I just received my set of Hongso grates. First impression is they look very nice even if not as well finished as Qlimetal. If time will allow, I am getting stuff together to do a
stainless grate showdown.
I have:
Hongso
Qlimetal
Uniflasys (seems to be the same as the newer Hisencn)
Weber Summit (used - 3rd generation)
unidentified but I was pretty sure OEM Weber Genesis (used)
Weber 300 series Genesis with the GBS circle
An old set of Broilmaster
An old set of Lynx
Just missing rcplanebuyer, but by now we know his are the best.
I will evaluate by appearance, details like rounded edges, measurements and magnet test.
One thing I will say is that at the beginning of this post it was stated that Qlimetal grates that were supposed to be 304 were magnetic. I have bought flavorizer bars from Qlimetal that showed no magnetic attraction. The grates I have from them have a very slight attraction, as do most of the others except Broilmaster and Lynx. The unidentified (OEM Weber?) - but very nice looking - set I have shows a STRONG magnetic attraction. I don't claim to know much about stainless steel or metals. My hunch is that high grade 304 stainless (like on my Broilmaster) is not at all magnetic but commonly used 430 stainless is very magnetic. So, these grates that show just a slight level of magnetism can't be written off as 430 but perhaps are not pure, high-grade 304 stainless. Since they all originate overseas, perhaps that is not too surprising.
I would be interested in what others have noted. I do have to say that I have had excellent service out of Genesis grates that show a mild level of magnetism. The Summit grates I have are about all that is left from two rust-bucket Summit grills I gave up on. While the grills rusted out terribly, these grates are still very restorable and mainly just faded and dirty. So, my feeling at this point is just because a grate is mildly magnetic doesn't mean it is junk or low quality. But, in comparison to rcplanebuyer/Dave Santana or Broilmaster, Lynx and a number of others, they probably aren't quite as good, either.