Ask ten charcoal grillers to name the single most important part of their grill and you will get ten answers that all come back to the same piece of metal: the grate. It is the only component that touches your food every single cook, and when it rusts through, warps or no longer holds heat, nothing else you own can fix the meal. Most of the search volume for the best grill grates for charcoal grills lands on people with a specific problem, usually a factory grate that is pitting, flaking or no longer fits.
We spent weeks comparing the twelve grates below across the four grill families that actually matter here: 22-inch kettles, 18-inch kettles, kamado and ceramic fire boxes, and 24-inch charcoal grills from the box-store brands. Every one of them is either an exact-fit replacement, a material upgrade over a factory grate, or a fire grate that sits under the coals instead of above them. That last distinction catches people out constantly, and we explain it properly further down.
The short version: bare or porcelain-coated cast iron gives you the best sear and the longest heat retention, while 304 stainless steel gives you the least maintenance and the best resistance to rust. If your factory grate is still in decent shape, you do not need to replace it. If it is pitted, rusted through or the wrong diameter, one of these will fix the problem for good.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Grill Grates for Charcoal Grills in 2026
Weber Hinged Cooking Grate 22 Inch
- Plated steel OEM replacement
- Hinged sides for adding coals
- Fits 22 inch Weber kettles
Dracarys 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Fire Grate
- Cast iron fire grate
- Improves airflow
- 10.5 inch kamado fit
GGC 19.75 Inch Porcelain Cast Iron Set
- Four piece cast iron set
- Matte non-stick coating
- Fits Chargriller models
The Best Grill Grates for Charcoal Grills in October
1. Weber Hinged Charcoal Cooking Grate for 22 Inch Grills
Weber® Hinged Charcoal Cooking Grate for 22″ Grills, Charcoal Components
Plated steel
21.5 inch round
Hinged sides
462.25 sq in
Pros
- Exact OEM fit for 22 inch Weber kettles
- Flip-up sides add coals mid-cook
- Raised handles for easy lifting
- Heavy 5 kg plated steel frame
Cons
- Not for Smokey Mountain Cooker models
- Plated steel eventually rusts
- Confirm your Weber model before ordering
This is the grate most 22-inch Weber owners end up buying, and for good reason. It is the factory part, it drops straight into the Original Kettle, Master-Touch and Performer, and the flip-up hinged sides let you add a couple of briquettes without lifting the whole grate out of a hot bowl. The 462 square inch cooking surface is the full width of the kettle, so there is no dead ring of unusable space around the edge.
What you are getting is heavy-duty plated steel at roughly 5 kg, with welded-in raised handles. Those two attributes together are why it has held a 4.8 star average across thousands of ratings for so long. It is stiff enough that a cast iron Dutch oven is not going to bow the bars, and it is light enough to lift one-handed while your other hand holds the tongs.
The honest limitation is the material. Plated steel is not cast iron and it is not stainless, so it will not hold heat the way a 10-pound cast grate does, and owners in humid or coastal setups report surface rust appearing within a season or two of leaving it outside. If you grill year-round and store your kettle in the open, expect to replace this one eventually. If you dry it after every cook and cover the grill, it will last years.
One other fit note that shows up again and again in the reviews: this part is for Weber 22-inch charcoal grills, and it does not fit the Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker. That smoker uses a different grate size, and a lot of disappointed buyers only discover it after ordering.
Who this grate suits best
If you own a 22-inch Weber kettle and your factory grate is rusty, this is the low-friction fix. It needs no seasoning beyond a fifteen-minute preheat and a brush, and it is the part Weber designed for that bowl in the first place. For anyone replacing a pitted original, the fit is not a gamble.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your priority is heat retention and crisp grill marks, or if you live somewhere wet enough that surface rust becomes an annual argument. Cast iron holds a sear noticeably better, and the two grates in this roundup built for kamado and Weber Gourmet setups do that job better. The plated steel also means you will not get the deep polymerized seasoning layer that cast iron develops.
2. Weber Charcoal Cooking Grate for 22 Inch Grills
Weber® Charcoal Cooking Grate for 22″ Grills, Charcoal Components
Plated steel
21.5 inch round
13.6 oz
Built-in handles
Pros
- Fits Weber Original Kettle / Premium / Master-Touch / Performer
- Only 13.6 oz so it lifts easily
- Built-in handles for mid-cook fuel
- Exact OEM replacement
Cons
- Will not fit Smokey Mountain Cooker Smokers
- Fit not guaranteed on non-Weber 22 inch grills
- Plated steel rusts sooner than cast iron
This is the same bowl fit as the hinged grate above, minus the hinges, and the difference in daily use is almost entirely about weight. At 13.6 ounces it is less than a quarter of what the hinged version weighs, which sounds trivial until you are lifting a grate out of a 400-degree kettle with one hand and trying not to drop the ash on your shoes.
Handles are built into the frame, so you can still add fuel mid-cook by lifting a side. The 21.5-inch round profile matches the factory geometry across the Original Kettle, Original Kettle Premium, Master-Touch, Bar-B-Kettle and Performer, and the polished finish is the same silver you are used to seeing.
