Which BBQ grill is better: cast iron or steel
I am going to buy a BBQ and I am torn between a cast iron BBQ and a stainless steel BBQ. What are the advantages and downsides of each?
Best Answer
Assuming you are talking about different types of grill grates:
In general, cast-iron gives you better heat retention (flip-side: slower preheating) and better non-stick behavior if well seasoned. However maintenance with cast-iron can be a bit of a hassle. You have to develop and maintain seasoning and also take precautions against rust.
Stainless steel does not rust and is easier to maintain, however it is less non-stick and won't give you the same grill marks that you get with cast-iron.
Ceramic coated cast-iron is supposed to be a good compromise, however, I really hated the ones I had as they were very hard to clean and the coating eventually cracked, rusted AND chipped off.
tl;dr - If you are willing to put in the maintenance, cast-iron is generally the superior choice. If you aren't, go for high quality stainless steel grates (like these) -- you won't be missing all that much.
Pictures about "Which BBQ grill is better: cast iron or steel"
Quick Answer about "Which BBQ grill is better: cast iron or steel"
A stainless steel cooking grill will not hold the heat as well as cast iron but will last longer. Stainless steel is not anywhere near as heat-retentive as cast iron. In order to retain enough heat to cause effective searing you need more mass when using stainless steel than you would with cast iron.Is stainless steel or cast iron BBQ better?
Cast iron grates last longer, retain more heat and provide greater nonstick properties, whereas stainless steel grates are better protected against rust and corrosion and are easier to clean. If you're struggling to choose between the two, you can always purchase both types of grates for your grill or smoker.What type of metal is best for BBQ grill?
For most barbeque grills and smokers, the main ingredient is A36 plate or sheet. A structural quality carbon steel, A36 is most used in welded, bolted, or riveted construction of bridges and buildings.Is cast iron good for BBQ grills?
Tenfold. Whether the BBQ itself is made of it or just its grates, a well-maintained cast iron will prove to win in most areas over the long term\u2014we are talking decades of reliability and performance here.Is grilling on cast iron better?
While many grills, particularly of the gas variety, can struggle with even cooking temperatures, cast iron's ability to absorb and distribute heat makes it the perfect solution.Cast Iron Grates VS Steel Grilling Grates ( Which BBQ Grate is Better at Low and High Heat?!)
More answers regarding which BBQ grill is better: cast iron or steel
Answer 2
See also the answer to a similar question I had regarding a choice between porcelain and stainless steel:
Stainless vs Enameled Porcelain Grates?
(I went with stainless and have been happy with the performance)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Lukas, Lukas, samer daboul, Pixabay