The upgrade that changes the marks more than the barbecue does
Replacing the thin chrome grate a barbecue was supplied with is the cheapest real improvement available to it. Cast iron holds heat, so the bars keep searing when food lands rather than cooling to the temperature of the meat, and the marks people want come from bar mass rather than from the fire. The decision is bare against enamelled: bare iron sears slightly better and rusts if it is left wet, enamelled needs no seasoning and chips if it is dropped. Fit is not negotiable — grates are sold by barbecue diameter and often by model. We compare published dimensions and the barbecue models named, whether the grate is one piece or two, bare against enamelled, and any removable center section. Bar thickness and weight are published by no one — one listing gives a 1 cm (0.4 in) overall figure inside its dimensions, which is not the same thing.
One porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grid, 17.5 × 6.17 in, reversible with a pointed side for searing marks and a concave side to channel juices, for Baron 300/400/500 (2013+) and Crown 300/400/500 (2012+)
A reversible porcelain-coated grid — pointed for sear marks, concave to vaporize the juices.
Best for: A Broil King Baron or Crown, where the reversible faces are worth buying several of
≈ $21
A 21.5 in round cast iron cooking grate 0.5 in deep for 22 in kettle grills, with a porcelain enamel coating, for Weber Kettle, RecTeq Bullseye and barrel grills
A 21.5 in round cast iron grate for a 22-inch kettle, at 3629 g (128 oz) — the lightest casting here.
Best for: A 22-inch Weber kettle, if you want one solid casting rather than two half-moons
≈ $80
A 2-pack of matte cast iron cooking grates, 17 × 13-1/4 in each and 17 × 26-1/2 in in total, for Nexgrill, Charbroil, Expert Grill, Cuisinart, Kenmore, Members Mark, Uberhaus, Uniflame and K-Mart grills
Two matte bare cast iron grates totaling 450 square inches, with a published standing-water limit.
Best for: A Nexgrill or Expert Grill, for anyone willing to oil the grates after every cook
≈ $36
A set of three polished porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grids, 16-7/8 × 9-5/16 in each and 16-7/8 × 27-15/16 in in total, for Charbroil, Master Chef, Kenmore Sears, Backyard Grill and Thermos models
Three polished porcelain-coated grids totaling 472 square inches, the cheapest cast iron here.
Best for: A Charbroil or Kenmore — the cheapest complete set of cast iron grates on this shelf
≈ $32
A 2-pack of polished porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates, 15.8 × 10.5 in each, for Dyna-Glo DGF350CSP, DGF350CSP-D, DGF350SNP, DGF350SNP-D and Blue Rhino GBC1932L grills
Two polished porcelain-coated grates at 6019 g (212.3 oz) — the most cast iron per square inch on this shelf.
Best for: A Dyna-Glo or Blue Rhino, where the extra metal in the casting is the point
≈ $40
Two 22 in half moon cast iron cooking grates with four support extensions for Weber 22 kettle and gas grills, compatible with the Weber Gourmet BBQ System and the original stainless or porcelain grates
Two half-moon cast iron grates plus four supports, so half a kettle can be cast iron and half anything else.
Best for: A Weber 22 kettle you want to run two ways at once — sear on one half, anything on the other
≈ $80
15 × 12 in pre-seasoned cast iron grill topper with teardrop perforations, a dual handle design and raised sides, seasoned with 100 per cent natural vegetable oil and made in the USA, PFOA and PTFE free
A 15 × 12 in perforated cast iron topper that sits on your existing grate, for food that falls through.
Best for: Shrimp, asparagus, sliced peppers and fish fillets — food a grate loses
≈ $24
A set of solid cast iron grill grates, 17.5 × 11.9 in each and 17.5 × 23.8 in in total, for Weber Spirit 300 and 400 series, Spirit II, GS4 and multiple Genesis models, replacing Weber parts 7638, 7525, 7527, 65619 and 65906
A solid bare cast iron set for Weber Spirit, and the only grate here that publishes what it does not fit.
