Need new grate for a 22 kettle

[padlin00]

What would be a good grate for a new to me Performer gen 3? it has what looks like a rusted cheap Weber grate with wings, I'd like a good replacement for it. I see cast iron ones, and some SS, some with wings, some with the center cutout. I plan on keeping the grill. It came with a set of baskets that look like they saw little use. I would like to try some smoking on it, as well as regular grilling if it matters. I have an 18 with the hinged wings but have not found a reason to use them. I'm guessing they would be handy on the 22 if I try doing some smoking on it.

I do have a 14 wsm.

[Huh??]

It might have to come down to trial-and-error to see what suits your cooking best. That said, my wife recently got me a porcelain coated cast iron grate that I like. It has a removable center section like the Weber, and looks like it will fit their accessories. The Performer I got came with a stainless steel grate with flip up sides, which I found handy when offset cooking with the baskets. A couple weeks ago, I came across a 1978 MBH kettle in great condition, so I'm able to use either grill surface when convenient. My preference? Flexibility, as opposed to just one grilling platform.

[ReanimatedRobot]

Some people like the cast iron grates, but I haven't bought any.  I like cast iron skillets and griddles, but I also keep them in a climate controlled area where I don't have to worry about rust as much.  Almost everyone likes stainless steel grates.  The 22 grates with the flip up sides are ok, but I can't say I use them all that much.  They still aren't the easiest to reach in and mess with the charcoal.  I am going to look into purchasing either a stainless steel grate from Killa Grilla or Slow N Sear.  You can get both with one large hinged side that looks like it will be much handier for offset cooking and loading/moving charcoal on one side.  It is just a matter of deciding if you want a thin grate like SnS or a thick grate like Killa Grilla.  I think plenty of people here have liked both.  If you go Killa Grilla I might make sure you order everything you might want there if you can.  Their shipping is kinda rough, but then again their grates are heavy as can be. 

The grates with the center cut out like the Weber system is handy if you are invested in their accessories.  They also work great for vortex cooks  as it fits almost perfectly with a vortex.  Hope you find what you are looking for.

[Cellar2ful]

I have owned and used cast iron grates, Weber GBS grates with the removable center (Gourmet Barbecue System) and stainless steel grates. They all are useful but I prefer SS cooking grates.  All my kettles now have SS grates.  There are three options that I know of for SS cooking grates.

ABC Barbecue Easy Spin grate               https://abcbarbecue.com/product/22-cooking-grate/  (If you have a Slow N Sear, you'll want one of these for it)

Killa Grilla                                            http://killagrilla.com/

Weber SS grate (part #80728)              800-446-1071

They all are similar in price but each are different. I have all three and each have individual features that are nice for specific uses.  Here are a some write ups and comparisons of them.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=27590.0

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=27388.msg267601#msg267601

[Shanks Kop]

I can't seem to open those two WKC links at the bottom.

I'd be very interested to have a read.

What can I search for in the search bar?

Thanks

I have owned and used cast iron grates, Weber GBS grates with the removable center (Gourmet Barbecue System) and stainless steel grates. They all are useful but I prefer SS cooking grates.  All my kettles now have SS grates.  There are three options that I know of for SS cooking grates.

ABC Barbecue Easy Spin grate               https://abcbarbecue.com/product/22-cooking-grate/  (If you have a Slow N Sear, you'll want one of these for it)

Killa Grilla                                            http://killagrilla.com/

Weber SS grate (part #80728)              800-446-1071

They all are similar in price but each are different. I have all three and each have individual features that are nice for specific uses.  Here are a some write ups and comparisons of them.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/killagrilla-heavy-duty-flip-up-grates-(304-ss)/

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/killagrilla-heavy-duty-304-ss-flip-up-grates/

[padlin00]

Try this one http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=27590.0

Thanks folks

[kettlebb]

I think I prefer stainless also, lighter weight makes moving the kettle easy if you have to. If I did get CI grates I'd be sure they were enameled. I have CI grates for my CGA which are not enameled and in between cooks they do get a tad rusty. I just scrape them off, oil, then cook again but I'd prefer the enameled set.


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[Walchit]

Personally I would just take a wire wheel on a drill, and clean the rust off that old flip-up grate, then oil it real good, and cook some stuff. But if I had some extra cash laying around then I would probably buy the stainless

[HoosierKettle]

Personally I would just take a wire wheel on a drill, and clean the rust off that old flip-up grate, then oil it real good, and cook some stuff. But if I had some extra cash laying around then I would probably buy the stainless

Agree. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing with other types of grates, but I like the standard cheap plated grates. They seem to last me forever.

I'm certain I would like stainless but I haven't had the need.


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[Cellar2ful]

I forget that Troy had to use new URL's due to a technical bug that has arisen lately on the WKC. 

Ok so there's an issue that this caused.

Links to old threads are no longer working.
I've been manually creating redirects to the most linked-to threads, but it's been a chore

Here are links that will work to the threads discussing stainless steel cooking grates and Killa Grilla SS grates.  I also modified my comment above to include these working links.  Along with the rust resistant quality of SS grates, I find they are much easier to clean than nickel plated grates.  SS is much more resistant to pitting from acids in food.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=27590.0

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=27388.msg267601#msg267601

@Shanks Kop   @padlin00

[Shanks Kop]

Out of curiosity, I'm sure it was mentioned at some point that certain grills came with stainless steel as standard (quite possibly the 67cm/26" grills)

How do you easily check ?

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[padlin00]

I would try a magnet, no stick = SS, very little stick = cheaper SS

[padlin00]

Ordered the Killa Grilla.

[Foster Dahlet]

I have the killa grilla; it does not disappoint.  Best grate I have owned.  Sear marks if you want them, heavy duty, quality craftsmanship, no rust. 

Ordered the Killa Grilla.

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[KevinInStL]

Would a Killa Grilla grate plus a Slow n Sear make a 22" kettle excessively top-heavy?