Daft question time: Never done a BBQ before, my barbeque is rusty...does it matter?

[bananabump]

This is a daft question but I've never done a barbeque before and I've been waiting for nice weather (HAH!) so water has pooled in my kettle style barbeque and it's gone rusty.

The lower half is bright orange with rust. Do I need to get it off before I can use it, and if yes, how? Or can I line the whole thing with foil or something and just put the charcoal on top? The grill part isn't rusty, just the base of the drum.

Thanks!

Anyone?

So long as it's not so rusty that the bottom will fall out of your barbecue you should be OK Best way to get the worst of it off is with a wire brush - just scrub it off then give it a good wash out with hot soapy water then use as normal. So long as the grill part isn't rusty you should be fine.

Oh and you can get barbecue covers from places like B&Q - saves you a job next time.

Thanks! I really didn't have a clue!

Got to ask though - where on earth are you that you are having barbecue weather?

Line it with tinfoil before using it. Then if you dont get round to cleaning it straightaway afterwards, it wont go so rusty, also when all the charcoal has cooled you can lift it out and chuck it away.
We cleaned our manky BBQ grill with OVEN PRIDE. Its the best thing since sliced bread! Came up good as new, and it was properly rank.

or scrub with wire brush.

Madeye... no it's more that I was wondering if I should throw it out or whether it was salvagable! Hoping for at least one barbeque before september, not holding my breath though!

I'll try with ovenpride, thanks for the tip!