Grilling & Outdoor Cooking

Cast Iron, Stainless or Aluminum? The Best Gas Grill Grates

Replacement and upgrade grates for gas grills from Weber, Char-Broil, Broil King and GrillGrate, with fit by model and how to measure before you buy.

Rows of burger patties cooking on a grill with its lid raised and smoke rising
Burger patties cooking on a grill grate under a raised lid.

Cooking grates wear out before the rest of a gas grill does. Porcelain chips, bare cast iron rusts, and thin stainless rods sag after a few summers of high heat. When that happens you do not need a new grill; you need grates that fit the one you have, in a material that suits how you cook.

This guide covers replacement and upgrade grates for gas grills: genuine parts from Weber, Char-Broil and Broil King, GrillGrate’s aluminum panels, a stainless set for the Weber Q, and how to measure so the grate you order actually fits. If you are still choosing the grill itself, start with our guide to the best gas grill.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which gas grill grates to buy

If you own a Weber Genesis 300 from 2016 on, the best gas grill grates are Weber’s own Crafted porcelain-enameled cast iron set: a factory fit and cast iron’s heat retention. Spirit 300 owners who want no enamel should buy the Weber Crafted stainless set. For any other gas grill that flares up, add GrillGrate panels on top of the grates you have, and for an older grill with no factory part left, the adjustable Char-Broil universal cast iron grate.

The rest of this page explains each pick, which grills each one fits as listed, and how to measure before you buy.

Five grill grates at a glance

Our five standout picks, one for each kind of grill owner, with the material and fit each maker or listing states. All eight grates are reviewed in full below.

Grill grate Best for Material (as listed) Fit Buy on Amazon
Genesis 300 (2016+) Porcelain-enameled cast iron Replaces factory grates View on Amazon
Spirit 300 (2016+) Stainless steel Replaces factory grates View on Amazon
Flare-ups on any gas grill Hard anodized aluminum Sits on top or replaces View on Amazon
Older or off-brand grills Porcelain-coated cast iron Adjusts 14–19.5 in long View on Amazon
Broil King Signet and Crown Porcelain-enameled cast iron Reversible grids View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Fit is as stated in each listing; check your grill’s model number and measure before you buy.

Our picks for the best gas grill grates

These eight cover the three main grate materials (porcelain-enameled cast iron, stainless steel and anodized aluminum) and the grills people most often need parts for. We kept to makers we could identify: grill makers selling their own parts, GrillGrate, and Stanbroil, a parts brand already featured in our griddle insert guide. None of the grills from our gas grill guide appear here, and the griddle inserts that replace grates have their own page. Every fit is given exactly as the listing states it.

1. Weber Crafted Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Cooking Grates for Genesis 300 – Heavy Cast Iron, Factory Fit

Best overallWeber Crafted® Cooking Grates

If you own a Weber Genesis 300 series grill from 2016 on, the simplest upgrade is the grate Weber makes for it. Part 7853 is a set of two porcelain-enameled cast iron grates; Weber lists the set at 26.8 inches wide by 18.9 inches deep and 0.4 inch high, and says it fits Genesis 300 series grills from 2016 on. The listing asks you to double-check the fit information against your own grill before you order, which is good advice for any grate.

Weber’s case for porcelain-enameled cast iron is heat: the listing says it gives superior heat retention and distribution and helps prevent sticking. Cast iron is what gives you dark, defined grill marks on skirt steak or chicken thighs, and the enamel coat means you do not have to keep bare iron oiled against rust the way you would a skillet.

These are also the base of Weber’s Crafted system. Weber says the Crafted frame kit and these grates are required before you can use its Crafted grillware, such as the sear grate further down this list. For care, the listing says to preheat on high for 15 minutes and brush the grates, then use Weber’s grate cleaner and scrubber pads for heavy buildup once the grill has cooled completely. Weber’s own care article also warns against brushes with sharp edges, which it says can damage the porcelain enamel and open the door to corrosion.

