I need a new propane grill-- which one??

[gchappel]

My 20yr old weber is dying. It actually still cooks fine- but the support legs are failing.
Stands uncovered outside. I know, I should take better care of it, but I don't.
I have always used the higher end Weber propane grills and have been happy with them. I cook a good steak.
But I have a friend that loves his infrared TEC
Another swears by the Napoleon brand
Another has a Turbo brand, which he likes as it uses ceramic briquettes
There are probably a dozen other brands.......
Rumor has it the new Weber's are not as well built as the older models??

I mostly cook steaks and burgers, but also everything else under the sun. I will need a true sear station- which Weber does not really have.
Grill gets used a lot- in FL. At least 3x a week,

They all look great in the stores-- new shiny with lots of features I will never use. There are local Weber and Napoleon dealers.

Any thoughts and experiences?
Thanks
gary

[cabmandone]

I'd hit FB Marketplace and snag a Weber Summit or Genesis. Those things seem to pop up around here frequently. I bought my son a Weber Spirit with a full tank of Propane for $50 on MP All I had to do was clean it and put a new burner control knob on it.

BTW, the Weber Summit, or at least mine, absolutely has a true sear station. There are three burners that are primarily in the center of the cooking area. The center burner of the three is an on off burner. Crank all three to high and there's no problem with searing.

[mgatepi]

I bought a Napolean last year with the sear station. Fantastic grill! Great quality. I would look at NApolean and Blaze they seem to be better grills.
I had the same problem with my Webber, had it for about 20 years and the legs rusted out. Replacement legs cost more than a new webber.

[Rtrorkt]

https://www.weber.com/US/en/charcoal/performer/

couldn't be happier. Propane start, charcoal to cook. Had mine since 2006, The movers bent the top and after 10 years weber replaced it no cost

[Gogar]

I've had a Broil King Regal s590 5-burner with an infrared burner and a rotisserie for about a year and it's really really good. Only complaint is that the infrared burner is pretty small and if you're searing steaks you have to do only one or two at a time.

Fortunately the regular burners can get SO DAMN HOT that you could sear on them.

Also one of the grate sections can be removed and there's a cast iron flattop insert that is an exact fit and that's really cool if you wanna do your flattop stuff right there. If you think you might do that often then maybe just get the 6-burner and have all the space you need.

My brother has a similar size Napoleon and he enjoys that too.

Keep em clean

[vash]

i have a Weber Genesis. an older model.

i love how they changed the orientation of the burners to run front to back. way better for indirect cooking.

if mine ever goes..i am buying a new Weber. i just know them. i have the stainless version, so i am thinking it may never rot out. i do wash it every once in a while and i keep it covered under a Weber brand cover..which is heads and shoulders over the rest i have tried.

[aschen]

Just bought a weber genesis.

My previous spirit lasted 8 years. I replace a the burners a few times, the grates several times, and the igniter once. Finally the body rusted through at the base/door. I grill at least 2 times a week all year, so Im not too mad at it.

Prior to that I had the larger stand up Q series weber. I think it is actually better than the spirit and maybe genesis as well. Less features and a lot more non rusting plastic. That one lasted about 10 years. Was still serviceable but at some point when a 400$ crusty grill requires 200$ in parts to refurb, I just move on.

[911 Rod]

I've been really happy with my Napoleon Prestige 500 Pro that I bought 10 years ago.
Do not buy a Napoleon from the big box stores as they are cheap and made in China.
All the extra features on the Pro are worth the extra few hundred dollars.
The Infrared SIZZLE ZONE™ Side Burner is the cat's meow for cooking steak.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by vash

i have a Weber Genesis. an older model.

i love how they changed the orientation of the burners to run front to back. way better for indirect cooking.

if mine ever goes..i am buying a new Weber. i just know them. i have the stainless version, so i am thinking it may never rot out. i do wash it every once in a while and i keep it covered under a Weber brand cover..which is heads and shoulders over the rest i have tried.

Same. I have an older model like yours with the burners running the long way. Would have preferred the newer version with 4 shorter burners instead of 3 long ones.

Would also get the side burner for outdoor frying. Short of a commercial style hood, the house is going to smell.

[craigster59]

I was just at Costco and they had this. I prefer the 3 burner but this isn't bad..

[Danimal16]

I have a 20 year old Fire Magic Custom II. They are made in USA, but a bit pricy.
Just last month the cast stainless burners gave out, after 20 years. Fire Magic sent me a new set as they mean it when they say they have a lifetime warranty.

I have had 2 fire magic outdoor kitchens in the past.

I have to say that the Weber Genesis is a great grill as well.

[rfuerst911sc]

I recently picked up a Weber Q model 3200 used for 50 bucks ! It was used for one year and in immaculate shape . Two burners it gets hot quick . I bought it to replace the Chinesium SS grill I bought from Home Depot . The SS is fine but all other metal is rusting . Hard to go wrong with Weber .

[stevej37]

I have a plain generic ss propane grill for 2-4 people....but I also have the 'Cave Man' in the pic below.
It's smaller...fits 2 steaks max...but it's propane infrared.

The heating pad is on the top and a minute after it's lit you can't get your hand near the grilling portion. A steak takes only a few minutes...it's super fast.
No flare ups because the drippings don't drop on the heat.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Weber Genesis here, had since probably 2012. Kept out in the weather but under a Weber cover and still looks new when I clean it up. I replaced the burners, flavor bars, and igniter a few years ago, that’s it. If it fell apart I would buy another, no question. We probably use it 2-3 times per week.

[911 Rod]

Funny (as usual) we all recommend what we have.

[gacook]

I got rid of my grill (gave it to one of the kids--I forget which brand it was...).

We moved to a Blackstone and a smoker. Can do everything on the Blackstone that I used to do on the grill, plus some. But we use the smoker more than anything.

[vash]

@gacook.

I’ve been grilling contactless lately. No grill marks. Using skewers like this. Cleanup is nonexistent. Tandoori chicken is a tough scrub afterwards.

[gacook]

Those yours, Vash, or a stock photo? Looks delicious!

I'll admit I DO like grill marks on my burgers and steaks...so, those I do on a cast iron pan that has raised lines for the marks

[vash]

Originally Posted by gacook

Those yours, Vash, or a stock photo? Looks delicious!

I'll admit I DO like grill marks on my burgers and steaks...so, those I do on a cast iron pan that has raised lines for the marks

those are mine.

i love me some tandoori chicken.
i could use a grill pan in my arsenal.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by vash

those are mine.

i love me some tandoori chicken.
i could use a grill pan in my arsenal.

Dude! Ya gotta give me the "how to" chicken.