Reviews for this part are overwhelmingly four and five stars, and the recurring note is simple: it is the cheap, correct answer for a worn factory grate. The one complaint that repeats is long-term surface rust, which is the same plated-steel limitation the hinged model has. Treat it as a consumable that you oil lightly after drying rather than a forever purchase.
The fit caveat matters more here than on the hinged version. Because it is a standard round grate with no brand-specific tabs, listings warn that fit is not guaranteed on non-Weber 22-inch charcoal grills. Measure before you order.
Who this grate suits best
This suits anyone who wants the OEM experience and nothing more: a Weber owner whose grate is pitted or rusted, who grills a handful of times a month, and who would rather not season anything. It is also the easiest grate in the roundup to move for two-zone setups, since you can shift it quickly to bank coals to one side.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you cook at kamado temperatures often, because a thin plated grate will not hold temperature through a flare-up the way cast iron does. Also skip it for a Smokey Mountain, which needs a completely different part, and skip it if you store your grill outdoors in a wet climate and want a grate that survives more than a few seasons.
3. Weber Replacement Charcoal Cooking Grate for 18 Inch Kettles
Weber® Replacement Charcoal Cooking Grate for 18″ Kettle Grills
Alloy steel
13.5 inch round
16 oz
Thicker wire
Pros
- Correct charcoal-level grate for 18 inch Weber kettles
- Thicker wire than many stock grates
- Resists bending and rust
- Also works as a Smokey Mountain coal grate
Cons
- Listings confuse it with an 18 inch cooking grate
- Will not replace a top cooking grate
- Sizing details in listings are inconsistent
This is the one product in the set where the listing title actively works against you. It is called a replacement grate for 18-inch kettle grills, but the actual part measures 13.5 inches across, and it is a charcoal-level grate that sits under the coals rather than a cooking grate that sits above them. A meaningful share of reviews come from people who bought it expecting a top grate and found out otherwise.
Once that is clear, it is a genuinely useful piece. In an 18-inch Weber it drops into the bottom of the bowl as the fire grate, and the thicker wire gauge than many stock grates is what makes it feel solid. Owners also use it as a second coal grate in a Smokey Mountain or layered over a factory grate when they want more charcoal clearance.
It is simple drop-in steel with no coating to chip, and it cleans with an ordinary grill brush. The steel is described as moisture and weather resistant, though that is manufacturer copy rather than a guarantee, and anyone leaving it out through a wet winter will see surface rust sooner than the copy suggests.
There is a data inconsistency worth knowing about. The listing positions the part as heavy duty but lists a weight of 16 ounces, which is light for a grate meant to hold coals. If you want certainty about how much metal you are actually getting, this is a part to inspect on arrival.
Who this grate suits best
This is for 18-inch Weber kettle owners whose charcoal grate has rusted through or warped, and for Smokey Mountain owners who want a spare coal grate. It is also a cheap second piece for two-zone cooking setups where you want to raise or lower the coal bed. The one-year limited warranty is standard for a factory part at this level.
Who should skip it
Do not buy it as a replacement for the top cooking grate on an 18-inch Weber or a 22-inch kettle. It is the wrong part for that job and the size difference is the whole point. Anyone who wants a cooking surface should look at the hinged 22-inch options or the cast iron sets in this roundup instead.
4. Dracarys 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Charcoal Grate
Dracarys 10.5 inch Cast Iron Charcoal Grate,BBQ High Heat Charcoal Plate Fit for Kamado Joe Classic Weber smokey joe Fire Grate Pit Boss Grill Parts Charcoal Grate Replacement Parts-10.5 inch
Bare cast iron
10.5 inch
4 lb
Beveled seat
Pros
- Thicker and flatter than the factory wire grate
- Better airflow lights coals faster
- Chip and lump retention
- No rust reported in humid coastal use
Cons
- Big Green Egg 9 inch version thinner than OEM
- 17 inch XL version can sag
- Needs regular ash clearing
Fire grates are the most misunderstood part in this whole category, and this is the clearest example. It sits below the charcoal in a kamado or ceramic grill and never touches food. Its job is airflow, heat distribution and keeping small lumps and wood chips from falling through the fire box onto the ash pan. Replacing the wire factory grate with a flat cast plate is one of the biggest performance upgrades a kamado owner can make.
Owners of Kamado Joe, Smokey Joe and Big Green Egg grills describe the fit as a heavy drop-in, with a beveled edge that seats into the fire box cleanly. At 4 pounds it has real thermal mass for something that sits under the coals, and the hole pattern is tight enough to hold charcoal chunks and smoking wood in place rather than letting them scatter.
The airflow gain is what people notice first. Better air under the coal bed means the fire lights faster and burns hotter with less fuel, which is the entire argument for a kamado in the first place. Several owners in humid coastal areas report no rust at all after weeks of use, which makes sense because this is bare cast iron sitting over a dry heat source rather than a damp one.
