How to clean weathering steel grills?

Corten steel grills are popular with barbecue enthusiasts because of their corrosion resistance and weather resistance. This material can hold up well in bad weather and has a unique appearance that forms beautiful rust stains over time. Common products include barbecue grills with ash drawers and ventilation systems.

How to clean Corten Steel Grill?

1. Daily cleaning steps:
   Let the grill cool: Before cleaning, make sure the grill is completely cool to avoid burning yourself or damaging equipment.

Remove residual food and ash:

Use a metal brush or stiff brush to remove leftover food crumbs and burnt material from the grill.
Clean up ash and charcoal residue from the bottom of the grill and keep the interior clean and tidy.
Wash with warm water and soap:

Using warm water and a neutral soap solution, such as dish soap, gently wipe the surface of the grill to remove grease and dirt.
For oils that are more difficult to remove, stainless steel cleaners can be used, but do not use corrosive chemical cleaners to avoid damaging the surface of Corten steel.
Wipe dry:

Dry the surface of the Corten steel with a clean rag or towel to ensure that water does not stay on the surface for a long time to avoid unnecessary water marks.

2. Regular maintenance:
   Avoid long-term accumulation of water: Although Corten steel is corrosion resistant, long-term accumulation of water or wet environment may affect its natural oxidation process. Make sure the grill is dry and stored after use.

Grease removal:

Because of the accumulation of grease during grilling, deep clean regularly with a degreaser or oven cleaner, especially on the grill surface and grill wire.

3. How to deal with surface oxidation (rust) :
   Maintain a natural oxide layer: The unique corrosion effect of Corten steel is a protective oxide layer that does not require excessive intervention. The rust process itself has no effect on the structure of the grill and is a design feature of Corten steel.

Light sanding (optional) : If a thick layer of rust forms on the surface of the grill, or there are localized rust spots you don’t want, you can use fine sandpaper to lightly sand it to remove excessive rust, but do not oversand it to avoid damaging the protective layer.

4. Long-term maintenance:
   Cover protection: When the grill is not in use, it is recommended to use a waterproof cover or cover to protect the grill, especially in the rainy season or wet environment. This can reduce the further erosion of the rust layer on the surface of Corten steel by moisture.

Check and maintain the structure: Regularly check the structure of the grill is strong, and ensure that the grill screws, connecting parts, etc., are not loose or damaged.

5. Things to avoid:
   Avoid chemical cleaners: Do not use strong chemical cleaners containing acidic or alkaline ingredients (such as bleach or strong acids), which may damage the surface of Corten steel and interfere with its natural oxidation process.

Do not over-sand: While it is possible to clean the surface with fine sandpaper, frequent sanding is not recommended, as it can damage the self-healing properties of Corten steel.