What’s Your Cooking Grid IQ?

Great grilled food starts with a quality cooking grid. It’s the secret to perfect sear marks, that mouthwatering crusty exterior, and the smoky flavour everyone craves. If your grid is rusted, warped, or burned through, it’s time for an upgrade.

Here’s everything you need to know to choose the best replacement!

Why is a Good Cooking Grid Important?

Grilling relies on three types of heat energy:

• Radiant heat – Infrared energy from your grill excites food molecules, creating heat.
• Convection heat – Hot air circulates inside the closed grill hood to cook evenly.
• Conduction heat – Direct contact between food and the cooking grid creates those signature grill marks.

Your cooking grid is responsible for conduction cooking. It’s what transforms regular cooking into grilling magic.

Cooking Grid Materials: Which One is Right for You?

Most cooking grids are made from one of five materials. Each type offers unique advantages in durability, heat retention, maintenance, and price.

1. Chrome-Plated Steel Grids

• Pros: Affordable and easy to clean.
• Cons: Thin, widely spaced rods don’t hold heat well and can warp or rust over time.
• Best for: Occasional grillers on a budget.

2. Porcelain-Coated Steel Grids

• Pros: Porcelain prevents sticking, resists rust, and is easy to clean.
• Cons: The coating can chip, leading to rust.
• Best for: Budget-friendly grilling with a slightly longer lifespan than chrome.

3. Cast Iron Grids

• Pros: Excellent heat retention for deep sear marks; highly durable.
• Cons: Require regular seasoning to prevent rust and maintain performance.
• Best for: Grill enthusiasts who value performance and are willing to do some maintenance.

4. Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Grids

• Pros: Combines the heat retention of cast iron with the low-maintenance benefits of porcelain.
• Cons: Prone to chipping if handled roughly.
• Best for: Those who want the performance of cast iron without frequent oiling.

5. Stainless Steel Grids

• Pros: Durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean. Great heat retention for a perfect sear.
• Cons: The most expensive option.
• Best for: Premium grilling with minimal upkeep.

How Grid Design Impacts Grilling

The shape, thickness, and spacing of the grid bars also play a key role in grilling performance:

• Thicker bars retain more heat and create bold sear marks.
• Tightly spaced grids are ideal for delicate foods like fish and veggies.
• Widely spaced grids work best for larger cuts of meat.

Hot Tip: Choose wider bars for more pronounced grill marks and enhanced searing.

3 Quick Maintenance Tips for Longer-Lasting Cookings Grids

1. Clean after each use to remove grease and debris.
2. Preheat the grid before cooking to kill bacteria.
3. Oil the grid lightly to prevent sticking and rust.

Hot Tip: To make those iconic, cross-hatch grill marks, rotate food a quarter turn halfway through the cooking time required on the first side. Then repeat the process on the second side.

Find the Perfect Replacement Cooking Grid

A little ongoing maintenance will help preserve your cooking grid for years to come, no matter the material or configuration. Whether you’re grilling filet mignon or a humble hot dog, it’s important to start with a clean, hot, oiled cooking grid.

If your cooking grid has seen better days, it’s time for a replacement. Whether you prefer cast iron for superior searing or stainless steel for durability, there’s a grid for every grilling style.

Shop Replacement Cooking Grids by brand and model to find the perfect fit for your grill.

David B. June 16th, 2015

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance, BBQing HowTos