CGS 18" Stainless Drip Pan CGS 18" Stainless Drip Pan

Drip Protection for Kamados with 18"-20" Deflectors

The CGS 18" stainless steel drip pan is the go-to size for many XL kamado setups using 18" to 20" ceramic heat deflectors. It catches grease and drippings before they can soak into porous ceramics or collect in the bottom of the grill.

The 18" diameter provides wide coverage for XL Big Green EGG, Kamado Joe Big Joe, Weber Summit Kamado, Pit Boss 24, Louisiana Grills 24, Grilla Kong 24, and other large ceramic grills using roughly 20" to 24" cooking grids.

Why Use a Stainless Drip Pan?

• Protects Ceramic Deflectors — keeps grease and drippings from soaking into porous ceramic surfaces.
• Keeps the Grill Cleaner — catches drippings before they reach the bottom of the cooker.
• Reusable Stainless Construction — more durable and stable than disposable aluminum pans.
• Maximum Round Coverage — provides broad protection for larger indirect barbeque cooks.

Common 18" Drip Pan Setups

Rack design and deflector position determine where the 18" drip pan will fit. Open the section that matches your grill or rack system for setup-specific fit, spacer, and positioning guidance.

How to Use & Clean

• Double-Line with Foil: Overlap two sheets of heavy-duty foil in a + pattern for fast cleanup.
• Extend Coverage: Flare the foil slightly past the rolled rim if you need a little more drip coverage.
• Expect Discoloration: Stainless steel will naturally tarnish and darken from heat, smoke, and grease inside a kamado. This does not affect performance.
• Cleaning: Remove and discard the foil after the cook, then hand wash the pan or place it in the dishwasher.
• Skip the Foil? Hardened, baked-on grease may not come clean in the dishwasher, which is why we always recommend double-lining with foil before each cook.

Using Ceramic Spacers

Ceramic spacers create an air gap between the heat deflector and drip pan, helping reduce direct heat transfer and burnt-on drippings. When clearance allows, more air space between the hot ceramic and the pan is generally better.

Measure the available space between the top of your deflector and the bottom of the cooking grid before choosing spacer height. Larger XL kamados often provide enough room to create more separation than smaller grill setups.

👉 Pairing Tip: Need to elevate your pan? View CGS Ceramic Spacers (3 per set) .

Why the 1" Tapered Side Matters

The 1" tapered sidewall helps balance drip-catching capacity with airflow. The smaller base sits closer to the deflector while the wider upper rim provides more collection area where grease is most likely to fall.

Kamado grills already retain heat and moisture extremely well, so we generally do not recommend adding liquid to the drip pan during most barbeque cooks. The 1" depth provides generous capacity without creating unnecessary clearance issues.

What’s Included

• (1) 18" Stainless Steel Drip Pan

Foil, ceramic deflectors, rack systems, Crossbars, Slide Guides, and ceramic spacers are sold separately.

18" Drip Pan Specifications

• Diameter: 18"
• Depth: 1" with tapered sidewall
• Edge: Rolled top edge for added rigidity
• Material: 200-Series Stainless Steel

There is no practical need to pay more for 304 stainless steel in this application. Stainless drip pans will naturally discolor from normal barbeque use, but that does not affect performance.

Full-Round vs. Half-Moon Drip Pans

For longer indirect barbeque cooks, our preference is one full-round drip pan because it is easier to foil, easier to clean, and provides more continuous coverage beneath the food.

For shorter or cleaner cooks, foil over one or both deflectors may be enough. If you use any reusable drip pan, we still recommend lining it with foil for easier cleanup and longer life.

Built-in feet may sound convenient, but they usually create only a small air gap between the hot heat deflector and pan. Separate ceramic spacers let you create a larger air gap when grill clearance allows.