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Grill It: Grilling Without a Grate

Posted by: on August 18th, 2012 | Make A Comment

A flame on the grill

Q: Can I grill without a grate?

A: Grilling without a grate is possible—and in some cases, you might even prefer it.

Steal this nifty idea that we learned about in Steven Raichlen’s seminal work The Barbecue Bible for grilling skewered items: Grab two bricks or pieces of paver stone from your local Home Depot store. Place them either directly on the existing grill grates or on either side of a very even layer of hot coals.

Position the bricks or stones far enough apart so that skewers can rest comfortably on them. If you are placing the items directly on the coals, make sure your skewers are two inches above the coals, so your food doesn’t get too charred.

Why would you want to grill without a grate? First of all, you may have a late-breaking grill malfunction, and we wouldn’t want your party to be halted because of that. Second, with this technique, your kebabs won’t get stuck to the grates.

Grilling Tips is for all you grill fanatics out there. Whether you swear by propane, charcoal or gas, our BBQ tips have you covered. If you’re in need of an upgrade – shop Grills at homedepot.com. 

 

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Grill It: What Makes a Good Grate?

Posted by: on April 7th, 2012 | Make A Comment

Q: WHAT MAKES A GOOD GRATE?

A: First, bars tend to sear better than round rods. The best choice would be wide bars that are close to each other. Stainless steel and cast-iron grates are thought to be the best, since they’re sturdy and tend to resist rust.

Stainless steel grates are an expensive upgrade, but they are good for the lazy outdoor chef, since they are low-maintenance and they live for a long time.

Bare cast iron will create a nice grill marks but it will need to be seasoned with cooking oil pretty regularly to avoid sticking. Porcelain-coated cast iron grates are a popular choice because they retain the most heat and are relatively easy to clean by comparison (just don’t use a stiff wire brush, which could damage the porcelain).

[Editor's Note: Grilling Tips is for all you grill fanatics out there. Whether you swear by propane, charcoal or gas, our BBQ tips have you covered. If you're in need of an upgrade - shop Grills at homedepot.com.]

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