Why we like it

  • Genuine Weber part 7853
  • Porcelain-enameled cast iron, per Weber
  • Set of two, 26.8 x 18.9 inches overall
  • Works with the Weber Crafted grillware system

Key specifications

Model 7853
Material Porcelain-enameled cast iron
Pieces 2 grates
Size (as listed) 26.8 W x 18.9 D x 0.4 H inches
Fits (as listed) Genesis 300 series, 2016+
Sits on or replaces Replaces the original grates
Care (maker or listing) Preheat 15 min, brush; cleaner and pads when cool
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits Genesis 300 owners whose original grates have rusted or chipped and who want the factory fit, the heat retention of cast iron and the option of adding Weber’s Crafted accessories later.

Skip it if your Genesis is older than 2016 or is a 400 series; this set is listed only for the 2016-and-later 300 series.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Factory fit for Genesis 300
  • Cast iron holds heat
  • Opens up Crafted accessories

Cons

  • One grill family only
  • Enamel can chip if dropped
  • Origin not stated

Check price on Amazon

2. Weber Crafted Stainless Steel Cooking Grates for Spirit 300 – Quick to Heat, Easy to Clean

Best stainlessWeber Crafted Stainless Steel Cooking Grates

Stainless steel is the other material Weber uses on its gas grills, and this is its Crafted set for the Spirit 300 series. Weber says it fits Spirit 300 series gas grills from 2016 on and the SmokeFire EX4 pellet grill, and, as with the cast iron set, asks buyers to double-check the fit information first.

Weber describes stainless as ultra durable, quick to heat and smooth enough to clean easily. That is the trade against cast iron: stainless comes up to temperature sooner and has no enamel coat to chip, while cast iron holds more heat once it gets there. On a busy grill night, the lighter grate also comes out of the firebox more easily when you clean underneath.

Like the Genesis set, these are part of the Crafted system, so you can add Weber’s Crafted frame kit and grillware later. Weber notes the frame kit can sit under the grates when you are not using it. The listing does not give the dimensions, so match the part number, 7860, to your grill’s manual or Weber’s fit guide before ordering.

Why we like it

  • Genuine Weber part 7860
  • Stainless steel heats quickly, per Weber
  • No enamel coat to chip
  • Crafted frame kit stores under the grates

Key specifications

Model 7860
Material Stainless steel
Pieces Set (count not stated)
Size (as listed) Not stated
Fits (as listed) Spirit 300 series 2016+; SmokeFire EX4
Sits on or replaces Replaces the original grates
Care (maker or listing) Smooth surface, easy to clean (Weber)
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits Spirit 300 owners who want a factory replacement without porcelain enamel, and anyone who prefers a grate that heats fast and takes hard scrubbing.

Skip it if you want the heaviest sear marks; cast iron holds more heat, and this listing does not state the dimensions or piece count.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Factory fit for Spirit 300
  • Nothing to chip
  • Heats quickly

Cons

  • Dimensions not in listing
  • Holds less heat than cast iron
  • Origin not stated

Check price on Amazon

Close-up of burger patties with dark grill marks on a grate over flames
Grill marks come from the grate: the more heat it holds, the darker the lines.

3. GrillGrate Set of 2 13.75-inch Panels – Fewer Flare-Ups on Any Gas Grill

Best for flare-upsGRILL GRATE SET OF 2 13.75" Grates - PREMIUM GRILLING ACCESSORY

GrillGrate takes a different approach from a replacement grate. Its panels are hard anodized aluminum with raised rails and valleys between them, and they interlock side by side. GrillGrate says the design eliminates the flare-ups common to gas grills, that the raised rails amplify heat while the aluminum spreads it to cut hot and cold spots, and that the panels never rust. This set has two panels; the listing gives each as 5.25 by 13.75 by 1.5 inches.

