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Time for a new grate

Hungry Celeste
Hungry Celeste Posts: 534
in EggHead Forum
Finally wore out my OEM grate....with what should I replace it?  Stainless, cast iron, something else......
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Comments

  • Biggreenpharmacist
    Biggreenpharmacist Posts: 4,343
    Are you talking about the grid (holds food) or the grate (holds lump). 

    Little Rock, AR

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  • Hungry Celeste
    Hungry Celeste Posts: 534
    Grid, though a brief google search shows plenty of them for sale labeled as grates.
    A Kick Ash basket holds my lump.
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    edited July 2018
    Hi, Celeste. I suspect I'll be in the same boat before long. I've had a cast iron grid from the beginning and originally used it exclusively. Then I got tired of messing with the heavy thing with no discernible benefit so I started using the stock porcelain grid. When it dies, I'm planning to replace it with stainless from CGS.

    https://ceramicgrillstore.com/collections/big-green-egg-large-accessories-by-ceramic-grill-store/products/18-round-stainless-grid-large

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

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Biggreenpharmacist
    Biggreenpharmacist Posts: 4,343
    Hungry Celeste said:
    Grid, though a brief google search shows plenty of them for sale labeled as grates.
    A Kick Ash basket holds my lump.
    Yeah I call it a grate, too, just wanted you to clarify so you get the suggestions you wanted. I wasn’t busting your balls or nothin’. 

    Little Rock, AR

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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    I also noticed smokeware sells stainless grids:

    https://smokeware.com/products/16-grill-grate?variant=40814048014&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIloyCudqt3AIVStbACh28kQu2EAQYAiABEgIp4fD_BwE



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

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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,540
    It might be a good time to look at the adjustable rig if you were ever to buy one.

    If you're looking for a grid itself it's hard to beat the High-Que luxury stainless cooking grid. 304 stainless and heavy. The downfall is the price. It's not cheap but the grid will last forever. Top notch and quality built. 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    WeberWho said:
    If you're looking for a grid itself it's hard to beat the High-Que luxury stainless cooking grid. 304 stainless and heavy. The downfall is the price. It's not cheap but the grid will last forever. Top notch and quality built. 
    The other downfall is the weight! That sucker weighs FOURTEEN POUNDS!!!

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

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,318
    edited July 2018
    I would go with the regular ol' stock stainless grate... IMO cast iron is a pain in the butt to maintain, and during high-heat cooks runs too hot making burnt grill marks that I'm not a fan of. I want even searing across the entire surface without heavy black marks.  
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,799
    fwiw, some people call it grill
    canuckland
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  • RichH
    RichH Posts: 41
    I was going back and forth between the high que grid and the adjustable rig. I went with the AR, since it gave me more cooking options. 
    Large Egg with adjustable rig, Smokeware Chimney, Kick Ash basket, Rutland Gasket and BBQ Guru DigiQ

    St. Petersburg, FL
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,540
    Carolina Q said:
    WeberWho said:
    If you're looking for a grid itself it's hard to beat the High-Que luxury stainless cooking grid. 304 stainless and heavy. The downfall is the price. It's not cheap but the grid will last forever. Top notch and quality built. 
    The other downfall is the weight! That sucker weighs FOURTEEN POUNDS!!!
    One of the advantages of the grate is the weight. It stays in place and doesn't move around when using it. I also have it paired up with the Smokeware grate stacker. (Upside down in the pic) The weight of the High-Que grid let's me pair it up with a large BGE grid. No need to worry about the upper grid being too heavy when swiveled out. I also have it paired up with a spider and stone. Nice having two large grids in it.


    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,318
    WeberWho said:
    Carolina Q said:
    WeberWho said:
    If you're looking for a grid itself it's hard to beat the High-Que luxury stainless cooking grid. 304 stainless and heavy. The downfall is the price. It's not cheap but the grid will last forever. Top notch and quality built. 
    The other downfall is the weight! That sucker weighs FOURTEEN POUNDS!!!
    One of the advantages of the grate is the weight. It stays in place and doesn't move around when using it. I also have it paired up with the Smokeware grate stacker. (Upside down in the pic) The weight of the High-Que grid let's me pair it up with a large BGE grid. No need to worry about the upper grid being too heavy when swiveled out. I also have it paired up with a spider and stone. Nice having two large grids in it.



    I just bought that Smokeware stacker and was dumbfounded on why their grate clip doesn't work with the plate setter. Having a heavier base grate would help secure the whole thing from tipping over. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,540
    SonVolt said:
    WeberWho said:
    Carolina Q said:
    WeberWho said:
    If you're looking for a grid itself it's hard to beat the High-Que luxury stainless cooking grid. 304 stainless and heavy. The downfall is the price. It's not cheap but the grid will last forever. Top notch and quality built. 
    The other downfall is the weight! That sucker weighs FOURTEEN POUNDS!!!
    One of the advantages of the grate is the weight. It stays in place and doesn't move around when using it. I also have it paired up with the Smokeware grate stacker. (Upside down in the pic) The weight of the High-Que grid let's me pair it up with a large BGE grid. No need to worry about the upper grid being too heavy when swiveled out. I also have it paired up with a spider and stone. Nice having two large grids in it.



