Buying a 22 inch grate for a kettle trips up almost everyone the first time, because the cooking surface that fits a 22 inch grill actually measures about 21.5 inches. The grate sits inside the bowl, not across the rim, so order by your grill model and ignore the temptation to size up. Once fit is settled, the real choice is material. Plated steel is the standard replacement: cheap, light, and fine if you oil it and keep it dry. Stainless costs more but shrugs off rust and wipes clean, which is the right call if you grill in a humid climate or hate scrubbing. Cast iron is the heat champion, holding and radiating warmth for deep sear marks on steaks and burgers, though it demands seasoning and rusts the instant you leave it wet. Then there is hinged versus solid. Hinged grates flip up at the edges so you can drop in fresh charcoal mid-cook without lifting your food, which matters on long low-and-slow sessions. For quick burgers, a solid grate has nothing to wear out and does the job.

#1
Weber 22-Inch Round Hinged Cooking Grate - Stainless Steel Replacement for Weber Charcoal Grills with Flip‑Up Sides, Easy Charcoal Access
Best Overall

Weber 22-Inch Round Hinged Cooking Grate - Stainless Steel Replacement for Weber Charcoal Grills with Flip‑Up Sides, Easy Charcoal Access

The Weber 22-Inch round hinged stainless grate fits the kettle precisely and flips up to add coals, the most reliable all-around replacement.

  • The Weber Replacement Hinged Cooking Grate is a heavy-duty grill grate with plated steel construction that's designed for use with 22-inch Weber charcoal grills; Rests securely on upper prongs of outdoor grill and lifts out effortlessly
  • Easy Access: Adding more charcoal is simple with this hinged cooking grate; Built-in raised handles enable easy maneuverability; Just lift the flip-up sides to add briquettes
  • Compatibility: This Weber grill grate was designed to work with 22 inch Weber charcoal grills; Please note that this item does NOT fit the Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker models
  • Reliable Construction: Weber grilling accessories are designed to provide the same level of durable performance as our grills, so your outdoor grilling experience is a success every time
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#2
SHINESTAR Hinged Grill Grate, Fits for Weber 22" Charcoal Grills, 21.5" BBQ Cooking Grate Compatible with Original Kettle, Master Touch, Performer, and Jumbo Joe Premium
Best for Searing

SHINESTAR Hinged Grill Grate, Fits for Weber 22" Charcoal Grills, 21.5" BBQ Cooking Grate Compatible with Original Kettle, Master Touch, Performer, and Jumbo Joe Premium

The onlyfire cast iron Gourmet BBQ System grate holds heat longest and lays down the deepest sear marks on steaks once properly seasoned.

  • User-friendly Design: Hinged sides allow effortless charcoal addition during cooking, while the built-in handles enable easy spinning for optimal temperature control
  • Perfect Compatibility: 7436 Replacement Grill Grate, Our 21.5" grate fits various Weber 22" charcoal grill models, including Original Kettle, Original Kettle Premium, Master Touch, Performer, and Jumbo Joe Premium. Note: NOT compatible with Smokey Mountain Cooker and not guaranteed to fit non-Weber 22" charcoal grills
  • Essential for Grilling: The cooking grate enhances cooking performance with even heat distribution and efficient heat retention, creating flavorful sear marks without food sticking
  • Built to Last: Crafted from rust-proof and heat-resistant chrome-plated steel, ensuring long-term use without wraping for great grilling experience
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#3
Weber Cooking Grate Silver 21.5" - Heavy‑Duty Plated Steel with Easy‑Lift Handles, Fits 22" Weber Charcoal & Performer Grills, Kettle
Best Value

Weber Cooking Grate Silver 21.5" - Heavy‑Duty Plated Steel with Easy‑Lift Handles, Fits 22" Weber Charcoal & Performer Grills, Kettle

The DK-SIMINA 21.5-inch 304 stainless grate fits 22-inch kettles at a lower outlay while resisting rust better than plated options.

  • EASY LIFT: Built in handles allow you to easily add more fuel while cooking.
  • REPLACEMENT: Please double check the specs and fits info to ensure that you’re choosing the best part for your grill.
  • FITS: 22 inch Weber Charcoal Grills (22" Original Kettle and Original Kettle Premium, Master-Touch, Bar-B-Kettle, Performer).
  • DOES NOT FIT: Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smokers and not guaranteed to fit non-Weber 22" charcoal grills.
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#4
onlyfire Cast Iron Grill Grate Replacement Gourmet BBQ System for Weber 22inch Kettle Charcoal Grills
Runner-Up

onlyfire Cast Iron Grill Grate Replacement Gourmet BBQ System for Weber 22inch Kettle Charcoal Grills

The SHINESTAR hinged grate fits Weber 22-inch charcoal grills with a 21.5-inch surface, a solid alternative when the Weber original is out of stock.

