Cast Iron Grate options for XL

Col4bin

im interested in replacing my old xl stainless grate with cast iron. Looking for recommendations on brand options. 

Carolina Q

Don't do it. Too heavy, accomplishes nothing. I haven't used mine in years.

Col4bin

My stainless is just in miserable shape. So replacement is important. Just figuring out what rout to go I guess. Seems like some really like the cast iron 

Photo Egg

Col4bin said:

My stainless is just in miserable shape. So replacement is important. Just figuring out what rout to go I guess. Seems like some really like the cast iron 

How is a Stainless grate in that bad of shape?
But if it is I would just get another and skip the cast iron.

Tracebuzta

Why skip the cast iron?

frazzdaddy

I use mine every cook. Tossed my wire grate from the beginning. 

Carolina Q

Forgot to mention that they tend to break. I bought one when I first bought an egg. 1-2 months later, a chunk of it broke off. Dealer gave me a replacement. Another month or two and it broke as well. Dealer gave me another. Never used it. It's still in the plastic bag. I kept  using the least damaged one for a while, but got tired of the weight. 

Missing section shown here, but there are many hairline cracks not visible in this photo.

frazzdaddy

Carolina Q said:

Forgot to mention that they tend to break. I bought one when I first bought an egg. 1-2 months later, a chunk of it broke off. Dealer gave me a replacement. Another month or two and it broke as well. Dealer gave me another. Never used it. It's still in the plastic bag. I kept  using the least damaged one for a while, but got tired of the weight. 

Missing section shown here, but there are many hairline cracks not visible in this photo.

I use the two half moons on the XL. Haven't had that issue

jtcBoynton

Col4bin said:

My stainless is just in miserable shape. So replacement is important. Just figuring out what rout to go I guess. Seems like some really like the cast iron 

And some really like ss much better.  After all stainless is superior to cast for cooking grates. 

What does miserable shape mean?  You sure a good cleaning wouldn’t bring it back?

Col4bin

jtcBoynton said:

Col4bin said:

My stainless is just in miserable shape. So replacement is important. Just figuring out what rout to go I guess. Seems like some really like the cast iron 

And some really like ss much better.  After all stainless is superior to cast for cooking grates. 

What does miserable shape mean?  You sure a good cleaning wouldn’t bring it back?

A good cleaning may be what it needs. I’d venture to say since it came with my original egg it’s probably 15 years old. No matter how I scrub and scrape it’s still gross. I thought the cast grates were an upgrade over stainless but I’m new so perhaps I’m misguided or reading/ interpreting comments on here incorrectly. 

WeberWho

Col4bin said:

jtcBoynton said:

Col4bin said:

My stainless is just in miserable shape. So replacement is important. Just figuring out what rout to go I guess. Seems like some really like the cast iron 

And some really like ss much better.  After all stainless is superior to cast for cooking grates. 

What does miserable shape mean?  You sure a good cleaning wouldn’t bring it back?

A good cleaning may be what it needs. I’d venture to say since it came with my original egg it’s probably 15 years old. No matter how I scrub and scrape it’s still gross. I thought the cast grates were an upgrade over stainless but I’m new so perhaps I’m misguided or reading/ interpreting comments on here incorrectly. 

Are you sure it's the orignal grate for the BGE? Stainless grids for the BGE are a newer addition. Maybe within the last 5 years? Everything prior was coated. I'd hit it with some oven cleaner and see what you're working with. You should be able to get that grate cleaned up. If not stainless you could make the jump to stainless. 

I've also seen over the years people having issues with cast iron grids cracking. To the point where people were intentionally cutting them so they could expand/contract when new. Not trying to scare you away from them but unfortunately they aren't the perfect answer either. 

Carolina Q

Col4bin said:

I’d venture to say since it came with my original egg it’s probably 15 years old. No matter how I scrub and scrape it’s still gross. I thought the cast grates were an upgrade over stainless but I’m new so perhaps I’m misguided or reading/ interpreting comments on here incorrectly. 

If it's 15 years old, it not stainless, it's porcelain coated mild steel. The porcelain chips off over time, leaving it rough and rusted. BGE changed to stainless a few years ago. I just bought stainless from @tjv at the Ceramic Grill Store and I love it!

Col4bin

You guys are “grate” Ahahaha. I appreciate the help. Non stainless is probably exactly why it won’t clean up like I was eggspecting so to speak! Gonna call my local dealer and see if they have a replacement. 

cookingdude555

if you buy BGEs eggspander 5 piece kit, it comes with two stainless half grids. Also a sliding upper grid. Allows you to cook at two different levels. Also if you really want to try cast iron they sell a half grid of that, too. I don’t have the eggspander for my XL, but I do have one in a large and really like it. 

Col4bin

cookingdude555 said:

if you buy BGEs eggspander 5 piece kit, it comes with two stainless half grids. Also a sliding upper grid. Allows you to cook at two different levels. Also if you really want to try cast iron they sell a half grid of that, too. I don’t have the eggspander for my XL, but I do have one in a large and really like it. 

Thx for that. I’ll price compare too. But I like your idea. 

WeberWho

Col4bin said:

cookingdude555 said:

if you buy BGEs eggspander 5 piece kit, it comes with two stainless half grids. Also a sliding upper grid. Allows you to cook at two different levels. Also if you really want to try cast iron they sell a half grid of that, too. I don’t have the eggspander for my XL, but I do have one in a large and really like it. 

Thx for that. I’ll price compare too. But I like your idea. 

Also check out The Adjustable Rig at the Ceramic Grill Store. Made in USA. 

You can call Tom the owner of the Ceramic Grill Store and he can answer any questions you may have with a setup. He's an egger here on the forum. Top notch service.