You can lay the panels on top of your existing grates or use them in place of grates that fit the same length. GrillGrate sells panels in a range of lengths and narrow gap panels to fill leftover width, so measure your firebox front to back and side to side before you choose a size. For a small grill or one zone of a larger one, two 13.75-inch panels give you a searing area about 10.5 inches wide.

GrillGrate’s getting-started page has three points worth knowing before the first cook. Your grill will run hotter than usual with the panels in place, because aluminum heats and cools quickly. Clean the grease tray, check the burners and flame tents, and scrape buildup off the grate ledge before installing, so old grease does not catch. And do not put the panels in the dishwasher or use oven cleaner or harsh caustic cleaners. To season, GrillGrate suggests rubbing half an onion over the hot rails, or a high smoke-point oil such as avocado or canola.

Why we like it

  • Hard anodized aluminum, will not rust (GrillGrate)
  • Raised rails designed to stop flare-ups
  • Sits on top of existing grates
  • Panels interlock, so you can add more

Key specifications

Model Hard Anodized (13.75-inch set)
Material Hard anodized aluminum
Pieces 2 panels
Size (as listed) 5.25 x 13.75 x 1.5 inches each
Fits (as listed) Any grill with room for 13.75-inch panels
Sits on or replaces Sits on top, or replaces same-length grates
Care (maker or listing) No dishwasher or caustic cleaners
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits owners of any gas grill who fight flare-ups when grilling fatty cuts, or who want a sear zone without replacing the whole set of grates.

Skip it if you want to cover a full-size grill in one purchase; two panels are only about 10.5 inches wide, and more panels cost more.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Works on most gas grills
  • Designed against flare-ups
  • Will not rust, per GrillGrate

Cons

  • Covers a small area
  • Grill runs hotter; adjust heat
  • Hand-wash only

Check price on Amazon

4. Char-Broil Universal Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Grate – Adjusts to Fit Many Grills

Best universal fitCharbroil Universal Cast Iron Grate

If you cannot find the factory part for your grill, or the grill is old enough that nobody lists one, a universal grate is the fallback. Char-Broil’s adjusts in length to fit openings from 14 to 19.5 inches and measures 7.75 inches wide, according to the listing. It is porcelain-coated cast iron, model 9748605P04.

Because it is a single section, you buy as many as your firebox needs side by side. Measure the inside width of the cooking area and divide by 7.75 inches to see how many sections fill it, and measure the depth from front ledge to back ledge to make sure it falls inside the 14-to-19.5-inch range.

The listing is short and says nothing about care beyond the porcelain coating. Treat it like any porcelain-coated cast iron: brush while warm with a brush that will not scratch the coating, and keep it oiled where chips expose bare iron.

Why we like it

  • Genuine Char-Broil part
  • Adjusts from 14 to 19.5 inches
  • Porcelain-coated cast iron
  • Buy only the sections you need

Key specifications

Model 9748605P04
Material Porcelain-coated cast iron
Pieces 1 section
Size (as listed) 7.75 inches wide; 14–19.5 inches long (adjustable)
Fits (as listed) Universal; measure your firebox
Sits on or replaces Replaces the original grates
Care (maker or listing) Not stated
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits owners of older or off-brand gas grills whose original grates are rusted out and no longer sold, or anyone replacing just one worn section.

Skip it if your grill maker still sells an exact-fit grate; a universal section can leave gaps at the sides.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fits many grill sizes
  • Cast iron heat retention
  • Replace one section at a time

Cons

  • Single section; several needed
  • Sparse listing details
  • Fit depends on your measurements

Check price on Amazon

5. Broil King Reversible Cast Iron Cooking Grids for Signet and Crown – Sear Side and Basting Side

Best reversibleBroil King 11228 Cast Iron Cooking Grids

Broil King makes its own cast iron cooking grids, and part 11228 is the set of two for the Signet (made after 2007) and Crown (made after 2008) series. They are porcelain-enameled cast iron, and Broil King says the material gives heat retention for searing and durability.