  • Comes with 2 parts: the hole cooking grate is 21.5" in diameter, the inner sear grate is 11.8" in diameter
  • Made of high-quality cast iron to ensure long-lasting use, not only heat evenly and retain heat superbly, extend the life of your grills.
  • Cast iron surface delivers professional searing, able to give prominent sear marks to meats/veggies. Allows for easy clean up, perfect for barbecue grilling.
  • Apply for Weber 22.5-Inch Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22.5" Original Kettle Charcoal Grill, 22.5" Performer Premium Charcoal Grill
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#5
DK-SIMINA 21.5" Replacement Cooking Grate Refills 304 Stainless Steel Fits 22 inch Weber Charcoal Grills Kettle and Kettle Premium Master-Touch,Bar-B-Kettle,Performer Silver
Best Budget

DK-SIMINA 21.5" Replacement Cooking Grate Refills 304 Stainless Steel Fits 22 inch Weber Charcoal Grills Kettle and Kettle Premium Master-Touch,Bar-B-Kettle,Performer Silver

The Weber plated steel 21.5-inch grate with easy-lift handle covers the basics affordably for owners who keep it oiled and dry.

  • 【Convenient and Practical】Built in handles allow you to easily add more fuel while cooking.
  • 【Say Goodbye to Rust】Made of 304 stainless steel, sturdy and durable in use, No more annoying rusting!
  • 【Good hardness】Not easy to be deformed for long lasting use. Suitable for barbecue, outdoor camping, picnic and so on.
  • 【DIMENSIONS】21.5"W x 21.5"D x 2"H. FITS: 22 inch Weber Charcoal Grills (22" Original Kettle and Original Kettle Premium, Master-Touch, Bar-B-Kettle, Performer).
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Key buying factors

Order by grill, not inches

A 22 inch kettle uses a grate near 21.5 inches because it sits inside the bowl. Match the part to your grill model rather than the label.

Material choice

Plated steel is the cheap standard. Stainless resists rust and cleans easily. Cast iron holds the most sear heat but needs seasoning and dries-only care.

Hinged versus solid

Hinged edges flip up so you can add charcoal mid-cook without moving food. Solid grates have nothing to wear out and suit quick weeknight grilling.

Verified fitment

Some listings target other brands. A cast iron Gourmet system grate fits specific kettles. Confirm it matches your exact model before buying.

Bar thickness

Thicker bars hold heat and leave deeper sear marks. Thin wire grates heat fast and cost less but tend to warp sooner under repeated high heat.

Types explained

Stainless hinged grate

Rust-resistant kettle grate with flip-up edges for refueling.

Best for: Owners who do long cooks and want easy coal top-ups.
Plated steel grate

Light, affordable standard replacement with a plated finish.

Best for: Value buyers who keep the grate oiled, dry and covered.
Cast iron grate

Heavy grate that absorbs and radiates intense sear heat.

Best for: Steak and burger cooks who will season it and want deep marks.

Care & usage tips

Brush while warm

Heat the grill, then brush the grate while it is still warm. Residue lifts far more easily than cold, baked-on carbon.

Season and oil

Coat cast iron and even plated steel with a thin layer of oil after cleaning. It builds a barrier that keeps rust off between cooks.

Store it dry

Dry the grate fully before covering. Moisture trapped under a cover rusts cast iron and plated steel within days.

Why this matters

The cooking surface that fits a 22 inch kettle measures about 21.5 inches, because the grate drops inside the bowl rather than spanning the rim.

Pro tip

Choose the hinged version if you smoke or do low-and-slow cooks, since flip-up edges let you feed in coals without pulling your food off the grate.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a 22 inch grate measure 21.5 inches?+

Because the grate sits inside the kettle bowl rather than across the rim. A 22 inch grill takes a grate near 21.5 inches, so order by your grill model.

Which material lasts longest?+

Stainless resists rust best with the least care. Cast iron lasts long if seasoned and kept dry. Plated steel is cheapest but needs oiling to avoid rust.

Is a hinged grate worth it?+

If you do long charcoal cooks, yes. The flip-up edges let you add coals without lifting food. For quick grilling a solid grate is simpler and cheaper.

Will any 22 inch grate fit my Weber?+

Not always. Confirm the listed fitment matches your exact kettle model, since some grates are sized or shaped for other brands and grills.

Sources

CW
Author

Casey Walsh

Home, Kitchen & Pet Products Editor

Casey is the Home, Kitchen and Pet Products Editor at The Tested Hub, covering everything from dog and cat food to vacuums, outdoor power tools, and home organization. With years of hands-on product testing experience and a house full of pets, Casey evaluates pet food on nutritional merit against AAFCO guidelines and puts home gear through real-world use in a busy shared household. Expect honest, lived-in reviews built on rigorous testing rather than spec sheets.