If you’ve ever struggled with uneven cooking, inadequate searing, or frustrating flare-ups on your gas grill, GrillGrates might be the solution you’ve been searching for. These innovative raised-rail cooking surfaces have earned a devoted following among grilling enthusiasts, and after testing them ourselves, we understand why. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore what makes GrillGrates so effective and whether they’re worth adding to your grilling arsenal.
What Are GrillGrates?
GrillGrates are modular, interlocking hard-anodized aluminum panels with raised rails that sit on top of your existing grill surface. Unlike standard grill grates that come with your gas, charcoal, or electric grill, GrillGrates feature a unique design that fundamentally changes how heat transfers to your food.
The system consists of two main components:
- A solid aluminum base with perforations that blocks direct flame while trapping and distributing heat
- Raised rails that provide excellent sear marks while allowing juices to flow into the valleys below
This design addresses many common grilling challenges while enhancing what grills already do well.
How GrillGrates Work
The science behind GrillGrates is surprisingly straightforward but incredibly effective:
1. Superior Heat Conductivity
Aluminum conducts heat approximately three times better than stainless steel and substantially better than cast iron. This conductivity allows GrillGrates to:
- Heat up faster than traditional grates
- Distribute heat more evenly across the entire cooking surface
- Reduce hot and cold spots that plague many gas grills
2. Heat Amplification
The solid aluminum base acts as a heat sink that absorbs and concentrates heat from your grill’s burners. This amplification effect:
- Creates surface temperatures 100-200°F hotter than standard grates
- Allows for steakhouse-quality searing even on modest gas grills
- Maintains high heat even when cold food is placed on the surface
3. Flare-Up Prevention
Perhaps one of the most appreciated benefits of GrillGrates is how effectively they reduce flare-ups:
- The solid aluminum base blocks most dripping fats from reaching open flames
- Valleys between rails capture juices, allowing them to vaporize slowly
- This controlled vaporization adds flavor while eliminating the charring from sudden flare-ups
Installation and Setup
One of the most appealing aspects of GrillGrates is their versatility and ease of installation:
- Modular Design: GrillGrates come in various sizes that can be used individually or connected together to cover your entire grill surface.
- Simple Installation: Simply place GrillGrates on top of your existing grill grates, or remove the old grates and use GrillGrates as a complete replacement.
- Universal Compatibility: GrillGrates work on virtually any cooking surface – gas grills, charcoal grills, pellet grills, and even indoor griddles.
The company offers pre-sized sets for popular grill models or individual panels that can be customized to fit any cooking surface. Installation requires no tools and takes less than a minute.
Cooking Performance: Our Testing
We tested GrillGrates on a standard three-burner gas grill, comparing results against the original cast-iron grates. Here’s what we found:
Steak Searing
With GrillGrates:
- Achieved restaurant-quality sear marks in just 2-3 minutes
- Maintained consistent searing power throughout multiple steaks
- Created the perfect crust while preserving juicy interior
With standard grates:
- Required nearly twice the time to achieve similar sear marks
- Heat diminished significantly after the first steak
- Results were less consistent with noticeable cold spots
Chicken and Fish
GrillGrates excelled with delicate proteins:
- Chicken skin crisped beautifully without burning
- Fish fillets released easily without sticking or falling apart
- Even cooking eliminated the dry exterior/raw interior problem
Vegetables and Small Items
Perhaps the most dramatic improvement was with vegetables and smaller items:
- Asparagus, sliced zucchini, and bell peppers cooked evenly without falling through
- Cherry tomatoes and mushrooms stayed in place in the valleys between rails
- Even thin-sliced vegetables achieved beautiful grill marks without burning
Pros and Cons
What We Love
- Dramatic improvement in searing capability: Achieves steakhouse-quality results on even basic grills
- Virtually eliminates flare-ups: No more burnt food or singed eyebrows
- More even cooking: Significantly reduces hot and cold spots
- Versatility: Works on any type of grill
- Durability: Hard-anodized aluminum resists warping and will last for many years
Potential Drawbacks
- Price: A full set for a standard three-burner grill ranges from $100-$150, which is a significant investment
- Cleaning: The valleys require a special cleaning tool (included) to properly maintain
- Weight: Slightly heavier than standard grates, though not significantly
- Learning curve: Requires slightly adjusting cooking times and temperatures
Special Features Worth Mentioning
1. The GrateTool
GrillGrates offers a specially designed spatula called the GrateTool, with prongs that fit perfectly between the rails. This tool makes flipping and handling food significantly easier and helps preserve those beautiful grill marks.
2. Versatile Cooking Surfaces
One particularly clever feature is that GrillGrates can be flipped over. The flat bottom side becomes an excellent griddle surface, perfect for:
- Cooking breakfast items like eggs and pancakes
- Searing smash burgers
- Grilling sandwiches panini-style
3. Smoke Enhancement
The valleys between rails provide the perfect space to add wood chips for a burst of smoky flavor, something typically difficult to achieve on gas grills.
Real-World Applications
GrillGrates shine in several specific scenarios:
- Apartment/Condo Grilling: For those with small balcony grills or community grills of questionable quality, GrillGrates instantly upgrade the cooking experience.
- Vacation Rentals: Pack these portable grates when staying somewhere with unknown grill quality.
- Tailgating and Camping: Transform portable grills into high-performance cooking systems.
- Rejuvenating Older Grills: Rather than replacing an entire grill, adding GrillGrates can breathe new life into aging equipment.
Value Assessment
At approximately $100-$150 for a complete set, GrillGrates represent a significant investment. However, when compared to the cost of upgrading to a higher-end grill (often $500-$1,000 more), GrillGrates offer tremendous value. They effectively transform mid-range grills into high-performance cooking systems at a fraction of the upgrade cost.
Care and Maintenance
Like cast iron, GrillGrates perform best when properly seasoned. The manufacturer recommends:
- Initial Seasoning: Before first use, clean with soap and water, then apply a light coating of high-heat oil
- Regular Maintenance: After grilling, scrape the rails with the GrateTool or brush
- Occasional Deep Cleaning: For buildup in the valleys, soak in hot water and clean with a soft brush
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Don’t use grill cleaners or degreasers that might damage the seasoning
With proper care, GrillGrates will develop a natural non-stick patina over time.
Who Should Buy GrillGrates?
GrillGrates are ideal for:
- Gas grill owners frustrated with inadequate searing and uneven cooking
- Beginner grillers who want more consistent, forgiving results
- Apartment dwellers stuck with basic community grills
- Experienced grillers looking to expand their cooking capabilities
- Anyone who grills delicate foods that typically stick or fall through standard grates
Conclusion: Are GrillGrates Worth It?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that GrillGrates deliver on their promises. They represent one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to any grill, dramatically improving performance in the areas that matter most: searing capability, temperature consistency, and flare-up prevention.
While the initial investment might give some pause, the improvement in cooking quality and the extended lifespan they can give to a mediocre grill make them worth every penny. If you’re serious about grilling or simply tired of disappointing results from your current setup, GrillGrates are an upgrade we enthusiastically recommend.
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