Just Wondering?

Top temp on my FEC100 is 424, though I've never verified that with a probe.

While grill grates will retain heat, I'm not sure where the extra 100-200 degrees come from...they can only get as hot as the internal temp of the smoker.

My 1st pellet smoker was a Trager Lil Tex, which claimed to be both a smoker & a grill. In theory, it was but I wasn't ever happy with the grilling results...just not enough heat for quick sear/grill marks we expect on a steak or chop.

Given your ongoing issues with the FEC, perhaps you should consider a Fast Eddy's PG500 or PG1000, which are designed as true smoker/grills. Unless you're in need of the 100 lb capacity of your FEC, the PG's will give you the flexibility for hi temp searing & lo temp smoking.

Great advice from Max. I did crisp some chicken thigh skins once on the bottom rack using a stoke firepot. Although I did win the contest, I don't recommend it. The FEC 100 is not designed for grilling, and if you need to grill, purchase one - like the PG 500, 1000 or CB 24, 36 or 48. We currently have no grill and have to use an outdoor firepit to cook steaks and such.

Decent gas grill (weber) and those grill grates are unstoppable. I really get great results with that combination. But, that is grilling, which is a different animal from smoking.

I'll second that opinion on the grill grates.

Been pondering grill grates, guess I will haft to try them.

They're great and leave excellent grill marks on your meats and fish. End results are tasty and very moist.

Was going to get stainless steel grates for my 53" Viking grill. I thought I'd try the Grill Grates first. I'm glad I did. I also saved a ton of money even though I had the Grill Grates custom cut.