The charcoal grates pictured on this (discontinued) item seem to be cast iron; the new ones show steel. Is this correct? Any other upscale features?
1682416
I honestly don't know. But I know that I have been using my grill for 4 years now and I am still pleased with it.
180914
I have seen in the past that the Black(painted) pans are included with the Weber Performer models, and the Aluminum pans were with the other Gold models. However, it seems the black pans have/are going away since the Weber website only seems to show the aluminum pans in pictures, across all their charcoal Gold/Platinum models.
2011124
Its a smokey gray color, mine does not have any bronze flakes as other have posted.... It has the texture of cast iron
665138
I assume you mean the cooking grates. The cooking grates are not stainless steel. They are a nonstick coated enamel (black color).
1710088
It is a wire grate...I don't see any picture with cast iron grate though :)
1794008
It is better to buy the porcelain enamel cast iron weber grate. It is a little pricey at $65 at Amazon.
2260227
Hi Nancy. The grate inside the chimnea hasn't held up very well to the heat of the fires. It will eventually need to be replaced. I haven't covered up the chimnea, so I see some rust already forming after a few months of use on the exterior from the weather. I would definitely recommend getting a cover for it. It is a pretty sturdy and solid piece made of cast iron - looks great and is functional.
527647
Hi Michael, This wheel is actually looks like the Factory silver color which is standard for most wheel. I wouldn't exactly call it a charcoal. I can upload a picture for you if you would like to see the one you would receive. Thanks, Mickey
1291472
The grates are easier to clean than cast iron grates. The never come bright and shiny like they were when purchased. However, the can be scrubbed with plastic mesh pads with tough chunks of something. They get clean but not metal shiny. It hard work to get them really clean.The stainless finish gets fingerprints and crud like a stainless refrigerator with fingerprints. Being outside, its gets more crud and doesn't clean up as well. Still looks better than cast iron.
568346
I believe you are referring to the edges near the handles. Yes they are hinged so that you can add more charcoal or smoking wood. I purchased a cast iron cooking grate as a replacement. The cast iron is significantly superior to the plated steel that comes with the Weber, but the hinged areas are nice to have. SO yes it has the hinged areas, but you may want to investigate a cast iron alternative. The one that I purchased has a removable center portion that has a number of alternate attachments. One of which is a cast iron smoke box. Just sayin.
524090
I would say go with the cast iron, because that is what I have and it works very well. I bought a griddle and a regular new grate for my grill (both sides were old and very rusted and gross), and I must say that I am happy with both sides. Only thing that I don't care for is that it is made in China.
1304517
I have had the PK 99740 for about a year! Has not disappointed me once! I too have concerns about replacement grates! Amazon sells PK 99010: I measured my grates and they are within 1/8 of an inch of the PK 99010 specs.. I replaced a 38+ year old aluminum grill because the cost of having new grates fabricated was crazy! This is the only grate source I've found. The grates are expensive, but look like they'll fit.
46468
It came cast iron grey, but I bought a can of high temp black paint for it. And it is time to recoat BTW the cover has already failed, but any $20.00 small BBQ grill cover will work just fine.
1094566
This is our third Weber grille. Very disappointed with the grates. Now, at the end of the second season, we ordered new grates as the originals were rusting, etc. After two weeks, they are already rusting. We are not using wire brushes on this one, and it still causes a problem. We are using a steamer to clean it now, but they already look bad. Very disappointed with this aspect. Otherwise it works good and looks great, but needs stainless steel grates, which are not available. Are you reading this Weber? Don't tell us to take the grille indoors, it's outdoor grille for heaven's sake!!! Either make them better or offer stainless replacements. This is our third Weber grille. Very disappointed with the grates. Now, at the end of the second season, we ordered new grates as the originals were rusting, etc. After two weeks, they are already rusting. We are not using wire brushes on this one, and it still causes a problem. We are using a steamer to clean it now, but they already look bad. Very disappointed with this aspect. Otherwise it works good and looks great, but needs stainless steel grates, which are not available. Are you reading this Weber? Don't tell us to take the grille indoors, it's outdoor grille for heaven's sake!!!... » Read More This is our third Weber grille. Very disappointed with the grates. Now, at the end of the second season, we ordered new grates as the originals were rusting, etc. After two weeks, they are already rusting. We are not using wire brushes on this one, and it still causes a problem. We are using a steamer to clean it now, but they already look bad. Very disappointed with this aspect. Otherwise it works good and looks great, but needs stainless steel grates, which are not available. Are you reading this Weber? Don't tell us to take the grille indoors, it's outdoor grille for heaven's sake!!! Either make them better or offer stainless replacements. « Show Less
1316087
This appears to be the heavy cast iron grate and if so, should not be flaking black paint off. It's not painted. What I do is use a cheap grade of spray oil such as Pam, etc. and I keep it sprayed before use and after use. It's just like an iron skillet. Before turning burner on, I have a steel brush that I go over the grate with just to knock the burned residue off. It really stays clean and with the spray oil, it does not show rust.
1266388
They don't seem to be enameled to me, at least they don't look smooth and bright like other enameled cast iron grates I have seen. However they are not as rough as regular cast iron as well.
2041893
We got a cleaning kit that came with the grille. Haven't used any of the cleaning solutions in it, but it did contain a wire brush that we use to clean the grates. I think the grate is stainless steel on this grille that doesn't rust. I hope so anyway. I don't know of anything else to remove the solid deposits.