Can I cook over a rusted hunsaker basket?

[BlueandGoldBBQ]

My cheap cover on the WSM had a tear and leaked in the rain, pool of water in the bowl and rusted over my hunsaker basket. I’ve done a few wide open burns on it but the surface of the deflector has rust still. I wouldn’t be concerned except that the meat drips on the plate, is there any worry about what kind of reaction that will cause?

Let it ride? Coat with Pam? Sandblast? Be my guide

[Blythewood BBQ'er]

Let it ride! Cooking over it will get some fat on it and help stop it from rusting. After the cook a nice coat of pam will help it out too.

[Nuco59]

Me? If I were anal about it- I'd hit it with a wire brush, wipe it off and go to town. Light oiling optional.
or
I'd just wipe the loose rust off it and go to town.

You're not going to get iron oxide poisoning or tetanus or...

My deflector would not rust if I put it in a bath tub of water - it is "well used"

[smoke ninja]

Meh. Ive cooked on rusty grates before. Rust on the fire basket aint no thang

[dadsr4]

Meh. Ive cooked on rusty grates before. Rust on the fire basket aint no thang
I use seasoned grates, too. Well cleaned first, though.
https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1075&pictureid=11120

[Moose]

If you have a weed burner, torch the rusted areas real well, then brush off and it will be fine.