Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long will GrillGrates last?

GrillGrates will provide years of grate grilling! With moderate care and proper use, a set of GrillGrates should last or outlast the life of your grill. Moderate care is essentially cleaning up before grilling using a traditional wire brush for Hard Anodized GrillGrates. Just keep the rails clean to deliver the best searing and nonstick. Periodic cleaning in the sink is helpful- especially after a heavy marinade that coats the GrillGrates.

2. What makes GrillGrates better than the existing grates on my grill?

• The Original Raised Rail Design™ is a new engineered cooking system that sits atop any existing grill. GrillGrates sear and sizzle foods better than traditional grills, which have more open exposure to direct flame and juices are only fuel for flare-ups. GrillGrates keep delicious juices around for added flavor and tenderness. The valleys of GrillGrates catch juices where they ‘sizzle back’ to the food. (Quote from Mike Mills of 17th Street) GrillGrates shield foods from excessive flame and flare-ups while heat is driven up the raised rails for perfect steakhouse searing every time. GrillGrates virtually eliminate charring but accentuate searing.
• The "Sizzle Effect" is a major difference when comparing GrillGrates to conventional grills. In open fire grilling much of the dripped fatty juice becomes fuel that is carbonized onto the outer layer of the food aided and compounded by flaming and flare-ups. With GrillGrates, juices sizzle (steaming and boiling) just below the food. This aromatic sizzling delivers a huge pop of flavor instead of charred taste. Over time, fatty juices drain out through the fat draining holes in the valleys. The backside of the GrillGrates will quickly season to a shiny charred black. The drained fat chars the back of the GrillGrates and not the outside of your food.
• The GrateTool™ makes handling and turning food on GrillGrates a pleasure not a challenge. The prongs of the GrateTool fit between and below the rails to lift not scrape food on the grill. The GrateTool handles pizza beautifully from quarter turning on the grill to carrying pizza to the table. NOTE: The GrateTool also doubles as a cleaning tool to clear the valleys of debris that builds up over time. Simply run The GrateTool down the valleys during warm-up to sweep debris off GrillGrates. And GrillGrates get better with age and they’ll never rust!

3. Will my grill run hotter with GrillGrates?

Yes. GrillGrates cook via all methods of cooking: conduction, convection and infrared. GrillGrates with their extra mass and surface area literally radiate heat and provide more direct food contact than conventional grills. In addition they convect heat between the rails. Aluminum is a superb conductor of heat smoothing out hot spot and cold spots and focusing the heat of the grill to the raised rails. Adjust grill temps downward and enjoy gas savings or use less fuel. Keep in mind that most grills typically run 100-150F degrees hotter at the cooking surface than the air in the hood anyway and GrillGrates will be hotter still.

4. Any special procedures for charcoal grills?

Only if you use lighter fluid and make a bonfire like Myron Mixon! Then wait to place GrillGrates after the coals are burned down ready to grill and preheat for 10-15 minutes. Otherwise you will burn off all your seasoning. NOTE: AL melts at 1125F. Most grills top out at 700-800F. Most charcoal purists are Weber or Green Egg aficionados who understand heat control well. GrillGrates functionality is the same for charcoal grills. Food is protected from charring flare-ups and good juices sizzle just below the food for noticeably juicer more tender meats – particularly chicken and pork. If you are a high- heat charcoal griller you will love the way GrillGrates sear a steak while protecting it from drying out and charring. NOTE: You will be able to do more direct (rather than indirect) grilling with GrillGrates on charcoal grills.

5. Is there a warranty on the GrillGrates?

Yes. We have a no questions asked warranty. After using GrillGrates you decide, if you don’t like them for any reason, we’ll take them back! New or used GrillGrates may be returned within 30-days for a full refund (you only pay shipping) Normal wear and tear or modifications are not covered by this warranty.

6. What is the best way to clean the GrillGrates?

The best way to clean GrillGrates is during the warm-up of the grill. Set gas grills to medium, with GrillGrates in place and close lid. Use more traditional cleaning methods i.e. grill pads or wire brush during warm up, and steam cleaning with a bit of water and a wire brush. We don’t recommend high-heat burn-off as you burn off the seasoning. Occasional high-heat burn off is fine- especially after a particularly sloping marinade or a lot of chicken wings etc. Periodic cleaning in the sink or in an outside bucket will help keep GrillGrates at their best. The rails of the Anodized GrillGrates clean up well on the grill with a brush and in the sink with a sponge or brillo. Do not use harsh de-greasers or caustic cleaners such as oven cleaners on GrillGrates- they can pit the hard anodized surface. Do not place hot GrillGrates in cold water as it may warp the panels. Soak in hot water and dish soap after the GrillGrates have cooled down.

7. Can I clean the GrillGrates in dishwasher?

We do not recommend putting GrillGrates in the dishwasher. The dishwasher itself if not the culprit, but the harsh caustic detergents can pit the hard anodized surface. Besides it can make a mess in the dishwasher! Do no use caustic dishwashing detergent or oven cleaners on the Hard Anodized GrillGrates.

8. Are other sizes available?

Yes, GrillGrates are also available in 18.5 and 20" lengths (same width at 5.25") for larger pits and grills. We also make custom cut GrillGrates for 18" and 22.5" diameter grills, such as The Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe and the classic 22.5" Weber Kettle.

9. Can I cut GrillGrates to fit my grill exactly so I can remove my old grids?

Yes and No. Cutting GrillGrates is easy with a table saw, band saw or even a jig saw with a carbide tip blade. Just cut from the back. Many customers are buying the 20" GrillGrates and cutting them down to 18" or 19" to completely cover their grill. However, we still suggest that you lay GrillGrates on top of the old grid to allow you to occasionally remove them to clean or move to another grill. We also suggest not cutting them too tight to fit front to back. Leave and 1" or 2" in the back to allow for heat convection and it gives you a place to shovel debris off your GrillGrates to the back of the grill. The hottest part of many gas grills is the back few inches. Not having GrillGrates go completely to the back keeps you from putting food there and allows for a run-off and debris area to burn up all the wonderful seasoning that has served its purpose.

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