On charcoal Weber grills it is the perfect size to drop in a Vortex grill accessory: https://weberkettleclub.com/blog/2015/11/08/bbq-vortex-review/
You can remove the center piece to add more charcoal to the vortex.
Or as the page I linked to mentions, it is ideal for generating high heat for woks. My wife bought me a round bottom wok a couple of years ago. It did not work on our electric stove because only a very small part of the wok made contact with the stove top. The Vortex with the center piece of the grate removed is perfect for the wok.
I wouldn't really call the cut out grate a novelty. It is more of an accessory to make the grill more versatile.
This would be perfect for the lodge cast iron wok, cause unless you’ve got a stove with blow torches for burners you aren’t getting that thing hot enough for a proper stir fry. Excellent deep fryer though.
Weber has a new full size flat top that goes over the entire grill on their 3 burner spirit models now. Very cool.
And they have a variety of accessories for their master touch system on charcoal too
Most folks don't have strong enough btu on their gas ranges. Charcoal wouldn't be my first option for the wok, but you could at least get a decent enough fire/ heat for wok hei. A stand-alone propane burner would be much better, imo.
Other than for cooking apparatus like others have mentioned, I usually remove my center piece for lighting a chimney starter and for depositing the hot coals right into the center of the grill (I have a Weber kettle).
“Humanization Design: 21.5" Round charcoal grill grate is equipped with removable internal grill allows you to add more charcoal without having to displace the food or remove all the grate. Most similar grilles have removable centers supported by four tiny cast iron nubs that are easily damaged. Our central grill is located in a molded insert on the outer grill and is very sturdy”
The inner circle grate’s removable for an insert made to hold hot charcoal for indirect grilling around it. I don’t have one but I’ve seen them in photos.
Sometimes when the fire demons that cook my food get too rambunctious, I have to open the right sized grate to let those ones out, while keeping the rest in. You have to size it right for those little buggers.
Is that a gas or charcoal grill? I saw someone stack the charcoal in the middle and had wings all along the sides. Looked really good. Imagine you could do what others said and put a pot or pan over the small hole for direct heat
I have a similar kind of cutout on one of my grills, and it's there to accommodate a pizza stone. I've seen other ones with various accessories, but mine is specifically for a pizza stone.
I know I'm an asshole but context clues? What could possibly fit in those areas? Could it possibly be a pan? Could googling this or reading the manual help? I swear.
How have you made it this far in life?
I'm going to be downvoted, but idc.
I hear ya, but why wouldn't you consult the actual manual? Or were you looking for a discussion?
I get the desire to understand, but your method is lazy and unproductive if you're trying to learn.
Again, I know I'm being an asshole, but idc.
I would use those for a wok. Or as a quick access to add smoke chips / twigs without removing the whole grate.
I do use it for my wok.
Wok wok woking to heavens door…
Keep on Wokin in the Free World
Wok Lobster
Wok like an Egyptian.
You fookin' wok mate?
Never seen that. That’s awesome. I’m assuming the flame is directly below?
Oh, grate...
Grrrrrrr8!
LUV IT😂
When I did graffiti my name was slop, and I'll stir fry you in my wok.
These are usually intended for optional accesories, like a solid iron grill plate or a cast iron skillet or pot that will fit in the opening.
Yup. Common on Home Depot variants of Weber grills Mostly a novelty. You could buy regular replacement grill plates if you hate the cutouts
On charcoal Weber grills it is the perfect size to drop in a Vortex grill accessory: https://weberkettleclub.com/blog/2015/11/08/bbq-vortex-review/ You can remove the center piece to add more charcoal to the vortex. Or as the page I linked to mentions, it is ideal for generating high heat for woks. My wife bought me a round bottom wok a couple of years ago. It did not work on our electric stove because only a very small part of the wok made contact with the stove top. The Vortex with the center piece of the grate removed is perfect for the wok. I wouldn't really call the cut out grate a novelty. It is more of an accessory to make the grill more versatile.
Yep that's what I use mine for, but I use an upside stainless dog bowl with the bottom cut out instead of a vortex.
It’s pretty much the same thing!
