What is going on with my Charcoal grill grates?

[SweetHeatBBQnSC]

So I have had my charcoal grill for 2 years (exactly this month). I went to cook on it Saturday and I saw the grates had these going on. It looks like something the
cast iron grates were wrapped in is coming off. Anyone know what this is? Do I need to do anything to it? Last but not least, I just want to make sure it's nothing to worry
about from a health standpoint of it coming off and possibly being on the food. Thanks in advance!

 

[Maylar]

Scrape it down good with a stiff brush and see if it peels off. Might be a porcelain coating.

 

[WilliamKY]

Those look very much like the grates in my Pit Boss pellet grill. If I were a gambling man I'd say they are porcelain coated steel and the porcelain is coming off. I would first check if it's covered under warranty and if not maybe get new grates. There might also be a method to clean them up I dunno. I'd probably let them go with the porcelain coming off though. Good luck.

 

[BuffettFan]

Agreed, looks like failing coating.
Check the warranty, if non, replace with CI or SS

 

[bschoen]

Ya, what these guys above have said.

 

[Blackened]

it’s baked on grease that is flaking off.

Pretty standard

 

[ModelMaker]

it’s baked on grease that is flaking off.

Pretty standard

Don't think so, experience indicates the porcelain is flaking off and pretty sure you don't want chunks of that in your bacon cheeseburger.
Ed

 

[Big George's BBQ]

Agree with the porcelain coating. Can use aluminum foil to clean the grates too

 

[1MoreFord]

Scrape it down good with a stiff brush and see if it peels off. Might be a porcelain coating.

Be careful if you clean with a brush. They have been known to shed and that's as bad or worse for you than peeling porcelain.

I agree with the ideas that it's peeling porcelain and get warranty or replace with something that won't peel.

 

[SweetHeatBBQnSC]

Thanks for the replies. Where would I go to find grates the exact size made out of something different where I could replace these? Any ideas?

 

[mike243]

Well first thing to do is measure them, you didn't mention what brand of grill, ck with manufacture see if they offer stainless, then compare or ck the net, rarely see something that is odd ball so might save $$, I am not a fan of cast grates, my pitboss smoker has the coated grates but no high heat to damage the coating, a grill can crank it up and ruin the coating over time.

 

[larry4406]

I wish manufacturers would just say no to porcelain coated grates. They will fail.

 

[1MoreFord]

I wish manufacturers would just say no to porcelain coated grates. They will fail.

I feel the same about chrome plated steel.

 

[SMOKE FREAK]

Older Char Griller grates were NOT porcelain coated. New ones are. I don't know if they can supply you with the old ones or not. They are a pain to keep seasoned but that's better than chips of glass in you gut.

You might also check with these guys and see if they have anything that might work.

Craycort Cast Iron Grates Home Page

Craycort Cast Iron Grates for Weber and Kamado grills

www.castirongrate.com

 

[cayenne]

Older Char Griller grates were NOT porcelain coated. New ones are. I don't know if they can supply you with the old ones or not. They are a pain to keep seasoned but that's better than chips of glass in you gut.

You might also check with these guys and see if they have anything that might work.

Craycort Cast Iron Grates Home Page

Craycort Cast Iron Grates for Weber and Kamado grills

www.castirongrate.com

I was just about. to suggest he go look for some 3rd party cast iron grates.
Back when I used to use my weber kettle...I switched to some heavy cast iron grates and fell in love with grilling again back then.....

A bit of extra maintenance to keep them seasoned and not rusting, but worth the effort IMHO.

cayenne