Buy Cast Iron Grill Grates
Cast iron grill grates conduct heat quickly and evenly, cooking and searing meat for that distinctive charbroiled flavor. But to achieve those delicious results, cast iron grill grates need proper seasoning and regular care. Seasoning cast iron grill grates when they're new keeps your food from sticking and can prevent rust to make the grates last longer. Cooking on cast iron helps to create a smooth, non-stick surface to minimize seasoning needs in the future. Cast iron is porous, and as meat cooks, fats and oils soak into the pores where they harden.
buy cast iron grill grates
Rinse the grill grates under clear, running water while rubbing them with a clean sponge to remove all detergent residue. Otherwise, soapy water collects in the cast iron pores and inhibits the seasoning process.
Wash the cast iron grates in warm water before using a charcoal grill for the first time. Use a mild detergent and an abrasive scrub pad. The objective is to remove the protective coating of paraffin applied by the manufacturer.
Spread a level tablespoon of pure, unflavored vegetable oil onto a cloth and rub it into the grates. Fill the pores and leave a thin coating of oil on the surface. Use more oil for large grill grates.
Don't clean the grill grates after cooking on them. Before the next use, leave the lid closed and heat the grill on the medium setting until it's hot. Brush the grates with a steel brush and wipe lightly with paper towels.
The caveat is that you need to make sure that the grates are actually stainless steel and not simply designed to look like stainless. You will be better off buying a grill with a cast iron grate than a fake stainless grate but that is only true if you are dealing with cast iron that has been properly treated.
I absolutely love cast iron cookware including my cast iron skillet and cornbread pan. For a few years I made that assumption that since I loved cast iron cookware in my kitchen that I would also love it on my grill.
These methods of rust prevention are easy to utilize for kitchen cookware and a nightmare to utilize on an outdoor grill. If you are diligent in taking care of your cast iron grates then you will be able to hold off the rust for 4-5 years but eventually the rust will show up and start eating away at the grates.
Engineering data says that cast iron is 3.6X better at transferring heat than stainless steel. I would expect better heat transfer to result in better searing (aka, grill marks) but that is not what I have found in my years of grilling.
In contrast, to get cast iron grates clean I almost always have to grab a brush to scrub the grate clean. If I am being honest, I find it such as hassle to clean my cast iron grates that I usually just leave them dirty until it is time for the next grilling session.
This type of grill have grates that are made of carbon steel (or other low grade material) that are wrapped in a thin layer of stainless steel. Eventually the stainless steel layer chips or flakes off and the base material corrodes.
Lastly, if you are shopping in Home Depot or Lowes, go over to a Weber gas grill and pick up one of their stainless steel grates. Then go over and pick up the grate on the cheap grill. Chances are that you are going to notice the grate on the cheap grill feels a whole lot lighter.
You best bet here is to read the labels and look at prices. The raw material for stainless steel grates is expensive so if the entire grill is cheap it is highly likely that the shiny grate is chrome plated.
However, before you buy a grill with a cast iron grate make sure the stickers or manual states that the grate is made of Porcelain Enameled Cast Iron. The porcelain enamel is a protective ceramic/glass coating that will prevent corrosion as long as it remains intact. The coating will usually stay intact (unless the grate is seriously abused) for about 5 years before it starts to chip and crack.
These Avenger Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Grill Grates are designed to provide top level searing at an excellent price. Made of heavy-duty cast iron, these grates ensure heat retention and a fantastic sear on any meat or vegetable. Easy to clean and maintain, the porcelain coated cast iron grill grates are long-lasting and reliable, ensuring years of use to come! These Grill Grates are compatible with a variety of grill makes and models. This kit contains 2 Grill Grates.
Yes, you can use your cast iron skillet on a grill. Just make sure to preheat the skillet for about five to 10 minutes first. Otherwise, your food will not cook evenly. Grilling with cast iron allows you to sauté smaller vegetables that would normally fall through the grill grates. With a cast iron pan, you can not only sauté but also simmer, boil, deglaze, fry, and much more.
When cooking with cast iron over the stove, it can take quite a while to preheat your pan for frying. Depending on the power of your range, you might not be able to reach the temperature you want. Not to mention that on electric ranges, the temperature is particularly difficult to control. But with a cast iron skillet over the grill, you can enjoy high heat cooking all the time.
When you first receive your cast iron pan, one of the first things you should do is season it. You have a lot of options when it comes to the oil or fat you can use. Anything from lard to grapeseed oil to avocado oil works quite well.
The video below looked at a $25 Lodge cast iron pan vs. a $240 cast iron pan from Finex. The cook found that the meats cooked quite similarly. The more expensive pan was quite a bit heavier than the Lodge pan but much easier to clean. He liked the presentation of the more expensive pan. You could serve your steak right from it and it looks quite appetizing.
Soap and Water: Mix some dish soap and warm water in a bucket. Wash the grill with something soft. For stubborn rust on grill grates, try using a nylon brush to remove the rust particles. Avoid anything abrasive.
The cast iron grates without a coat remain spongy and porous. In order to protect the uncoated iron, making sure your grill is constantly seasoned using oils and fats will save your grill grate from corrosion. The non-stick surface forms with the help of tiny holes that absorb oil over time.
The first reason that you should do this after each grilling session is that the grill grates are still warm. Thus, any food, grease, or grime that is stuck to it will be soft enough to remove with relative ease.
Use a high-quality, commercial grade cleaner for the best results. Place the grill grates in a garbage bag and then move to a well-ventilated area. Liberally spray the cleaner all over the grates, covering every inch. Then, tie up the bag.
Once the time is up, take the grates out out of the bag, making sure to wear protective gloves. Use steel wool to scrub the cast iron grill grates until all the rust is removed. If you are finding this tricky, use soap and steel wool. Alternatively, a wire brush may work as well.
Rinse of all the rust and debris. Make sure that the grill grates are completely dry before storing them. Some people like to set their oven to low heat and to leave the grills in the oven for up to 15 minutes to make sure they are completely dry.
Instead, place the cast iron grates on your grill and fire it up to as high as it can go. Then, close the grill and let the grates heat up for about an hour or two. Then, turn off the heat and let the grates cool down a it.
It is far more important to prevent rusting than to learn how to get rid of it. Left too long, then rust damage can destroy your cast iron grill grates. Not to mention, removing rust can be annoying and time consuming.
Ductile iron and cast iron trench drain grates can also be coated with a protective finish. Iron trench drain grates are often coated with epoxy paint, powder coated, oil baked, or hot dip galvanized. For exterior applications, coating an iron trench drain grate is usually a waste of money. With no coating an iron grate will outlast the pavement in most cases. It should also be noted that in some cases the DOT (department of transportation) specifications may not allow iron trench drain grates to be painted or coated. 041b061a72