Are These Grates Rusted Out?

[STEbbq]

These are my searing grates. I put them on the lower rack of the Akorn and sear off steaks etc. It is the $15 Weber charcoal grate. After use, the Akorn is covered and in garage.

Is this because the grates are nickel plated and can’t take the heat, or will all searing grates do this over time?

Basically, are these grates safe to use for searing, or are they ruined and need replacement with the same size from https://killagrilla.square.site/ ?

I spent ages getting my searing process right ( for me! ) so I’d like to continue to do it my way.

[smokenoob]

heavy steal brush them or replace with stainless?

[STEbbq]

Yeah, I was thinking those are my options (well steam cleaning) or buying new. I am not sure if I should be concerned or annoyed at the lack of durability.

[Smoked Transistors]

Soak them in pure vinegar .Add enough vinegar to cover grill grates .Soak for a few days, pull them out of vinegar, rinse them then brush them. If needed add fresh vinegar and soak till ready to brush with wire brush. I used pure vinegar on a rusted plow disc (discada) soaked in quarter sections at a time for days and was amazed at how well it help restore the plow disk for cooking on.

[FireMan]

It is unfortunate. You also know what to do. 2 options, yup.

[Greygoose]

If the food doesn’t fall through they’re still good,,,

[jfmorris]

Yeah I just think they can’t take the heat. I will add that even stainless gets discolored from close proximity to the coals. The upper charcoal grate on my SNS Kamado is stainless, but is discolored and gray and rough from being right above the burning lump. Works just fine, and is not rusty, but just can’t be made shiny again.

[STEbbq]

Sounds like I should just keep using them then!

[WayneT]

Someone here in the Pit does renewal electroplating. Probably cost you more to do that than buy new ones. Just guessing though.

[Stuey1515]

Burnt through about four sets of grates on my gasser over the last ten years.
Not really fan of eating rust, just keep feeding the dragon.

[Clark]

You could send them to Panhead John and he'll have a new contest with them as the prize.

[troymeister]

Looks like with a little elbow grease, you can get some more life out of those grates. They don't look completely dead. Only mostly dead.

[smokin fool]

Face it we all cook and walk away from the mess to serve the meal so they look like most of my grates, and not from misuse its just the heating cycles and cheap grates and not cleaning.
Lots of great advice here for good scrubbing and cleaning methods.
I give my cleaned grates a spray of aerosol canola or Pam when cooking....if I remember, don't always....seems to help keep them sorta kinda maybe cleaner for the next time.

[Timbo54]

I replaced my grates in my Weber 22 and smokey joe with Craycort cast iron grates. I got tired of replacing the grates every year because of rust. The cast iron grates will rust in high humid areas. During the winter I'll spray them with a little Pam after a cook. When I cook on them next time, I will burn them off as well as light my charcoal with a weed burner, brush and then take a wet paper towel and wipe off any residue. I've had mine for about 4 years and couldn't be happier.

[MsTwiggy]

I agree withjfmorris Keep using them, they have a long way to go before you need to replace them.