Customer question: Hi there, I’m trying to figure out how to clean or maintain my unit. It has some rust on it and I’m wondering if it needs to be sanded down or what I could put on it to continue to protect it?
HH: No need to fuss a lot, certainly no need to sand.
Just rub it down with some cooking oil with a paper towel then either store it in a dry place, inside a cardboard box / or burn it to re-season like a cast iron pan.
Anytime the surface begins to oxidize just rub it down with some oil in that spot. Over time, oil, and heat cycles the bluing process will give it its own unique patina color pattern.
The oil towel makes a good fire starter ;)
PS even paint burns off in the hot coal bed, but if you want a rattle can of rustoleum BBQ black high temp paint (~10$) can be applied at will.
Most stores with a hardware section stock it on the shelf.