It was hard to reach the back of the lower grate so we had a sliding grate installed. It is the exact size of the upper grate so they are interchangeable. The new grate is 3/4 inch above the old stationary grate with the stationary grate still in place. I think this gives more mass that helps hold the heat and evens out the temperatures. With a Lang cooker you can balance the temperatures by raising and lowering the nose of the cooker.