When buying a gas grill, what's the best cooking surface to get and why?

Question

I'd like to buy a new gas grill, but it's not clear to me if I should go with a model that features a stainless steel surface, cast iron, or porcelain - what's the best, and why?

Answer 1

I've always been partial to the porcelain grills myself, just because it maintains its shape well, heats evenly, and is easy to clean.

The stainless steel tends to warp easily (from past experience), and the cast iron is hard to keep clean and not rusting. But if you use the grill often and oil it, cast iron is probably the way to go. I have an aunt that would never switch from her cast iron grill, and it is hooked up to a natural gas feed. Think she has had the thing 15-20 years!

As for cooking surfaces, all three will give you the nice grill marks, but cast iron and porcelain tends to keep the heat better, especially if you leave the lid open.

Answer 2

Best Cooking Surface

Answer 3

For my money you can't go wrong with stainless steel. It's though, holds heat well, if you want the seared lines in your meat, and easy to clean once it gets hot. Cast iron is heavy, alot of times foods will stick to it, and cleaning is a pain. Porcelian doesn't last long because of the properties its made of.
I good tip on cleaning your grill, let the racks get hot, use a dripping wet brush with just water. The water hits the heated grease from the last time you used the grill and boils the caked on goop off. Use the brush meerly just to wipe off what boils off.

Answer 4

i love my weber with the cast iron grates. they do not make the plain cast iron anymore and have replaced them with the porcelain coated cast iron. the cast iron ones are kind of like a cast iron pan in the kitchen. the more you use them the more seasoned they get. and flavors get enchanced.

my parents have the stainless type and they absolutely hate them. every thing sticks to them and they are very hard to clean.

Answer 5

SteveN has a good answer