After about 5 years living as a full-timer, I began to notice that the grate on my Atwood stove was in terrible condition - corroded and sagging. So I decided to order two new grates (Atwood 57190 Grate). Expensive items but really needed replacement.After about two months of use, I noticed that the grate was sagging or "melting" directly over the burner. Not good - pans would no longer lay flat since there was no longer a flat surface. Very irritating and the main reason I replaced in the first place!Question - has anyone else here had this problem? And, is there an alternate grate available that will not "melt"? I will gladly order a new one if guaranteed not to melt. TIA, Rob

There may be a problem with the grates that Atwood does not know about.I would contact them and complain/advise them of the problem.

Dog Folks wrote:There may be a problem with the grates that Atwood does not know about.I would contact them and complain/advise them of the problem.Agreed. Just contacted the retailer who sold me the grates. Hard to believe I'm the only one having this problem!

An interesting problem I have never heard of. Makes you wonder if they recently changed manufacturing process or moved it to some foreign locale like China?

I had a problem with the stove top itself. Repeated boil overs when making coffee cracked the white porcelain coating around the large burner which eventually came off. I replaced it with a black one but after several years it warped from the heat. The smaller burners look fine. I think excess heat builds up under a large frying pan over the large burner. The coating on my replacement grates are coming off but are not melting as you describe.

I had that problem with an older unit. A possibility would be putting a cast iron, steel or stainless BBQ grate over the Atwood grate providing double support. Many propane-grill grates are also porcelain-coated.

Atwood stovetop grate "melting" | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 31, 2016
Is there something about your style of cooking that is contributing to this? For instance, using a large griddle and firing up 2 or 3 burners, or frying for a long time.. etc?

Not that this should ever happen.. but ya never know. I remember this happened on a portable Coleman stove when I was heating a large bucket of water.
Bipeflier
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
Check with a welding/fabrication shop to see what one made of stainless steel rod would cost?
johnhicks
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
It's a combination of heat, weight of pots and pans and age. They don't actually melt but they do sag.

Some of those Weber gas grill stainless or cast iron grates might work out really well.

Also I gave up on the rattly cover and got a cutting-board cover that fit.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 30, 2016
unbob wrote:
johnhicks wrote:
A possibility would be putting a cast iron, steel or stainless BBQ grate over the Atwood grate providing double support.
Sorry, that won't work because the stovetop cover would no longer fit and close properly.

Actually it would. The BBQ grate goes in the oven when the lid is on. (oven is not in use when lid is on).

A propane flame should not get hot enough to melt the burner top grates.. At least not without some serious help.. Not sure if Butane would get that hot (It does burn a bit hotter but I do not think that much.. I do know of a few gasses that do burn that hot but none of them should be in your tank. Gasoline will burn that hot.
lenmarella
Explorer
Mar 30, 2016
Also a full-timer with the SAME problem you describe with the Atwood Grates. If anyone has ever found a better replacement grate, please let me know!
unbob
Explorer
May 18, 2014
Huntindog wrote:
There is a limitation on the size of the pots and pans, just for that reason. Look in your owners manual to see what it says.
I was told the limit was 9". My biggest pan is 7". I mostly heat water to make coffee using a mini tea-kettle. I'm single and cook very little. So pan size limitation is not my problem. Let's be honest - the problem is Atwood using inferior/inadequate metal for their grates. Period.
Huntindog
Explorer
May 16, 2014
I have never had this problem on any of my TTs. And we cook a LOT.
There is a limitation on the size of the pots and pans, just for that reason. Look in your owners manual to see what it says.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 16, 2014
unbob wrote:
Atwood says I'm out of luck - they will not replace or repair. I'm out of warranty which is only 90 days. Unfortunately, this problem takes longer than 90 days to become apparent. Another "gotcha" - can't get there from here, etc.

Mine are 9 years old but we do not use the stove for cooking that much. I prefer to NOT pay for propane if there is free electric handy.

Atwood may say 90 days but ... You may have other rights which vary from state to state.. (Standard bottom line on most warranties).

You will have to find out what those rights are.. I can not help you except to say contact the Attorney General's office and ask about Uniform commercial Code type rights... Each state has it's own version, and they do vary.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
May 16, 2014
unbob wrote:
Atwood says I'm out of luck - they will not replace or repair. I'm out of warranty which is only 90 days. Unfortunately, this problem takes longer than 90 days to become apparent. Another "gotcha" - can't get there from here, etc.

Bottom line: IMHO the Atwood grates are an inferior product which will eventually fail (after the warranty period has expired) leaving the customer holding the bag and out of luck. Caveat emptor.

Thanks for the update. Your experience speaks volumes about Atwood quality and service. They are now on my "avoid" list.
unbob
Explorer
May 15, 2014
Atwood says I'm out of luck - they will not replace or repair. I'm out of warranty which is only 90 days. Unfortunately, this problem takes longer than 90 days to become apparent. Another "gotcha" - can't get there from here, etc.

Bottom line: IMHO the Atwood grates are an inferior product which will eventually fail (after the warranty period has expired) leaving the customer holding the bag and out of luck. Caveat emptor.