The useful feature is the reversible design. One side is pointed, for searing; the other is grooved to collect juices, which Broil King says keep basting the food through the cook. Flip to the pointed side for steak and burgers, and to the grooved side for chicken or anything you want to stay moist.

The listing gives two sizes: its size field reads 15 by 12.75 inches, while a bullet says each grid segment is 15.8 by 13.2 inches. Measure your old grids and check the model plate on your grill before ordering.

Why we like it

  • Genuine Broil King part 11228
  • Reversible: searing side and grooved side
  • Porcelain-enameled cast iron
  • Set of two

Key specifications

Model 11228
Material Porcelain-enameled cast iron
Pieces 2 grids
Size (as listed) 15.8 x 13.2 inches each (listing also says 15 x 12.75)
Fits (as listed) Signet post-2007; Crown post-2008
Sits on or replaces Replaces the original grids
Care (maker or listing) Not stated
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits Broil King Signet and Crown owners replacing worn grids, and cooks who like the choice of a searing side and a basting side.

Skip it if you own any other grill; these are sized for two Broil King series only.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Factory part
  • Two cooking surfaces
  • Holds heat well

Cons

  • Listing gives two sizes
  • Two series only
  • Origin not stated

Check price on Amazon

A man using tongs to move a grilled steak onto a wooden board beside a grill
A steak coming off the grill onto a board.

6. Weber Crafted Dual-Sided Sear Grate – Thick Side for Steak, Thin for Fish

Best sear upgradeWeber Crafted® Dual‑Sided Sear Grate

This is not a full replacement but an add-on for grills already set up with Weber Crafted grates and the Crafted frame kit. Weber says the grates and frame kit are required, and asks you to confirm your grill is Crafted-compatible before you buy.

The grate is porcelain-enameled cast iron with two sides: a thicker one for meat and a thinner reverse side for seafood, vegetables and other delicate food. Weber says the porcelain finish makes flipping and lifting easy without food sticking or falling apart, and that the surface fits up to nine New York strip steaks. The listing gives its size as 20.5 inches wide, 18.9 inches long and 2.9 inches high.

For carne asada, the thick side is what you want: a heavy grate that has soaked up heat leaves strong marks on thin cuts before they overcook. Turn it over for shrimp or fish for tacos.

Why we like it

  • Two thicknesses in one grate
  • Porcelain-enameled cast iron
  • Fits up to nine strip steaks, per Weber
  • Drops into the Crafted frame

Key specifications

Model 7670
Material Porcelain-enameled cast iron
Pieces 1 grate
Size (as listed) 20.5 W x 18.9 L x 2.9 H inches
Fits (as listed) Weber Crafted-compatible grills
Sits on or replaces Sits in the Crafted frame kit
Care (maker or listing) Not stated
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits Genesis or Spirit owners who already run Weber Crafted grates and want a dedicated searing surface for steak and seafood.

Skip it if you do not have the Crafted grates and frame kit; it will not work on its own.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Sear and delicate sides
  • Large cooking surface
  • Genuine Weber

Cons

  • Needs Crafted grates and frame
  • Weber grills only
  • Heavy to lift

Check price on Amazon

7. Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Replacement Grate and Emitter – Genuine Infrared Section

Best for infraredCharbroil Professional

Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared grills cook through an emitter plate under the grate rather than over open burners, and this genuine replacement section (model 3297527R04) includes both the grate and the emitter. Char-Broil says the system gives no flare-ups, juicier food and even heat.

Each section measures 6 inches wide by 17 inches deep. The listing tells you how many to buy: three sections for a two-burner grill, four for a three-burner and five for a four-burner. It is for Commercial, Signature and Professional Series TRU-Infrared grills and is not compatible with the Performance Series TRU-Infrared models.

Check the model year carefully. The listing title says it fits 2015 and older grills, while a bullet says 2015 and newer. Char-Broil says the year is the last two digits of the model number on the back of the grill or in the product guide; confirm it against Char-Broil’s parts lookup before ordering.