Durability is the one genuine debate. Most owners report no cracking, but a minority report that the 9-inch Big Green Egg version is slightly thinner than the original fire grate, and that the 17-inch XL version sagged in the middle after about six months. Sustained kamado temperatures in the 700 to 800 degree range will shorten service life versus the OEM part.
Who this grate suits best
This suits kamado and ceramic grill owners whose factory fire grate is rusty, flimsy or letting wood chips fall through. Diameters are offered in 6.5, 9, 10.5 and 17 inch versions covering Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Primo, Vision Grills, Pit Boss and King Griller, so most ceramic setups are covered by one listing. Anyone who grills low and slow on wood will notice the chip retention immediately.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are looking for a cooking surface, since this never touches food. Also measure your existing fire grate before ordering, because the fit depends on the fire box diameter rather than the grill’s advertised cooking diameter, and the two numbers are often different on ceramic grills. If you cook at maximum kamado temperature constantly, expect to inspect it for sag more often.
5. GGC 19.75 Inch Cast Iron Replacement Grates
GGC 19 3/4″ Grill Grates for Chargriller, 4PCS Cast Iron Replacement Grates for Chargriller 3001, 5050, 3008, 3030, 3725, 4000, 5252 and King Griller 3008, 5252
Porcelain-coated cast iron
19.75 inch
Four-piece set
7.39 kg
Pros
- Strong heat retention with a non-stick surface
- Four pieces cover a full Chargriller cookbox
- Wide compatibility across many models
- Replaces OEM part number CG2121
Cons
- Arrived chipped or cracked for some buyers
- Transit damage to the coating leads to rust
- Heavy at roughly 16 lb per set
Box-store charcoal grills are notorious for grates that disintegrate. The coating wears through, the steel underneath pits, and the whole thing starts shedding flakes into your food. This four-piece set is the direct answer for anyone whose Chargriller or King Griller cookbox is in that state, and the four sections tile the full 19.75 by 27 inch cooking area with no gaps.
Each grate measures 19.75 by 6.75 inches and carries a matte porcelain coating over cast iron, which is the same material recipe Weber and Broil use on their factory medium grates. The cast iron underneath is what gives you heat retention and grill marks; the matte porcelain is what lets food release without a heavy stick. It is oven safe and electric-coil compatible as well, so it works if you ever convert the grill to a side burner.
The compatibility list is genuinely long: Chargriller 2121, 2123, 2222, 2828, 3001, 3008, 3030, 3072, 3232, 3725, 4000, 4001, 4008, 4208, 5050, 5072, 5252, 5650 and 9020, plus King Griller 3008 and 5252. It is a replacement for OEM part number CG2121, which is worth checking against the stamp on your original grate.
The negative reviews here cluster around shipping and quality control rather than cooking performance. Some buyers received grates with chipped ends or cracks on the first cook, and a chipped porcelain coating exposes raw iron that will start rusting. Inspect the set the day it arrives and start the return window if anything is damaged.
Who this grate suits best
This suits owners of older Chargriller and King Griller cookboxes whose original wire or chrome grates are flaking. The coverage across four decades of model numbers makes it the safest single purchase if you own one of those brands and cannot identify your part number. The coated surface also means far less maintenance than bare cast iron once it is seasoned.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you drop a cast iron Dutch oven on it regularly and want a grate that will never chip, since porcelain coating and impact do not mix well. At roughly 16 pounds for the set it is also a genuinely heavy lift for cleaning. Anyone in a coastal climate should keep a cover on it, because a single chip in the coating becomes a rust bloom.
6. Cast Iron Grill Grate for 22 Inch Weber Kettle Grill
Cast Iron Grill Grate for 22 Inch Weber Kettle Grill, Better Sear Marks
Porcelain enamel cast iron
21.5 inch
8 lb
Pre-seasoned
Pros
- Food releases from the seasoned surface
- Cleans with a high-heat burn-off
- Heavy 8 lb cast iron gives excellent heat retention
Cons
- Hairline cracking reported on some Weber kettles
- Needs seasoning before use
- Heavy at 8 lb
This is the most divisive grate in the roundup, and the reason is worth understanding before you buy it. At 8 pounds of porcelain enamel cast iron, it holds heat better than anything else here and produces a very clean, distinct grill mark pattern. Rec-Tec Bullseye owners report excellent sear quality and no cracking across many cooks in the 500 to 750 degree range.
Weber kettle owners tell a different story. Multiple reviews report hairline cracking on the very first high-heat fire, and one buyer ordered and returned the grate twice with cracking on both units. Cracking appears more common when the grate is run as a single piece across two zones at mixed temperatures, which is exactly the use case many Weber owners buy a heavy cast grate for.
That split is why this one sits at 4.4 stars with a 9 percent one-star share, the lowest average in the set. It is not a quality-control catastrophe so much as a material behaving as cast iron does: it is rigid, it holds heat superbly, and it does not forgive a thermal shock. A cold cast grate dropped onto a hot grate bar, or a grate left over a fire with no food on it during a slow ramp, creates exactly the conditions that open those hairline cracks.
