adds Navarro. After an overnight soak, any stubborn rust will be completely gone, with no scrubbing required on your part. Plus, it’s water-based, biodegradable, and free of harmful acids and solvents, so you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals. “As someone cleaning a surface that will have direct contact with food the next day, these are important factors to consider,” she says. “I've had grates look brand new after coming out of an Evapo-Rust soak."

Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner

For a convenient, all-in-one solution, Navarro suggests the Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner. “It comes with a large sealable bag, cleaning solution, and gloves,” she says. Put the rusty grates in the included bag with the solution overnight, and they’ll come out in “like-new condition” the next day. “For grates that have not been cleaned in a long time, or have both rust and heavy carbon buildup, the ability to simply leave the grates soaking overnight makes it difficult to find another method that is better."

Hatoku 4-Pack Grill Cleaning Bricks

Grill bricks are the ultimate grill cleaning hack, but they only work for light surface rust, according to Joonas Jokiniemi, Founder of Grill Smoke Love. “A pumice grill block is my fastest fix for light rust because it can strip flaky surface rust quickly without chemicals,” he says. All you have to do is wet the brick with warm water and scrub away while the grates are still warm. He also recommends wiping down your grates with a light oil, like canola oil, when you’re done.

Grillart SteamWizards Bristle-Free Grill Brush

“When I’m scrubbing, I reach for a bristle-free grill brush, specifically this one from Grillart,” says Adam Gallagher, Co-Founder and recipe developer at Inspired Taste. “It’s a safer option with enough scrubbing power to remove burnt bits without worrying about stray wires ending up in your food.” It has a removable and replaceable head that you can clean and sanitize in the dishwasher, and a built-in scraper with special curved and V-shaped notches to get into every nook and cranny. Plus, its steam-cleaning design (simply soak the head in water first) helps lift rust and gunk with less scrubbing.

Caron & Doucet Ultimate Cast Iron Set

“There are some good cleaners and restorers on the market, but my go-to is the Caron and Doucet Cast Iron Set,” says Shannon Snell, Head Pitmaster at Sonny's BBQ. It includes a cast iron scrub for removing rust spots, cast iron soap for cleaning, and a finishing oil, so it’s perfect for grills with cast iron grates that can easily become rusty with neglect. Snell says finishing with oil is a non-negotiable for maintaining your grill grates (his preferred is olive oil): “This allows the grates to be seasoned while not in use, and it makes it less likely that rust forms in a long period of a grill being idle.”

Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush

“The Kona 360 Grill Brush makes a hot scrub easier because the wraparound head of this brush touches three sides of each grate rod instead of just the top,” says Patten. That means it’ll get between every grate and cut down your time and effort scrubbing significantly. However, it is a wire brush, so take extra care to make sure no bristles are left behind on the grates after cleaning.

Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil

Pro tip: “After the hot scrub, fold a sheet of aluminum foil into a tight square, grab hold of it with a pair of tongs, and rub it over the grates while they are still hot,” recommends Patten. “The foil gets into grooves that are missed by the brush and pulls off residue that is left behind by wire bristles.” If you keep it up regularly, he says you’ll be “done with rust coming back between cooks.”

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