Why is my stainless steel grill rusting or discoloring?

Rust - The perception that many people have is that stainless steel will not rust. Unfortunately, that is not the case in certain conditions. Rust marks are regular steel particles that have become attached to the surface of stainless steel. They may also occur if you are using a steel wool or wire wool scouring pad instead of a nylon scouring pad to clean your grill. In coastal areas, small rust pits may develop on the surface of your grill that cannot be fully removed by a cleaner. Concentrate bleaches and other solutions containing chlorine can also cause rust pits.

Discoloration – Cooking creates smoke that may eventually coat and discolor the stainless steel surface. To keep discoloration to a minimum, clean after each use. Grease fires will darken the stainless steel surface, but will not affect the integrity of the steel. Periodic cleaning of the cooking surface and the heat distribution plates helps decrease the risk of a fire.