On the positive side, the surface arrives pre-seasoned so food releases without sticking, and cleanup is a burn-off at high heat with a brass brush. The grid pattern is described as non-traditional, which is why the grill marks look different from a standard Weber factory grate.
Who this grate suits best
This suits barrel grill owners and Rec-Tec Bullseye owners who chase sear quality above convenience. The 8-pound thermal mass means the grate barely drops in temperature when you put a cold steak on it, and the non-traditional grid pattern gives grill marks that stand out on a plate. If your current grate warps or flexes under a heavy Dutch oven, this will not.
Who should skip it
Weber kettle owners should think carefully here, because the cracking reports come specifically from that grill. The grate also requires seasoning with oil before first use and periodic re-seasoning afterwards, which is real work if you do not already do it. And at 8 pounds it is an awkward lift in and out of a kettle bowl.
7. SnS Grills EasySpin 304 Stainless Steel Cooking Grate
SnS Grills EasySpin Charcoal Grill Cooking Grate, 304 Stainless Steel, Large Hinged Opening, Perfect for 2-Zone Cooking, Replacement Grate Compatible with Weber & Other Grills – Fits 22” Kettles
304 stainless steel
21.5 inch
6.3 lb
10-year warranty
Pros
- Spins by hand for precise two-zone control
- Single large hinged opening for mid-cook coals
- 304 stainless will not rust
Cons
- Costs far more than OEM steel grates
- Polished surface needs scrubbing not seasoning
This is the grate to buy if you cook two-zone seriously, because the design solves the one problem with two-zone charcoal cooking: how to move the grate without disturbing your food. The EasySpin grate rotates by hand inside the bowl, no tools and no power, so you can slide the cooking surface over the coals to bank them and then rotate it back over indirect heat when a piece needs to finish gently.
It is 304 stainless steel with welded handles, and the extra rails near the handles add usable cooking area in a part of the bowl that is otherwise bare. There is a single large hinged opening rather than two small ones, which is simpler to work with when you are adding charcoal, smoke wood or a chimney starter mid-cook.
The 304 stainless is the reason people buy it in the first place. It will not develop the surface rust that plates a chrome or plated steel factory grate within two seasons, which in coastal or year-round use is the difference between replacing your grate every couple of years and replacing it every few years. The ten-year warranty is the longest in this roundup by a wide margin, and spare parts are reportedly available for a decade as well.
Owners pair this grate with Slow ‘N Sear baskets underneath, which is the setup it was designed around. If your cooking drifts toward long, low heat rather than quick weeknight steaks, our tested charcoal smoker picks cover that side of the hobby instead. The consistent reservation on this grate is cost, which is why several buyers rated it four stars rather than five. A smaller group would have preferred thicker gauge than the factory Weber grate it replaces, and polished stainless never takes a polymerized seasoning layer, so cleaning is scrubbing rather than wiping.
Who this grate suits best
This suits the serious weeknight charcoal cook who runs a basket system, cooks ribs or brisket low, and wants a grate that will still look good after five years in a damp shed. If you are in a wet climate, the corrosion resistance alone justifies it. Variants are offered in 18, 22, 24 and 26 inch, plus an elevated 22-inch version for grills that need extra coal clearance.
Who should skip it
Skip it if heat retention is your priority, because stainless is a fast-heating, fast-cooling material compared to cast iron and it will not give you the same deep sear. Skip it if you cook once a month and want the cheapest working grate. It is also 6.3 pounds, so it is not the light-touch option even though the material feels modern.
8. onlyfire 2-in-1 Cast Iron Grill Grate Replacement
onlyfire 2-in-1 Cast Iron Grill Grate Replacement Weber Gourmet BBQ System
Bare cast iron
21.5 and 11.8 inch
8 lb
Two-piece set
Pros
- Removable inner sear grate adds coals easily
- Clean casting with no flashing or rough spots
- No cracking after repeated hot burns
Cons
- Inner center ring reported snapping after a few uses
- Requires thorough seasoning and rust care
- Very heavy at 8 lb
This is a bare cast iron two-piece system: a 21.5-inch outer cooking grate with a hole pattern, and an 11.8-inch removable inner sear grate. The layout is the point. Lifting out the inner ring gives you direct access to the coal bed for a Vortex-style fire, so you can add charcoal without hauling the entire 8-pound grate out of the bowl and dropping ash on the food.
It is uncoated cast iron, which means it takes a real seasoning layer and rewards you with a proper sear. Buyers specifically call out the casting quality: no flashing, no rough spots, and an easy clean once seasoned. Several owners report no cracking after repeated burns up to 800 degrees, and it fits the 22.5-inch Original Kettle Premium, Original Kettle and Performer Premium.
Where it loses points is the inner ring. One verified buyer reported the center section snapping apart after only the third or fourth use, and the promised replacement never arrived. That is a single reported incident, but it is exactly the component the design is built around, so it is worth knowing before you commit. Others note the included sear grate is not quite as thick as the Weber factory GBS part it replaces.
