Replacement grill grates are sold by fit, not by “best.” Weber and its aftermarket suppliers key every grate to a specific grill family, cookbox width and often a model year — order by generic “best grates” rankings alone and there’s a real chance the part you buy simply won’t sit in your grill.
We’re a research-led site, not a testing lab, so this guide combines manufacturer fitment data from Weber and GrillGrate with current retailer listings to profile 9 replacement grates and grate-upgrade panels for 2026, organized by the grill family each one is confirmed to fit — not a generic ranking. We explain how to confirm your own grill’s fit before you order, cover the material trade-offs (cast iron vs. porcelain-coated steel vs. stainless vs. hard-anodized aluminum), and flag anything we couldn’t verify rather than guess. Here’s how we choose.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best OEM for standard 22″ Weber kettles: Weber Hinged Cooking Grate (7436)
- Best OEM for GBS-equipped 22″ Weber kettles: Weber Gourmet BBQ System Cooking Grate (8835)
- Best searing upgrade for 22″ kettles: GrillGrate for 22″ Weber & Napoleon Kettle
- Best OEM for Genesis II 300-series (3-burner): Weber Cooking Grates (66095)
- Best OEM for Genesis II 400-series (4-burner): Weber Cooking Grates (66097)
- Best stainless upgrade for older Spirit & Genesis: QuliMetal 304 Stainless Steel Grates (7639)
- Best budget replacement for legacy Spirit & Genesis: Hongso Porcelain-Enameled Steel Grates (PCG525)
- Best OEM for compact Spirit grills: Weber Cooking Grates (7637)
- Best universal fit (measure & choose): GrillGrate 17.375″ Interlocking Panels
Why fit matters more than “best”
Grill grates aren’t a one-size-fits-all accessory. Weber sells its OEM grates under part numbers tied to a named grill family and often a specific model-year range — a Genesis II 300-series grate is a different physical size than a Genesis II 400-series grate, and neither fits a Spirit. Aftermarket brands like GrillGrate, QuliMetal and Hongso work the same way, publishing named compatibility lists rather than a single universal size.
Before you order anything on this page, find your grill’s model name and, if you can, its part-number sticker or manual (Weber’s own site lets you look up parts by grill model). Measure your existing grate’s dimensions if the model name alone doesn’t confirm a match. Every pick below states exactly which grill family and model years the manufacturer confirms it fits — if fit couldn’t be verified against the manufacturer’s own page, we left the candidate out rather than guess.
Grate materials compared: cast iron vs. porcelain-coated steel vs. stainless vs. hard-anodized aluminum
Material affects heat retention, cleanup and how much maintenance a grate needs over time — and it’s a genuinely separate decision from fit.
| Material | Heat retention | Maintenance | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-enameled cast iron | Excellent | Preheat + brush; no seasoning needed | Enamel can chip; exposed iron rusts |
| Porcelain-coated steel | Moderate | Preheat + brush; no seasoning needed | Lighter gauge; coating can still chip |
| 304 stainless steel | Moderate | Brush freely, no coating to protect | Somewhat less heat retention than cast iron |
| Hard-anodized aluminum (overlay panels) | High, fast-responding | Use the included tool; avoid harsh scraping | Sits atop existing grates, doesn’t replace them |
Whichever material you choose, avoid pouring cold water on a hot grate — thermal shock can crack porcelain enamel and warp thinner metal.
The 9 best replacement grill grates for 2026, by grill family
Every pick below states its confirmed grill-family fit first — treat that as the actual selection criterion, and the rest of the write-up as context for choosing between confirmed-compatible options.
Transparency first: This guide contains affiliate links. If we’re enrolled in an affiliate program, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects how we research or rank. Read our full affiliate disclosure policy.
Weber Kettle (22″ Charcoal) Family
1. Weber Hinged Cooking Grate (Part 7436)
What it is: Weber’s standard heavy-duty plated-steel replacement grate for 22-inch charcoal kettles that don’t have the Gourmet BBQ System (GBS) center-insert feature.
Best for: Original Kettle 22″ owners and similar non-GBS 22″ Weber charcoal grills who just want a factory-correct replacement.
