Weber® Hinged Charcoal Cooking Grate for 22" Grills, Charcoal Components

Why it's worth it

A plated-steel replacement grate for 22-inch Weber charcoal grills with flip-up sides. It lets you add briquettes mid-cook without lifting a grate loaded with food, which is the difference between a two-hour cook and a frustrating one.

If you cook anything longer than burgers on a kettle, the hinge earns its keep. A standard grate means that adding coals involves moving hot food, then lifting a hot grate with tongs and hoping. The flip-up sides on this one open right over the charcoal, so you top off the fire in about five seconds and get on with it. Ribs, a whole chicken, anything low and slow.

It's also the obvious fix for a grate that's past saving. Owners routinely describe dropping this into kettles that are decades old and having the grill feel new — the rusted, flaking grate is usually the only genuinely worn part of an old Weber. It rests on the upper prongs and lifts out cleanly, no tools involved.

From our review of 8 weber grill accessories

What we like

• +If you cook anything longer than burgers on a kettle, the hinge earns its keep
• +It's also the obvious fix for a grate that's past saving
• +Build quality is where the OEM part separates itself
• +Cleaning is straightforward: preheat on high for about 15 minutes, then take a grill brush to it

What to know

• –Fit is narrow and unforgiving
• –It's plated steel, not stainless or porcelain-enameled, so it will eventually rust if you leave the kettle uncovered through wet…