Best for: A Weber Spirit 300 or Spirit II — the clearest fitment information on this shelf
≈ $40
Weber Crafted porcelain-enamelled cast iron cooking grates for Genesis 400 series gas grills from 2016, requiring the Weber Crafted frame kit, which can be stored under the grates when not in use
The heaviest casting here at 9700 g (342.2 oz), for a Genesis 400 — and the frame kit is a separate purchase.
Best for: A Genesis 400 owner committing to the Weber Crafted system — not a plain grate replacement
≈ $125
Weber Crafted porcelain-enamelled cast iron cooking grates measuring 0.4 in high by 26.8 in wide by 18.9 in deep, for Genesis 300 series gas grills from 2016, requiring the Weber Crafted frame kit
Porcelain-enamelled cast iron at 26.8 × 18.9 in for a Genesis 300 — and the frame kit is extra.
Best for: A Genesis 300 owner buying into the Weber Crafted system — not a plain grate replacement
≈ $140
Cast iron stores the heat and gives it back on contact, which no thin steel grate does. That is what draws the marks.
A replacement grate gives years back to a barbecue whose rest is sound. It is the most profitable repair in this range.
A fifty-four-centimeter grate rattles in a fifty-seven-centimeter bowl and tips under a leg of lamb. The stated dimensions are measured on the appliance, not taken from the model name.
Measure the kettle, do not rely on the compatibility claim. A centimeter out is enough to stop the grate sitting properly.
Yes, like a pan: heat, thin oil, several times. Without that it rusts and sticks.
Brushing while the grate is still hot, never detergent on bare cast iron. Hot water, brush, immediate drying and a film of oil.
Bare cast iron does, as soon as it stays damp without oil. A rusted grate is stripped with a wire brush and re-seasoned.
Grate not hot enough or too thin. Cast iron has to preheat several minutes longer than a steel grate.
Enamelled to have nothing to do, bare for performance and longevity. Enamel chips on an impact and cannot be repaired.
With a hook or purpose-made tongs, never with a glove alone: hot cast iron is very heavy and the burn would be deep.
Bare cast iron rusts in one damp night and is protected by a film of oil baked at high temperature. Grates stated as enamelled do not need it, but dislike knocks.
Cast iron marks because it stores heat: preheat it longer than a steel grate. Measure the kettle rather than believing a compatibility claim, season bare cast iron, and always brush it hot.
We show a column only when four utensils in five publish its value. The rest would stay empty and settle nothing.
| Model | Price | Cost per square inch | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broil King 11241 Grid-Baron | $21 | $0.194 | 17.5 × 6.17 in — about 108 sq in |
| Lodge L15RCGT | $24 | $0.133 | 15 × 12 in |
| Direct Store DC121 | $32 | $0.068 — the lowest on this shelf | 16-7/8 × 9-5/16 in each; 16-7/8 × 27-15/16 in total — about 472 sq in |
| COGRICHBF G13 | $36 | $0.080 | 17 × 13-1/4 in each; 17 × 26-1/2 in total — about 450 sq in |
| EasiBBQ DGO-Grate | $40 | $0.120 | 15.8 × 10.5 in each — about 332 sq in in total |
| QuliMetal QM-EU-KAOW-CG | $40 | $0.096 | 17.5 × 11.9 in each; 17.5 × 23.8 in as a set — about 417 sq in |
| Aura outdoor products AOP-CI22 | $80 | $0.220 | 21.5 × 0.5 in — a round grate for 22 in kettles, about 363 sq in |
| KAMaster WRBY22 | $80 | About $0.210, taking a 22 in circle as 380 sq in | For 22 in and 22.5 in Weber kettle grills |
| Weber 7854 Crafted Gourmet Grilling | $125 | Cannot be calculated, as no dimensions are published | — |
| Weber 7853 Crafted | $140 | $0.277 — the highest on this shelf | — |
$80 – $140
4 models
Aura outdoor products AOP-CI22, KAMaster WRBY22, Weber 7854 Crafted Gourmet Grilling
Specifications: manufacturer sheets for cookware and kitchen knives and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure in this table names its source.
Most recent revision in this category: October 4, 2026.
Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.
