OT: New Grill Advice

[AZHuskiePop]

I'm looking at the Weber 3 burner one that's $499. Will proly wait for a sale come end of summer. I also had a Charbroil which rotted.

I had a high end charbroil sTST ,natural gas in my previous house. It still worked .I had replaced all the ignition cables . I gifted it to the new owners.
I just bought a Webber mid range <$600 and the Webber heat distribution is much better than my old grill . It’s not STST so I doubt it will hold up as long as my last grill.
We do go through Grill Covers in AZ .
The sun is brutal .

 

[August_West]

1) Warmup is similar to charcoal in time - 20 to 30 minutes. But you don't have to do anything but push a button and walk away. The better models will get up to 500 degrees which is enough to sear meet. Generally things do take longer - it's just a different way to cook. Fortunately the extra time doesn't involve much or any hands on. But you do have to plan to start things in advance, kind of like the sous vide stuff from the Steak thread.

2) Overall, yes, definitely prefer the pellet grill - it just adds so much flavor no matter how you use it. In a perfect world, I would have a good gas grill as well as the pellet grill for searing or getting burgers and dogs done quickly for the kids. Pellets are more expensive than gas, so firing up a gas grill to 500+ for searing would be more cost effective.

3) Traeger is the face of pellet grills for sure - they've been doing it a long time. There are other reputable brands.

4) I have an Ironwood which is kind of the middle level for the Traeger lineup.

I love the Traeger. Should never be recommended as a straight grill though. It’s weak there.

 

[dvegas]

you can find after market "flavor bars" for Weber grills on ebay that are a heavier gauge steel than the originals. Cheaper even with shipping, last longer

 

[wheelerdog]

I've had a three burner Weber for 20 years. Love it.

 

[RichCTBB]

I'm running a Charmglow 3 burner with side burner. It was a house warming gift from my mother-in-law 15 years ago and built like a tank. It's so heavy that I almost didn't move it to our new house with an elevated deck. It was $399 new. I've replaced the burner tubes and heat plates 3 times over the years, the temperature gauge once and I'm on my 3rd regulator hose. Although the ignitor on one of the burners no longer works, it doesn't disappoint. Every year I have an internal argument trying to justify the need for a new grill, but routine maintenance has kept it going. I've never used a cover with it as they tend to trap corrosion-inducing moisture. None of the currently available big box grills in the $400 price point feel quite as heavy or substantial except for the maybe the Weber Spirit E310.

When the time comes, I'll likely give Monument Grills a shot.

24367 | Stainless 4-Burner Propane LED Gas Grill

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[jibsey]

Weber you can get parts for. Easy to maintain and clean. I wasted a lot of money on different brands till I got the Weber, so it's worth a few bucks more on the front end.

 

[Husky25]

Weber you can get parts for. Easy to maintain and clean. I wasted a lot of money on different brands till I got the Weber, so it's worth a few bucks more on the front end.

This is where any analysis of grills begins and ends: Cost of ownership. I owned a $250 Char-broil for 7 years, but only really got 5 years of use out of it before it rusted through. So call the cost of ownership $70/year (SLD over 5 years + $20 for propane).

I'll have to get through three more seasons tops (which is looking like a no brainer) and the Weber will have paid for itself and for better food product.

 

[8893]

I'll also give a plug for Weber's customer service. Around ten years ago I was replacing some parts on my former Weber at some ungodly early hour on a weekend morning, like 5:30 a.m., because I was up and it needed to be done. I realized they had sent me the wrong instructions and so I went on the website to contact customer service. I don't remember whether I called or had an on-line dialogue with the customer service guy, but I remember that he was in India and he sent me a PDF with the proper instructions within minutes.

 

[UConnJim]

Go with the Weber. Mine is ~15 years old and still going strong and I use it at least once per week all year round.

 

[HuskyHawk]

For Propane, the Weber Genesis II is hard to beat. I got mine at a local BBQ shop, because that allowed me to get the black exterior and stainless interior parts. Big box stores don't sell that model. Has been superb. Replaced another Genesis I had for 15 years, which still worked. I gave that away.

Key with Weber is that everything in it can be replaced piecemeal quite easily. Parts are everywhere.