Why we rate it: Weber’s own product page confirms it’s compatible with 22″ Weber charcoal grills, states out-of-carton dimensions of about 1.8″H x 21.5″W x 21.5″D, and the hinged sides let you add charcoal mid-cook without lifting the whole grate. It’s the direct factory replacement, not an upgrade guess.
Watch-outs: this is the non-GBS grate — it does not accept Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System griddle, wok or roaster inserts. If your kettle has (or you want) GBS compatibility, see the next pick instead. Weber’s own listing doesn’t confirm fit for the 22″ Smokey Mountain cooker, so we’re not extending that claim here.
Fits: 22″ Weber charcoal grills (non-GBS) · heavy-duty plated steel · $
2. Weber Gourmet BBQ System Hinged Cooking Grate (Part 8835)
What it is: Weber’s GBS-compatible hinged grate for 22″ charcoal grills, built with a removable 12″ center insert that accepts griddle, wok, sear-grate and poultry-roaster accessories.
Best for: Original Kettle and Master-Touch 22″ owners who want one kettle to handle direct grilling, griddle cooking and stir-frying without swapping the outer grate.
Why we rate it: Weber’s product page and its Master-Touch grill page both confirm this grate fits 22″ Weber charcoal grills and is designed to accept circular GBS accessories, with the outer ring still hinged for adding fuel mid-cook.
Watch-outs: it costs meaningfully more than the plain 7436 grate above — only worth the step up if you’ll actually use a GBS insert. If you’re not sure your kettle has the GBS system, check your model name against Weber’s own fit guide before ordering.
Fits: 22″ Weber charcoal grills (GBS) · plated steel, 12″ removable insert · $$
3. GrillGrate Hard-Anodized Panels for 22″ Weber & Napoleon Kettle
What it is: a three-panel, hard-anodized aluminum overlay set (two radius-cut 20″ panels plus one standard 20″ panel) built specifically for 22″ Weber and Napoleon kettles — it rests on top of your existing grate rather than replacing it.
Best for: kettle owners who want steakhouse-style sear marks and fewer flare-ups without giving up their factory grate underneath.
Why we rate it: the listing names the exact target grill families (“22\” Weber Kettle and Napoleon Kettle”), the radius-cut panels are shaped to the round bowl for full coverage, and raised rails plus grease-collecting valleys are a genuinely different cooking behavior than bar-style grates.
Watch-outs: this is an overlay, not a replacement — you keep your original grate underneath. Aluminum responds differently to very high heat than steel or cast iron, so use the included tool rather than metal scrapers.
Fits: 22″ Weber Kettle, 22″ Napoleon Kettle (overlay) · hard-anodized aluminum · $$$
Weber Genesis II Gas Grill Family
4. Weber Cooking Grates, Genesis II / LX 300 Series (Part 66095)
What it is: Weber’s official set of 2 porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates for the Genesis II and Genesis II LX 300-series gas grill line.
Best for: owners of Genesis II LX S/E-340, Genesis II S-310 (2017) or Genesis II 310/335 (2019) who want the factory-exact replacement.
Why we rate it: Weber’s own product page names these specific model/year combinations as confirmed fits, lists out-of-carton dimensions of 0.5″H x 13″W x 19″D per grate, and it’s still an active, current listing on weber.com.
Watch-outs: this set does not fit Spirit or older (pre-Genesis-II) grills, even if the cook area looks similar — Weber’s page makes no such claim, so we won’t extend it either. If your grill is a 400-series (4-burner), see the next pick instead.
Fits: Genesis II LX S/E-340; Genesis II S-310 (2017); Genesis II 310/335 (2019) · porcelain-enameled cast iron, set of 2 · $$$
5. Weber Cooking Grates, Genesis II / LX 400 Series (Part 66097)
What it is: Weber’s official set of 3 porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates sized for the wider, four-burner Genesis II / LX 400-series cookbox.
Best for: owners of Genesis II LX S/E-440, Genesis II SE-410 (2017) or Genesis II S-435 (2019).
Why we rate it: Weber’s product page confirms the same 400-series model/year list, states 0.5″H x 10.7″W x 19″D per grate (narrower than the 300-series grate to match the wider 4-burner layout, 3 grates per set instead of 2), and the listing remains active in 2026.
