Lava Stone

• The lava stone, also called pumice, is sold in hardware stores and where grills and accessories are offered. It's a type of volcanic rock full of tiny holes, which makes it lightweight. Use it to scrub the rust away. The rock will crumble as it removes the rust. As the lava stone is used, it will form grooves where you've pressed it against the grate. The grooves remove the rust between the grates. Turn the grate over to scrub the rust from the other side. Dry and then oil the grate with cooking oil. Wipe off excess.
  
  

Steel Wool

• Steel wool performs the same function as the lava stone. Use the kind filled with soap in the cleaning solutions section of the grocery store or the kind without soap sold in hardware stores. Scrub away the rust. Dry and then oil.
  
  

Wire Brush

• A long-handled wire brush is made exclusively for cleaning grates. Turn on the grill if it's gas, or light a hot fire in a charcoal grill. Scrub the grill with the brush while it's hot. It removes grease, cooked on food and some rust. When the grill has cooled completely, wipe it down with cooking oil.
  
  

Replacement

• If your grill is rusted to the point you're afraid it has weakened and the food will fall through to the fire, replacement is an option. Check with your grill manufacturer for specifications.
  
  

Elevate Food

• Even if there's no time to scrub the grill, there is a way to avoid the rest. Don't cook directly on the grate. Elevate the food by putting a cake or cookie cooling rack on top of the grate. You could also use tightly rolled up "ropes" of aluminum foil. Another option is to make a dish such as beer can chicken where the food doesn't touch the grill. When making beer can chicken, the chicken rests on the upright beer can. Place a bit of aluminum foil directly underneath the beer can so the chicken doesn't touch the grill. Poke holes in a triple layer of aluminum foil. Place the foil on the grill and cook the food on the foil.
  
  

Chemicals

• Food is cooked directly on the grill tray. It's not advisable to use toxic chemicals. Oven cleaners and rust removers may leave a residue. Vinegar, which is nontoxic, does remove rust. Soak paper towels in vinegar and then place them against the grill and put the tray in a plastic bag. Rinse, dry and oil the grate before using it again.