Because it is bare cast iron, it needs thorough seasoning before first use and has to be kept away from moisture or it will spot-rust in storage. That maintenance is the trade for the best grill marks in this roundup, and most buyers consider it worth it.
Who this grate suits best
This suits Weber Gourmet BBQ System owners and anyone running a Vortex-style fire who wants to add coals without removing the grate. It also suits people who genuinely enjoy the ritual of cast iron: oiling, heating, wiping, and building a seasoning layer that makes food release for years. The outer grate alone works fine if you never use the inner ring.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want a low-maintenance grate, because uncoated cast iron rusts if you store it damp and it is unforgiving of being left wet overnight. At 8 pounds for the set it is the heaviest option here alongside the 22-inch cast grate, and if you need the inner ring for a vortex fire, inspect it early in its life.
9. Uniflasy 22 Inch Hinged 304 Stainless Steel Grate
Uniflasy for Weber 22 Inch Hinged Cooking Grate – 304 Stainless Steel Grill Grate Replacement, Fits Original Kettle, Master-Touch, Performer & Bar-B-Kettle Charcoal Grills (21.5″ Round)
304 stainless steel
21.5 inch round
5.49 lb
Hinged sides
Pros
- Food-grade 304 stainless resists rust far better than plated steel
- No coating means nothing to flake
- Flip-up sides add charcoal or wood mid-cook
- Drop-in install with no tools
Cons
- Not compatible with Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker
- Limited written review detail on this listing
- Listed product dimensions do not match the grate size
This takes the factory Weber hinged design and swaps plated steel for food-grade 304 stainless, which is the single change that matters most for anyone who grills year-round. There is no coating on this grate at all, so there is nothing to chip, nothing to flake into food and no chrome plating to bubble and lift.
The layout matches the factory part closely: 21.5-inch round diameter, flip-up hinged sides for adding charcoal or wood chunks, and raised handles for safe lifting. It fits Weber 22-inch and 22.5-inch charcoal grills including the Original Kettle, Original Kettle Premium, Master-Touch, Performer and Bar-B-Kettle. Cleaning is a grill brush after preheating.
The rating distribution is strong, with an 88 percent five-star share across its reviews, though the tools returned customer photos without much written review detail, so the picture here leans on the specification data and the material logic rather than on owner accounts. The material logic is straightforward: 304 stainless does not rust the way plated or chromed steel does, and the 21.5-inch diameter maximizes usable cooking space with even heat distribution.
Two caveats to note. It is not compatible with the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, same as the factory hinged grate it copies. And the listed product dimensions of 5 by 6.99 by 1 inches do not match the stated 21.5-inch grate, which is a listing data error worth ignoring rather than worrying about.
Who this grate suits best
This suits Weber kettle owners who want the hinged convenience of the factory design with a material upgrade, particularly anyone whose previous plated grate rusted through within a couple of seasons. The flip-up sides mean a small chimney or a few wood chunks go in easily, and 5.49 pounds is lighter than most cast iron alternatives. Related sizes including 16.7-inch rounds are offered as well.
Who should skip it
Skip it if sear and heat retention come first, since stainless gives up thermal mass to cast iron. Skip it if you want to build a seasoning layer, because polished stainless will not hold polymerized seasoning and you will scrub rather than wipe. Confirm your grill model before ordering, as it is not a universal fit.
10. Votenli 19.75 Inch Stainless Steel Cooking Grid Set
Votenli S6505A (4-Pack) 19 3/4″ Stainless Steel Cooking Grid Grates Replacement for Chargriller 2121, 2123, 2222, 2828, 3001, 3030, 3725, 4000, 5050, 5252 Set of 4
Stainless steel
19.75 inch
Four-piece set
4.74 kg
Pros
- Stainless resists rust unlike coated factory grates
- Four pieces cover a full cookbox
- Matches original Chargriller dimensions
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Measure your original parts before ordering
- Limited written review detail for this listing
- Set is heavy to lift for cleaning
This is the stainless counterpart to the porcelain-coated Chargriller set, and it solves the same problem from a different angle. Instead of coating cast iron and hoping the coating holds, it uses solid stainless steel that will not pit or flake at all. On a grill that has already chewed through a chrome factory grate, that is the more durable answer.
Four sections of 19.75 by 6.75 inches tile the 19.75 by 27 inch cookbox. The model also comes in three-piece and four-piece cast iron variants, so the same listing family covers both materials if you are undecided. At 4.74 kg for the set, it is noticeably lighter to lift than the porcelain-coated cast iron equivalent.
The compatibility list runs through Chargriller 2121, 2123, 2222, 2828, 3001, 3008, 3030, 3072, 3232, 3725, 4000, 4001, 4008, 4208, 5050, 5072, 5252 and 9020, plus King Griller 3008 and 5252 and the Char-Griller Duo 5050. Dimensions match the original Chargriller part, which is the main reason buyers report drop-in fits.
