It's about that time. My trusty old basic model Char-broil is going to need another burner soon so instead of rebuilding my 15 year old handmedown unit for the 4th time I'm in the market for a new grill. Has anyone done the homework and made a grill purchase lately? Everything I've read so far points to a Weber but they're a little pricey. We grill at least twice a week all year round and I've got a big wood smoker so I'm good there. Anyone got any tips or advice? It'll be nice to have an upper rack again and even cooking temps. We've literally worked this Char-broil to death! HaHa
I went shopping last fall looking for an end of the season bargain and nothing too big. I eventually came home with a floor model Kenmore from Sears that has worked fine for us. It is like models of Harleys, it's just what suits your needs, desires, and budget. Any of them will cook a steak. :teeth: By the way it replaced my second Char-Broil.
I've been through replacing so called stainless steel burners on my Home Depot grill. Charm Glow I think. Price on the three burners was around $150.00. The next time I looked around and found a Grill Zone with cast iron burners. Seems like a much better system. I tried to find another one for my daughter when she got married, but found they went to stainless burners also. Couldn't find a Weber with cast burners either. Cast iron burners would be my only choice if I could find them. Marty
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
I've seen that Holland grills have cast iron burners that are guaranteed for the life of the grill. I'd attach the link but I don't know how.
my vote for the Weber, it may cost a little more but the vespa cost less than a harley also
Best one I ever owned. Lowes caries them.
http://www.blueembergrills.com/#controller=0&id=www.blueembergrills.com
I hear ya Moose, I want to be able to throw 6 steaks on there and have them all cook evenly. Something I never could do with the grill I've got now. My kids always say, "Dad gets old burnty!" :cry:
I haven't looked at the Blueember grills yet. I'll check them out.
I've had a Weber for about 15 years now. Use it 4-5 times a week in the summer. It still works like it was new. It's been a good investment.
Hal
Probably to late here, but I snagged a Weber 300 series Sprint 3 burner 36,000 btu. from Home Depot 2 weeks ago for $199 close out, reg $399.
I may try to Tweek it up 40,000 btu with a big burner kit. :teeth:
That's a good deal Scooterfish, the kind of deal I'll be looking for. :wink:
i'd vote for a holland grill. they say "it's the grill you will leave in your will"
http://www.hollandgrill.com/
they aren't the cheapest grills in the world, but the only things you would have to replace is the grill cover and igniter if it ever goes out. i have a buddy that's had one for i think 15+ years and he's replaced the cover 2 times and that's it, he was before they came with igniters so he just sticks a match up in it. from what i've heard you can't go wrong. i'm planning on buying one as soon as my char-broil dies or i have to start buying a bunch or parts for it.
I bought a Weber last week. They are pricey, but, they stand behind everything they sell. You can get parts easily also. By the way, they are made in China now.
http://www.consumerunlimited.com/home/gas-grills/
I grill 3-4 days a week, year 'round. 'Whatever grill size that suits ya, but go with natural gas! No more wonderin when the propane is gonna run out. Throw some wood chips in there every now and then to keep it real :up:
I love keepin' it real and have a stickburner that burns full size logs. Looks like Weber and Blue ember ranked pretty high, thanks for that link. I'd like natural gas but just work with two propane bottles so never run out.
I used to have a Holland grill and hated it. Might as well cook your steak in the oven. It had none of the grilled flavor to it. They are right, it never did flare up and you could walk away from it, but I could hardly wait for it to die so I could get something different.
Hands down "Weber Grill" take a look at the "Q" series. Got the baby and works awesome and can take it to the beach.
And they stand behind them, had it over 2 yrs (use it yr round) couldn't get a high flame, called them and they sent new regulator no ?'s asked.Worth the $.
you can't go wrong with any weber grill. we use this portable one on our vacation trips
(http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr287/havinfun_02/thegrill.jpg?t=1239669331)
I can not help with teh gas grill part, as I'm an "Old-School" charcol guy.
But, I will say I use an old Webber "kettle"...it was a hand me down from a bud of mine about 7 years ago, still has teh wooden handles (they are plastic now on the new ones).
What I'm saying is they are built to last...
By the wat Fatty...still have not found out about your smokes!!
Burch
I've had my Weber now for about 15 years. I replaced the cooking grates and flavorizer bars once - about 5 years ago. Also replaced the bottom pan at the same time. Burners are still good, as is even the ignitor. Top is porcelain. Mine has the porcelain grates as well. Very hard to get it to flame up - good even cooking. Its a great grill. If I ever need to replace it, it will be with another Weber.
jt
I guy I work with tossed his old Weber and bought a real pretty stainless grill from Sams Club, bragging about how it was the best grill in the world. He used it a couple years and then went out and bought anoterh Weber!
I like my Weber grill. I bought a deck mount model, (no wheels), and have it bolted to the deck, running natural gas. The grill it replaced never left the deck for it's short life time, so I figured I did not need a grill with wheels!
I got tired of junk gas grills and decided to spend some bucks... Best money I ever spent, built like a brick crap house.
http://www.broilmaster.com/ (http://www.broilmaster.com/)
Stay away from Frigidaire! Purchased a closeout for 1/3 of the MSRP, but its still a POS! Only used it 1-2 times a week Spring-Fall for 2-1/2 years and the SS burner crumbled away. Had to call twice for warranty replacement. They hung-up on me when I told them it was a POS. :angry: Maybe I'll look at modifying the burner with one of those Weber burners.
-Snuff :beer:
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
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.
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!
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...
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! :up: ~JC~
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
Quote from: Mark222 on April 13, 2009, 07:54:56 AM
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 (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.
Quote from: silvercab996 on April 17, 2009, 08:19:41 AM
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. :duel: LOL.
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.
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'
Quote from: hdjax2 on April 17, 2009, 11:39:39 AM
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
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.