Flat Top Griddles, Maintenance & Safety

Preventing Corrosion on Your Griddle Top Grill

Grilling Tips // Preventing Corrosion on Your Griddle Top Grill

How to Remove Rust From Your Griddle Top Grill

And Prevent Future Corrosion

There isn’t a better way to stoke your fire for grilling than by bringing home a Nexgrill Griddle Top Gas Grill. With massive, premium hot-rolled steel cooking surfaces, these flat top beauties don’t just look great, they grill like a dream.

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The only downside of griddle top grills (and we’re talking all brands of griddle tops) is their tendency to corrode when not properly cared for. The good news is, whether your griddle top grill is already a rusty mess or you’re just starting to see signs of corrosion, not all hope is lost. In fact, by following the steps below, you can banish rust and corrosion from your griddle top for grill seasons to come.

Why Your Griddle Top Grill Is Rusting In The First Place

Before we get into solving your rusty griddle top problem, it’s important to understand why corrosion on grills is a common issue in the first place. Basically, it’s Mother Nature’s fault.

wet grass

You see, corrosion happens when iron, water, and oxygen get cozy together and start exchanging electrons. Yuck. You don’t necessarily need to know the nitty gritty chemistry of it all, but basically, when a primarily iron grill is left outside exposed to air and moisture, it will inevitably rust over time. That said, there’s still plenty you can do to delay the natural corrosion process, extending the lifespan of your beloved griddle top grill.

How To Remove the Rust from Your Griddle Top Grill

Maybe this article is finding you just a little too late. That’s okay! Even if your griddle top is already experiencing the throes of corrosion, a little bit of elbow grease will go a long way in restoring your grill to working order.

All you’ll need is:

Once you’ve got everything on hand, just follow these steps!

Put on your heat-resistant gloves and fire up your griddle top to medium-high heat for about 20 minutes. The heat helps loosen up the rust for easier removal.
After 20 minutes, turn off your griddle top grill and let it cool down. Then use your metal scraper to scrape down the entire cooking surface, removing as much rust as possible.
Next, coat your griddle top’s cooking surface with 3-4 tablespoons of cooking oil, then scrub off any remaining corrosion with your steel wool.
Wipe the cooking surface clean with your paper towels, then repeat step 3 until all signs of corrosion are gone.

Preventing Future Corrosion On Your Griddle Top

Now that your griddle top grill is free of rust debris, you’re probably wondering how to prevent corrosion from reoccurring. Smart thinking. And sure enough, there are several preventative measures you can work into your regular grilling routine that will greatly reduce the likelihood of corrosion causing you any further problems.

Season Your Griddle Top for Seasons of Quality Grilling

Ideally, you seasoned your griddle top grill when you first brought it home. But if not, don’t sweat it. Just follow our step-by-step seasoning guide and your griddle top will be seasoned up and ready for years of quality grilling in no time.

Cover Your Griddle Top

Let’s say it again for everyone in the back... COVER YOUR GRILL! Especially your griddle top.

Remember when we were talking about how iron + water + oxygen = corrosion? Well, covering your grill when it’s not in use is the single easiest way to protect it from harmful, rust-causing humidity.

If you don’t already have one, we’ve got a quality PVC cover with your grill’s name on it.

Clean Your Griddle Top After Every Cook

This may sound like a tall order, but it’s totally easy – and definitely worth it in the long run. Every time you finish up grilling, simply scrape off any seared-on debris, add 3-4 tablespoons of cooking oil, wipe clean, and rest easy knowing your griddle top will be spotless next time you go to grill.

No rust. No gunk. Just good times and happy grilling.