What Is The UK’s Best Cooking Grate?
In this guide we’ll look at the best cooking grates.
We’ve compared material, size, design and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
Cooking Grate Reviews
Cooking Grate Buyer’s Guide
Cooking grates come in a variety of different shapes, sizes and materials, each designed to help you achieve the perfect BBQ. Whether you’re grilling, smoking or searing, the right cooking grate can make all the difference to the taste and flair of your BBQ.
Fancy impressing your family with a gourmet style BBQ? Here’s what to look for when it comes to the best cooking grate.
Material
Cooking grates come in a range of different materials. Stainless steel is affordable and very easy to clean. It heats up quickly and shouldn’t rust, although your food may lack the smoky and rich quality that comes from other materials.
Cast iron grates are slower to heat up but the taste is well worth it. These produce a smoky, rustic and rich taste. The main drawback to cast iron grates is that they can rust if they’re not properly maintained.
Chrome plated steel is another great option. This is the most affordable of the lot and perfect for budget BBQs. The downside is that chrome plated steel can rust, and your food may lack that authentic smoky flavour.
Size
Cooking grates come in a range of sizes and your choice will depend on the size of your BBQ. if you are purchasing a grate for a specific grill, ensure the grate is compatible with that specific model. Half moon, circular and rectangular cooking grates are all popular choices.
Design
Most cooking grates boast a similar design, although many will have added features to aid ease of use. Those with integrated handles that sit to the edge of the hot coals are the easiest to use. These stay cool and allow for easy transportation of your grate, even when it’s still hot.
Some grates have a hinged cooking area which allows you to add coals and wood to your grill without removing the grate and slowing the cooking process.
Durability
Cooking grates are generally very durable, provided they are well taken care of. Cast iron grates must be oiled and maintained to prevent rust, while steel grates are lower maintenance but less durable generally. An enamelled cast iron grate offers the durability of cast iron, while the protective enamel layer prevents rust.
Conclusion
The right cooking grate will play a huge role in the flavour of your BBQ food, helping give it that deliciously smoky flavour and griddled appearance. For its long lifespan, great heat retention and included lifting tools, the Kamado Joe Half Moon Cooking Grate is our top recommendation.