If you're are cooking mainly burgers, steaks, and chicken you will not need this.  However, for low and slow briskets and pork butts it is a must.  Just put the meat on one side and leave the access hatch open on the other side. You will be able to quickly add fuel without losing a lot of heat. You can bbq a mean brisket in a weber if that is what you have to work with. This grate makes life so much easier for those long cook times.