OT: Buying a new gas bbq grill

[guitar sam]

we grill a lot.  gw bush bought me a weber Genesis with the side burner last July.  had it hooked up to the house natural gas.  bought the wife a good warm coat so she wont get cold when she grills my steaks.  i of course stand inside with a yuengling and see if she needs help opening and closing the door.  don't want the cold air coming in.

gs

[Deye76]

I like a Weber Kettle also, but bought a gas model 10 yrs ago. Pacific Gas Specialties, stainless burners, grates and body, aluminum hood. No maintainence in 10 yrs, works great, only draw back was the cost...high dollar. It's like cooking on a gas stove to me, nothing better than charcoal IMO.

[silvercab996]

Vermont Castings.

Do you want superb cooking or do you want to impress friends with a gigantic cheap piece or 303 stainless steel?

http://www.barbecuegrillsandmore.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=VT1153&refid=XT248-VT1153

I've had this for 3-4 years, best grill ever!

[04fatty]

I've been to Home Depot and Lowes now and can get 10% off by opening a commercial credit account with them. It's looking like the Weber Genesis E-310 but man it's hard to let go of the cash. We've had a sideburner for 10 or so years now and I think I've used it twice to light cigarettes so don't need that ($50 more for the E-320 with sburner) or a bottle opener, etc...

[~JC~]

I like the side burner. It has to be a good one, not just a low heat "warmer". That way, you can fry fish outside and not stink up the house!  ~JC~

[04fatty]

I read a review- one guy called Weber and complained his sburner didn't get hot enough and they told him it's for warming purposes only, not cooking. I think the one on my old Char-Broil would fry fish, just never tried.

[dablaze]

When I bought my Weber, I knew I would never use the side burner, but if ya wait for a sale, its usually the side burnr models that come up.

I love it by the way...

Craig

[RoadGlide0611]

Do the webers or the Vermot grille get flairs from the grease?  Some gas grilles I had to have a water glass next to me to help put out the fire after the meat had been on cooking.  I've never had a gas grille not do that.  But it's been a few sense I had a gas grille.  Now only use charcoal.  But you guys tell me that doesn't happen no more, I might be convinced to buy a new gas grille too.

[hdjax2]

I'm also considering buying a new gas grill and my question is to convert it from propane to natural gas, do you need to change the orifice size or is it just a simple switch of the gas connection?

[04fatty]

Just got back from Home Depot and brought back a Weber Genesis S-310 (stainless with no sideburner). It was reg. $899 everywhere and just this morning H.D. marked them down to $699. They let us use a 10% off coupon on top of that and the coupon specifically said " not good on Weber Grills". Then the manager who helped us gave us a $20 hard mat that goes under the grill for 1 penny. They had 3 left so we grabbed the grill and ran. I'd kidded the manager saying " and she wanted to go to Lowes." When he handed me the mat he turned to my wife and said "Don't go to Lowes" with a smile on his face. If you're looking for a grill check H. Depot this weekend.
I can't fire it up till tomorrow night but I bet it"ll turn out some good bbq!  Thanks for all the advice.

[Glenn W]

Weber 3 burner model.  About $450 or so for entry model.

You will not be dissapointed.  I am on my second, the first lasted 16 years, and was still working but I was moving and did not really want the greasy thing in the truck with all my house stuff, so I left it for the new owner.

Mark

Same here, big vote for Weber, made in USA last time I checked. My 12 Y.O.Weber "Genesis" is still on the original burners, though I don't use it more than 2-3 times a month and that includes 12 Wisconsin winters under cheap Menard's poly tarps. Mine is one of the original genisis models and doesn't have the fancy lower cabinet I see now http://www.consumersearch.com/gas-grill-reviews and I bought it with a rotissere, but no side burner for around $300 way back when. They are also available set up for natural gas from the factory, with the correct reg, springs & orfice, and a long Q/D hose & fittings instead of an LP tank. That's what I got since there's nat. gas run to the garage so I just added a T & gate valve. I finally had to replace the redwood handle on the lid, but the fired brown enamal body could still pass for almost new.

[Deye76]

Vermont Castings.

Do you want superb cooking or do you want to impress friends with a gigantic cheap piece or 303 stainless steel?

http://www.barbecuegrillsandmore.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=VT1153&refid=XT248-VT1153

I've had this for 3-4 years, best grill ever!

Well if you were referring to my PGS, it's smaller than yours. And I'll out cook you even on on a open fire. LOL.

[silvercab996]

I was refering to all the POS grills on the market that don't have enought BTUs to sear a steak or cook anything properly, but have several cubic feet of stainless covers, shelves, and such, gigantic chrome plastic knobs and temp gauges.

[Bladesmith]

I'm at a high alltitude here and my grill never worked right so I souped it up a bit......here's my mods...First, got rid of the plastic tank connection that hand tightens on the outside threads..got the brass conection for the inside threads...This eliminates all restrictions...then I bought an adjustable regulator at a RV supplier...Now it really cranks!!!!

Also..I still like lava rocks and use them even though the new grills aren't designed for them..

Keep on Grillin'

[wholehog]

I'm also considering buying a new gas grill and my question is to convert it from propane to natural gas, do you need to change the orifice size or is it just a simple switch of the gas connection?

it all depends on the what kind of grill....Weber has conversion kits for some but not others....I bought an Weber NG Genesis grill and they did not offer a "conversion" kit for tha model so I had to buy a new LP manaifold and supply line....come to think of it, now I have an extra NG manifold and line

my old weber is over 15 years old and she even uses it in the winter

[hotham]

My brother-in-law grills 2/3 times a week.  His last Weber lasted over 8 years.  He just bought a new one.  We followed his lead and bought a 3 burner model.  Great product and easy to put together.  My wife put it together in 40 minutes.