Hey all,
This isn't meant as a criticism, per se, but more of a data point.
For reasons that are still obscure to me, I decided to use my brand-new never-cooked-on SnS Easy-Spin grate with my Vortex. (Also the first time I used the Vortex.)
The SnS Easy-Spin grate is a heavier-duty (SS 304) grate than the stock Weber grate. As this was my first cook on the SnS grate, any effect the Vortex would have on it would be obvious.
I just finished cleaning the grate and, yes, after just one Vortex use there is an area of significant discoloration in the middle of the grate, directly atop where the Vortex was. The diameter of the discoloration is the same as the top of the Vortex cone. The discoloration is worse and more obvious on the bottom side of the grate than on the top. It is that amber-purple dullness that looks like I took a high-powered torch to the thing. (Which, basically, I did!)
The bars nor the cross bar have any detectable warpage. The only "issue" is the discoloration.
I'm not sure how much of an issue this is, if any. I don't know if I'm going to use this grate further with the Vortex, as the SnS grate is a relatively expensive grate and I don't want to weaken/damage it prematurely. SnS does market this grate for their cold-grate searing technique, which subjects a third of the grate to extremely high heat; however, that area of the grate is only subjected to the high heat for 2-3 minutes rather than the 30+ minutes of the Vortex.
Or maybe I've watched too much of Steven Raichlen's Project Smoke/Fire and think that every cook should start with a grate that appears brand new.
This isn't meant as a criticism, per se, but more of a data point.
For reasons that are still obscure to me, I decided to use my brand-new never-cooked-on SnS Easy-Spin grate with my Vortex. (Also the first time I used the Vortex.)
The SnS Easy-Spin grate is a heavier-duty (SS 304) grate than the stock Weber grate. As this was my first cook on the SnS grate, any effect the Vortex would have on it would be obvious.
I just finished cleaning the grate and, yes, after just one Vortex use there is an area of significant discoloration in the middle of the grate, directly atop where the Vortex was. The diameter of the discoloration is the same as the top of the Vortex cone. The discoloration is worse and more obvious on the bottom side of the grate than on the top. It is that amber-purple dullness that looks like I took a high-powered torch to the thing. (Which, basically, I did!)
The bars nor the cross bar have any detectable warpage. The only "issue" is the discoloration.
I'm not sure how much of an issue this is, if any. I don't know if I'm going to use this grate further with the Vortex, as the SnS grate is a relatively expensive grate and I don't want to weaken/damage it prematurely. SnS does market this grate for their cold-grate searing technique, which subjects a third of the grate to extremely high heat; however, that area of the grate is only subjected to the high heat for 2-3 minutes rather than the 30+ minutes of the Vortex.
Or maybe I've watched too much of Steven Raichlen's Project Smoke/Fire and think that every cook should start with a grate that appears brand new.

Comment