Cast iron grill grates...are they worth the money?

[Bugeater]

I'm rebuilding a Weber gas grill I got for free off Craigslist a while back that some dumbass gutted and used for a charcoal grill. I see Home Depot has three different types of cooking grates for them, stainless steel, porcelain coated cast iron and porcelain coated steel. The stainless and cast iron are more than double the price of the steel, but are they really any better?

I know Fire Me Boy is a big fan of cast iron, but since it's porcelain coated just like the steel isn't it basically the same surface? What about stainless?

Thoughts? Experiences?

[RedandGold]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Whoa whoa....... Nobody and I mean nobody is saying that gas is the preferred method. It never was and never shall be. Charcoal/wood is the only way to properly cook meat if you want the full delicious flavor that was intended. Gas is for quick lazy cooking. Nothing wrong with that, but charcoal/wood is the method you use for full flavor.

As Kingsford says...... "Slow down and grill..."

I'll have to say that cooking on a Weber Genesis makes quick and lazy pretty enjoyable.

[icepick64]

I just got a weber q100 gas grill that has a cast iron grate and I can day it is awesome! Non-stick, even heating, I would say it depends on the difference in price, but they are nice.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Whoa whoa....... Nobody and I mean nobody is saying that gas is the preferred method. It never was and never shall be. Charcoal/wood is the only way to properly cook meat if you want the full delicious flavor that was intended. Gas is for quick lazy cooking. Nothing wrong with that, but charcoal/wood is the method you use for full flavor.

As Kingsford says...... "Slow down and grill..."

Yep, 75% of my grilling is still done on charcoal. But I don't always have time for that, and charcoal doesn't work well in the winter.

Originally Posted by icepick64

I just got a weber q100 gas grill that has a cast iron grate and I can day it is awesome! Non-stick, even heating, I would say it depends on the difference in price, but they are nice.

$70 vs $30

[icepick64]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Yep, 75% of my grilling is still done on charcoal. But I don't always have time for that, and charcoal doesn't work well in the winter.


$70 vs $30

I don't know if it's worth twice, but it is a weber so you'll have it for years...so go for it

[SAUTO]

I have a buddy that got me a bunch of stainless grating last year. Everyone I know has those grat es on their grills at this point.

You should have made this thread a couple of months ago. I could have hooked you right up...
Posted via Mobile Device

[ILChief]

My Chargriller Duo has cast iron (porcelain coated) on both the charcoal and gas sides (The grates are interchangeable). I love the cast iron grates.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

I have a buddy that got me a bunch of stainless grating last year. Everyone I know has those grat es on their grills at this point.

You should have made this thread a couple of months ago. I could have hooked you right up...
Posted via Mobile Device

What advantages does stainless have over cast iron? They're roughly the same price.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I looked for months to get plain cast iron (not enameled) for my grill. That's right. I'm hardcore.

Seriously, the stainless will do well, but the enameled cast iron perform better. They retain heat better and will sear better/faster. Frankly, though, I didn't want enameled because the porcelain is relatively easy to chip, and once chipped they're a pain in the ass.

I'd recommend holding out for real cast iron. These fit perfectly in my grill:

https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefro...idProduct=3978

[WV]

I have un-coated cast iron grates in my Kenmore Stainless grill and they've rusted to shit. I basically have two sections I can cook on now and the replacements are $$$$$.

[Chiefshrink]

Also if you want your grill to last a long time get a cast iron or brass burner.

As everyone has said cast iron grates rock!

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

I looked for months to get plain cast iron (not enameled) for my grill. That's right. I'm hardcore.

Seriously, the stainless will do well, but the enameled cast iron perform better. They retain heat better and will sear better/faster. Frankly, though, I didn't want enameled because the porcelain is relatively easy to chip, and once chipped they're a pain in the ass.

I'd recommend holding out for real cast iron. These fit perfectly in my grill:

https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefro...idProduct=3978

Interesting...those are the exact same size as my old grates. Although I'm wondering if those handles built into them are going to interfere with the lid.

And yeah, I don't quite get the coating, I would think if they were properly seasoned you wouldn't need it and would prevent the rust that WV mentioned.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

What advantages does stainless have over cast iron? They're roughly the same price.

In my case? Free vs money.

We welded up the grates exactly like we need.

Buddy works where they make shit for burger king, I think, and the grate was actually scrap. The missing pieces are what they use.

Works AND looks great.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

If I may say this here, charcoal still makes a damn tasty burger, last weekend at my girls house, we did up some burgers w/ provolone. Very nice touch, it'd been yrs. since i'd tasted a charcoal cooked meat.

Feels good man

Yes this...i prefer charcoal to gas.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yes this...i prefer charcoal to gas.

Who doesn't?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Interesting...those are the exact same size as my old grates. Although I'm wondering if those handles built into them are going to interfere with the lid.

And yeah, I don't quite get the coating, I would think if they were properly seasoned you wouldn't need it and would prevent the rust that WV mentioned.

The handles don't interfere with mine, they're actually what hold it in my grill. Properly seasoned and if you take care of 'em, they work great. Add in the fact that if they rust, take some steel wool to 'em and fix them, then re-season.