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Simply stated, the cooking grids are the primary surface where you put your food for grilling and are located directly above the rock grates or heat plates. They are commonly called cooking grids, cooking grills, and cooking grates, depending on the manufacturer.
When buying replacement cooking grids, remember
that the critical dimension is front-to-back. Cooking grids can be an inch or so
narrower (side-to-side) and still be fully functional. Measure the
front-to-back support area in your grill to determine the minimum and maximum
grid depth for your grill.
Cooking grids are primarily made of four different materials: Chrome steel, porcelain enameled steel, porcelain enameled cast iron, and stainless steel.
Chrome steel
A good choice if cost is a primary concern. Usually more economical than the pricier options, these grids will give good service, perform as well as the other steel grids in terms of heat distribution, but won't be as long lasting.
Porcelain enameled steel
The porcelain coating on the steel rod grids acts as a rust preventative and provides a smooth rust-free cooking surface. They are also a bit easier to clean because of the porcelain. Since porcelain is really glass fused onto metal, it is prone to
chipping.
Porcelain enameled cast iron
Considered by many to be the best for cooking, cast iron grids are known for their more even heat distribution. Surprisingly, cast iron grids are not as tough as you might think. Today's cast iron cooking grids are nothing like your mother's cast iron skillet, not nearly as tough. Our porcelain enameled cast iron replacement grids come in either the glossy finish or the matte finish.
Stainless steel
Good quality solid stainless steel cooking grids are almost impossible to burn up or rust out. In the opinion of this writer, they are the longest lasting. The problem is that many manufacturers, in an attempt to reach an ever lower price point but still have large diameter rods, are using lower grade stainless, or carbon steel rods clad in a thin stainless sleeve. These lower quality clad grids are being marketed with fancy names like Therma-Core but are really a poor substitute for a real solid stainless grid and won't last nearly as long. |
