I need a new 22 grate and my eye is wandering over to the sear cast iron grate insert set. It looks so cool on the Weber video, but I'm hesitant about the price and the cast iron grate "getting in the way" when i dont need it. I also like to make my own diagonal grill marks, but this set just looks so neat! Any opinions? Is it worth it?
Like you, I also needed a new grill grate and decided to buy the Gourmet System grate (but with just the standard insert) Many times I use it to do a "reverse indirect" where I leave the middle completely open and cook on the periphery. One less piece of grate to have to clean off later.
I've read nice things about the sear grate and will one day pick it up. The other Gourmet System inserts have had mixed reviews, either because of limited size or other. But I think it's just all personal preference and what you may already have in your bag of tricks and so on that influences opinion.
The other ideas above are fine alternatives. But you may not want to wait for a thrift store deal or have another grill's grate you could repurpose. To answer your question about whether or not it would get in the way: unlikely. Your only real concern would be if something small fell down into the coals, but for that there are veggie baskets and such. Everything else will cook fine on it!