When Lucy arrived, this is how her cooktop looked. Both of the two front grates had cracks in them. Later, I learned it was fairly common for that particular grate model, while lovely, they were fragile. I also learned they could be repaired, if you can find a welder that specialized in cast iron.

I must admit, a fully restored cooktop grate with nice new shiny black porcelain enamel coating is a thing of beauty. They’re also $40 – $100 a piece. A little rich for my blood. Fortunately, underneath the enamel is cast iron.

The grates that came with my first OKM had no enamel left. They were just nekkid cast iron and showing a little rust.  Although not shiny, good ole cast iron grates matched nicely with the cast iron skillets and pots that would sit on them. I treated them with my favorite chemical, phosphoric acid, to deal with the rust, then I seasoned them, just like I season my cast iron skillets.

With all the stoves I’ve rescued (20+), it’s rare to encounter fully porcelain enamel coated grates. Even if the stove’s top, doors, backsplash and sides’ porcelain enamel surfaces manage to not get chipped after 60-80 years, the grates have usually lost their enamel. I’ve concluded they may be better off without it.

They can be recoated. I just don’t see it being worthwhile. Because grates can be in direct contact with fire thus experience quick changes in temperature, so it’s highly likely the metal and the enamel will inevitable part ways.

Naturally, while I was working hard to convince myself that my nekkid grates were perfectly fine, didn’t need to get nice, shiny, newly enameled grates, etc., someone gifted me a lovely newly coated simmer grate set. I gladly donned Lucy with those purty things.

My Lucy came with two styles of grates; open (arrow) and simmer plated. Each of the two styles, I found out later, can be light or heavy. The heavy versions have thicker spines, etc.. I also found out later my grates are nicknamed cat’s ears grates. I liked that. 🙂 Not all OKM grates have those ears.

Of all the open arrow grates I collected, the heavy ones stayed intact; no breaks.

Here, you can see the difference between the heavy (left grate) and the light version. While I love the graceful of the light version, those are the most fragile. If you like those, you might want to keep a couple for backup.

The heavyweight champions on the cooktop. Typically, these set over the back burners, best for evening out heat distribution.

The heavy simmer plate grates with ears are truly heavy. 🙂

I can’t find my light simmer plate grates. So here’s a photo from GrapevineSally.

If you plan to order replacement grates for your OKM, make sure to note the specific style that suits your stove. Different stove models support different types of grates. Many don’t have cat ears.

For example, below are some OKM simple round grates. I use a few of those as trivets.