Looking for reviews and thoughts GrillGrates on your Pellet grill

[AmosMoses01]

Hi all!

As I'm getting closer to receiving my Grand Slam, I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering a ... few ... accessories. I've read seemingly mixed thoughts on GrillGrates on a pellet grill/smoker, so I figured why not ask this forum specifically about your actual experiences. I have a Weber Genesis gas grill, and have read several thoughts/threads that say it is best to reverse sear on a gas grill (if you have one) than to use GrillGrates on a pellet grill.

So, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the below:

1. Has using GrillGrates on your pellet smoker been the bees' knees, or have they been sorta kinda / so-so / alright?
2. If I'm going to order them, and am willing for reverse sear applications to use the Genesis, is ordering them for the Genesis instead the better idea?
3. Do accessories count towards a diagnosis of developing MCS? 'Cause option 3 I guess would be order them for both the Grand Slam and the Genesis - ha! I will have to stage that option out a bit in time, since I'm pushing my budget ceiling to the max with a little other order for a Fireboard Extreme going out this week too.

Looking forward to your testimonies!

[RanchoStarvo]

I have a genesis, a pitts and spitts pellet and hasty bake. You'll see the most benefit of grillgrates on a gas grill. If you can get your pellet smoker hot enough, then I'm sure the grill grates will do it's job, but just seems like a waste of pellet fuel. My view on pellets is that they are smoking and roasting machines.

I do use mine in a pinch for grilling like if I forgot to refill propane, too lazy to start up hasty bake or don't have charcoal. Grilling works, but it's not going to blow you away, at that temperature, the smoke is near non existent form a pellet.

Get the grill grates for your genesis, but maybe don't get them custom fit, get a size that you can swap between your pellet and grill.

I've owned grill grates for my genesis and hasty bake, and honestly they mainly stay in the storage shed. Grill grates aren't a gimmick, but they don't clean nearly as easily as advertised, also grilling on the grates, then flipping them over and seeing all the gunk on the flat side has persuaded me to not use the flat side unless it's spick and span. They are a great product, but I like the upgraded thicker stainless steel grates from Weber more.

[CaptainMike]

Plus 1 on the above. Since you have the gasser it makes more sense to me to add GrillGrates to it. That's my setup and it's pretty versatile.

[adamjs83]

Agreed. I actually have had Grill Grates on my Genesis for about a year and it is game changing. Sear on steak is much more pronounced, no flare ups with chicken or fatty beef and vegetables don’t slip through. Also, smash burgers on the flat side are amazing. I will say they that contrary to what the company states I did find them to be harder to maintain and if you let a messy cook burn off the carbon deposits can be very tough to clean.

To throw a wrench in there if all of all you are looking for is to up your sear game take a look at a Baking Steel griddle. I’ve never seared steaks as well on any other device and it’s quite versatile.

[RanchoStarvo]

Well there goes my money towards that griddle

[Bumby]

I've tried the Grill Grates on my pellet smoker. While it worked reasonably well, I prefer the sear on my gasser (with or without Grill Grates).

[BBQ_Steve-O]

I heard and read all the hoopla about Grill Grates and how they would get the heat up enough on my pellet grill to where I could sear a steak. So I got em, I tried em and now they are sitting in a box. When I get a new gasser one of these days I'll put them back to work - but personally, I wouldn't bother getting them for a pellet grill.

[jgreen]

I love the grill grates in my gas barbecue and use both the flat and ridged side, but don’t use them (although I might have them) for a pellet unit or kettle.

[AmosMoses01]

Thanks y'all for the feedback! adamjs83 thanks for that info and idea, I never thought about doing a griddle on the gasser, but that will kill several birds with one stone for me!

I love this place, great source of information and suggestions!