Help Center - Frequently Asked Questions

Are lava rocks or ceramic briquettes better than metal heat plates?

To answer this question, consider the following:

Longer lasting?
The lava rock wins this one hands down. We grill very frequently and I used the same rock grate and rock for eight years.  I recently replaced the rocks and grate for under $60.  Even then, I replaced it because the burner needed replacing and I did it all at once for convenience.  The grate was beginning to sag some though. Many of the heat plates in use today are made of light gauge porcelain coated steel. Frankly, these things burn up pretty fast. Stainless steel lasts longer but, if it's the low grade typically found on many grills today, not much longer.  We have many customers complain that their original heat plates only lasted a season before becoming rusted junk.

Replacement cost?
As I mentioned, I bought the rocks and grate for about $60 and expect it to last another 8 years.  If you own a grill that uses three or more heat plates, expect to spend at least that. You'll probably replace the plates two or three times before I need to replace my rocks and grate..

Flare-ups?
Some theorize that the heat plates (sometimes called flame tamers or vaporizer bars) are less prone to flare-ups because they don't trap the drippings like the lava rock. Since it sounds reasonable, I'll give this one to the heat plates. We've found (meaning my wife has found) that flare-ups are not as big of a problem as they might be if you stay with the grill. Walk off and leave it for awhile though, as I am prone to do, and you could return to food that is cooked to a golden black!

Flavor?
While it is certainly debatable, there are many that believe a significant amount of the flavor of a BBQ comes from the vaporizing of the drippings that fall from cooking food and sauces. Since part of these drippings may be simply "channeled away" by heat plates instead of being trapped in the lava rock (or porous ceramic briquettes) and vaporized, some argue that heat plates make for less flavorful foods.

Heat distribution?
While there is probably no scientific evidence to support it, many believe that rocks and ceramic briquettes, when used in sufficient quantity, do a better job of heat distribution than heat plates.

Grease accumulation?
Because heat plates can "channel away" drippings rather than trapping and vaporizing them like the lava rock, some folks complain that there is more grease in the grill and that their drip pans fill up faster.

There you have it.  Consider this information and decide for yourself which is better.

Also see: Can I convert my grill to lava rocks or ceramic briquettes?