We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Choose the Best Barbecue Grate?

By Lori Kilchermann
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,552
Share

When it comes to choosing the best barbecue grate, you have several styles to pick from. The average barbecue grate can be made in a wide variety of materials and designs, from chrome-plated steel and ceramic-coated steel to plain cast iron. Each type of grate material has a special purpose that it is intended to provide for the user. Whether it be a traditional charcoal grill or a modern, gas-fired model, the barbecue grate is often the deciding factor when choosing one model of grill over another.

The bottom-of-the-line model of barbecue grate is traditionally found on most entry-level, charcoal grill models. The chrome-plated, steel grate is the most basic of all grate designs, and while it offers certain non-stick capabilities when new, it can eventually rust and become difficult to clean. One trick to improve the lifetime of the chrome-plating is to apply a non-stick spray to the grate prior to cooking on it. Using non-metallic grill tools on this type of barbecue grate will also add life to the grate. If, however, you are searching for a short-term cooking surface and do not mind changing the grate out every grilling season, you might want to choose the chrome-plated grate for your barbecuing needs.

One of the more common types of barbecue grate for both charcoal as well as gas grills is the porcelain- or ceramic-coated steel grate. This type of grate consists of a steel-wire grate that is coated with a ceramic material for non-stick cooking with relatively easy cleanup. Commonly offered as both an original equipment type of grate as well as a replacement grate, this style is both economically priced and fairly durable. Providing you care for the grate by cleaning it thoroughly after each use and do not allow burnt-on food to remain on the grate for long periods, this can be a wise choice for your cooking needs.

If your goal is to choose the best barbecue grate for your grill, most cooks agree that the cast-iron grate offers the most benefits of any of the different styles. The cast-iron grate provides the most even heating and produces the most identifiable grill marks on your food. The tip in keeping your cast-iron grill grate in top-notch cooking order is to lubricate the grate prior to every use. You have several grates to choose from, with each one offering a distinct level of cooking and durability performance at all price points.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-choose-the-best-barbecue-grate.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.