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Cast iron??

holleywood dawg
holleywood dawg Posts: 50
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Guys and Gals,
What is the benefit of having a cast iron cooking grid? Just wondering if it is worth looking into buying one. Also is it important to get something to raise the cooking grid? I already have a plate setter.
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Comments

  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,975
    i would rather have a lighter stainless grid than the cast iron. they both give good sear lines, the castiron sears better at lower temps, say 600 instead of 750, because it has better heat retention. you want the castiron down low so it heats up better and its more for direct cooking. its heavey and prone to cracking, the stainless grids are more practical imho
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Bacchus
    Bacchus Posts: 6,019
    IMO, and that of some others, cast iron grids do nothing to improve the flavor or texture of the food coming off the Egg.

    A raised grid setup is significantly different than the standard direct setup or indirect. I use all three setups regularly.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,782
    fishlessman is right on...
    I just ordered a SS small to use on small as well as my large (on the spyder).
    I am also going to replace the CI for the large with SS.
    I am done moving it around as it is heavy and the biggest thing it will do is mark the meat better.
    With knowledge the money we could save :whistle:
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given another Mini to add to the herd. 

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  • BobS
    BobS Posts: 2,485
    If you have to choose, I'd get something too raise your grate before I'd get a CI grill. But heck, it is all about grill toys.

    You will be surprised how much benefit you get from cooking on a raised grate.
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  • Reverend BSB
    Reverend BSB Posts: 157
    One big advantage of the Cast Iron grid is that the bars are close together, reducing or eliminating the need for a special tray or pan for small foods like veggies or shrimp. The bars are also triangle shaped, and the flat base or the triangle is great for spatula foods like fish or burgers, making it easier to get the spatula under them to flip.
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  • Pjoe
    Pjoe Posts: 224
    Can't speak for the cast iron since I don't have one but being able to raise and rotate my grid has given more options and better end product on occasion.

    Bill
    LBGE AR SMALL BGE WOO RING
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  • davehemp
    davehemp Posts: 109
    I would second the Rev.'s comments...I usually use my CI "upside down" - with the flat side up...I baby mine and keep a season on it that allows me to cook even delicate fish filets with little sticking. I've never used the other grid that actually came with the egg - I bought the CI the same time I bought the Egg. Maybe I'm a fool for old school - but I like cooking with well-seasoned cast iron.
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  • davehemp
    davehemp Posts: 109
    I would very much like to know what folks prefer for a raised grid set-up...there are too many options. :) I don't need the extra cooking space of the 3-tier grid, but there is the AR from CGS and the spider and something called the woo - jeez - many options...I did just buy the 2 inch fire ring to put on top of my regular fire ring giving me some extra lift...
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  • Hoss
    Hoss Posts: 14,600
    I have one,(CI GRID)love it and rarely use anything else.There are benefits to having a raised grid for some cooks.
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