Gas Grills?

[sjwaste]

Sorry for the home-related threads lately. This is the first time I've owned a home, and the first time I've lived in one that actually had a yard since I lived with my folks way back before college. Since I've been renting shoeboxes for 8 years now, I'm a bit rusty

My fiancee just told me to get a grill, but not to go too cheap on something that won't last. We went to Home Depot to look around and saw a few that we liked. Weber felt the most solid, especially the Genesis. I'm partial to the E320 (the Genesis with the side burner). However, with all of the food-related threads here, I thought it would be a good place to ask.

Here are the criteria:

- Under $1000 (preferably in the $650 range like the Genesis)
- Propane (i dont want to run the NG pipe, only to have her rearrange the yard on me, and she requested a gas grill so that she can use it w/o me around, and she doesn't like charcoal, I know I'm going to get flamed for that here, but I know I'll buy myself a small kettle grill for charcoal action later)
- Durable. I can cover it, I can even put it in the shed when summer's over, but I don't want to worry about carting it inside every night during the spring and summer.

I don't really need a rotisserie, infrared burners, etc, unless they're a must have and I just don't know it. I figure I can always buy those as accessories if (never) we want them.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I know Weber makes solid products, and I've seen that it's about a $200 premium over other brands. Outside of that, I really don't know much but I'm open to suggestions.

 

[OdiN]

Whatever you get, make sure you get a ncie charcoal one.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Weber gas all the way. Genesis is a fine grill.

We have the Weber Genesis Silver - without the side burner. It's our 3rd gas grill in 6yrs time and we have now had it for 2yrs. Gets hot fast, rarely get flame-ups.

 

[Yzzim]

Definitely a Weber Genesis. Best. Grill. Ever.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: OdiN
Whatever you get, make sure you get a ncie charcoal one.

I knew that was coming

I'll probably get a smoker in the charcoal variety, and having the gas for grilling.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Weber gas all the way. Genesis is a fine grill.

We have the Weber Genesis Silver - without the side burner. It's our 3rd gas grill in 6yrs time and we have now had it for 2yrs. Gets hot fast, rarely get flame-ups.

Ouch on 3 grills in 6 years. Did they rust out, or were you just looking to upgrade? Is the Genesis pretty durable? I'd like to get 10-15 years out of mine, as my father did out of his Weber.

 

[HannibalX]

Not to be a nag but BBQ'ing and grilling are not the same thing.

If you just want a grill for steaks, chops and the like I would go with a nice charcoal model that has front load door for fuel and an elevator to control cooking temps. This is a good example.

If you want to talk BBQ smokers that's a separate piece of hardware.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: OdiN
Whatever you get, make sure you get a ncie charcoal one.

I knew that was coming

I'll probably get a smoker in the charcoal variety, and having the gas for grilling.

Use it for both. Get one of the smaller cast iron smoker boxes from Wally World and use that for normal cooking, and use soaked wood chips on low heat charcoal for a nice smoker.

 

[silverpig]

My dad just got a weber as well and it's definitely the best one he's had. Personally I'd make sure to get a natural gas one because I hate having to deal with the propane tanks, but if you feel differently then go for the propane.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider
Not to be a nag but BBQ'ing and grilling are not the same thing.

If you just want a grill for steaks, chops and the like I would go with a nice charcoal model that has front load door for fuel and an elevator to control cooking temps. This is a good example.

If you want to talk BBQ smokers that's a separate piece of hardware.

Fixed the topic. I'm looking for a grill.

I'm fairly well settled on the Weber Smokey Mountain for BBQ, but that's next summer's purchase.

 

[imported_weadjust]

I have a gas and charcoal grill with side fire box for smoking.. The side burner on the gas grill is great for starting my charcoal in a charcoal chimney starter. I use the gas grill when I want to cook something with no hassle. I grill about 3 times a week year round.

The Chargriller Duo is both a charcoal and propane grill. I have a chargriller charcoal grill and it's great. You can get one a Lowe's but lately I have seen the duo on sale at Kroger for $259.

http://www.chargriller.com/duogrill.html

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Weber gas all the way. Genesis is a fine grill.

We have the Weber Genesis Silver - without the side burner. It's our 3rd gas grill in 6yrs time and we have now had it for 2yrs. Gets hot fast, rarely get flame-ups.

Ouch on 3 grills in 6 years. Did they rust out, or were you just looking to upgrade? Is the Genesis pretty durable? I'd like to get 10-15 years out of mine, as my father did out of his Weber.

