I think my grill is officially dead

[Callisto in NC]

Okay, I left my grill and charcoal starter out all winter and the inside of the grill is rusted and the charcoal starter is rusted all the way through. Should I toss them (the grill isn't expensive) or will the rust burn off?

[GotGarlic]

Rust is broken-down metal, so if it burns off, there will be holes where it was. I'd toss it.

[GB]

Time for a new grill.

[Maverick2272]

I would toss it. I picked my last one up at Home Depot for $57, it is a square one with fold down legs for easy transport. Not a mini size, a full size that can lay flat in your trunk.
I also picked up a cover for it for $12 to help keep the elements off of it for now, but the plan was that since it folds down once I clean out my garage I would just hang it on a side wall for the winter.

[Uncle Bob]

What kind? How old? By starter do you mean charcoal chimney or a can of fluid?

[Callisto in NC]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

What kind? How old? By starter do you mean charcoal chimney or a can of fluid?

Charcoal chimney thingy. It was a cheap walmart version and not the good Kingsford one my dad had. His is rust resistant or something, he's had it for 10 years.

The grill is also from Walmart and only cost $30 on sale. It's almost full size but with everything going up in price lately I only want to throw it out if it might be dangerous. Sounds like from the first couple of posts it could be dangerous. Holes in the metal when grilling could definitely be dangerous in a drought area.

[pacanis]

Think of them as air vents

[CharlieD]

iS THERE HOLES,OR DID IT JUST RUST ON THE (oops) top? It really depends. If you don't mind spending money for the new one, then toss it. But when money is an issue...

[Andy M.]

A new chimney is cheap money. If the rust on the grill is just surface rust with no holes rusted through, it will still work fine. If it's now rusted through, buy a new grill.

I'd go for a Weber kettle. They come in 2 different sizes and in silver and gold models. You can get the smaller one for under $100.

[Uncle Bob]

Miss Calli...

For occassional grilling, (burgers, hotdogs, pork chops, chicken breast, steaks, etc.) consider the Weber Smokey Joe...it's a 14in table top model that's perfect when grilling for 2-4 people. Or the next size up 18 in. free standing for more room and flexability.
Invest in another charcoal chimney! In the long run it pays for itself many times over, and you don't have to mess with smelly fluids....or tatse them either.

Enjoy!