Is it safe to cook on a Weber replacement charcoal grate?

[Danny B (Albany GA)]

I wanted to use Meathead's "afterburner" method of searing a steak on top of a chimney starter. I bought an 18" Weber replacement charcoal grate earlier today. It had an oily film on it. After I was on the way home I began to question whether the material in the grate was safe to cook on. I assume it is but thought I would ask the group for advice. Thanks.

 

[R Cain]

If it's cleaned I don't see why not.

-rog

 

[~Mark~]

Hope so, I've done it for a while now.

 

[timothy]

It's made out if raw steel, so the oil is to keep it from rusting in the store.
Wash it off with a good degreaser than burn off any residue before you use it. Wiping it down with veg oil will help season it from rusting.

Tim

 

[Danny B (Albany GA)]

Thanks guys.

 

[Phil Perrin]

I don't think the charcoal grate is designed to cook on. I mean,there s a cooking grate and a charcoal grate.

 

[Chad Bman]

I don't think the charcoal grate is designed to cook on.

No, it wasn't designed for that task. Just like searing a steak on top of the chimney wasn't in the design either.
IMO --- as long as it's new, cleaned/burned the oil off, I'd have no issues using one for that task.
Cooking grate for a smokey joe would also be ideal.

 

[Tony R]

It's made out if raw steel, so the oil is to keep it from rusting in the store.
Wash it off with a good degreaser than burn off any residue before you use it. Wiping it down with veg oil will help season it from rusting.

Tim

 

[timothy]

If you think about it, the middle cooking grate for the 18.5" WSM is a re-purposed charcoal grate from the 22.5" kettle, but it's nickel plated.
In this "afterburner" set-up the plating can in time burn off and you are just left with bare steel.

Tim

 

[Noe]

Danny hell yeah you can use it to grill on.

 

[George Curtis]

you can cook on raw steel . course you want to wash it the first time. and you want to oil it up like any grate you use.
go for it.

 

[Danny B (Albany GA)]

Is spraying it with Pam grilling spray sufficient or should I wipe it down with vegetable oil?

 

[George Curtis]

I use either though I usually use pam.

 

[Khanh Hoang]

I like the Charcoal grate better than the cooking as the Charcoal grate is thicker steel and if maintained oil, will last a lot longer... I've seen too many rusting cooking grates..