Question for PG500/PG1000 users: If I'm roasting or smoking, but not grilling, I often leave the grill grate out of the unit rather than in place over the combustion chamber. Does anyone know if this affects the heating/smoking qualities in the zones other than the grill side of the unit?
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I'm guessing removing the grill has no negative affect unless one considers the grill being hot does radiate heat. A bonafide user of the PG series is better qualified than I am (I don't own one). Or you could contact CS and get an answer. Have you noticed any heating or smoking issues?
https://forum.cookshack.com/to...4#729517630624510334
Thanks! I've done it both ways and have never noticed a difference, but I've always wondered whether any other users have had experience with it.
I have a PG 1000 and really like it. I was thinking about replacing the grates with the aluminum GrillGrate grills. I contacted cookshack and they said that these would mess up the air flow in the cooker. Just something to think about.
I can see that happening considering they are rather wide.
https://forum.cookshack.com/to...0#729094720063897150
It does seem that GrillGrates would impede the airflow, which would clearly affect cooking in zones other than the grill itself. Question is whether you could grill with the GrillGrates and remove them for roasting or smoking in the indirect zones without impact to the cook either way.
Don: I just looked at the GrillGrates site again. The last time I was looking I am sure that they showed these grates being used just over the direct side. Now they are showing them just over the indirect side. The grates they are selling measure 17.75" x 15.375", and they sit on top of the existing 18" x 18" grate. I don't know if the smaller size will compensate for the air flow or not. I did see a message from another site showing a guy using them over the direct side, but he took a grinder to his and opened up the holes in the valleys. I did send GreatGrills a message asking if they have had any feedback from people using their grates in the PG 500 or PG 1000. I will let you know if and when I get a reply.
I received an answer from Grill Grates. I find it funny that they do not have any reviews for these grates yet, and I have been looking at them for over a year now. That being said, I am going to have to do some editing of their answer to cut out their advertising stuff. Here is their edited by me answer:
"With pellet grills, we do not recommend doing complete replacements. GrillGrates have much more mass than traditional grilling surfaces and will adversely affect the air flow in a pellet grill. For this reason, we recommend only covering a portion of your grill and using GrillGrates as an accessory on top of the existing surface when you would like to do direct high heat grilling.
Keep in mind, this is a 3-panel sear station giving you partial on top coverage = 15.375" wide. This will allow for air flow around the grates.
Fits the PG1000: FAST EDDY’S™ BY COOKSHACK PELLET GRILL
Assembled Dimensions 17.75” Deep by 15.375” Wide
GrillGrates for pellet grills sit on top of the existing surface."
I was thinking that I wanted this grate to go over the direct heat area of my grill simply to get better grill marks faster. I am usually doing reverse sear cooking when I use the direct heat side of my PG 1000. I do not know how they are saying that by using these grates on the indirect side of the PG 1000 that you are getting "direct high heat grilling".
I guess the takeaway is that GrillGrate's grills may too problematical to use in the PG1000/PG500. FWIW, I've always been satisfied with the Cookshack factory grates in my PG500. I can get a good sear, or sear to a carbonized crisp if I'm not careful!
