To grate or not to grate

GQuiz

Hate to admit this… the cast iron grate had rusted to the the Kick Ash basket. Ordered a new basket. Do I need a new grate? Would I be ok with the rusty grate? Or do I go with the basket alone?
 

DoubleEgger

You don’t need the grate. You’ll get much better airflow without it. 

zaphod

basket alone. My basket has become a small shelf on the nest crossbars. I keep my ceramic top there.

RRP

Cast iron grates are over rated in my opinion. I love my old KA Baskets which themselves are iron and not SS. Whenever they rust before I do then I will buy new SS KA baskets!

WoodworkerBED

I haven't used my grate since I bought my Kick Ash basket three years ago.  It is much easier to clean up the ash with no grate.  Just shake the Kick Ash a few times without really removing it, and scrape the ash out the bottom vent.

stlcharcoal

The whole purpose of the basket is to get rid of the grate, thus allowing the ash to fall into the ash pan.

My sure you get a kick ash can as well!