Watch-outs: it’s a genuinely pricier set than the 300-series grate above, reflecting the extra grate and larger total coverage — don’t order it for a 3-burner grill by mistake, the two sets are not interchangeable.
Fits: Genesis II LX S/E-440; Genesis II SE-410 (2017); Genesis II S-435 (2019) · porcelain-enameled cast iron, set of 3 · $$$$
Legacy Weber Spirit & Genesis Family (Aftermarket Upgrades)
6. QuliMetal 304 Stainless Steel Cooking Grates (7639)
What it is: an aftermarket 304 stainless-steel grate set (two grates, 17.4″ x 11.7″ each) built as a direct replacement for Weber’s original 7638/7525/7527/65619/65906 parts.
Best for: owners of older Spirit 300-series, GS4 Spirit II 300-series, Spirit 700, or legacy Genesis Silver/Gold/Platinum and Genesis 1000–3500 grills whose original plated or porcelain-coated grates have rusted or flaked.
Why we rate it: the listing names an unusually long, specific compatibility list (Spirit E/S-310 through E/S-335, Spirit 700, Weber 900, Genesis Silver/Gold/Platinum B & C, Genesis 1000–3500, and Weber SmokeFire EX4/EX6 pellet grills), and food-grade 304 stainless resists rust without relying on a coating, so scratches don’t expose bare metal to corrosion the way a chipped porcelain grate does.
Watch-outs: it retains somewhat less heat than cast iron, and it’s an aftermarket part, not an OEM Weber grate — cross-check the model list against your grill before ordering, especially on older or gifted grills where the exact model isn’t obvious.
Fits: Spirit 300/GS4 Spirit II 300, Spirit 700, Weber 900, Genesis Silver/Gold/Platinum B & C, Genesis 1000–3500, SmokeFire EX4/EX6 · 304 stainless steel · $$
7. Hongso Porcelain-Enameled Steel Grates (PCG525)
What it is: a two-grate, porcelain-enameled steel set (11.75″ x 17.4″ each) built as a like-for-like replacement for the same generation of Weber grates the QuliMetal set above targets.
Best for: budget-conscious owners of older Spirit E-310/E-320, Spirit S-310/S-320 (2007–2012), Spirit 700, or legacy Genesis grills who want a factory-style porcelain finish rather than switching to bare stainless.
Why we rate it: the listing maps directly to Weber’s own legacy part numbers (65906, 7525, 7526, 7527), the porcelain coating means no seasoning is required, and it typically costs less than the stainless alternative above.
Watch-outs: it references grill models manufactured well before 2024 — it’s a legitimate, currently-sold part for keeping an older grill running, but not something we’d point a new-grill buyer toward. Like any porcelain-coated grate, avoid scraping hard enough to chip the coating.
Fits: Spirit E-310/E-320, Spirit S-310/S-320 (2007–2012), Spirit 700, Weber 900, legacy Genesis Silver/Gold/Platinum · porcelain-enameled steel · $
8. Weber Cooking Grates, Small Spirit Grills (Part 7637)
What it is: Weber’s official set of 2 porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates sized for Weber’s narrower, compact Spirit cookbox.
Best for: owners of Spirit or Spirit II 2-burner gas grills made 2016–2024, or newer compact Spirit 2- and 3-burner grills made since 2025.
Why we rate it: Weber’s product page explicitly lists both that model-year range and out-of-carton dimensions (0.5″H x 10.2″W x 17.5″D per grate) narrower than the Spirit 300-series grates above, confirming it’s sized for the compact cookbox rather than the full-width Spirit line.
Watch-outs: don’t confuse this with the wider Spirit 300-series grates (covered by the QuliMetal and Hongso picks above) — cross-ordering between the two will produce a grate that doesn’t fit. Confirm your Spirit’s burner count and manufacture year before buying.
