Reddit reviews Weber 8835 Gourmet BBQ System Hinged Cooking Grate
We found 6 Reddit comments about Weber 8835 Gourmet BBQ System Hinged Cooking Grate. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Allows you to add more charcoalNo need to remove the grate12-inch plated grate insert perfect for traditional grillingFor use with The Gourmet BBQ System Griddle, Wok and Sear GrateFits 22-1/2-inch Weber charcoal grills
This doesn't help with cleaning, but if you do end up buying a new grate, make sure you get one with hinged openings on either side. This is a lifesaver for adding more charcoal or wood to your grill after you've put the food on.
Here's the $20 standard Weber replacement grate with hinges: https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7436-Replacement-Hinged-Cooking/dp/B000WEPHKW/
For $35, here's the fancy, heavy-duty version with the removable center ring (also hinged), which works with the Gourmet BBQ System:
https://www.amazon.com/Weber-8835-Gourmet-System-Cooking/dp/B0044EQM9Q
Weber makes a grill for woks - https://www.amazon.com/Weber-8835-Gourmet-System-Cooking/dp/B0044EQM9Q/.
The bottom of the wok will rest closer to the coal grate using this grill.
You can pick up a grate with a removable center (or, really, myriad kinds of grates) for less than the cost of the difference between the two.
For instance, here's one with a removable center. A little more poking around will find you all kinds of different options.
EDIT: Here's Meathead's grill grate buyer's guide.
It is a Weber grate.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044EQM9Q/
I like that the sides flip up. I have never put anything in the center part.
I use an automatic temperature controller on my WSM, but on my 22" Kettle I just use a Tip Top Temp because it's so much simpler to operate. It does take some experimentation and practice to dial in, though.
Some people really like the Slow N' Sear but they're just so damned expensive. I use a few masonry bricks to hold my coals on one side and keep things nice and indirect.
I've been sorely tempted to buy a hinge kit, but haven't pulled the trigger, yet.
I like the idea of the Weber "Gourmet Cooking System" (basically just a hinged grill grate with a removable hole in the middle) because you can put a wok right over the coals to get the kind of heat you can't get on an indoor stove.
http://www.amazon.com/Weber-8835-Gourmet-System-Cooking/dp/B0044EQM9Q
Here is a link to the weber gourmet system grate. It has hinges on both sides and a removable center to add other accessories like a griddle or wok. I think it only fits the 22 inch kettle though. I didn't see one for an 18 inch.