It carries a 4.8 star average, one of the highest in the roundup. Be aware that the tools returned no written review excerpts for this listing, so treat the rating as an aggregate signal rather than detailed owner feedback. The one consistent instruction across the reviews is simply to measure your original parts first, because so many models are covered.
Who this grate suits best
This suits Chargriller and King Griller owners who want a permanent fix to a flaking chrome grate and do not want to think about the cooking surface again for a decade. Stainless needs no seasoning, so it is also the right call if you dislike the maintenance side of cast iron. Anyone moving from a porcelain grate who found the coating brittle will appreciate the change in feel.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want deep grill marks, because stainless has much lower thermal mass and will not sear like cast iron or coated iron. Skip it if your cookbox is not one of the listed models, as the wide compatibility list makes it easy to assume a fit that is not there. And measure first, every time.
11. Hisencn 16.5 Inch Cast Iron Cooking Grate
Hisencn 16.5″ Cast Iron Cooking Grate Replacement for Smoke Hollow PS9900 7000CGS, Charbroil 463722315 463722313 463722416, Kenmore 141.152270 141.155400, Kingsford 24 inch Expert Grill 24 inch
Cast iron
16.5 inch
Two-piece set
Non-magnetic
Pros
- Fits a very wide range of 24-inch charcoal grills
- Heavy cast iron for even heat
- Glossy surface stays clean between cooks
- Drop-in look matching factory grates
Cons
- Small side gap on grills with rounded corners
- Cost is high relative to a new grill
- Listed weight conflicts with the cast iron description
Big-box 24-inch charcoal grills are the models most likely to come with grates that are already finished. Owners of Charbroil, Kenmore, Smoke Hollow, Kingsford, Expert and Royal Gourmet grills report that these two-piece cast iron grates drop in and look like the original, only heavier and more substantial. The glossy cast surface is also reported to stay clean and shiny across multiple cooks rather than pitting like the factory wire.
Each grate is 16.5 by 10.9 inches, giving a two-piece total of 16.5 by 21.8 inches. The cast iron is described as non-magnetic and heavy duty, and the ribbed profile drains fat away from the food while grilling rather than letting it pool under the bars.
The compatibility list is the strongest selling point here. It covers Smoke Hollow PS9900, 7000CGS, 8500, PS9500 and 6800, Charbroil hybrid Quickset models including 463722313, 463722314, 463722315, 463722416 and C-33G3 and C-33G4, plus Kenmore 141-series charcoal grills and Kingsford and Expert 24-inch models.
There is one consistent fit caveat: the grate corners are close to square, so on grills with strongly rounded corners a small gap shows along the side edges. It is cosmetic rather than functional, since the cooking surface is still fully covered, but it is worth knowing if a flush look matters to you. The listed weight of 1 pound also conflicts with the heavy cast iron description, so judge the weight on arrival.
Who this grate suits best
This suits anyone whose 24-inch box-store grill has factory grates that are flaking or rusting and who wants the strongest sear without moving to a Weber. The two-piece layout gives you an option to lift half the grate for easier cleaning or to bank coals for two-zone cooking. Cast iron also holds heat far better than the thin wire it replaces.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your grill has heavily rounded cookbox corners and a perfectly flush fit matters to you, since the near-square grate corners leave a visible gap. Also consider the cost against buying a newer grill, which is a fair question for anyone whose only problem is a rusty factory grate. Inspect the casting on arrival given the weight listing discrepancy.
12. GRISUN 16.5 Inch Cast Iron Grill Grates
GRISUN 16.5″ Cast Iron Grill Grates for Smoke Hollow PS9900 7000CGS
Matte enamel cast iron
16.5 inch
Two-piece set
9.79 lb
Pros
- Heaviest set in the roundup at nearly 10 lb
- Matte enamel coating extends grate life
- Cast iron releases heat slowly for strong marks
Cons
- Very heavy for a two-piece set
- Listed product dimensions do not match the grate size
This is the heaviest grate set in the roundup at 9.79 pounds for two pieces, and that mass is the entire argument. Cast iron at nearly 10 pounds barely notices when you place a cold steak on it, which means the sear happens at full temperature instead of at a temperature the grate just dropped to. Matte enamel coating gives you a non-stick surface that is easier to clean than bare cast iron while keeping the thermal mass.
It covers the same broad 24-inch charcoal grill range as the other 16.5-inch set: Smoke Hollow PS9900, 7000CGS, 8500, PS9500 and 6800, Charbroil 463722313, 463722314, 463722315, 463722416 and C-33G3 and C-33G4, Kenmore 141-series, Kingsford 24-inch, Expert 24-inch, Royal Gourmet CD1824E and Outdoor Gourmet DLX2012 through DLX2014. A PitBoss 820 and 850 Series variant is also offered.
It is rated at 4.6 stars, with 10 percent four-star and 4 percent two-star reviews, and the tools returned no written review text for this listing, so the picture comes mostly from the specification data. Each grate is 16.5 by 10.9 inches for a total of 16.5 by 21.9 inches. As with the other 16.5-inch set, the listed product dimensions of 10 by 1 by 1 inches do not match the described grate, so ignore that field.