Fits: Spirit/Spirit II 2-burner (2016–2024); Spirit 2- & 3-burner (2025+) · porcelain-enameled cast iron, set of 2 · $$
Universal / Any Grill
9. GrillGrate 17.375″ Interlocking Panels (5-Panel Set)
What it is: a modular, hard-anodized aluminum panel system sold in configurable 2–6 panel sets (17.375″ deep, this set totaling 30.5″ wide), marketed as a universal searing upgrade for gas, charcoal, pellet and kamado grills, with a GrateTool included for handling food between the raised rails.
Best for: owners whose grill isn’t one of the specific named fits above, or who want to measure their own cookbox and choose the exact panel count rather than buying a pre-configured named set.
Why we rate it: unlike the named-family products elsewhere on this page, fit here is defined by dimensions you control — the depth is fixed at 17.375″, and you choose how many panels to reach your grill’s width, with the option to trim for a custom fit.
Watch-outs: because fit depends on your own measurement rather than a named model match, measure your existing grate’s depth and width carefully before ordering, and expect to do some trimming or panel-count math rather than a pure drop-in fit.
Fits: universal, dimension-based (measure your grill) · hard-anodized aluminum · $$
What about griddle inserts?
You’ll sometimes see a different kind of product in this category: a flat, hybrid griddle insert that swaps out part of your grate area for a solid cooking surface, like Weber’s Crafted Rust-Resistant Griddle Insert for certain 2016+ Genesis and Spirit gas grills, Searwood and SmokeFire pellet grills. We’re not ranking it here because it’s a genuinely different purchase — it requires Weber’s separate Crafted Frame Kit and matching Crafted grates already installed, not a simple swap for your current grate. If you want a flat cooking zone alongside your grates, confirm your grill already has (or can add) the Crafted frame system before shopping for the insert itself.
Grill grates compared
| Grate / panel set | Grill family | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weber 7436 | 22″ Weber kettle (non-GBS) | Plated steel | $ |
| Weber 8835 | 22″ Weber kettle (GBS) | Plated steel | $$ |
| GrillGrate 22″ Weber/Napoleon | 22″ kettle (overlay) | Hard-anodized aluminum | $$$ |
| Weber 66095 | Genesis II/LX 300 | Porcelain-enameled cast iron | $$$ |
| Weber 66097 | Genesis II/LX 400 | Porcelain-enameled cast iron | $$$$ |
| QuliMetal 7639 | Spirit 300/legacy Genesis | 304 stainless steel | $$ |
| Hongso PCG525 | Legacy Spirit/Genesis (pre-2012) | Porcelain-enameled steel | $ |
| Weber 7637 | Compact Spirit (2016+) | Porcelain-enameled cast iron | $$ |
| GrillGrate 17.375″ 5-panel | Universal (measure first) | Hard-anodized aluminum | $$ |
Specs and fitment are drawn from manufacturer and major-retailer materials; Weber revises part numbers over time, so confirm current fit and pricing with the manufacturer before buying.
Caring for a new grate
Whatever material you land on, a few habits genuinely extend a grate’s life. Preheat any new grate on high for about 15 minutes before its first use, then brush it clean rather than scraping hard with metal tools that can chip a porcelain coating. Porcelain-enameled cast iron and porcelain-coated steel don’t need seasoning the way raw cast iron does — the coating is the non-stick surface. Never pour cold water on a hot grate; the thermal shock is the single most common way people crack porcelain enamel or warp thinner steel. If a coating does chip and exposes bare metal, keep an eye on that spot for rust and plan to replace the grate before a hole forms.
Related guides
Already have grates and just need to keep them clean? See our how to clean grill grates guide for the material-first routine (porcelain, cast iron and stainless) and rust removal. Shopping for the grill itself rather than a replacement part? See our best charcoal grills for beginners guide if you’re kettle shopping, or best gas grills for the money if you’re comparing Spirit- and Genesis-class gas grills. Browse the rest of our accessories & consumables guides for covers, thermometers, rubs and wood.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which replacement grate fits my grill?
Start with your grill’s model name and, if you can find it, the part number on your current grate or in your owner’s manual — Weber’s own site lets you look up parts by grill model. If the model name alone doesn’t confirm a match, measure your current grate’s width and depth and compare that against the manufacturer’s stated dimensions before ordering.
What’s the difference between porcelain-enameled cast iron, porcelain-coated steel, and stainless steel grates?