    I just bought that Smokeware stacker and was dumbfounded on why their grate clip doesn't work with the plate setter. Having a heavier base grate would help secure the whole thing from tipping over. 
    Yeah it doesn't work very well with the plate setter. It sits too high and will need a smaller grid. The stem on the Stacker could be cut down but that seems kind of like a waste. The spider and stone from the Ceramic Grill Store help. Plus the spider comes in handy with other styles of cooks.
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,318
    I bought the Smokeware XL Stacker and the included grid is too small IMO, lots of wasted space. They could have added another 2" to it I think and the dome would still shut. I bought it for the swivel hinge though, which seems very well built. Only after I purchased it did I find out I could have purchased it separately for $40 and used an old Weber grate. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • SSQUAL612
    SSQUAL612 Posts: 1,186
    His prices are not current on the site,  but he responded to my email within 24 hours.  Standard XL is now $135.  It’s a 3/8” 304ss frame with 1/4” on top.  I am going to invest in one simply for the ease of cleaning which is something I’ve noticed & commented to CGS on their grids, but CGS does not make a standard size replacement cooking grid. 

    http://michaelscustomgrillworks.com/

    Tyler, TX   XL BGE 2016, KJ Classic 2019,  MES, 18.5 WSM,  Akorn Jr,  36"&17" Black Stone, Adj Rig, Woo, Grill Grates, SS Smokeware Cap, KAB,  FB 300, Thermapen 
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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,318
    edited July 2018
    I'm considering one in 3/8" frame and top with 1/2" spacing. That's what my gasser has and it's a dream to cook on, and cleanup is a breeze. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • SSQUAL612
    SSQUAL612 Posts: 1,186
    SonVolt said:
    I'm considering one in 3/8" frame and top with 1/2" spacing. That's what my gasser has and it's a dream to cook on, and cleanup is a breeze. 
    Does the 3/8 top make that big a difference versus the 1/4”?   I have some CGS grids in 1/4”ss and they clean up so easy in comparison to the OEM grids. 
    Tyler, TX   XL BGE 2016, KJ Classic 2019,  MES, 18.5 WSM,  Akorn Jr,  36"&17" Black Stone, Adj Rig, Woo, Grill Grates, SS Smokeware Cap, KAB,  FB 300, Thermapen 
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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,318
    edited July 2018
    SSQUAL612 said:
    SonVolt said:
    I'm considering one in 3/8" frame and top with 1/2" spacing. That's what my gasser has and it's a dream to cook on, and cleanup is a breeze. 
    Does the 3/8 top make that big a difference versus the 1/4”?   I have some CGS grids in 1/4”ss and they clean up so easy in comparison to the OEM grids. 

    Probably won't clean better, but 3/8 will store and transfer more heat so better browning potential if that's important. It really comes in handy with a gasser since they don't put off as much heat by comparison. But really, it just looks cool as hell with the thick 1/2 bars going across. It's really stunning. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • TEXASBGE2018
    TEXASBGE2018 Posts: 3,831
    Next time I have $150 burning a hole in my pocket for something I don't have to have. I'm ordering one of these.


    Rockwall, Tx    LBGE, Minimax, 22" Blackstone, Pizza Party Bollore. Cast Iron Hoarder.

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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,318
    edited July 2018
    Picking the beast up won't be much fun... especially when it's hot. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    SonVolt said:
    Probably won't clean better, but 3/8 will store and transfer more heat so better browning potential if that's important. 
    If you want better browning, use a CI pan or a baking steel. Wall to wall sear. =) 

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

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,318
    Now we're talkin'. A 1/2" baking steel lives on my gasser and is my go-to steak method currently. Instant searing. Works wonderful for vegetables too, much better than a grill basket. 




    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • Theophan
    Theophan Posts: 2,656
    SonVolt said:
    ... IMO cast iron is a pain in the butt to maintain, and during high-heat cooks runs too hot making burnt grill marks that I'm not a fan of. I want even searing across the entire surface without heavy black marks.  
    Strongly agree.  The more I see the grill marks that so many people love, the more I notice the unpleasant, gray, NOT-seared surface between the grill marks!  No thanks!  

    I want even searing across the entire surface!  I get that with a normal grid and a high searing temp.
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    I agree.


    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • Cornholio
    Cornholio Posts: 1,048
    jtcBoynton said:
    I agree.


    That looks... grate!

    I’ll go ahead and see myself out.  Carry on..
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  • SSQUAL612
    SSQUAL612 Posts: 1,186
    I agree with the even sear you get w steel or CI.  I put a Griddle on the spider portion of my Woo for searing. Works great on Tri tips. 


    Tyler, TX   XL BGE 2016, KJ Classic 2019,  MES, 18.5 WSM,  Akorn Jr,  36"&17" Black Stone, Adj Rig, Woo, Grill Grates, SS Smokeware Cap, KAB,  FB 300, Thermapen 
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  • Hungry Celeste
    Hungry Celeste Posts: 534
    SonVolt said:
    I would go with the regular ol' stock stainless grate... IMO cast iron is a pain in the butt to maintain, and during high-heat cooks runs too hot making burnt grill marks that I'm not a fan of. I want even searing across the entire surface without heavy black marks.  
    My Egg is older, OEM was porcelain coated stainless.  Coating is long gone, I probably ate bits of it for the past 5 years LOL.  Going to look at stainless now.
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