Blue Star grates chipping and rusting

8 years ago

I love my Blue Star range top but it is less than 6 years old and we are having trouble with the grates rusting and chipping. It get embarassingly little use and I expected more from this expensive rangetop. I contacted the company and showed them photos. Their response was that this was perfectly normal and I should expect rusting and chipping. They also offered to sell me new grates. So what I want to know is this indeed "normal"? I have cast iron pans and they are over 40 years old and look new. I guess I expected the same.

Featured Answer

Janet

8 years ago

Seasoning cast iron pans involves a thin coating of oil and then putting it in a hot oven. Maybe you can do the same with the grates.

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Comments (11)

Janet
8 years ago
Maybe you need to keep the grates “seasoned” like your cast iron pans.
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
8 years ago
It takes talent to chip cast iron. How? Are you sure it’s cast iron? Rusting? No climate contro? Color me confused.
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User
8 years ago
If you’re washing them, that’s the problem with rusting. Just like anything else cast iron. Season it. And don’t wash.
bacino
Original Author
8 years ago
OK help me out here. I guess I really don't know how to care for them. They are supposed to be cast iron but seem to have some sort of coating that is chipping. As far as seasoning,I coat my pans with oil but not sure how to do this with the grates. Any help would be appreciated.
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
8 years ago
Could you post a picture?
M
8 years ago
If you only ever wipe them down after use, they naturally develop patina after a while. And that's what protects them.

The grates are made from cast iron, but they have a ceramic coating. Seasoning them is the best way to protect them. But it is OK to occasionally wash them. Just make sure you dry them well afterwards.

When I first got my Bluestar, I sprayed all the grates with PAM and then stuck them in the oven for a few hours. This was a one time procedure to jump-start the natural seasoning process. I am sure, you could still do that now, even though your range is a few years old.
stevep2005
8 years ago
My rangetop is a little over 12 years old and I live by the ocean. The salt air did a number on the iron burner heads and igniter screws but the grates and bowls have held up great. Maybe a chip or two, and the grates and bowls get washed once every two weeks by the cleaning folks, otherwise the rangetop is abused daily by many large, heavy, aggressive pans. I just rebuilt the burner heads this winter and posted if you want to take a look at grates twice your range top age: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5132078/bluestar-rangetop-12-yo-rebuild-bs-customer-service-solid
bacino
Original Author
8 years ago
Steve, did you do anything to season the grates before using them?
stevep2005
8 years ago
bacino, no, didn't do anything particularly special. I do use them a lot so maybe they are in a continual state of seasoning.
Theresa Colosimo-Gast
4 years ago
When I asked the person at ABT about how to clean the Bluestar stove, she was clueless. I offered the solution of using soap and water and she agreed. I also have the problem of rusty grates and ones that look like they are much older than the stove. No one ever suggested seasoning them.