New flamezone griddle and searing grate questions

[weatehrwimp]

So I'm leaning towards getting the new flamezone for my older Mak2 hoping it does a better job at direct heat cooking. However, I see in Trent's review the griddle and sear grate fit sideways, not vertical.

1) Wouldn't they need 2017 and newer (or updated flamezone kit owners) searing grate and griddles to be longer so they fit horizontally?

On the Mak site under accessories it lists a sear grate (Searing Grate | MAK Grill) and a griddle (Griddle | MAK Grill), but says they are for use with all 2 star generals. But how can this be, the grill isn't a square but a rectangle.

2) How much of an improvement is the new flamezone? Would you give it a C? B? A-?

Unfortunately I already have a griddle and sear grate, but I could throw caution to the wind and repalce them if I update the flamezone.

Thanks!

 

[KJRsmoker]

weatehrwimp, I want answers to the exact same questions you are asking. I too was thinking of upgrading and I also have a sear grate and griddle.

 

[MAK DADDY]

Yes, if you purchase the 2017 Flame Zone Kit the grates are flipped Horizontal due to the peaked pan. The kit comes with new stainless grates in this shape.

Your old searing grate would work if you used it solo (or had two) but the griddle will not fit this new style pan.
We do make horizontal griddles and searing grates for this kit (they are the standard production size now).

I am biased obviously but honestly it is one of our best innovations as far as how many areas it improves grill performance.
It completely changed the way the grill utilizes the heat produced from the fire pot and puts it right where its needed most (where the food is). Faster to temp, better heat distribution, improved pellet consumption, hotter grilling temps at grate level & more smoke.

 

[TentHunter]

2) How much of an improvement is the new flamezone? Would you give it a C? B? A-? !

I give it an absolute A+ rating! It is awesome, and it gets HOT!!! I have not used my charcoal grill once for searing since getting the new FlameZone.

Low & Slow cooking, and smoking are still just as great!

In a nutshell, I think it's the best improvement they've done and makes a MAK an true all-in one smoker/grill.

 

[weatehrwimp]

I had also emailed them and as Mak Daddy said above, the griddle won't work.

KJRsmoker, they told me to just put in the notes section of my order that I wanted the 2017 newer versions of stuff like the griddle/sear grates and they'll be sure to get the correct ones out in the order. They are working on updating the website too, so this type of confusion shouldn't be an issue in the future hopefully.

Now I need to go searchto see if that fancy igntior upgrade is much of a big deal. I'm sure it is a big deal better, which is why they switched to it...but is it a big enough deal to actually swap it out if my current igntor isn't faulty. Hmmm

 

[TentHunter]

Now I need to go searchto see if that fancy igntior upgrade is much of a big deal. I'm sure it is a big deal better, which is why they switched to it...but is it a big enough deal to actually swap it out if my current igntor isn't faulty. Hmmm

The biggest advantage is it gets you up and running faster; almost as fast as a gas grill.

I've done two upgrades on two MAK's (one on my last MAK and one on my friend's MAK when his ignirtor rod failed). It's fairly simple and takes less than 30 minutes.

I did a write-up/review here: The New FlashFire (tm) Ignitor from MAK Grills


If you don't upgrade now, then definitely do it when your ignitor fails.

 

[weatehrwimp]

Well, I did go ahead and order the new flamezone, flashfire, and griddle. Not sure how long they'll take to get here, but it'll be interesting to see if it feels like a newish grill, lol.

 

[mrbbq]

Weaterwimp-=---I've had 2 Stars since 2009. The new, improved FlameZone set-up is everything MAK owners are saying. Better heat at the cooking surface, quicker heat recovery after opening the lid, less time to get to the hottest grilling temps. AND...lower pellet consumption by 15-20% Case in point Thanksgiving Day 2017---I filled my pellet hopper to the top with Bear Mtn. Cherry pellets. Smoked my turkey for 12 hours. The grill used only 6 pounds of pellets during that length of time of smoking. I agree with MAK DADDY, it is one of the best innovations MAK has ever produced. (Next to the Wi-Fi and FlashFire(tm) ceramic igniter). It's why we are the most copied pellet grill in the world.

 

[Christopher Hall]

Now that my 1 star and new flamezone BOTH arrived this week I can comment on threads like this. The change in performance from the standard 1 star to the flame zone was truly dramatic. I had the 1 star setup in its original format for the initial burnin and it did everything it was supposed to do. However, the next day with the flame zone arrived and even at 10 degree cooler weather the time it took to get up to temp was dramatically shorter. I am completely happy with the upgrade.

 

[Explorer]

I upgraded my 2016 2 Star to the new Flamezone. I ordered a Griddle last night. Do you use the Griddle with the Flamezone cover on or off?

 

[BBQJUDGE]

Just a thought. I have a 2 Star that I bought in 2015 so it has the old flame zone. If I purchased the new flame zone would it be possible to use the old flame zone pan (piece with all the old holes) instead of the new one to keep hole orientation the same so that old accessories still have the correct orientation?

 

[MAK DADDY]

I upgraded my 2016 2 Star to the new Flamezone. I ordered a Griddle last night. Do you use the Griddle with the Flamezone cover on or off?

Flame zone needs to be covered when using the griddle.

 

[MAK DADDY]

Just a thought. I have a 2 Star that I bought in 2015 so it has the old flame zone. If I purchased the new flame zone would it be possible to use the old flame zone pan (piece with all the old holes) instead of the new one to keep hole orientation the same so that old accessories still have the correct orientation?

Unfortunately you cannot use the old pan, the new design gets way to hot and will warp it. This is one of the reasons why the new pan has a peaked design with horizontal grates.

 

[Explorer]

Flame zone needs to be covered when using the griddle.

Thank you!

 

[BBQJUDGE]

Unfortunately you cannot use the old pan, the new design gets way to hot and will warp it. This is one of the reasons why the new pan has a peaked design with horizontal grates.

Do you get new horizontal grates when you order the new flame zone kit or can you still use the old vertical ones?

 

[MAK DADDY]

Thanks. You can still use the original grates, though, can't you?

Yes, if you want but it will make removing the flame zone covers a pain.
The kit does ship with new horizontal grates included.

 

[BBQJUDGE]

Yes, if you want but it will make removing the flame zone covers a pain.
The kit does ship with new horizontal grates included.

Thanks, again!

 

[sschorr]

Hi! Waiting for my new MAK 2 Star and its killing me! About griddles - I have a Weber porcelain coated cast iron griddle that sits on top of the Weber's regular grates to use. I was wondering if this could be used on the MAK sitting on top of the MAK grates - flame cover off or on as well?

 

[MAK DADDY]

Hi! Waiting for my new MAK 2 Star and its killing me! About griddles - I have a Weber porcelain coated cast iron griddle that sits on top of the Weber's regular grates to use. I was wondering if this could be used on the MAK sitting on top of the MAK grates - flame cover off or on as well?

I don't see why that would be any issue at all, being cast iron you may need to give some extra time for it to stabilize at the temp you want.

 

[sschorr]

Thanks MAK DADDY - should I leave the FZ cover on? I plan to have the MAK grill grate in the back and this would go over the front grate - its 11.3" x 19.2".