BBQ cooking

[sugar n spice]

we have a bbq problem is first dh cleaned he used 5min oven clean and it took the black paint off the hot plate anyway wed like to use the bbq but was wondering how we can remove the rust so it's safe to cook on or can you cook on alfoil on top of the hotplate, my worry is there may be a taste, smell of rust + don't want to get tetnus of poisnoing if this isn't safe we will just ditch the bbq, any advice?

[Chickadee]

I'm not sure this is the same but we have a wok that all the coating was scrubbed off of. After we use it each time we put a little olive oil in it and use a paper towel to spread the oil around and remove any excess oil. The thin film of oil keeps it from rusting between use. So if it's just a little surface rust on the hotplate you could try scrubbing it off (steel wool or one of those bristly bbq brushes) and then oil the hotplate after each use to keep it in condition.

You might also have a look for the paint to resurface it. I know you can buy heat-resistant black paint, it is used for things like wood stoves and near fireplaces, but I'm not sure it would be approved for a surface you are going to be cooking on. A talk with an expert at a bbq store might be worthwhile. You may also be able to replace just the hotplate and not the whole bbq.

[kacey]

Sounds like you've just had the coating taken off. My answer is similar to Martha's. We use a lot camp ovens when we go camping, and when we get home DH scrubs them with hot soapy water and steel wool. That gets all the gunk off (he does the same when we get a second-hand oven which is covered in rust). Then he dries them in the oven (if you air dry metal it rusts again immediately) and coats them with oil with a rag or paper towel.
With a large area like a bbq I would suggest scrubbing it with soap and hot water and steel wool, then rinse it with hot water and immediately turn the bbq on low and put a decent amount of oil (vegie oil is fine) on the surface. Just rub the oil into the surface with a rag or even one of those bbq scraper things. The heat allows the metal to absorb the oil. Then once it's all nice and hot turn off the bbq, keep rubbing it in a bit more. Once the bbq is cold go back and wipe off any real excess if you want to. Need to make sure there is a coating of oil left on. Cover the bbq so it doesn't get gross while waiting for the next use (bugs and dirt get stuck in uncovered oil).
Gosh that sounds like a big job, but it's not so bad. Then the hard work is done and you just need to rub a thin coat of oil in after scraping the bbq clean when you use it. If it needs a soapy clean again it will need to have a hot coating again to stop the rust. Sorry for such a lengthy post, hoope it helps.

[SH3LBY]

I have been using a mix of vinegar, water and salt forever and my bbq is always spotless... NEVER EVER use any sort of cleaner on your bbq, big mistake. They will always rust and will not be totally clean...

[Baby Girl]

You should be able to contact the manufacturer and buy replacement hotplates for your bbq - saves you ditching it and having to get a new one. We always clean ours with vinegar or beer.

[sugar n spice]

thanks for those ideas