What's the advantage of using this grate instead of the grill? Seems like I could put a pan or kettle on the grill and save the money and space.
2055837
While I had the same question when I purchased my set I decided to purchase the grate. The grill is cast iron, is thick, and has a solid piece over the flame to distribute the heat through the grill for cooking food directly on it. I think it would take a very, very long time to boil water through the grill. The grate, however, allows the flame to heat the pot/kettle directly with the flame and will heat water or cook food in a pot more efficiently than through the grill. I appreciate that the BBQ has these accessories so that even though I have one "stove" camping I still have options for how I want to cook my food. While I had the same question when I purchased my set I decided to purchase the grate. The grill is cast iron, is thick, and has a solid piece over the flame to distribute the heat through the grill for cooking food directly on it. I think it would take a very, very long time to boil water through the grill. The grate, however, allows the flame to heat the pot/kettle directly with the flame and will heat water or cook food in a pot more efficiently than through the grill. I appreciate that the BBQ has these accessories so that even though I have one "stove" camping I still have... » Read More While I had the same question when I purchased my set I decided to purchase the grate. The grill is cast iron, is thick, and has a solid piece over the flame to distribute the heat through the grill for cooking food directly on it. I think it would take a very, very long time to boil water through the grill. The grate, however, allows the flame to heat the pot/kettle directly with the flame and will heat water or cook food in a pot more efficiently than through the grill. I appreciate that the BBQ has these accessories so that even though I have one "stove" camping I still have options for how I want to cook my food. « Show Less
2055838
Hello, sorry to say I never had a chance to this grill top yet. Because my RoadTrip grill only burns on very low temp. Coleman is on my S/LIST .
2055839
This accessory turns the Coleman RoadTrip Grill into a Coleman Camp Stove. Grilling is great but sometimes you need to boil water in a pot (coffee, vegetables, soup). The high heat of the stove brings the water to a boil quickly!It is of good, solid construction although it tarnishes after use.The greatly expands the versatility of the RoadTrip Grill. In the manual it clearly states NOT to put pots or pans on it on the stove without the grate because it could damage it, so you need the grate for that, and it works great! Well worth it.
2055840
The grate is made to transfer heat faster to your pot/pan faster than the grill can. The grate is also made of steel to support the weight of..... say a pot of water to boil corn, whereas using the cast iron grill for the same purpose, you run the risk of the grill breaking.
2055841
This grate allows much more heat through to whatever you are cooking with. For example, with the grill that came with the stove, it can take a long time to boil water for coffee. This grate can do it in much less time.
2055842
You can't really boil water in a pan over the grill grates. I tried it took way too long and waste of propane, especially when using small green bottles. Direct flames heat the pot faster.
2055843
I was in a Coleman store this week in Seviervile, TN and saw a melted grill grate next to the grill display with a warning from the store not to use a kettle or coffee percolator on the standard grill surface as it will destroy the standard grill surface? The stove grate should eliminate this possibility.
874414
A porcelain grill grate will be better. A stainless steel grate will tend to lose it's "non-stick" capabilities faster over time than a porcelain coated steel. A stainless steel grate, however, will give you better "sear" marks on your food due to the better heat transfer, but, unless you are in the restaurant business, or don't mind the more-frequent replacement and you really want the sear marks to stand out, the porcelain grates will last longer!
647812
It really is that much better. Adding this is like having a new grill. The grates are thicker, conduct heat more evenly and efficiently and can also add those professional grill marks on your food, like a real grill. Believe me, I also questioned purchasing grates that cost twice the amount of the grill...but I've never regretted this purchase once.
1166145
I imagine you can do such with the roasting pan and the device set on 'broil'. But I prefer to use one of those small, portable Weber propane grills: Weber 1520 Propane Gas Go-Anywhere Grill. It's superb for burgers and brauts and any other similar activity. But, it's definitely an out-door thing. If you can't do outdoor, then I guess you're sort of stuck with this device. Or one of those electric grill things...which I've no experience with, as I can do outdoors.
1572751
Dave--the body of the grill is coated and easy to clean. It's recommended to put some water in the bottom for the best cleaning. We fried bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns on it while camping and had no problems--and you know how those spatter! The grate is like a charcoal grill grate. I don't think I'll ever cook directly on the grate, only with pots and pans, just because I don't want the hassle of having to really clean the grill body. Denise and Bob M
1027358
I haven't had a grill with stainless grates. I can tell you that if you let the grill burn on high for 5 minutes after you finish cooking, and then wait untill it heats up for the session, brush and your ready to go!
641327
You can leave it in, just takes up some space so you can't use the entire grill space.
998727
I've own the weber performer silver. I am assuming the platinum is the kicked up model. Having an attached working area and a place to rest the lid are essential to grilling comfort and ease. Assuming the platinum has these features-and probably many more and money is no issue then go for the platinum. Any gill made by Weber is a good investment.
1307077
The only benefit that I can see is to keep the Weber clean. I had a cover for my old grill and I had a problem with wasps building their nests under the grill, where they could access small open spaces under the cover.
1187228
You can use the side burner for both, the grate can be raised about an inch or so for cooking/searing, then lowered flush for pots and pans. The side burner grate for that model comes with a cast iron grate that needs to be highly maintained due to the high heat burning off the seasoning of the grate. I ordered the stainless sided burner grate separately as it's low maintenance. Hope that helps
1148668
If you search online you can find that there are cast iron grates available for the 26.5" Weber. This is a great grill and worth the investment. You should not have to replace the stainless grill unless you get very angry and destroy it by slamming it down because you don't want to cook, LOL.
2158467
You set your pan or skillet directly on the raised cross wind baffles above each burner. No need for a grate.
1016022
I'd consider a grill pizza stone. Just set it on the grate without worrying about the cast iron pizza pan.You may also like the KettlePizza insert. I splurged and I love it. Keeps the temp up for great pizza.
1758418
NO!!!! I would NOT recommend purchasing this grill. The bottom cast iron grate is impossible to remove from the grill w/o bending the metal. It cooks unevenly also.
888049
It's a grate. I love the thing. I can set it atop campground rings or directly over a fire and have a decent cook top, with hot over the coals. cool near the sides.
243775
Not sure what you mean by "without the cooking grate". If you mean without the Gourmet Cooking Grate, but with a standard cooking grate, then the answer is yes, you can. I use it all the time on an electric stove top, a gas stove top and on a Kamado style charcoal grill, as well as the Gourmet Weber grate in my Weber. Its really a great pan and is my go-to for many things from scrambled eggs to baked cauliflower.
2091412
Honestly I have never removed the grill grate. I just drop it right on top and never worry about it. That also gives me the grill in front to grill something if I need to. I really enjoy this grill and glad I bought it.