Cast iron grates vs geillgrates vs meh, waste of money

[fnjay]

So i was about 90% sold on getting some cast iron grates for the weber kettle...then had to read this:

http://amazingribs.com/BBQ_buyers_guide/guide_to_grill_grates.html

Which brings me back to...meh cheap grates are best. Just replace as needed. If you have read this what are your thoughts?

 

[smoke ninja]

I agree for the most part.

Yes i want glorious brown crust not black grill marks. The black marks dont taste good and are just for show.

Exceptions

Searing a steak in a cast skillet. Again we want brown not black.

Gas grills. Many swear by grill grates for gassers or pellet grills to help boost the sear

 

[IamMadMan]

I like cast iron grates because I like my steaks still bleeding, Very Rare.
I can get grill marks and slightly warm beef, but not cooked. Perfect for my needs.


Edit..... Once seasoned they never have to be cleaned, just wipe with a damp cloth while still warm.

 

[ebijack]

Me, I don't care for CI for a grill. I can get more of the meat surface touched by flame using a regular grate. An no rust, no "re-seasoning", easier cleaning. But that is me.

 

[DBBQ]

I prefer the plain old grate. I have grill grates and never use them.

 

[dwfisk]

Cast iron, period; end of discussion:thumb:

 

[jjjonz]

I've used them ALL and wouldn't trade my 2 year old GrillGrates for any grates. :wink:

 

[smoke ninja]

I've used them ALL and wouldn't trade my 2 year old GrillGrates for any grates. :wink:

Do you ever use them upside down?

 

[S.Six]

I have the craycort ci grate for my performer and I really like them. Yeah, maybe not a must have but I like'em.

 

[Zin]

IMO expanded metal works best

 

[FireChief]

Glad you posted this. I do most of my grilling on the firebox of my Horizon offset on the expanded metal grate it came with. I too went through a period (and had money to burn) and went through different products looking for those great grill marks, etc. mostly for steaks. As I love all things cast iron I bought Weber CI replacement grates, dropped some coin on some Mangrates and also GrillGrates. In the end I came back to using my plain old cheap expanded metal grate because, just like this article espouses, I get a great char all over the meat, kissed by those hot flames.

Still use the Weber CI grates from time to time just for kicks as they are wide and let a lot of flame come through but. The GrillGrates are excellent for grilling chicken if you wanna grill start to finish without burning it. Veggies good too. ManGrates I wouldn't purchase again. But for steak, give me a wide open flame. Just my $.02 and to each his own.

 

[Robert]

Glad you posted this. I do most of my grilling on the firebox of my Horizon offset on the expanded metal grate it came with. I too went through a period (and had money to burn) and went through different products looking for those great grill marks, etc. mostly for steaks. As I love all things cast iron I bought Weber CI replacement grates, dropped some coin on some Mangrates and also GrillGrates. In the end I came back to using my plain old cheap expanded metal grate because, just like this article espouses, I get a great char all over the meat, kissed by those hot flames.

Still use the Weber CI grates from time to time just for kicks as they are wide and let a lot of flame come through but. The GrillGrates are excellent for grilling chicken if you wanna grill start to finish without burning it. Veggies good too. ManGrates I wouldn't purchase again. But for steak, give me a wide open flame. Just my $.02 and to each his own.

Fire Chief,

I don't own any of the above mentioned, but have looked at all of them. What is it that you dislike about the ManGrates? Inquiring minds etc...

Thanks,

Robert

 

[FireChief]

Fire Chief,

I don't own any of the above mentioned, but have looked at all of them. What is it that you dislike about the ManGrates? Inquiring minds etc...

Thanks,

Robert

Sure thing! First off, they are a solid, solid grate and very heavy. That's a plus and a minus. Each one weighs in at 8 lbs but in a small footprint, 15" L X 4" W (and a good inch thick) and retail for about $40 a piece but you can find discount codes on the web that basically wipe away shipping cost. For a decent size grill you could easily spend $200 to serve your needs. If I were using this on a gas grill where they would stay put for long periods of time, would have been more beneficial for my personal situation. Since I use my side firebox it means always having to move them. I had bought 5 and usually used at least 4 when I grilled.

I knew all this going in but took the plunge anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It's not a bad product by any means, just ended up not giving me what I was looking for and even though you can get some great grill marks on them when they are nice and hot, I ended up prefering that overall char. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. Thanks !

 

[itschris]

Ive had a couple or so different cast iron grates onny kettles...after all the hoopla...i absolutely prefer the regular wire grates. I will say though ive changed my cooking style. I dont care about grill marks. Its show...nothing more. Id much prefer even carmelization then burned in hash marks. I think we all go through a learning\experience process and figure out what really makes a differenc and what does not...cast iron grates are one if the ideas i wanted to like because it was cool to have them on my kettle but in the end...i put them away with all the other "been there done that" stuff.

 

[fnjay]

Thanks all for your contribution! It really was all I was looking for! (Variety of opinion with explanation why). Given what I want out of it (subjective), what I undestand about the process (objective), and all of your wonderfull input (experience), I think i can at least make a well informed decision . thank you all!