Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Alternative grates?

Powak
Powak Posts: 1,412
in EggHead Forum
Right now I'm rolling with the stock grate on my large egg that I alternate on my PSWOO2. I've been wondering if there's any other must-have grates I should check out and add to my arsenal? Cast iron could be nice. And what are these grill grates people are raving about?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    The GrillGrates are these:
    https://www.grillgrate.com/grillgrates-for-the-big-green-egg-large/

    I have them and like them. They leave really good grill marks, but also improve heat distribution and reduce flare ups. The down side is you need another grate under them to support them, and they don't fit the grid exactly so you loose some grilling real estate. 

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    SmokeyPitt said:
    The GrillGrates are these:
    https://www.grillgrate.com/grillgrates-for-the-big-green-egg-large/

    I have them and like them. They leave really good grill marks, but also improve heat distribution and reduce flare ups. The down side is you need another grate under them to support them, and they don't fit the grid exactly so you loose some grilling real estate. 
    Can I use the stock bge grate to support them?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    Powak said:
    SmokeyPitt said:
    The GrillGrates are these:
    https://www.grillgrate.com/grillgrates-for-the-big-green-egg-large/

    I have them and like them. They leave really good grill marks, but also improve heat distribution and reduce flare ups. The down side is you need another grate under them to support them, and they don't fit the grid exactly so you loose some grilling real estate. 
    Can I use the stock bge grate to support them?
    Yes the stock grate will work fine under them. 

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Theophan
    Theophan Posts: 2,656
    I've been using the grates my Eggs came with, which, years ago, weren't stainless but ceramic on steel, I think.  They eventually rusted (which is why they have stainless ones, now), but honestly, who cares?  I don't.  If you look at the center of this picture, you'll see that they're crudded up, and toward the lower right-hand corner they're the way they used to be:



    Some people like cast iron because they make better grill marks, but for myself, I've never cared about grill marks, and I've seen many people complain about their CI grates because the high heat removes the seasoning so they rust like crazy unless you want to take more time "servicing" them than I'd want to.

    I just got GrillGrates, not because I care about grill marks, which I really don't, but hoping they might cut down on the fat dripping down from burgers and burning back up again with lousy tasting smoke, and I've only used them once, but I do think they helped at least some.  I just ate a leftover burger from last night's cook for lunch today and it was quite tasty, so, so far, I'm pleased.

    For everything else, though, unless you really love grill marks, I don't think the type of grate makes much difference.  I've been grilling and smoking for years on rusted grates, and the food's been wonderful!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Save your money. The stock stainless grid is just fine. I have a CI as well, haven't used it in years. I needed a second grid for raised direct cooks so I bought a cheap Weber ($15-ish) and used bolts to raise it. About 17 1/2" I think, so I don't lose much size wise (large egg).

    If you want grill marks (Maillard), use a CI skillet or griddle, not a CI grid.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lit
    Lit Posts: 9,053
    The grill grates are really nice for overall cooking. You can run wings at 350 and the grill grates create an almost indirect environment so you don't have to tend them as much but they get nice grill marks on wings. Also great for burgers, steaks or whatever. I only have them for my MM but will get them for my xl soon. Only down side is they aren't cheap.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    Lit makes a good point.  Raised direct or low and slow are my go-tos.

    The iron holds heat, gently cooking at a lower temp while browning.  Controlling momentum makes cooking much easier, heat is more even, no flare ups.

    Peeps get flustered by not knowing how use iron in a live fire.  It's pretty simple really, if you drop it in there, it will rust.  Keep it standard direct, let it heat up, 500 to 600 lR is plenty hot, like Malcolm showed in a recent vid I posted.

    You don't need a hells fire white iron sear.
    Trust me, I've warped and cracked my way to where I'm at.  Reseasoning iron when you shouldn't have to, sucks.  

    The Al is a nice maintenance free option.
    Although the CI grates require little maintenance if used properly.


    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,759
    If you're looking for a griddle, check out the new BGE plancha griddle.  Raised ridges on one side, and flat on the other side.  Pretty nice.

    Also the cast iron plate setter with the griddle pressed in is a good 2-in-1 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    For example, a jerk drummy pic raised direct.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    One thing I'm wondering with Grill Grates is do you loose the "radiation" from the coal? To me getting that nice red color on burgers is delicious.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    Focker said:
    For example, a jerk drummy pic raised direct.
    Is that a Grill Grate you're using there?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited July 2017
    Powak said:
    Focker said:
    For example, a jerk drummy pic raised direct.
    Is that a Grill Grate you're using there?
    Similar.  They are CI Mangrates.
    Hated on by many here, used by one. Lol
    Found both on clearance for 30 bucks total.
    I like them, and transfer grill to grill, have even seared on the Karubecue firebox for lunch.
    Versatile grids, that will last a lifetime.  Ohio CI, 8lbs each, they hold a lot of heat.


    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    Focker said:
    Powak said:
    Focker said:
    For example, a jerk drummy pic raised direct.
    Is that a Grill Grate you're using there?
    Similar.  They are CI Mangrates.
    Hated on by many here, used by one. Lol
    Found both on clearance for 30 bucks total.
    I like them, and transfer grill to grill, have even seared on the Karubecue firebox for lunch.
    Versatile grids, that will last a lifetime.  Ohio CI, 8lbs each, they hold a lot of heat.


    Man those Mangrates look killer! Cheapest I've seen them lightly browsing online is $59.99+s/h for a set of two on Amazon. Anywhere else I should look? I was just reading that Grillgrates are aluminum and that makes me worried about the chemicals in those over time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,528
    Used these with the gasser, but never with charcoal. 
    BTW, as noted above by @Carolina Q you cook on a grid, you put charcoal on a grate, so these things called "whatever grates" are probably best used to hold your lump, with all due respect to @Focker. 
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Biggreenpharmacist
    Biggreenpharmacist Posts: 4,343
    I have a cast iron grid and love it. It stays in my egg and doesn't rust. To each his own and all that. 

    Little Rock, AR

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    Skiddymarker said:
    Used these with the gasser, but never with charcoal. 
    BTW, as noted above by @Carolina Q you cook on a grid, you put charcoal on a grate, so these things called "whatever grates" are probably best used to hold your lump, with all due respect to @Focker. 
    "Wherever" grates would be better, "grab" one.  =)
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    Skiddymarker said:
    Used these with the gasser, but never with charcoal. 
    BTW, as noted above by @Carolina Q you cook on a grid, you put charcoal on a grate, so these things called "whatever grates" are probably best used to hold your lump, with all due respect to @Focker. 
    Somebody should tell this guy he needs to rename his bizness to GridGrids. Or GreatGrids. Or maybe his customers are just using them incorrectly.

    https://www.grategrates.com/
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    https://youtu.be/lGczCl6_L_o
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories