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The Definitive Guide to the Best Grill Grates

Last Updated On: October 7, 2026

Which Grill Grates are best: stainless steel, cast iron, enamel-coated, plated wire, or cast aluminum? The answer may surprise you.

On a grill, I want a surface that cooks evenly, rather than just black stripes on the surface of the meat. And we want to avoid thick cast iron grates with little space between them that block smoke from contacting the meat surface. Smoke is one of the main reasons we cook outdoors, isn’t it?

The goal is grill grates that transmit heat well.  So what’s the best solution for both gas and charcoal grills? The solution I recommend for gas grills is GrillGrates (TM), and for charcoal grills, thin stainless steel grates get the job done or you can opt for chrome or nickel grill grates for a budget-friendly option.

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Kamado Joe Classic II 18″ Review And Rating
Kamado Joe Classic II 18″ Review And Rating
Read our review of Kamado Joe's Classic II 18”. It's is a well-crafted ceramic cooker that presents strong competition to other 18" models in the premium priced market with a number of remarkable upgrades that exemplify the elegance and innovation that are hallmarks of Kamado Joe. We give it our top Best Value AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal.