When do you replace the cooking surface of your grill? Mines been through a lot weather over the last four years and is pretty rusty. Should I replace it or keep it since it's "seasoned" or whatever?
If its rusty, you should replace it.
thedogofdogs -If its rusty, you should replace it.
Rusty? Go buy a better grate or grill.
When it falls apart. What's a little rust?
Wire brush the shit out of it when hot and oil it?
Mine was flaking, I replaced it with stainless. After having a SS grill I'd never go back.
Phuckles - Wire brush the shit out of it when hot and oil it?
I do that each time I use it. It's just a basic Weber kettle. A grate is only $15
Rust is not seasoning.
Remove the rust with a wire brush and coat with oil to season.
Also, for a rusting grill, most grills can survive outdoor weather on the outside since the outer casing is usually treated. The rusting is frequently from moisture coming from the inside that accumlated due to not being covered, left open, leaking, etc. If moisture accumulates during your off season, the moisture will tend to evaporate and condensate over and over again, causing rust from the inside that rusts through to the outside. So, make sure to check your grill of you leave it outside, even if it is covered, to ensure that condensation has not accumulated inside.
WikiTheWalrus -Also, for a rusting grill, most grills can survive outdoor weather on the outside since the outer casing is usually treated. The rusting is frequently from moisture coming from the inside that accumlated due to not being covered, left open, leaking, etc. If moisture accumulates during your off season, the moisture will tend to evaporate and condensate over and over again, causing rust from the inside that rusts through to the outside. So, make sure to check your grill of you leave it outside, even if it is covered, to ensure that condensation has not accumulated inside.
Good to know. I probably left the vents open at some point. I'm seattle. It's pretty much always raining.