Why we like it

  • Genuine Char-Broil part
  • Grate and emitter in one section
  • Clear count per burner
  • Designed against flare-ups

Key specifications

Model 3297527R04
Material Not stated (listed color: stainless steel)
Pieces 1 section (grate and emitter)
Size (as listed) 6 W x 17 D inches
Fits (as listed) Commercial, Signature, Professional TRU-Infrared; not Performance
Sits on or replaces Replaces the original section
Care (maker or listing) Not stated
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits owners of older Char-Broil Commercial, Signature or Professional infrared grills whose grates or emitters have rusted through.

Skip it if you own a Performance Series infrared grill, or if you cannot confirm your model year; the listing contradicts itself on years.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Factory infrared part
  • Buy per burner
  • Grate and emitter together

Cons

  • Model years unclear in listing
  • Several sections needed
  • Material not stated

Check price on Amazon

8. Stanbroil Stainless Steel Cooking Grates for Weber Q200/Q2000 – Solid Rods for the Weber Q

Best for Weber QStanbroil Cooking Grate for Weber Q200/Q2000 Series Grill

Weber’s Q portable gas grills ship with cast iron grates that can rust if the grill lives in a car trunk or a damp garage. Stanbroil, which sells replacement grill parts under its own name, makes this stainless steel pair to replace Weber part 7645. The listing says it fits the Q200, Q220, Q2000, Q2200 and Q2400.

Each grate measures 15.3 by 10.75 inches, for 15.3 by 21.5 inches together, and the solid stainless rods are 5.86 mm thick, according to the listing. Stanbroil says the rod ends are rounded so they are not sharp.

Stanbroil’s care advice is plain. Before the first cook, rub the grates with a high-temperature oil such as peanut or grapeseed on a paper towel and let it burn off. Clean with a brush, soap and water, and keep them dry. Stainless will not give the same heavy marks as the Q’s cast iron, but it has nothing to chip or rust through.

Why we like it

  • Stainless solid rods, 5.86 mm
  • Pair covers the full Q200/Q2000 cooking area
  • Rounded rod ends
  • Simple care, per Stanbroil

Key specifications

Model G016-RS
Material Stainless steel solid rods
Pieces 2 grates
Size (as listed) 15.3 x 10.75 inches each
Fits (as listed) Weber Q200, Q220, Q2000, Q2200, Q2400
Sits on or replaces Replaces Weber 7645 grates
Care (maker or listing) Oil and burn off; brush, soap and water; keep dry
Made in Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits Weber Q200 and Q2000 owners who travel or store the grill where cast iron tends to rust.

Skip it if you want Weber’s own part or the heavier marks of cast iron; this is an aftermarket stainless replacement.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fits the Q200/Q2000 family
  • Stainless will not chip
  • Clear care steps

Cons

  • Not a Weber part
  • Thinner rods than cast iron
  • Origin not stated

Check price on Amazon

How to choose grates for your gas grill

A grate is simple, so the decision comes down to fit, material and how much care you will give it.

1. Start with your grill’s model number

Every gas grill has a model plate, usually on the back of the cart, inside a door or under the side table. Char-Broil, for one, says its model year is the last two digits of the model number. Write the number down and look up the part number for the original grates in your manual or on the maker’s parts site. A genuine part such as Weber’s 7853 or Broil King’s 11228 removes any guesswork. If you buy an aftermarket grate, match the original part number it says it replaces, not just the grill name: Weber’s Spirit and Genesis lines have changed grate sizes several times, and one aftermarket listing for older Spirit 300 grates warns that it does not fit Spirit 300 grills made since 2025.

2. How to measure a grate

Measure the old grate, not the grill lid. Take the depth front to back and the width of each section side to side, and count the sections. Then measure the inside of the firebox where the grates rest: the ledge depth from front to back, and the total width wall to wall. A replacement should match the old grate within a fraction of an inch; too short and it drops off the ledge, too long and it will not sit flat. For panels that sit on top, such as GrillGrate, the grill only needs to be deep enough for the panel length; for panels that replace your grates, the length must match the ledge.

