Rusty grill grates can ruin the flavor of your food and make grilling more frustrating than enjoyable. After dealing with flaky cast-iron grill grates on my Broil King Baron grill, I finally decided it was time to look for a better solution. I ended up replacing them with stainless steel grill grates from Amazon, and honestly, it completely changed my grilling experience.
If you enjoy outdoor cooking and grilling recipes, keeping your grill in good shape makes a huge difference in both flavor and performance. In this post, I’ll show you what happened to my old grill grates, why I decided to replace them, and whether stainless steel grill grates were actually worth it.
Watch me replace my rusty grill grates here.
Can You Cook on Rusty Grill Grates?
Light surface rust on grill grates is usually not dangerous, but it can affect the flavor of your food and make cooking less enjoyable. If the grates are heavily rusted, flaking apart, or leaving rust particles on food, it may be time to either restore or replace them.
In my case, the cast-iron grates on my Broil King Baron had gotten to the point where I was constantly fighting rust buildup and cleanup. That is what eventually pushed me toward trying stainless steel replacement grates instead.
When Should You Replace Grill Grates?
Not all rusty grill grates need to be replaced right away, but there are some signs that it may be time for new ones.
Here are a few things I started noticing with mine:
- Heavy rust buildup that kept coming back
- Flaking metal and rust particles
- Food is sticking more than normal
- Uneven cooking spots
- Extra time spent cleaning after every cook
At some point, I realized I was spending more time fighting the grill grates than actually enjoying cooking on the grill.
If your grill grates are heavily rusted, warped, or flaking apart, replacing them may actually be cheaper and easier than buying a whole new grill.
That is what eventually led me to start looking into stainless steel replacement grill grates for my Broil King Baron grill.
The Problem With My Rusty Grill Grates
My grill, a Broil King Baron, originally came with cast-iron grates. While I initially loved their heaviness and performance, over time, they started deteriorating due to moisture and usage.
I opted for the cast iron grates to put those perfectly great sear and grill marks on my steaks and chicken. The problem is they are a lot of maintenance and upkeep.
You have to constantly oil them to keep them from rusting. Also, the constant heating and cooling cycles from the grill cause them to sweat, thereby rusting.
My grill grates were in total disarray. They were flaking and breaking bits and pieces off each time I grilled. It was awful. I was getting all those rusty bits on my food, and I couldn't stand it any longer. I knew there had to be a better way.
Best Replacement Grill Grates for a Broil King Baron Grill
After researching several options, I decided to try stainless steel replacement grill grates for my Broil King Baron grill. I wanted something that would resist rust better than the original cast-iron grates while still cooking evenly.
The grates I purchased are made of 304 stainless steel and measure seven millimeters in diameter. While the grates from Broil King may have been eight millimeters, I found these stainless steel ones to be incredibly sturdy and of high quality.
These are the exact ones that I bought right here:
I was honestly thrilled with the find, especially considering the entire set of stainless steel replacement grill grates for my Broil King Baron grill cost me under sixty dollars. That was about the same price as buying just one replacement grate section from the manufacturer.
Installation Process
Installation is a breeze. You pretty much just remove the old grates and lay the new ones back in place. After thoroughly vacuuming the grill and removing the old grates, it was time to install the new ones.
I carefully placed the heat shields back in their proper positions and then proceeded to fit the stainless steel grates in place. The new grates looked impressive and promising, giving my grill a fresh and upgraded appearance.
Burning in the Grates
Before using the new grates for cooking, I wanted to ensure they were properly seasoned and ready for action. To do this, I fired up the grill and allowed the grates to burn in for a while. This process helps remove any residue or oil from the manufacturing process and prepares the grates for optimal performance.
Cleaning the New Grill Grates
Cleaning the new grill grates is a cinch. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to work with a company that sells a product called The Great Scrape. The Great Scrape is a wooden paddle that you use to clean your grill grates with.
The awesome thing about using The Great Scrape is that you no longer have to worry about using a wire brush. Using a wire brush can risk getting metal bristles in your food.
Are Stainless Steel Grill Grates Worth It?
After using these stainless steel replacement grill grates on my Broil King Baron grill, I honestly do not see myself going back to cast iron. Cleanup has been easier, rust has not been the constant battle it used to be, and grilling has become enjoyable again.
If your current grill grates are flaking, rusting, or becoming difficult to maintain, replacing them may be much cheaper than replacing the entire grill.
If you want to check out the exact stainless steel replacement grill grates I used on my Broil King Baron grill, you can find them here.
Thanks for stopping by Southern Food Junkie. It is our hope that you enjoy this recipe sharing it with friends, family, and coworkers. Make sure to take time to give thanks to the creator, God, by which all blessings flow.
-Ronnie | Let's Get Food Junked
John 6:35
Leave a Reply