The Complete Guide to Troubleshooting Gas Grill Issues is your source for step-by-step instructions on how to diagnose and fix the most common gas grill issues. Whether your grill isn’t heating properly, won’t stay lit, or simply has rusty parts, we’ve got the answers you need to get your gas barbecue firing on all cylinders.
The body of your grill is made up of a top (the hood) and a bottom (the firebox). Commonly made of stainless steel or porcelain coated steel, both of these components are capable of developing rust, but the bottom of your grill is more susceptible.
Thanks to gravity, a grill bottom is more likely to trap moisture and food debris from cooking, as well as be exposed to runoff from the weather.
While we’re sure you take better care of your grill than the guy who owned the one in the image above, rust on the grill bottom, either on the outside or the inside, should not be ignored. When caught in the earliest stages, a rusted grill bottom or firebox can be repaired and even prevented, allowing your grill to continue cooking for many more seasons to come. But if you wait too long, a rusted grill bottom can mean the end of your grill.
In this section of the Complete Guide to Troubleshooting Gas Grill Issues, we’ll explore the problems of a rusted grill bottom, including:
- How to fix a rusted grill bottom
- What to do if your grill is rusted inside
- What to do if the bottom of your grill is rusted out—should you repair or replace?
- Preventative care
Let’s get cooking.
How To Fix A Rusted Grill Bottom
As long as your grill bottom only has surface-level rust, you can usually clean it with just a few household products:
- White vinegar mixed with water, stainless steel cleaner, or all natural grill cleaners
- A good-quality scrubbing brush
- Sandpaper
- A dry towel
Shop grill cleaning supplies:
Once you have your cleaning supplies handy, follow these steps:
- Spray the rust with your cleaner of choice and then let it sit for a few minutes—longer if it is very rusty.
- Scrub away the rust with a brush.
- Clean the area with soapy water to remove residue.
- Rinse and dry the area with a towel. Let it sit to air dry completely.
- If the rust was on the outside of the grill bottom or firebox, use sandpaper to smooth the edges between the paint and the now unpainted, rust-free
surface. Then, paint over the cleaned area with high-heat paint—you can get some specifically designed for grills. - Reassemble any components you have removed.
What To Do If Your Grill Is Rusted Inside
If your grill is rusted inside, remove the cooking grates, heat plates, and burners to access the bottom of the firebox, then:
- Brush away any large flakes and remove them from the grill.
- Spray the rust spot with your cleaner of choice and then let it sit for a few minutes—longer if it is very rusty.
- Scrub away the rust with a brush.
- Clean the area with soapy water to remove residue.
- Rinse and dry it with a towel, then let it sit to air dry completely.
- Treat with an appropriate BBQ grill seasoning oil or stainless steel polish.
- Reassemble any components you have removed.
What To Do If The Bottom of Your Grill Is Rusted Out—Should You Repair or Replace?
If the rust is really bad (as in there are visible holes in the bottom of the grill), you will need to replace the firebox or replace your grill entirely. If the part is even available, replacing the firebox is a challenging, time consuming procedure that involves disassembling the entire grill. Handy types might consider this a fun challenge, but for most of us, it is a task to be avoided. If the damage is significant, you are probably better off replacing your grill entirely.
Preventative Care
Taking good care of your grill will ensure a long life and help reduce the chance of your grill developing rust.
- Follow the preventative maintenance routine in your owner’s guide.
- Regularly inspect your grill for discoloration, surface rust, and other types of damage.
- Routinely clean your grill.
- Protect surfaces with polish or oil—especially if you live near the ocean, where salt water can speed up corrosion significantly. Touch up or recoat these surfaces every time you clean.
- Cover your grill with a properly fitted grill cover.
Conclusion
A rusty grill bottom can hinder your grill’s performance and end its life prematurely. Keep your grill protected by:
- Cleaning your grill after each use
- Monitoring your grill for signs of rust
- Cleaning rust and stains off immediately
- Preventing rust with proper routine maintenance
- Keep your grill covered to protect it from the elements
Learn more about different grill problems, what causes them, and how to solve them in our Complete Guide to Troubleshooting Gas Grill Issues.
