Like most BBQ guys, people are always giving me grilling tools that I never use.  I have a box in my garage that is full of unused grill toys. I admit I am a bit of snob when it comes to gadgets, but if it doesn’t make cooking easier or improve the flavor of my food, it’s just a waste of my time.  Besides, grilling and smoking meat is pretty easy; you don’t need to be bogged down with tools and gadgets.  Back in May, I did receive a birthday gift that is truly great…a cast iron plate setter for my Big Green Egg.  You have probably noticed it in my posts throughout the summer, and I gotta tell you, it’s freaking awesome!

Big Pork Chops!

For the non-Eggheads, the platesetter is used to set up the BGE for indirect cooking.  You place it between the fire and the grate and it deflects the heat around the meat you’re cooking.  The stock plate setters are ceramic and tend to crack and break over time.  I’ve been through three of them since I’ve had my egg and they are about $60 each.

 

What I like about the cast iron plate setter is that it’s a lot more durable than the ceramic.  But what I really love about it is the grilling grate on the bottom.  I just flip it over and I’ve got an excellent cooking surface, I get the benefits of cast iron and all the flavor of cooking over charcoal.  

 

 

Searing Pork Belly before braising

I have yet to use this plate setter for slow cooking, because if I flip it over all over, my seasoning will burn off.  This summer I have used the grill side to cook just about everything…steaks and pork chops, braised pork belly, even roasted pepper and onions, and heated tortillas.  

 

 

Grilling some pepper & onions

I’ve always had issues with flare ups when cooking rib eyes, but on the plate setter the fat drips off the side or stays in the grate troughs. And when it does flame up, the fire is deflected around the plate setter and doesn’t scorch the precious steak.

 

Cooking Rib Eyes

The heat distribution is excellent.  It gets really hot and puts a great sear on a steak.

 

One Hot Cooking Surface!

The cast iron plate setter is a bit pricey, Tasty Licks BBQ has them at $119 for a large BGE. Tasty Licks is also selling them through Amazon for $130.  That is about the price of two ceramic plate setters.  It may be expensive, but it’s definitely worth it.  With Christmas just around the corner this is a gift any Egghead would love.

 

Disclaimer:  I’m not receiving any compensation for my endorsement of this product.  Not that my endorsement carries a lot of weight.  I just really like the product and wish to share my experience with other Egghead and Komodo guys who might appreciate it.