Heat mass is what you are buying. Cast iron heats and releases heat slowly, which produces strong grill marks and a stable cooking temperature, and the matte enamel coating prolongs grate life and resists the flaking that ruins cheap factory grates. The trade is weight: at nearly 10 pounds this is the hardest set in the roundup to lift for cleaning.
Who this grate suits best
This suits the 24-inch charcoal grill owner who grills steaks and burgers and wants the cooking surface to behave like a heavy commercial unit. The enamel coating means less maintenance than bare cast iron once seasoned, and the two-piece layout lets you lift one half for cleaning or shift the grate for two-zone cooking. Owners replacing disintegrating factory grates report a dramatic improvement in surface quality.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you lift your grate with one hand or value a lightweight setup, because 9.79 pounds is heavier than the coated cast iron alternative for the same grill family. Given the lower star rating and thin written review detail, also give it a careful look on arrival. Anyone wanting a warranty longer than one year is better served elsewhere in this list.
How to Measure Your Grill Grate for an Exact Fit
Wrong diameter is the number-one deal breaker in the forum threads, and it is entirely avoidable. Almost every return we saw in the reviews came down to somebody buying on the grill’s advertised size instead of the size of the part they were actually replacing. Three measurements cover it.
First, measure the old grate itself, not the grill bowl. Lay a tape across the top of the existing grate from opposite edges and note the width across the flats, then repeat at a right angle. A 22-inch Weber kettle usually gives you a grate around 21.5 inches, and that 21.5 number is the number that matters when you are ordering.
Second, measure depth including any hinge or handle hardware. Several grates in this roundup are listed at 2 inches high because of the hinge mechanism, and a flat replacement will not sit level against a hinged one. Third, count your pieces. A 24-inch cookbox grate is almost always a two or four-piece set, and the section dimensions matter more than the overall cookbox size.
Then look for the OEM part number. Weber stamps or prints it on the original grate, and GGC and Votenli both list a specific replacement part number in their listings. Cross-referencing that code takes about a minute and eliminates the guessing that drives most returns. If the part number is unreadable, photograph the grate edge and match the bar spacing and hinge style against the listing photos.
One trap worth calling out: a coal-level grate and a cooking grate can be sold for the same grill with completely different diameters. The 18-inch Weber replacement in this roundup measures 13.5 inches because it sits under the charcoal, not above it. Measure the piece you are removing and match its job, not its grill.
Cast Iron vs Stainless Steel vs Porcelain: Which Material Is Best?
For most charcoal grillers, cast iron is the best material for grill grates because it holds the most heat and produces the best sear. Stainless steel is the best choice if you want zero maintenance and live somewhere wet, and porcelain-coated cast iron is the middle ground that most factory grills already use. The fire grate under your coals is a separate decision, and cast iron wins there outright.
Cast iron, bare or coated, is the sear king. Its thermal mass means the surface barely cools when food lands, so you get a fast Maillard crust and defined grill marks. Bare cast iron is the most responsive to seasoning and the most likely to rust in storage. Porcelain-coated cast iron keeps the mass but adds a non-stick surface that releases food easily, at the cost of being fragile if you drop it or chip it in transit.
Stainless steel is the opposite trade. It is lighter, it will not rust, it needs no seasoning, and you scrub it instead of maintaining it. What you give up is thermal mass, so it will not hold a sear the way cast iron does. The burnt taste question comes up constantly in grill forums, and in practice that is usually a cleaning and preheat issue rather than a material flaw: ash and carbon sitting on a polished surface under a hot flame will smoke, and a fifteen-minute preheat followed by a brush before the food goes down removes most of it.
Restaurants generally run stainless for speed, volume and sanitation, while cast iron remains the choice when the priority is sear quality on a thick cut. The chef answer and the home-griller answer are the same as the material answer: cast iron for searing, stainless for maintenance.
One structural note applies to all three. A fire grate sits below the coals, never touches food, and its whole job is airflow and heat distribution, so cast iron is the right material there. A cooking grate sits above the coals, and that is the part you replace most often. Conflating the two is the most common purchasing error in this category.
When to Clean Your Grill Grates and When to Replace Them
Clean the grate if the metal is intact, the surface is smooth, and the only problem is carbon build-up. Replace it if the metal itself has failed. Forum users describe attempts to rescue pitted grates with a vinegar soak, a baking soda scrub and even a long degreaser treatment, and the honest answer is that none of it reverses pitting. Use this five-point check before you buy anything.
One, look at the bar ends and the underside in good light. If you see holes that go through the metal rather than pits in the surface, the grate is finished. Two, check for rust-through, which shows up as red-brown powder inside a hole or a bar that crumbles when you press it. Three, lay a straightedge across the cooking surface. Any visible bow means the grate is running an uneven temperature, and that is a cooking-quality problem, not a cleaning problem.