Vegetables in a wire basket on grill grates with whole onions in front
Vegetables grilling in a wire basket set on the grates.

3. Porcelain-enameled cast iron

Cast iron holds the most heat, which is what gives you dark grill marks before thin cuts overcook. The enamel coat protects the iron from rust, but it can chip if a grate is dropped or scraped with a sharp tool, and any chip exposes bare iron. Weber recommends against brushes with sharp edges for this reason.

4. Stainless steel

Stainless heats quickly, has no coating to chip and takes hard scrubbing. Solid rods last longer than thin hollow ones. The trade-off is less stored heat, so marks are lighter and the grate cools faster when you load it with cold meat.

5. Anodized aluminum panels

GrillGrate’s raised-rail panels are a different idea: they sit between the flame and the food, which GrillGrate says stops flare-ups. They will not rust, but they make the grill run hotter and cannot go in the dishwasher.

Cleaning grates safely

The grate you buy matters less than how you clean it. Brush grates while they are warm, and check the brush for loose bristles before every use. In February 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Weber’s recall of about 3.2 million metal wire-bristle grill brushes because bristles could come loose and end up in food (CPSC recall notice). That recall covers brushes, not grates; our gas grill brush guide covers bristle-free options. Before installing new grates, clean the grease tray and the grate ledge so old grease does not flare under the new surface, as GrillGrate advises.

How we picked these eight grates

We started from what a working kitchen expects of a cooking surface over open flame: a material that holds or spreads heat, a fit you can confirm by part number, and cleaning a home cook will actually do. We searched Amazon US for replacement and upgrade grates for gas grills, kept only listings in stock when we checked, and left out sellers we could not identify beyond an Amazon storefront, even where they claim a fit for popular grills. That ruled out many aftermarket brands; some well-known names, including Craycort’s cast iron grates and several GrillGrate sets, were only in short supply when we checked, so we left them out. Specifications and fits come from each listing and from Weber’s and GrillGrate’s own pages, which we cite in our notes. We have not cooked on these grates for this guide, and we did not use ratings or review counts. We also searched the CPSC recall site and found no recalls of these grates.

Asparagus, sliced eggplant and bacon-wrapped food cooking on a grill grate
Asparagus and eggplant slices on a hot grate.

Gas grill grate questions, answered

What are the best grates for a gas grill?

The best grates for a gas grill are the ones made for it: a genuine part matched to your model number. Porcelain-enameled cast iron gives the strongest sear; stainless lasts and cleans easily; GrillGrate panels help with flare-ups.

Is cast iron or stainless better for gas grill grates?

Cast iron holds more heat and leaves darker marks; stainless heats faster and has no coating to chip. Choose cast iron for steak and carne asada, stainless if you want low upkeep.

Do I need to season new grill grates?

Follow the maker. Stanbroil says to oil its stainless grates and burn the oil off before the first cook, and GrillGrate suggests an onion or a high smoke-point oil on the rails. Porcelain-enameled grates need no seasoning layer, though a light oil helps release.

When should I replace gas grill grates?

Replace them when rust has eaten through the rods, the enamel has chipped badly enough that bare iron flakes, or the grate has warped so it no longer sits flat.

Can I put a grill mat over worn grates instead?

A mat can protect food from a rough grate for a while, but it blocks the direct flame that gives grill marks. Our grill mats guide covers what mats can and cannot do.

Our final word on gas grill grates

Buy Weber’s Crafted cast iron set for a 2016-or-later Genesis 300 and its stainless set for a Spirit 300. Add GrillGrate panels to any gas grill that flares up, use Char-Broil’s universal grate for an older grill with no factory part, and pick Broil King’s reversible grids for a Signet or Crown. If you would rather cook on a flat top, see our gas grill griddle insert guide, and for the grill itself, our best gas grill guide.

Related guide: Best grill drip pans.

And if you would rather someone else worked the grill tonight, see the menu or call to order.

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