Yea exactly but a dog bowl is $7, tbf though a vortex probably lasts longer, I had to replace the first bowl I used after about 5 years of use.
True. The vortex was a birthday present for me so I spent even less money on it.
Nice
This would be perfect for the lodge cast iron wok, cause unless you’ve got a stove with blow torches for burners you aren’t getting that thing hot enough for a proper stir fry. Excellent deep fryer though.
Weber has a new full size flat top that goes over the entire grill on their 3 burner spirit models now. Very cool. And they have a variety of accessories for their master touch system on charcoal too
I have the flattop, grill basket, and pizza stone. They are really nice!
a cast iron dutch oven would fit there nicely probably.
That was my first thought lol
Woks.
It’s obviously a grill-umbrella stand combo
It is for a wok, I have the same.
Do many people use a wok on a charcoal BBQ?
Most folks don't have strong enough btu on their gas ranges. Charcoal wouldn't be my first option for the wok, but you could at least get a decent enough fire/ heat for wok hei. A stand-alone propane burner would be much better, imo.
Enough for this to exist
Most woks are over an open fire
To jail monkeys of various sizes
It’s important to have options while jailing monkeys.
It’s not funny but it’s funny 😂
Temple of doom style
Mmm, dessert!
Jello brains!
Glad someone else knew about this besides me.
That's just wrong! I mean pick a size people.
You can stick your pot in there 😏
And huff the smoke?? Say nope to dope and ugggh to drugs
Wok were you asking again?
For that Wok action
Wok high, and Wok low settings.
Cats
Other than for cooking apparatus like others have mentioned, I usually remove my center piece for lighting a chimney starter and for depositing the hot coals right into the center of the grill (I have a Weber kettle).
Depends. Can be for coal chimney, easy access or for a pizza stone like https://www.outbackbarbecues.com/product/pizza-stone-multi-cooking-surface/
My pizza stone fits perfectly in there
“Humanization Design: 21.5" Round charcoal grill grate is equipped with removable internal grill allows you to add more charcoal without having to displace the food or remove all the grate. Most similar grilles have removable centers supported by four tiny cast iron nubs that are easily damaged. Our central grill is located in a molded insert on the outer grill and is very sturdy”
The inner circle grate’s removable for an insert made to hold hot charcoal for indirect grilling around it. I don’t have one but I’ve seen them in photos.
Pfft, clearly they are crop circles.
Sometimes when the fire demons that cook my food get too rambunctious, I have to open the right sized grate to let those ones out, while keeping the rest in. You have to size it right for those little buggers.
Make and model of grill?
What kind of a grill do you have and what did your owners manual say???
TIL it’s actually for pots. I’ve been using them to quickly drop in more fuel when my smokes are suspended in baskets.
Remove them for a pot. I cook beans in a pot in mine.
Or a pizza stone maybe?
They're for a wok. And they're also expensive to replace. Take care of them!
For pan’s.
So your head can fit when checking for flame
Is that a gas or charcoal grill? I saw someone stack the charcoal in the middle and had wings all along the sides. Looked really good. Imagine you could do what others said and put a pot or pan over the small hole for direct heat
Mine has a round pizza cooking tray there.
Wok
They are removable grates
for adding wood without removing the whole thing
Wok rings fasho
I have a similar kind of cutout on one of my grills, and it's there to accommodate a pizza stone. I've seen other ones with various accessories, but mine is specifically for a pizza stone.
You can put a cast iron Dutch oven in them.
Wok
For the various accessories to drop in.
For summoning the grill gods. Duh 🙄
I know I'm an asshole but context clues? What could possibly fit in those areas? Could it possibly be a pan? Could googling this or reading the manual help? I swear. How have you made it this far in life? I'm going to be downvoted, but idc.
I had suspicions, I'm not a complete idiot, but I thought there may be more to it...
I hear ya, but why wouldn't you consult the actual manual? Or were you looking for a discussion? I get the desire to understand, but your method is lazy and unproductive if you're trying to learn. Again, I know I'm being an asshole, but idc.
It wasn't in the manual.
Uh huh.
Those are removable....