In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics and primary metal materials commonly used for barbeque grill grates. One of the most important parts of any BBQ setup based on cooking needs and the ability to withstand high temperatures regularly, BBQ grill grates can be made up of a few different metal types, including stainless steel.

At Wasatch Steel, we’re here to provide a wide variety of steel products, including steel sheet or other formats that are often ideal for things like grill grates and similar needs. In today’s part two of our series, we’ll go over one additional grill grate style we haven’t gotten into yet, plus evaluate maintenance factors and others that will play a role in making your final choice for a grill grate.

Enamel-Coated Grates

We went over both stainless steel and cast iron grill grate materials in part one, and our final option here really just describes one of these two formats – only with additional smooth enamel coating applied to their surface. This coating offers a non-stick layer that’s ideal for grilling and other cooking themes, plus completely prevents all corrosion risks of any kind.

Now, there are some potential downsides of enamel-coated grill grates depending on your needs. They may chip in some cases due to the enamel, and this damage can allow in moisture that ruins the corrosion protection and risks rust formation. For this reason, those going this route must be 100% sure they can avoid any damage risks.

Cleaning and Upkeep Factors

One major factor BBQ owners will consider as they think about a new grill grate is how easy the material is to clean and maintain. After all, barbeques that are used regularly will require plenty of both of these methods. Some basics on each of the materials we’ve gone over:

• Stainless steel: Very easy to clean by spreading aluminum foil to help burn off cooking residue, then scrubbing with a simple nylon brush.
• Cast iron: Cast iron cleaning and maintenance are more complex and detailed. You should burn as much cooking residue off as you can plus use a grill brush and scraper, but there are additional steps as well: Seasoning the grill with vegetable oil to fill in their porous surface, limiting sticking and corrosion risks. The grill should be slightly warm when oil is applied.
• Enamel-coated: These materials require a brass brush rather than a scraper, plus extreme care to avoid damage to the enamel coating.

Making Your Decision

So how do you make your final choice here? It really depends on a few personal factors, from budget and cooking needs to simple preference. Do you prefer a surface that’s extremely easy to clean and the most affordable? Stainless steel is the way to go. For certain other purposes, cast iron or enamel-coated surfaces can also do well.

For more on choosing the ideal metal for a barbeque grill grate, or to learn about any of our steel products or steel services, speak to the staff at Wasatch Steel today.