Best Steel for a BBQ Plate: Stainless vs Carbon vs Cast Iron
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The material your BBQ plate is made from decides how it cooks, how long it lasts and how much cleaning it needs. Here is how stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron and mild steel compare, so you can choose the right one for your BBQ.
The main BBQ plate materials
Stainless steel
Stainless steel contains chromium, which forms a protective layer against rust. That makes it the lowest-maintenance option for a plate that lives outdoors.
- Resists rust and corrosion
- Easy to clean with a scraper and warm water
- Thicker plates hold heat well and stay flat
Thin stainless can warp under high heat, so thickness and grade matter (more on that below).
Carbon steel
Carbon steel heats up quickly and holds heat well, and builds up a non-stick seasoning over time. The downside is rust: it needs to be kept seasoned and oiled, much like cast iron.
Cast iron
Cast iron holds heat for a long time and gives good searing and grill marks. It is heavy, can crack if dropped, and rusts quickly if it is not seasoned and kept dry.
Mild steel
Mild steel is cheap and cooks well, but it rusts easily. It needs oiling after every use and dry storage.
Comparison
| Stainless steel | Carbon steel | Cast iron | Mild steel | |
| Rust resistance | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium to high | High | High |
| Heat retention | Good (thicker plates) | High | High | Good |
| Cleaning | Easy | Moderate | Harder | Moderate |
For a BBQ that sits outside, stainless steel gives the best balance of cooking performance and low maintenance.
What to look for in a stainless steel BBQ plate
Thickness
A thicker plate spreads heat more evenly and resists warping. Our plates are 5mm thick.
Grade of stainless
Most stainless is 304 grade. We use ferritic stainless steel for our plates. In our testing, 304 and 316 did not spread heat as evenly and were more prone to warping at high temperatures. Ferritic stainless spreads heat better and holds its shape. It is slightly less corrosion resistant than 304, so a light coat of oil now and then is a good idea.
Fit
A replacement plate needs to be made for your BBQ model. Check the model number on your BBQ before you order.
Hotplate or grill
A flat hotplate is best for eggs, onions, seafood and anything small that would fall through a grill. A grill plate gives char marks and lets fat drain away. Half plates let you have both on the one BBQ.
Looking after a stainless BBQ plate
- Scrape it down while it is still warm.
- Wash with warm water and mild detergent if needed, then dry it.
- Wipe on a light coat of cooking oil to protect it.
- Expect some heat discolouration. It is normal and does not affect cooking.
EZY Q stainless steel BBQ plates
EZY Q makes 5mm ferritic stainless steel half hotplates and grill plates to suit Weber Baby Q, Weber Q and Family Q BBQs (Classic and N series), and hotplates to suit Ziggy single, twin and triple burner BBQs by Ziegler & Brown.
All orders ship free Australia-wide (excluding PO boxes and parcel lockers). EZY Q is not affiliated with Weber or Ziegler & Brown, and our plates are not genuine Weber or Ziegler & Brown products. Questions about fit? Contact us.
Common questions
What is the best steel for a BBQ plate?
For a plate that lives outdoors, stainless steel is the easiest to own because it resists rust and cleans up easily. Carbon steel and cast iron cook well but need regular seasoning to stop rust.
Is stainless steel good for a BBQ?
Yes. It is food safe, easy to clean and resists rust. Choose a thick plate so it heats evenly and stays flat.
Is a hotplate or a grill plate better?
A hotplate suits small and delicate food and gives even contact cooking. A grill plate gives char marks and drains fat. Many people run half of each.
How do I clean a stainless steel BBQ plate?
Scrape it while warm, wash with warm water and mild detergent if needed, dry it and wipe on a light coat of oil.