Stainless vs Enameled Porcelain Grates?

Stainless vs Enameled Porcelain Grates? - Towel Hanged on Bathtub

I need to replace the grill grates on my Weber Genesis grill, and I see that I can get either enameled porcelain (like I already have) or upgrade to stainless steel.

A few concerns spring to mind when considering the upgrade:

  • Are there any differences between the two other than appearance?
  • Does one hold heat better than the other?
  • What differences are there to the grates' maintenance/upkeep/cleaning/appearance?


Best Answer

Prefer the larger, heavier grill. It's about thermal capacity and grill marks. You want the grill itself to be hot so that when the meat touches it, it immediately sears the meat on contact. The bigger the thermal mass, the better this works.

Regardless of what you get, you're going to need to replace the grates every few years, so bear that cost factor in mind.




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Which is better porcelain enamel or stainless steel grates?

Porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates typically retain heat better and longer than the other types, making them desirable to those who bold sear marks are a must.

Is stainless steel better than porcelain?

Stainless steel is resistant to heat and most chemicals, which is why they are also the choice of most laboratory sinks. A porcelain sink's durability is due to its construction. Some sinks are solid porcelain, but the most durable have a steel or cast iron core covered with a baked-on porcelain finish.

Which is better porcelain or cast iron grill grates?

If you tend to cook on low heat \u2013 as you would with sensitive foods like fish and vegetables \u2013 then porcelain grill grates may be best for you. If, however, you like things hot, you'll need grates with high heat retention (cast iron).

What grates are best on gas grill?

Cast stainless steel cooking grates combine the best of both rod stainless steel and cast iron. They have the rough texture of cast iron (which is easy to season and easily builds up that non-stick patina) and the durability of rod stainless steel.



Sear Test: Porcelain-Enameled, Cast-Iron Grates vs Stainless Steel




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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