We live in a mild climate in the bay area of Cali and use our grill 3-4 times a week - year around. Our first was a cheapo $120 grill that rusted out pretty fast, burners did not hold up well at all.

Moved up to a Kenmore from Sears, a $300 grill we got on sale over Thanksgiving weekend for $180. Grill is still going strong, we sold it to a neighbor.

We bought the Weber about 2yrs ago on a Wal-Mart closeout, was $500 and we paid $350. It was the right time for the upgrade and now that we have the Weber we definitely should have skipped on buying the Kenmore and went straight to the Weber.
It's that much better. it would appear that Weber raised their prices significantly in the last year or so!

We leave ours outside and have a vinyl grill cover for it that rarely gets used outside of the rainy winter season. It still looks great and the stainless doors polish up nicely.

We also have a cheapo electric smoker for brisket, shoulder, and ribs. Works like a champ but the damn neighbors come out the woodwork when the smoker is going.

 

[IGBT]

..gas is the way to go. cleaner. better tasting and when you shut it off it's off.

 

[BoomerD]

Another vote for the Weber. We've burned out so many cheap-o grills including the crap that Sears puts the Crapsman name on nowadays.
We found a Weber Genesis Gold on sale at Home Depot about 3 years ago for the same price as one of the Made in China Crapsman grills.
What a difference in quality!

If you REALLY want to spend a bit more and get a quality grill...there are places that specialize in the high end grills, and you can go crazy and spend several thousands of $$ on a really nice one, or get a low-end model (that's still better than what you'll find at any of the wally-worlds, home depots, etc.) for $1000 or less.

IMO, the Weber is a nice compromise between quality and price.

forgot the link:
http://www.gasgrillsdirect.com...hen%20(Outdoor)_Grills

 

[Nocturnal]

Weber hands down are some of the best gas grills you can buy.

 

[Pacfanweb]

A gas grill is just an outdoor oven, but if you like baking in a propane oven outside, a Weber is the way to go.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Definitely a Weber. They are excellent grills.

If you can sell your wife on it, Weber makes a grill called the Performer, that is a hybrid gas/charcoal system. It uses a small propane cylinder (think portable grills) to start the charcoal. No messing around with lighter fluid or chimney starters. Just dump the coals in, turn on the gas for 5-10 minutes, and the charcoal is ready. Link.

The Performer is an excellent compromise.

Otherwise, the Genesis series are quite nice and you won't go wrong with one.

ZV

 

[Asparagus]

Never had a Weber although my in-laws have one and they really like it. We've had a Vermont Castings grill for the past 3 years and have had absolutely no problems with it. I use it about once a week and love it.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..gas is the way to go. cleaner. better tasting and when you shut it off it's off.

HAHAHHA. Thanks I needed a laugh! :evil:

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Pale Rider

Originally posted by: IGBT
..gas is the way to go. cleaner. better tasting and when you shut it off it's off.

HAHAHHA. Thanks I need a laugh! :evil:

Oh, my...I missed that one. What a joke. If he thinks it tastes better, he's the only person in the world who does.

 

[Auric]

Rather than jumping on the grill cart bandwagon, consider slapping together a brick one. It could be half and half: one side for coals and one for proh-puhane. Cast iron grills, naturally. Minimal parts to fail, simple maintenance, and can be more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..gas is the way to go. cleaner. better tasting and when you shut it off it's off.

LIES!

 

[RichieZ]

webber FTW

We have a webber genisis jr. We have have had it for 10+ years now. I remember building it way back.

 

[sjwaste]

I think I have it down to the Weber Spirit or the Genesis. The Spirit is smaller and has enameled steel grates (but the enameled iron replaceements like the Genesis has are only $60). Genesis has an upgraded ignition, more surface area, better grates as stock, and a couple other upgrades. Both have a 25 year warranty on the hood and tank (or whatever its called) and I think 5 years on everything else. Burners and grates aren't that expensive to replace, so this thing will probably last me a very long time.

Only thing is the $200 price difference. I just have to figure out if more surface area and the grates (so, $140 difference, all else equal) is worth it to me.

I saw the performer in store. Considering that, but it uses those small propane cylinders and says each will give you ten lights. Considering whenever I've had a grill in the past (basically, when I lived with my parents), I would use it 3x a week, that's going to get expensive fast. I suppose I could use a chimney starter for myself, and save the propane ignition for my fiancee when she wants to use it. I dunno. I think overall, the gas grill is going to be more convenient. I may just save the charcoal for the smoker.

I appreciate everyone's help and input!

 

[TwiceOver]

You'll also never need the side burner. At least everyone I know that has one has never used it. I usually set my beer on mine.