Weber Kettle hinged grill plate

[joe cossack]

im looking into buying a Weber Kettle original. This would have the guarded basket to collect the ashes. It does not have the hinged grill plate. I’ve never cooked on charcoal, but see that if I ever needed to add more coal/wood the hinged piece is convenient.
What are your thoughts? Weber customer service said they would charge $30 for the grate.
Thanks again

 

[SmokinAl]

It is very convenient to have the hinged grate.
Al

 

[bluewhisper]

Home Depot has them for about $20. I'll probably get one.

 

[joe cossack]

What about these?

 

[mike243]

My performer came with hinged grate and the baskets,love both especially if smoking and setting up a 2 fire with meat in the middle,you can add wood or charcoal with out moving meat from the grill ,Weber is the best imo

 

[bluewhisper]

I have a charcoal basket for the offset, but not for the Weber. Yet.

Hey I'll salt this thread with the text string Weber snake method. If you don't know it, it's an indirect method where instead of a heap of coals, you make a ring of briquettes and maybe splits, running around the edge of the kettle. Light one end like a fuse and let it go for a few hours.

 

[chilerelleno]

I had the hinged grate and baskets on my last Weber Kettle.
So convenient as to be invaluable.

I want to buy another kettle to replace it, problem is is that I want too many things.

 

[mike243]

I avoid the snake in the kettle as it will take a toll on the enamel ,high heat stays on the replaceable grids

 

[gmc2003]

I have the baskets and hinged grate set up. Makes adding wood and charcoal a snap. I also don't have any issues using the snake method, and have been doing it for years on my Kettle with no visible signs of enamel damage.

Chris

 

[joe cossack]

Ok definitely going with the $200 model to have the hinged grate and charcoal baskets