New Weber cooking grate for the 26”

[SmokingUPnorth]

Has anyone seen or used the new (newer) grate they are selling with the 26” kettle? It has the center circle cut out they have been using for the vortex but now a square cutout also for from what I read a skillet. I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on a 26” but not really a big fan of the new grate. Looks like a pain to clean and I would never use the square cutout. Kinda upsetting thinking that I’ll have to drop probably $100 to get an old basic one.

 

[normanaj]

The newer grates seem a little over engineered to me but then again the last time I cooked on a kettle was close to 30 years ago.The only charcoal cooking I do these days is on my WSM and using it as a straight up grill it's quite simplistic.

 

[chopsaw]

Last I checked the hinged grate , no center cut out was $125.00 .
I only use the 26 for grilling or longer smokes . Never sauce anything on it , to save the grate .

The center cut out would be considered a " Master touch "
Just did some quick checking , and it looks like they are now selling the 26 as a Master touch , and discontinuing the Premium and one touch models .
Mines a Premium , but the order history says " Not available "

I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on a 26” but not really a big fan of the new grate.

If you're ready to buy , you might swing by Ace Hardware and see if they have an older model on the floor or in stock .
I'd call Weber and tell them you want the hinged grate in place of the one THEY think is better .
Don't blame you for not wanting that .

The regular grate had an inverted truss down the middle to support the extra span and weight .
I can't see that on the new one . Seems like it would be weak on top of everything else .

 

[texomakid]

I've got one for my 22" kettle and I love it. The one I have also has a center piece if you want to use the whole grill or it can be removed. The side flaps come in handy upon occasion and the one I've got is much more robust than the one that came with the grill. I'm happy with mine and use it often. It's all a matter of personal preference

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

The newer grates seem a little over engineered to me but then again the last time I cooked on a kettle was close to 30 years ago.The only charcoal cooking I do these days is on my WSM and using it as a straight up grill it's quite simplistic.

Definitely agree. This is gonna be used for longer/bigger smokes, I already have a pizza kit for my 22” so no point in the pizza stone attachment, and I feel like using a 2)” kettle for the griddle attachment is just a lot of charcoal.

Last I checked the hinged grate , no center cut out was $125.00 .
I only use the 26 for grilling or longer smokes . Never sauce anything on it , to save the grate .

The center cut out would be considered a " Master touch "
Just did some quick checking , and it looks like they are now selling the 26 as a Master touch , and discontinuing the Premium and one touch models .
Mines a Premium , but the order history says " Not available "


If you're ready to buy , you might swing by Ace Hardware and see if they have an older model on the floor or in stock .
I'd call Weber and tell them you want the hinged grate in place of the one THEY think is better .
Don't blame you for not wanting that .

The regular grate had an inverted truss down the middle to support the extra span and weight .
I can't see that on the new one . Seems like it would be weak on top of everything else .

Not a bad idea. I might shoot them an email. Thanks

I've got one for my 22" kettle and I love it. The one I have also has a center piece if you want to use the whole grill or it can be removed. The side flaps come in handy upon occasion and the one I've got is much more robust than the one that came with the grill. I'm happy with mine and use it often. It's all a matter of personal preference

Thanks for the reply, what insert do you use in it? I could definitely see me using the griddle insert in a 22” but not the 26, just seems like it would be a lot of charcoal

 

[normanaj]

If you're ready to buy , you might swing by Ace Hardware and see if they have an older model on the floor or in stock .

One of the local Ace stores in my area had the older Spirit II models at pretty big discounts a few weeks back and they went quick.