Alternative Cooking Grids for Weber Summit Kamado E6 & S6

Add a Lower Cooking Grid Inside the Firebowl

Expand the direct-grilling capabilities of your Weber Summit Kamado E6 or S6 with an alternative cooking grid—also commonly called a cooking grate—positioned inside the firebowl. Depending on the grid selected, it can sit on the CGS Spider or at the Summit Kamado’s upper charcoal level.

Both positions move food closer to the lump charcoal for stronger direct heat, quicker grilling and high-temperature searing. Use the lower grate by itself for a compact grilling setup or pair it with the CGS Flexible 2nd-Level Expander to create a versatile reverse-sear configuration.

Choose Stainless Steel or Cast Iron

Choose the cooking surface that best matches how you prefer to grill:

• Stainless Steel Grids: Durable, versatile and easier to maintain between cooks.
• Cast Iron Grates: Retain concentrated heat well for searing steaks, burgers and chops. Cast iron should be cleaned, dried and lightly reseasoned as needed to help prevent rust.

Cast iron is best known for creating pronounced grill marks, especially when food is rotated to produce a cross-hatch pattern. For blackening or creating a deeper, more even crust across the protein's surface, consider a cast iron griddle instead.

Cooking Surface Size and Placement

Grid sizes, materials and manufacturers vary by option. Choosing the right diameter is especially important when positioning a cooking grate inside the Summit Kamado firebowl.

Photo Note: The factory charcoal grate that normally sits at the lower level of the firebowl has been removed from these images to provide a clearer view of the cooking-grid positions and setup.

• Upper Charcoal Level: The outer charcoal ring must remain in place to support the cooking grid. An approximately 18-inch-diameter grate is recommended. Smaller grids may shift during use. The recommended CGS 18-inch Heavy-Duty Stainless Grid is shown below.

• CGS Spider: Round cooking grids from approximately 18 to 20 inches are recommended. For stainless steel, the CGS 20-inch Round Stainless Grid is an ideal fit on the CGS Spider. It is shown below as the lower searing grate in a reverse-sear setup.

Create a Two-Level Reverse-Sear Setup

Pair a lower cooking grid with the CGS Flexible 2nd-Level Expander to cook with two distinct heat zones. Roast or cook indirectly on the upper grid, then move the food down near the charcoal for the final high-temperature sear—all without rebuilding the grill between steps.

The setup below uses the CGS 18-inch Heavy-Duty Stainless Grid at the upper charcoal level with the Flexible 2nd-Level Expander positioned above it. This cooking grate sits deeper inside the firebowl than the Spider setup shown above.

Recommended Cooking Grids and Grates

The following stainless steel and cast iron cooking surfaces are recommended for these lower grid positions.

Upper Charcoal Level:

• CGS 18-inch Heavy-Duty Stainless Grid
• Big Green EGG Large 18-inch Full-Round Cast Iron Grid
• Pair of Kamado Joe Classic 18-inch Half-Moon Cast Iron Grids

On the CGS Spider:

• CGS 20-inch Stainless Cooking Grid for the XL Adjustable Rig
• Char-Griller AKORN 19.5-inch Cast Iron Grill Grate
• CGS 18-inch Heavy-Duty Stainless Grid
• Big Green EGG Large 18-inch Full-Round Cast Iron Grid
• Pair of Kamado Joe Classic 18-inch Half-Moon Cast Iron Grids

Cast-Iron Grid Notes:

The Kamado Joe half-moon cast iron grids cost more, but they are substantially thicker than the full-round Big Green EGG cast iron grid.

The AKORN cast iron grate arrives unseasoned, and its rougher surface can require more work to season thoroughly and protect against rust. We do not carry this grate.

Weber and Summit are trademarks of Weber-Blackstone. Big Green Egg and EGG are trademarks of The Big Green Egg, Inc. Kamado Joe and AKORN are trademarks of 26 NorthPartners LLC.

Ceramic Grill Store is an independent company and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Weber, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe or Char-Griller. Brand names are used solely to describe product compatibility.