"Removing rust from a stainless steel grill

With stainless steel grills, it is highly recommended that you treat them with care and consideration. This means do not attempt to clean the surface with tough, rough, metallic cleaning tools, such as wire/steel wool. Use a light, softer sponge instead. In terms of creating a cleaning detergent, baking soda can be an effective addition to water, and using this as a detergent is the most effective way to cleanly and safely remove grill rust from stainless steel."

https://grillsforever.com/prevent-grill-rusting/

I think lindac is exactly right, but I suspect that the quality of stainless is low as well. I have a stainless grill that is in its 15th year. I clean it every five years or so and otherwise do almost nothing to it other than the replacement of burners once and the heat baffles (above the burner steel things) twice. I don't see any rusting although plenty of crud with my stellar cleaning methods. The grill is on our back deck with a partial roof cover so it is exposed to wind but not rain except in unique situations.

Not sure how to clear the rust but I use oven cleaner on our SS grill a few times a year and it takes off all of the grime. Just make sure to clean it with water afterwards

If you live within a couple (<20) miles of the coast, then you'll always have trouble with outdoor items rusting. Stainless steel is more accurately called stain-resistant steel. It has a thin passivation layer on the surface that protects it from rust. But this layer can get damaged. There is marine grade stainless steel that fares better, but only really expensive brands offer it, then usually as a premium option.

The most common type of damage would be from chlorides. And guess what, there are chlorides in ocean salt.

Another really common cause would be touching regular steel or iron. In particular, never ever use steel wool to clean. Microscopic bits of iron will be left behind and these are the places where rust starts and then spreads.

If you do have rust spots, Barkeeper's Friend and a bit of elbow grease can help remove them. Just make sure you wash it off thoroughly afterwards. While BKF removes corrosion, it ironically also causes surface damage, if left on for too long.

A cleaner such as Sheila Shine might be provide some limited protection, as it leaves a little bit of a coating. But it probably needs to be replenished every so often to be effective.

Thanks for the comments. We live in Ohio and I thought covering it would protect it but I think it did the opposite since it couldn’t breathe. Did I mention it is like a month since we got it😎 It’s from Lowe’s and tag was $600

Corrosion resistant steel includes many types, but the 300 series stainless steels should not mind being wet or covered.

Assuming your SS is not that resistant, and that you have actual rust, then the cleaner of choice is phosphoric acid. The historical product (for casual car bumper cleaning) was Coca Cola, but the proper product can be found at an auto parts distributor catering to body shops. One name I have is DuPont Metal Conditioner 5717S. An older name is Metal Prep.

All safety procedures have to be followed, including dilution, eye protection, hand protection, and adequate ventilation. Wash metal after scrubbing. Wash immediately any skin surfaces that become splashed.

Don't assume that a steel that has already demonstrated rusting will be immune after acid washing.

P.S. Real stainless steel grills tend to be more expensive. Look up Lynx pricing for an example.

Thx for your help:)