Breaking in Your New Grate

When buying a new grill or a new grate, it is always a good idea to break the grate in properly. Breaking the grate in is a simple process and will protect your investment by helping to prevent rust.

Begin by starting the coals normally with the grate off the grill. (See Starting Charcoal without Lighter Fluid.) Completely cover the grate in vegetable shortening using a paper towel. This is the white sticky kind of oil, not the liquid type. Place the grate on the grill over the hot coals. Cover the grill and allow the coals to burn off. Do not attempt to cook food during this procedure. You are trying to coat the grate with a protective layer of oil.

That's all there is to the initial break-in. Repeat this process periodically depending on how often you use your grill. If you grill seasonally, it would be a good idea to repeat the process at the end of the season when your grill will be sitting idle outside for a long period.

If you have an existing grate that was not broken in properly, it's not to late to perform this procedure. Scrape any rust of with a grill brush and perform the steps above.

To maintain the protective coating, apply liquid oil (such as canola oil) before cooking food on the grill. The longer you use a grate, the more coated and seasoned it will become. See Getting Good Grill Marks for detailed information on the application of liquid oil.

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