Rust on Genesis II Stainless Side Tables

[jfmorris]

I've not bothered to snap any photos, but has anyone else seen rust spots develop on the side tables of their Genesis II? My Genesis II 4 burner (E-410) came home in January 2019, and last couple of times I used it, I appear to be developing rust spots on both side tables.

I keep it covered, and it should be staying pretty dry under the cover, so I am wondering if it is staining from something I cooked and got on the stainless. I have toyed with hitting it with a little barkeepers friend, to clean it off. I can't tell that there is any sort of protective finish on the stainless - I just know that the control panel and side tables are a pain to wipe all the grease and spatters off of after cooking. I always try to wipe it down with some household cleaner (409, Fantastic, Windex) and paper towels, then cover, after each use.

I do know that Weber doesn't use the grade of stainless that they used to, and has gone to lower grades. I've got a ton of 304 stainless in the yard (smoker) and garage (brewing equipment and kegs), and this type of spotting is not something I am used to seeing with quality stainless steel.

It's not been a priority as I actually don't remember the last time I used the Genesis II, as the Camp Chef griddle and the Weber Performer seem to get most of the attention these days...

[Redwng]

Not sure of the age of your Genesis but about 7 years ago they quit putting 304 on everything and went with a cheaper 400 (403?) series stainless, I know because I have one that I bought in 2013 and I have small rust marks in numerous spots.

[jfmorris]

The old Genesis is from 2002, and has no stainless. The Genesis II with the stainless rust spots was purchased in January 2019, and made in 2018. I am sure it has the lower quality 430 - heat resistant still, but less corrosion resistant than 304 stainless.

[tiewunon]

As you mentioned BKF will get the rust off. I then have had success with following it up with Shelia Shine.
OR
If you have any Brite Works metal polish and then follow it up Brite Works metal perservative.

[Attjack]

I've had a tiny amount on my SS table. Frustrating.

[jfmorris]

Yes indeed. I saw this the last 2 times I had the cover off the Genesis II.

[Attjack]

I'm talking my prep table. It's under the roof of the outdoor kitchen but definitely catches weather. I've been able to buff it off so far. My Performer doesn't show any rust an hopefully it stays that way. I still haven't given it a thorough cleaning but will soon.

[RamaJama]

Yep, same thing on my side tables. At first, I thought it was stained from something I cooked, but haven't been able to get it off. Let me know how that barkeepers friend works on it.

[jfmorris]

Will do. Haven't uncovered it to try that yet.

[smokenoob]

Stainless steel is like concrete: There's two kinds of concrete, cracked concrete and concrete that's gonna crack! There's two kinds of stainless, stained stainless and..................Try the BKF! I used it on my Napoleon when it started rusting.....turns out it was from the occasional polaris geyser from my saltwater pool hitting the Napoleon . You got a pool????? Noticed you live in a pretty humid place.....that will do it to. Good luck!

[jfmorris]

The Weber hasn't been by the pool since last year, and while it is a salt water pool, these rust spots are recent. I blame it on humidity or water trapped under the grill cover.

[Argoboy]

When I worked in the valve industry sometimes we would get complaints about surface rust on our 316 SS valve bodies and it was a result of handling with carbon steel bodies/ CS tooling, the cure is a process called pickling and passivating which removes traces of carbon steel embedded in the surface of the SS.

[Dadof3Illinois]

Have you sat anything that’s high carbon on it? If left for much time it can contaminate the stainless or at least stain it pretty fast.

[jfmorris]

I just sit pans or utensils on them while cooking - mostly steel sheet pans out of the kitchen, or maybe a cold cast iron skillet, before it went on the grill. Nothing for any extended period though.

[Dadof3Illinois]

@ jfmorris try some soft scrub paste. If it’s just on the surface maybe that will cut it.