Wanted: GOOD combo grill

[jonnyGURU]

Last year, I got a Charbroil charcoal grill with gas ignition.

It was cheap... only $129 at Wal Mart, but I proved to the family that it's something I use and use well.

Unfortunately, because it was "cheap" there's some issues, but the basic functionality is still there. I can fire up the propane grill to whiten the coals or get the wood chips smoking and do whatever I need to do.

But now I think I should consider something a little more serious.

I see Weber has a similar offering in their "Performer" line and Charbroil has a "Big Eas" version of mine. Thing is, NOBODY has these in stock!

Are they any good? Are there better choices out there?

 

[rayjayturbo]

Johnny, I have one of the early Performer grills from Weber and love it. The only drawback I have found is it's on the small side if you cook for more than a few people. The early Performer grills were heavy on stainless, the newer ones look like some type of polymer or plastic to bring the price down. They are available at the Home Depot. I received mine as a gift from my work. There is probably better out there but I am happy with mine.

 

[Blastomyces]

Weber > all.

Unless you go for some ultra uber customized set up. My parents got some Viking grilll built into a brick counter in the back yard for $10K. I dont know if they make charcoal set ups like that though.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: rayjayturbo
Johnny, I have one of the early Performer grills from Weber and love it. The only drawback I have found is it's on the small side if you cook for more than a few people. The early Performer grills were heavy on stainless, the newer ones look like some type of polymer or plastic to bring the price down. They are available at the Home Depot. I received mine as a gift from my work. There is probably better out there but I am happy with mine.

I tried to find the Performer when I bought my Charbroil and couldn't find it down here. Home Depot doesn't have it where I live. Weber's site said the only dealer was a small grill shop in the next town over.

If it's smaller, that may be a problem. My Charbroil is of the "normal size" and I sometimes wish it was bigger. Four steaks across and a foil filled with veggies and every square inch is used up. I wouldn't want to go smaller than that.

I'll have to check Home Depot again and see if I can find one. If it's got at least the same amount of surface area, I'll get that one.

 

the chargriller that they have at lowes is kickass
it has massive grill real estate

 

[jonnyGURU]

The "Chargriller?"

Is that a model name?

 

no, the model is Super Pro

Its 120 at lowes, 50 bucks more and you can get it with the side fire/smoking box

 

[jonnyGURU]

Hmm.. Looks pretty cool. Probably BUILT better than the Charbroil, but that propane starter doesn't look like it does much more than STARTS the fire. I usually run my propane flame until the coals are white, and if I want to use the side burner.

Oooh... In fact, I'm looking at the Weber and it doesn't look like the gas assist is too different. Hmm... I may have to build my own.

 

chimney starters work great dude, no need for propane assistance

 

[jonnyGURU]

Chimney Starters DO work great. Used one with my old Weber. But you lose the side burner w/o propane and with propane assistance you don't have to migrate the coals from the chimney to the grill and they heat up so much faster.



I'll have to find a way to tweak out my own grill, especially as it seems even Charbroil has discontinued such an animal.

 

I can't relate to the side burner needs - I've never used one

This is the grill i want - http://www.grilllovers.com/shopItemDetail.aspx?itemid=7794005

 

[jonnyGURU]

Oh yeah. That's a nice charcoal grill.