 

[UConnLen]

I bought a Weber Genesis in 1996 with our new custom home. Recently sold our home to our granddaughter and husband who was born 2 months later and the Weber was given with the home!!! Just bought a new Weber Spirit. If you want a grill that lasts you know what to buy.

 

[8893]

If you want a grill that lasts you know what to buy.

Charbroil

 

[Tenspro2002]

I'm a little late to the party, but I must be the only person not complaining about their CharBroil.

I've had it for 5 years, use it about 2-3 times a month between May and October, and the only issue I've had is the electronic ignition doesn't work and I have to use matches.

 

[RichCTBB]

I'm a little late to the party, but I must be the only person not complaining about their CharBroil.

I've had it for 5 years, use it about 2-3 times a month between May and October, and the only issue I've had is the electronic ignition doesn't work and I have to use matches.

I had a Char Broil for 1 day when I thought I needed to replace my charmglow that just needed a new regulator. It didn't compare in terms of build quality, durability, or heat. Sold it for what I bought it for after 1 use and bought a new regulator for the charmglow for like $10

 

[Uconnrick]

Since there are numerous other OT threads about the outdoors, I figured I would add to the congestion.

I am in the market for a new grill. I am looking at getting a gas grill, no charcoal, just like the ease of using gas.

I've been looking for a little while already and a couple of brands I am familiar with already.

Weber is a great grill, from what I've heard. Are they worth the extra price?
Char-Broil- currently own an infrared model and the grates rotted out of it. Have they gotten better in the last 6-7 years.

Every big box store has there own version. Don't necessarily want to spend too much, but might be willing to go to $1000 or so.

What do you own? How long have you had it? Would you buy it again? How much was it, if willing to say?

Thanks.

Check out the Steak King line at Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops. I have the 2 burner portable for tailgating and it's extremely well built and gets screaming hot (2 IR sections). The big ones are in your price range and all stainless.
If you decide to go with a pellet grill, I love the Camp Chef brand with Green Mountain a close second. Camp Chef has a leg up with ash cleaning. Just pull a lever and it dumps into a small bucket. Their ads are a hoot too.

 

[Slick]

Since there are numerous other OT threads about the outdoors, I figured I would add to the congestion.

I am in the market for a new grill. I am looking at getting a gas grill, no charcoal, just like the ease of using gas.

I've been looking for a little while already and a couple of brands I am familiar with already.

Weber is a great grill, from what I've heard. Are they worth the extra price?
Char-Broil- currently own an infrared model and the grates rotted out of it. Have they gotten better in the last 6-7 years.

Every big box store has there own version. Don't necessarily want to spend too much, but might be willing to go to $1000 or so.

What do you own? How long have you had it? Would you buy it again? How much was it, if willing to say?

Thanks.

Weber is a great grill. The first year I owned it a ton of Ice fell off my roof and put a huge dent in the cover. I called Weber and they sent me a brand new cover plus new grates for just the cost of shipping!I personally would not get a Spirit. The Genesis Lid cover is much heavier and overall the grill it made much better then the Spirit. I know it is more money but it is worth the difference especially if you grill often and in the winter. The heavier Lid holds the heat in much better so it is not effected by the cold weather as much.

 

[8893]

Weber is a great grill. The first year I owned it a ton of Ice fell off my roof and put a huge dent in the cover. I called Weber and they sent me a brand new cover plus new grates for just the cost of shipping!I personally would not get a Spirit. The Genesis Lid cover is much heavier and overall the grill it made much better then the Spirit. I know it is more money but it is worth the difference especially if you grill often and in the winter. The heavier Lid holds the heat in much better so it is not effected by the cold weather as much.

Damnit! That happened to my new grill a couple years ago and I've just lived with the dent because it doesn't affect the performance. Never thought they would replace the cover! Maybe I'll give it a shot now though. Do you recall how much the shipping was?

 

[Slick]

Damnit! That happened to my new grill a couple years ago and I've just lived with the dent because it doesn't affect the performance. Never thought they would replace the cover! Maybe I'll give it a shot now though. Do you recall how much the shipping was?

No it was awhile ago but the cover is very heavy. Weber could not have been nicer but they got my serial number and could see I just bought it 6 months earlier. I would not expect them to replace the Lid of an older grill.

