Not all rust is friendly. If you see pits or flaking that goes all the way through the metal, that grill is telling you a sad story. Deep rust weakens the structure, and a hole in your grill means hot coals on your deck—not cool.
In that case, it’s time for a dignified farewell. But for 90% of surface rust, you’ll win this battle. A little elbow grease and a few potatoes can save your barbecue for another summer of glory.
How To Clean Rust Off Barbecue Grates at Beth Anker blog