"These features are usually built in to more elaborate cast-iron or segmented grates designed for hands-on, bespoke fire management, and not so much on gas grills or super basic, single-piece cooking surfaces. The circles are not labeled, and unless you have owned a charcoal setup with modular parts before, it is easy to misunderstand, overlook, or underutilize these round elements."
"In an exclusive interview on Food Republic, grill master Scott Thomas, owner of The Grillin' Fools, reveals that these circular cutouts are intentional access points to the fire below, "The circular cutouts in grill grates are for adding fuel and smoke wood or aromatics like garlic, onion, and/or herbs to the fire," Thomas said. In some designs, he says, smaller cutouts function as mounting points for attachments like upper racks or rotisserie hardware."
Some grill grates include circular cutouts that provide direct access to the fire for adding fuel, wood, or aromatics during cooking. These cutouts commonly appear on cast-iron or segmented grates used for charcoal and wood-fired setups, and are uncommon on gas or single-piece grills. Smaller circular holes can serve as mounting points for upper racks or rotisserie attachments. The openings allow cooks to manage heat and smoke mid-cook without removing hot, fuel-loaded grates. Introducing aromatics like garlic, onion, and herbs through the cutouts fine-tunes flavor while maintaining safer, hands-on fire control.
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