When it comes to preparing consistently great foods on a gas or charcoal grill, a cast iron grate is the way to go. Among all types of grill grates, it is the preferred grate of most professional chefs because a cast iron cooking surface has many benefits that make the task of grilling any type of food much easier. In this article, we will describe the biggest advantages of having it!
Reasons to consider a cast iron grate for your Bar-B-Que grill.
Image Credits: Pam Menegakis on Unsplash
Heat Retention
There are many factors that affect the heat levels in a Bar-B-Que grill. Temperature and humidity levels, wind gusts, heat source, and the quality of the charcoal you are using can all contribute to constantly fluctuating heat levels when food is on the grill.
The standard metal grates that come with most Bar-B-Que grills do not retain heat well, which can lead to the surface constantly heating up or cooling down as charcoal temperatures fluctuate. A cast iron grate overcomes this problem because once heated, it retains consistent surface temperatures regardless of fluctuations to heat levels in the charcoals burning underneath it.
Even-Heat Distribution
Fluctuating charcoal temperatures can also cause most standard metal grill grates to become hot on one side of the surface while the other side remains cool. This, unfortunately, leads to some foods being fully cooked while the rest is still underdone. A cast iron grate helps solve this dilemma because, as opposed to metal, it distributes and holds heat evenly across the entire surface once it is fully heated. Thanks to that the heat transfer will always be even!
Less Sticking of Food
All cast iron Bar-B-Que grill grates need to be seasoned with oil before use. It will allow you to have a non-stick surface. The even heat retention and distribution across a cast-iron surface also lends to being assured that the food you are preparing will immediately begin to sear, as opposed to sticking when placed on the grill.
Sturdier Grilling Surface
Let's face it, most standard metal grill grates are notorious for causing a problem with food falling into the bottom of the grill, especially fish. Cast iron grates are sturdier and designed with less open space to the charcoal below, which alleviates this problem. A sturdier and heavier surface also helps assure that the grate will not shift around when you are turning the food while grilling.
Better Grill Marks
There's a great satisfaction that comes with serving meats that have beautiful grill marks. With a cast iron grate, these marks are much easier to achieve because of the even heat distribution and less surface sticking.
Faster Cooking Times
With a cast iron grate, you will find that you are able to Bar-B-Que foods in shorter amounts of time. The even heat distribution across the grate surface creates consistent temperatures that surround the food on all sides.
Easier Cleaning
While cast-iron Bar-B-Que grill grates should never be immersed in water, they are very easy to clean. Because of the oil used for seasoning the grate, anything that needs to be cleaned from the surface can usually be easily removed by simply wiping it off with a paper towel or a grill brush.
Longer Life
Uniflasy 7524 Cooking Grates for Weber Genesis E and S 300 Series
This 19.5-inch cast iron grill grate by Uniflasy will fit your Weber Genesis E310, E320, E330, S310, S320, or S330 gas grill.
Metal grill grates tend to rust and wear out easily. If maintained properly, a cast iron grill grate can last a lifetime. It is important to keep the cast iron constantly seasoned to avoid problems with rust on the surface. But even if some rust does appear, it can be easily removed with a wire brush. After the brushing, the grate can be re-seasoned and brought back to its original condition.
Image Credits: rein schoondorp from Pixabay
To Wrap Up
Bar-B-Que grill cast iron grates are now widely available through a variety of sources. You can purchase them already seasoned or season them yourself following the instructions that come with the grate. Either way, you'll be assured of a great Bar-B-Que grill experience.