BBQ Grill < $600.00 Recommendation

cab83_750 · 07-23-2008, 03:28 PM

Well, it is time again to replace the unit. Possibly my 20th.... you know, wear, team, rusting, neglect, you name it.

Anyway, I noticed that most grills are now stainless steel. Don't get me wrong, I love SS (my kitchen is Viking and Bosch). What I know, though, is that SS is hard to keep pretty.

What do you guys have?
What do you recommend?
Is SS better than the non-SS?
Looking at units from Costco. Should I just buy a unit from Hope Depot.

I have 3 tanks waiting to be used. Man, I missed the smell of bbq smoke.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I bought a Stainless unit from Sams Clubs about 4 years ago. The Outside looks fine/great. except for damage done by a hurricane (dents). The 'box" holding everything together is holding up great.

I have replaced the gas burners and grills. Before you buy, make sure that you can get replacement cast iron burners and plates which will fit your model, as those parts are the weak link and maintenance item on any grill.

Mule · 07-23-2008, 03:31 PM

Sam's house brand. Member's Mark. 3 burner, rotisserie, radiant heat, separate burner for frying or seafood. $600 several years ago, cheaper now. I have replace NOTHING. Cast iron burners, big heavy stainless grates.

cab83_750 · 07-23-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

......... The 'box" holding everything together is holding up great.

I have replaced the gas burners and grills. Before you buy, make sure that you can get replacement cast iron burners and plates which will fit your model, as those parts are the weak link and maintenance item on any grill.

The plates and burners have always been my issue. I have bought the stainless ones, the cast iron ones, you name it. And yes, I do perform the 'burn cleaning' and oiling routine, but no success.

Similar to you, the outside always hold up. But looking for parts is not worth the hassle anymore.

alf · 07-23-2008, 03:42 PM

Weber.

Got a the $400 Silver from Home Depot 7 years ago and it is still humming along with just changing the propane tank and the dripp collector. I think I did scrape the flavor bars and funnel once several years ago.

peppy · 07-23-2008, 03:51 PM

Cheapest one Sears had. Four years old and just like new. Heating dials are a joke, there is only setting wide open.

If you think your steak was cooked too done, buy a thicker steak.

Sorry it is so dirty, I haven't had time to spray it off.

jyl · jyl's Garage

I bought a smaller "Ducane" propane from Home Depot (they no longer seem to carry Ducane). All stainless steel, seems to be "good stuff" as magnets don't stick (to anything, not even nuts/bolts). Heavy-duty stainless steel grates.

Stainless steel looks nice on the outside, pretty easy to keep it looking nice (cover it, wipe down occasionally).

If you go that route, bring a magnet and make sure everything is really stainless steel, not plated or low-grade stainless.

Evenness and amount of heat is key and can't test in the store. So I guess ask around, find some BBQ forums (yes they exist).

And if you wait a couple months, they'll be on sale.

Joeaksa · 07-23-2008, 04:00 PM

Get a Hasty Bake charcoal grill. It will be the last grill you will ever buy as it will outlast you!

cab83_750 · 07-23-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

And if you wait a couple months, they'll be on sale.

Interesting! Is it because summer would be over soon? I BBQ year-round

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

My longest lasting grill was a $99 cheapy from the local grocery store. After a couple of replacements of the sheetmetal burner, I went with the smallest cast iron H-burner from Home Depot. Everthing held up, except the crappy sheetmetal cart. Eventually, 10 years in I bought something "new". I cut the legs from the old one and used it on camping trips.

I think I dumped it, still working, in Divorce #2. It was a cast Al shell, super cheapy model. Worked great. Oh, I do think I also replaced the cheapy galvanized grills with cast iron plates.

The "replacement" model, with a side burner, etc, lasted maybe 7 years, with the overly large Al shell weakening, bulging and finally cracking.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

Brinkman makes some good mid range grills. I have a stainless 6 burner (cast iron, I'd go bronze next time but the cast iron is "okay" and I BBQ ALOT so it's starting to rust out) infra-red back burner with rotary spit, sink on one side, side burner on the other. NICE PACKAGING with built in utensil drawer and propane tank on ball bearing slides.

Check out the Brinkman pro series, under $500 on sale.

berettafan · 07-23-2008, 04:35 PM

our $400 sears (kenmoore) stainless has been darn good. i don't clean it and the cover blew off last year. still looks fine. inside bits won't last forever but such is life. it is a 4 burner and gets very hot which i THINK is key. (i read grilling threads here and feel like an idiot).

just did some shrimp with mayo, lime juice, worcestershire & some salt&spice on it tonight. was well received and very easy.

Drdogface · Drdogface's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule

Sam's house brand. Member's Mark. 3 burner, rotisserie, radiant heat, separate burner for frying or seafood. $600 several years ago, cheaper now. I have replace NOTHING. Cast iron burners, big heavy stainless grates.

Ditto...works and looks wonderful.

Tidybuoy · 07-23-2008, 05:23 PM

I have (and like) a 3 burner webber. It's basic black and works great. I personally don't like the stainless bucause I am not the type to keep it spotless. I do keep mine covered.

I thin I paid about $400 which was probably 5 years ago.

Jims5543 · 07-23-2008, 05:28 PM

+1 on the Weber, got mine at Home Depot and sprung the extra money for the Weber Cover fitted to the grill.

I have had mine 5 years now and the only sign of wear and tear is the buildup on the grate and underneath. I like to call it flavoring.

I give mine hard use 12 months a year in Florida and it has held up wonderfully, not a single issue.

I also have a Weber Kettle that I use when I am in the mood and have the time for a good old fashioned charcoal grilling session.

Mule · 05:37 PM

$548 at Sam's

Charcoal $198

jyl · jyl's Garage

Yup - might be different in CA but doubt it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750

Interesting! Is it because summer would be over soon? I BBQ year-round

Palum6o · Palum6o's Garage

I've been using a full size Q for the last few years. I like the grilling surface, its nice a big and the slats are close together so I can grill asparagus by simply placing them directly on the surface. It produces fewer btu's than the other grills, but it gets hot enough. The grate is also nice, it stays hot so you can do most your cooking on low.

Joeaksa · 07-24-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750

Interesting! Is it because summer would be over soon? I BBQ year-round

Same here. A week does not go by that I do not burn some meat on the BBQ.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

As I said before, I love my 6 burner brinkman pro.........it gives you sooooooo much more control over a 2 burner or 3 burner..........you can cook with indirrect heat, put smoker chips on one side and your meat on the other, sear meat on one side while doing corn or veggies in the middle, and while it's a huge grill for just my wife and I, but it is the versatility of the big 6 burner that makes it great, not that I'm going to cook 40 hamburgers at once on it.......

I must BBQ 3-4 times a week.

Check out this website. www.smokingmeatforums.com

tons of good info there.