The Best Replacement Grids for a Gas Grill

Grilling Principles

• The choice of a cooking surface is critical to producing properly cooked and tasty food. According to Harold McGee in "The New York Times," better-tasting food results from heat that is transferred at its maximum capacity from the cooking surface. McGee says the most challenging foods to heat properly are meats and fish. Food safety guidelines dictate certain temperatures at which different meats are safe to eat. Getting a good sear on the outside of meats calls for higher grilling temperatures than are desirable to cook the inner sections and keep them tender. The key is choosing gas-grill grids that have uniform heat conductivity.

Cast-Iron Grids

• Cast iron is made by melting iron and pouring it into a mold. After it cools, the metal solidifies and takes the form of its mold. Cast iron is very heavy and can withstand high temperatures. Unlike other metals, heat is distributed evenly throughout cast-iron grids without leaving "cold spots" that may undercook some portions of the meat. Uniform heat distribution is especially desirable when grilling large pieces of meat, such as steaks and roasts.

Stainless-Steel Grids

• Stainless steel is an alloy, which means that it is not just one metal but a combination of metals joined together. When chromium is combined with steel, their resulting strength is greater than each of the individual components. Chromium also gives steel a higher resistance to rust and tarnish, according to WorldStainless.org. These properties make stainless steel a durable material for gas grill grids. Its strength allows it to withstand the heat of a grill, and its rust resistance allows it to withstand moisture from outside weather elements and from food.

Coated Grids

• Some steel or cast-iron grids are coated with porcelain, which is a ceramic material. It imparts a smoother finish than what is found on uncoated stainless steel or cast iron, which makes it easier to clean. This feature rates coated grids as a preferred choice among many backyard grillers, but not the best-rated choice, according to "Consumer Reports." Because porcelain is applied as a coating to another metal, it can flake or chip. When it does, it reveals the metal underneath and exposes it to moisture, which causes the grids to rust.