It’s not safe, don’t do it. When you put raw meat on rusty grates, the heat pulls toxins out of the rust and onto your food. Eating that could make you sick. I know there are people who say they’ve done it for years without any problem, but there are always people who think they can drive around the speed limit, eat whatever they want, and live forever. Not sure what else to tell you!

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

You should also never cook on a grill that’s so old it doesn’t have flavorizer bars. (This is another thing you’ll sometimes hear people say they do without any problems, but those people are liars.)

Consequences of cooking in a rusty grill: the toxins in the rust can transfer to your food and make you sick: stomach aches, diarrhea, cramps, etc.

Flavorizer bars protect your grill by giving it a layer of protection from direct flames. When they get old and rusted there won’t be enough metal left for that protection and the heat will corrode the grill itself. This can cause holes, cracks, and fissures that will turn into bigger problems later.

Cooking on a grill with a bad firebox can cause a buildup of creosote that will catch a flame and start a massive fire.

You probably also don’t want to cook on a grill that’s rusted through. If you see rust in the firebox, assume the metal is weak and may not be able to handle high heat. Never leave your grill unattended while cooking, especially if it’s rusted through in any way.

If you see holes or cracks in your grill, definitely don’t do anything as stupid as cooking on it. Small holes can cause fires and larger ones will let in rain and snow that could damage the inside of the grill or even the rest of your house.