Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

You might expect when paying the big bucks for durable stainless steel that it will be the last time you'll be buying new grates. You'd be wrong if you're buying Weber's 7527 stainless steel grates. The original porcelain-clad steel grates in my grill lasted twelve years before rusting away. I replaced them with Weber's 7527 stainless steel variants that broke in less than three years. Not rusted; but fractured in half. Problem is that they are constructed of lightweight stamped stainless steel of an obviously low grade. These grates are fabricated using a blanking and forming process that wouldn't be possible with heavy gage, high quality stainless steel. It's only after buying a replacement set of the same substandard grates that I came to discover that Weber actually does offer a proper set of heavy duty, durable stainless steel grates with heavy welded stainless rods under Weber model #9930. They're clearly more expensive, but they will be the last grates you'll ever need to buy, compared with the 7527 that's only good for a few years of service. Weber's website doesn't even mention the #9930 as an available option. Thanks Weber! Too late for me, but be warned that the 7527 isn't the way to go. If you can't afford the 9930 grates, the original porcelainized steel grates are a much better buy and more durable than the 7527 grates. In my assessment these 7527 grates offer poor cost-performance. UPDATE: 5/15: Weber has since discontinued the 9930 heavy stainless bar grates, but I found an even better solution for less money and I've done extensive research. There's a metal fabricator in California that makes his own barbecue replacement parts that are significantly better than anything you can buy elsewhere. Not inexpensive, but very high quality lifetime components. He sells on eBay with seller name rcplanebuyer. I just bought a set of his 9930-equivalent grates and they are extraordinary. High grade 304 series stainless bars with nickel, 3/8" rod diameter,15 rod count, two joiners on each end and 9 pounds EACH. Beautifully finished parts. If you search on Amazon for Weber 9930, you'll find a bevy of sellers selling the same cheap import knock-offs. They sell for $50 to $70/set, but here's why: Low grade 400 series stainless bars (iron based magnetic material), 1/4" rod diameter, 14 rod count, requires a third joiner in the middle to prevent being flimsy and 4.4 pounds each. 400 series stainless is an inexpensive grade that readily stains and RUSTS.