7527 grates vs CI and flat top grate thoughts..

[TerrencePickens]

Hello all. New user here starting on a Genesis 2 (or 2000, still figuring that part out) restoration.

I'm a fan of my Lodge Sportsmans grill and I've come to love the complete flat cast iron cooktop. The flatness does not allow much to stick. I'm comparing the 7527 (stainless stamped "U") grates to a traditional bare cast iron set.

How does the 7527 and its Amazon copies stack up? Rcplanebuyer they are not, but I'm curious to see if they hold up and cook well.

If no 7527, can anyone reccomend a bare cast iron set? Please remember I'm seeking flatness, otherwise I'd be looking st stainless rods

 

[Jon Tofte]

Terrence,

Welcome to TVWBB! I believe you will find some good advice here.

I have been working on stainless rod grate comparisons, so grates are on my mind - and all over my office. My wife just loves it!

Comparing beyond rod grates to the various options is full of personal preference and opinions. So, what I am saying is merely my own opinion and should be taken as such. I am sure some others will weigh in with other thoughts.

I personally do not like those stamped stainless grates. They are notorious for breaking and are not the easiest to keep clean. I would go with porcelain plated stamped ones before getting those, even though they will rust out in time.

Instead, since you mention Lodge cast iron, maybe you should try to source an original set of Weber cast iron grates. All the more recent cast iron has a porcelain coating which to me should be avoided like the plague. The porcelain inevitably starts chipping off and can easily get in your food!

Some say the original Weber cast iron is “impregnated” with porcelain. I won’t argue metallurgy since I have little or no knowledge about it. However, in my experience the first Weber cast iron grates seem to be just cast iron. Yes, they will rust easily if not kept properly well seasoned (which seems to confirm they are just cast iron). If cared for, though, they will reward you with great results and a good long life. I can’t deny that really good stainless rod grates (such as rcplanebuyer’s you mentioned) will do just as well with much easier maintenance. Somehow, though, there is still something a little magic about grilling on cast iron.

Finding a set of original Weber cast iron - pushing 20 years old now - isn’t very easy but I think worth it. I might even have a set I could sell reasonably but the Post Office would want a chunk for the weight. If you want me to look to see what I have, PM me.

 

[TerrencePickens]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to pull the trigger on a Hongso cast iron set due to the Weber unobtainium.