 

[Rich]

Weber 6 burner. Love it. 48” grilling surface.

 

[Fishy]

We're buying a new one this week.

No idea which model, but it will be a Weber.

We built this house 19 years ago and bought a Weber on day one. We use it year round and it still works fine.

Heck of an investment there.

 

[jibsey]

My brother’s Weber is 25 and going strong.

 

[Deepster]

I had the same exact grill. I replaced the wood slats and burners and it still worked fine but the grease tray on the bottom finally rusted off and I decided to get a new one when we built an addition on our deck around six years ago. I put the old grill on the side of the house while debating what to do with it and the next day my lawn guy asked if he could take it. He said it's still going great.

Replacing it was a bit of a PITA because now you either go down to the Spirit, which imo is not as good, or up to the new Genesis line, which I believe requires the side burner--at least I couldn't find one without one at the time. I went up to the new Genesis,which has been fine, but like others have noted the side burner is a waste and you pay a lot more for that line.

you can find after market "flavor bars" for Weber grills on ebay that are a heavier gauge steel than the originals. Cheaper even with shipping, last longer

At some point the bars on my Genesis were rusted badly. One Sunday I’m driving and I see a beat up Genesis left free on the side of the road. The grates and bars were in great shape and I grabbed them and drove off. Huge score.

 

[boba]

Any one used/bought a Kamado style one? Good ones cost 1.5K+, which make one very hesitant.

 

[8893]

Any one used/bought a Kamado style one? Good ones cost 1.5K+, which make one very hesitant.

Friends of ours have one. Seems a bit much to me but they like it obviously, and the lamb chops they grilled on them were tremendous.

 

[boba]

Friends of ours have one. Seems a bit much to me but they like it obviously, and the lamb chops they grilled on them were tremendous.

You had to say lamb chops, didn't you. I also hear one can do pizza very well on them, although my skills at good pizza dough are not the same as the rest of my culinary repertoire.

 

[8893]

You had to say lamb chops, didn't you.

Lollipops. I ate so many I became self-conscious and started looking at their plates to see how many bones they had.

 

[UC313]

Has anyone tried or bought the flat iron or flat top grills? Not looking to buy one for myself, just curious is anyone has gone this route.

I have a four burner gas grill for most of my grilling and I took the grate off the far right side and replaced it was a cast iron flat iron griddle. Never turn on the far right burner other than making sure it works, but rather use it for holding food or searing it for final presentation. Like that there are no flare ups and by keeping it on indirect heat, no hot spots.

im 5 weeks into a 14” camp chef. Its got its issues but does everything i need it to do at our camper. Ive got an older weber charcoal kettle to fill in the gaps like cooking steaks.

 

[Dove]

For Propane, the Weber Genesis II is hard to beat. I got mine at a local BBQ shop, because that allowed me to get the black exterior and stainless interior parts. Big box stores don't sell that model. Has been superb. Replaced another Genesis I had for 15 years, which still worked. I gave that away.

Key with Weber is that everything in it can be replaced piecemeal quite easily. Parts are everywhere.

I have the same grill and color. Bought it at Page Hardware in Guilford. Replaced my 18-year old entry-level grill only because i needed more grilling area for my annual HopiFest family outing.

I have the bad habit of leaving the cover open without knowing rain is coming.

 

[Hoophound]

I bought a Weber and I loved it for quite a few years, but now it is about 7-8 years old and nothing works. The flavor bars are shot, the igniter doesn’t work, the flame tubes never fully ignite and despite being under cover, it has rust and corrosion. I will consider a Broil King. They get great reviews and are purposely designed to hassle Weber.

 

[UConnJim]

I bought a Weber and I loved it for quite a few years, but now it is about 7-8 years old and nothing works. The flavor bars are shot, the igniter doesn’t work, the flame tubes never fully ignite and despite being under cover, it has rust and corrosion. I will consider a Broil King. They get great reviews and are purposely designed to hassle Weber.

Some people will argue otherwise, but my Weber salesman said don’t use a grill cover as it traps moisture which can cause rust. For your other issues, keep the grill clean and if necessary buy Weber replacement parts.