Provided you have some type of heat dispersal system to help distribute heat evenly to the cooking surface and protect the burners from food drippings, your grill will function properly. I believe a briquette grate with lava rocks is superior to heat plates, so yes, I would recommend making the switch and removing the heat plates. There were some models of grills made during the industry shift from lava rock to heat plates that used a heat plate and lava rock, but both systems aren't really necessary. I have worked with several customers who have switched from heat plates to lava rocks and they have all been very pleased with the results.
Answered by Will Ansardy on Jul 17, 2024