Four, notice whether food sticks no matter what you do. Once a coating is breached all the way to bare pitted metal, no amount of seasoning will make it release again. Five, compare against the factory grate weight or heft. A grate that suddenly feels light is usually one that has lost metal to pitting.
For grates that pass inspection, the care schedule is simple. After every cook, wipe off grease while the grate is still warm, then let it cool and brush the carbon off. Once a month, do a deeper clean. Cast iron gets a very thin coat of oil and a short burn-off to restore the seasoning; stainless and porcelain-coated grates get a scrub, never a burn-off with oil, since neither holds a seasoning layer. Start of each season, inspect for rust and oil bare iron before you light it.
Brush choice matters more than most people expect. Brass and stainless bristle brushes are the default because brass will not scratch cast iron seasoning, and many grill cleaners are also brass-bristled. If your grate is porcelain-coated, use a softer nylon or coil head so you do not scratch the enamel. Storage matters just as much as cleaning, so if your grill lives on a patio all year, our tested grill cover picks are worth a look before rust season.
Grill Grates by Grill Type: Where Each Pick Fits
Match the grate to the grill you actually own. For a 22-inch Weber kettle, the two factory Weber grates here are exact fits, and the Uniflasy and SnS Grills hinged stainless models are the material upgrades. For an 18-inch Weber, the 13.5-inch Weber grate is a fire grate for the coal bed rather than a cooking surface.
For a kamado or ceramic grill, the Dracarys cast iron fire grate is the one that changes how the grill performs, and it goes under the coals. For a 24-inch box-store charcoal grill, the two-piece cast iron sets and the four-piece stainless and coated sets cover the cookbox. And if you cook on a portable charcoal grill while camping, the lighter factory-style grates are easier to handle, though you will want something stiffer than the thinnest wire.
If you already run a charcoal basket, the grate job changes. The basket handles airflow and charcoal placement, so the grate above it only needs to sear, which is an argument for a heavier cooking grate rather than a fire grate. Worth reading alongside our tested charcoal grill picks and the portable charcoal grill roundup if you are starting from the grill rather than the grate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grill grate material is best?
For most home charcoal grillers, cast iron is the best material because it holds the most heat and produces the best sear and grill marks. Stainless steel wins on maintenance and rust resistance, and porcelain-coated cast iron is the middle ground most factory grills use. Under the coals, a fire grate should always be cast iron.
Which is better, cast iron or stainless steel grates?
Cast iron wins on heat retention and searing. Stainless steel wins on rust resistance, weight and maintenance, since it needs no seasoning. Choose cast iron for steaks and searing, stainless if you grill year-round in a wet climate or want zero upkeep.
Which is better, porcelain or cast iron grill grates?
Porcelain-coated cast iron gives you the thermal mass of cast iron plus a non-stick surface that is easy to clean. Bare cast iron sears best and can build a deeper seasoning layer, but it will rust if stored damp and needs more maintenance. The coating is the fragile part of porcelain grates.
What are the best aftermarket grill grates for charcoal grills?
For a 22-inch Weber kettle the top choices are the factory hinged Weber grate and the Uniflasy 304 stainless version. For a kamado, the Dracarys 10.5-inch cast iron fire grate changes airflow and chip retention. For 24-inch charcoal grills, the Hisencn and GRISUN cast iron sets or the Votenli stainless set cover the cookbox.
Do stainless steel grill grates need to be seasoned or oiled?
No. Polished stainless steel cannot hold a polymerized seasoning layer, so oiling it is pointless. Clean it by preheating and scrubbing with a grill brush. A light oil is only useful to slow surface spotting on a grate you store outside.
How do I know what size grill grate I need?
Measure the grate you are removing, not the grill bowl. A 22-inch Weber kettle usually takes a grate around 21.5 inches across. Also measure the height including hinge hardware, count your pieces, and look for the OEM part number stamped on the original. A fire grate and a cooking grate for the same grill are often different sizes.
How often should grill grates be replaced?
Replace them when the metal has failed rather than when they look dirty. Signs it is time: rust-through holes, pitting that no longer seasons smooth, visible warp when checked with a straightedge, or a grate that has become noticeably lighter. Plated steel grates in wet climates often need replacing every few years; stainless and cast iron can last far longer.
Conclusion
The best grill grates for charcoal grills depend on two questions: what grill do you own, and do you care more about searing or about maintenance. For a 22-inch Weber kettle, the factory hinged grate is the safest, most exact-fit choice, and the Uniflasy 304 stainless version is the upgrade if rusting is what pushed you to look in the first place.
For everyone else, the decision is material. Cast iron and the onlyfire two-piece set give the best grill marks, the Dracarys grate transforms a kamado’s airflow, and the Hisencn or GRISUN sets rescue a flaking 24-inch cookbox. Before you order, measure the grate you are removing and find the OEM part number, because fit is the one mistake that cannot be fixed after the box arrives.
Whichever way you go, measure first. That single step prevents nearly every return we read about, and it costs you about a minute.