1. Vinegar and salt. It is best to use non-toxic substances to clean rusty grills, as they will be used to cook the ingredients. Vinegar and salt are both edible substances and also have the function of removing rust. Combine two cups vinegar and one cup salt in a bowl. Place the rusty grate in a large heavy-duty garbage bag. Pour the vinegar and salt into the bag and tie it together. Lay the bag flat on the floor and let the grill soak overnight. After soaking, wipe off the rust with an old rag. Salt should act as a mild abrasive to remove rust.
2. Vegetable oil. The grill grate needs to be seasoned like an iron pan. The more you cook, the less meat you have because the fat in the meat lubricates the ingredients. Fat also prevents rust. After each use, lubricate the grate with vegetable oil and season the grate. Use of vegetable oil aerosol cans is prohibited.