Porcelain-enameled cast iron holds heat the longest and sears hardest, but the enamel can chip and expose iron to rust. Porcelain-coated steel behaves similarly but heats up faster and retains heat a bit less, at a typically lower price. Stainless steel doesn’t rely on a coating at all, so scratches don’t lead to rust the way a chipped porcelain grate does, though it generally retains slightly less heat than cast iron.
Can I put a GrillGrate panel on top of my existing grates, or do I need to remove them?
GrillGrate panels are designed to rest on top of your existing grate as an overlay — you don’t remove or replace what’s underneath. That’s different from the OEM Weber grates and the QuliMetal or Hongso aftermarket sets on this page, which are true drop-in replacements for your original grate.
Do I need to season a new replacement grate before I use it?
Porcelain-enameled cast iron and porcelain-coated steel grates don’t need seasoning — the coating itself is the non-stick surface, and manufacturers instead recommend a 15-minute high-heat preheat and a brush-clean before first use. Bare stainless steel and hard-anodized aluminum panels also don’t require seasoning in the way raw, uncoated cast iron does.
My grate’s coating is chipped or rusting — do I need to replace it, or can I keep using it?
A small chip you catch early and keep clean and dry usually isn’t an emergency, but once bare metal is exposed, rust will keep spreading under continued heat-and-moisture cycling. If the rust has reached the point of flaking onto food, or the grate has visibly weakened, it’s time to replace it rather than keep patching around the damage.
Will a universal grate fit my grill exactly, or will I need to trim it?
Universal panel systems like GrillGrate’s interlocking sets are sized by depth (fixed) and width (you choose the panel count), so plan to measure your cookbox and may need to trim a panel to width for a clean fit — they aren’t a guaranteed exact drop-in the way a named-model OEM grate is.
Have any grill grates been recalled?
We screened Weber, GrillGrate, QuliMetal and Hongso against the CPSC’s current recall database and found no active recalls tied to grill grates or griddle inserts from any of them. The active Weber-brand recall in this space covers metal wire-bristle grill brushes (a cleaning tool), not grates themselves — if you clean your new grate with a wire brush, check that brush separately against the CPSC recall database.
Can I mix grate materials on the same grill — stainless on one side, cast iron on the other?
Generally yes, as long as each piece is confirmed to fit your specific cookbox slot — some grill families, like Weber’s GBS kettle system, are explicitly designed around a swappable center section for exactly this kind of mix-and-match. Just confirm each piece’s fit individually rather than assuming a match because the overall grate style looks similar.
How we choose
We don’t run a testing lab, and we never fake “as tested.” For this guide we combined Weber’s and GrillGrate’s own manufacturer fitment pages with current major-retailer listings, organizing every pick by the specific grill family and model years it’s confirmed to fit rather than a generic performance ranking. We independently re-verified every part number’s current, active listing status and ran a live CPSC recall screen rather than relying on any single source’s claim. Where a candidate’s fit couldn’t be confirmed against a manufacturer page, we left it out rather than guess. We use qualitative price bands instead of prices that go stale. Read more on the How We Choose page.
Sources
Manufacturer product and fitment pages: Weber (Hinged Cooking Grate 7436, Gourmet BBQ System Cooking Grate 8835, Cooking Grates 66095 for Genesis II/LX 300 series, Cooking Grates 66097 for Genesis II/LX 400 series, Cooking Grates 7637 for Small Spirit Grills, Master-Touch 22″ Charcoal Grill, Crafted Rust-Resistant Griddle Insert), GrillGrate (22″ Weber/Napoleon Kettle panel set, 17.375″ x 30.5″ Universal Interlocking 5-Panel Set, shop-by-brand Weber Grills page). Retailer listings: Amazon (QuliMetal 304 Stainless Steel 7639 Cooking Grates, Hongso PCG525 Porcelain Steel Grill Grates, GrillGrate kettle and universal panel sets), BBQGuys (Weber 8835 22-Inch Hinged Cooking Grate). Safety: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall database, screened live at build time for Weber, GrillGrate, QuliMetal and Hongso grate and griddle products. Details were current at the time of research (2026); confirm current part numbers, specs and pricing with the manufacturer before buying.