Expensive, Outrageous Grills are they worth it?

[Purrybonker]

So, I've owned a Fire Magic grill for about a decade and it's pretty much seen it's day. I've replaced burners, grates, igniters. etc. several times and although I'm happy with it's performance, when faced with a replacement proposition, I wonder which way to leap.

I mean we are serious grill people - we use our machine 4 or 5 days per week.

When I walk into the BBQ/grill shop I see a whole room full of grills in the $1 to $2 K range with mega BTUs and features galore. But then there is this special room with Fire Magic, Lynx, DCS, Kalamzaoo, Twin Eagles, etc. Quality stainless and same BTUs as the cheaper side of the shop but quadruple or more the price tags.

I dunno, I feel a bit like the person who knows nothing about cars trying to figure out why someone would pay huge bucks for a Porsche when a Ford Focus moves down the street in pretty much the same way.

Are those super-high end grills with the high four figure price tags really worth it?

[KFC911]

Ask Tabby ...

I'd say if you're a big time, hard core user....mebbe it's worth it...

I'm more of a smoker tho'...the meat don't care how fancy the rig is....225 is 225

[berettafan]

My Weber genesis has lived uncovered outside for maybe a decade and still works fine. I would see value in a sear station. Have not replaced any parts other than the igniter thing.

[OK-944]

We cover our Weber Genesis...but the cover needs replacing enough that I do think about just leaving it uncovered. We use this grill almost daily out on the deck during late spring through early fall...and often also use the accessory side burner to either boil or sauté stuff to go with dinner. Funny though about that sear station...ours has it but I've never used it!

[Chocaholic]

Have had two Weber gas grills for 20+ years each. A few burner/grate replacements over the years but still work great. And not mega-buck.

Had a green egg for a year and sold it. A PITA that was not the nirvana the moonies said it would be.

[billybek]

BGEs are not for everyone. I bought mine from someone like Mike at a fraction of the new cost.

There is an appliance place in town that sells gas grills. I would go and check out the scratch and dent built built in grills, burners and griddles. Still pricey but much cheaper than retail. The offerings were sometimes perfect, open box examples. End of the season here seemed to be the best time to shop.

[mattdavis11]

For that kind of money, I'd buy a smoker, adapt a grill to it, put it on trailer and take it anywhere.

[rusnak]

Weber Genesis here also.

[ckelly78z]

Stainless 5 burner Char-Broil from Lowes works fine for us. A fitted cover keeps it in good shape outdoors for 8 months a year......about $400.

[mgatepi]

Weber Genesis 12 years and counting. Just replaced the cover........$80. Should have bought the generic one for 40

[wilnj]

We’ve had our Weber Genesis for 15 years this month. It’s right sized for a family of 5 with occasional entertaining.

I think I spent about $700 for it as an off the floor model at a local appliance shop. The igniter stopped working early on. We keep it covered but it sits outside all year.

Still holding up great.


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[monoflo]

WG for sure.
4 to 5 times a week -year round - pretty much in the elements.
7 years
All previous ones used up in that time.
M

[edgemar]

The Lynx BBQs are impressive...built like a stainless steel tank.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Purrybonker

Are those super-high end grills with the high four figure price tags really worth it?

Not IMO.

[dad911]

So disappointed, I read the title as Girls.....

[vash]

Originally Posted by OK-944

We cover our Weber Genesis...but the cover needs replacing enough that I do think about just leaving it uncovered. We use this grill almost daily out on the deck during late spring through early fall...and often also use the accessory side burner to either boil or sauté stuff to go with dinner. Funny though about that sear station...ours has it but I've never used it!

Mine is also covered. I just “spring cleaned” it this weekend. Mine is the stainless model. No side burner

I find buy Weber covers. I buy the off brand at Home Depot. $25 vs $80 for the Weber cover.

[legion]

I remember back when the top-of-the-line grills were $800. My FIL went to the local hardware store and asked the owner how many he sold. He said: "None, but I sell a lot of the $400 ones by having the $800 on the floor." A couple of years later, the $2,000 grills hit the market. He asked the same guy how many $2,000 grills he sold. Same answer, but now the $800 were moving.

[craigster59]

Another Weber Genesis owner (along with a Weber kettle and a Komada which is similar to BGE). I got the 4 burner Genesis with side burner and sear station at Costco for $999.99. I find that it is the one I use the most.

[red-beard]

I live in an extremely humid environment. The "Stainless steel" grills rust. The internal parts rust. I never remember having such issues until getting these stainless grills.

I bought the cheapest grill, about $79, from Home Depot. it has a cast aluminum body. No rust. Yes, the burners need to be changed and the grates need to be changed. But it works.

OTOH, I have a Sams Club Vision (Ceramic, Kamado). 1 minute of MAPP gas to get a few spots of lump charcoal going, then using the cheapo battery powered leaf blower, I can get the charcoal going in about 5 minutes. That is about the same time to get the gas grill warmed up. And everything tastes better on charcoal.

[look 171]

You are paying for the quality of the SS. They are a much thicker gauge and they do not rust. I have a DCS that's been sitting outside for about 15 years, rain or shine without a cover. Its built in. A little cleaner and a brush, its good as new. Lift that grill open and wiggle it as you do it and compare. The difference is night and day. At the end of the day, they are basically all the same, it cooks your food.