Firedial Heat Diffuser - Metal Choices?

[MichaelLC]

I didn't think to ask before I bought the thing, but there's two choices of what I assume are different metals for the Firedial diffuser: one with no description and a more expensive one that says 'stainless steel'.

Is the stainless better? Is it just a looks thing? Anyone know what the plain one is made from? Thanks.

 

[timothy]

Anyone know what the plain one is made from?

From the product description "We recommend seasoning with cooking oil."
I would guess raw steel.

 

[John K BBQ]

Carbon steel fire dial works OK - I've had mine for a few years (don't use it a ton) and it's in reasonably good shape.

 

[TonyUK]

Is the stainless better? Is it just a looks thing? Anyone know what the plain one is made from? Thanks.

The SS one will last a lot longer by not getting rusty, like mine did. I was not impressed by it anyway. The holes tended to let the drippings get onto the lit briqs, smothering them or not allowing the unlit to ignite, (Minion method). YMMV.

 

[Jim C in Denver]

My non-stainless cheap one still going strong after three years.

Works great. I cook with it exclusively on my 18. The dumb overly deep water pan was thrown out once the FireDial arrived.

 

[MichaelLC]

Cool, thanks.

I'm sure both are great, I was just curious/surprised they don't try to sell the stainless model more or even tell you what the default one is.

 

[Jim C in Denver]

I don’t think they made an SS version when I bought mine a couple years back. SS is a newer thing I think.