Gas Grillers: Weapon of Choice?

[911SauCy]

Ok.

The wife's birthday is in a week and she has been begging for a new grill, she is a fantastic cook who loves to grill.

I've never bought a grill, always accepted hand me downs, and would really like to invest in something that will live to see a ripe old age like the Weber we currently have/I restored 3 years ago.

Judging by the "What's For Dinner" thread there are some serious grillers within the PBT.

What brands do you swear by and why? I'm trying to spend no more than $750, think I can get something reasonable for that...?

[stomachmonkey]

Big Green Egg - The Ultimate Cooking Experience

[mikesride]

Gas grills in that price range would include another Webber or perhaps a Holland Grill. Heads up, the Webber will probably get hotter than the Holland. If you can stretch the budget a bit have a look at a Traeger...(spelling??) my buddy has one, works well as a grill and awesome as a smoker BUT runs on wood pellets not gas.

[jpk]

I'd definitely go with another Weber if I ever need a new grill. My old Genesis going on 20 years now. I can still get parts if I need them. I've only had to replace the "flavor bars" once (about 3 years ago). The cast iron cooking grates are holding up well. Even the ignitor works.

[gshase]

What ever you get I recommend heavy stainless steel greats and cast stainless steel burners.

[Rusty Heap]

The Biggest Selling point of my Brinkman Pro Series grill, was that it has CAST IRON burners that last 5-6 years, instead of replacing wimpy stainless tubes every year.......I grill A LOT.

I don't grill 40 hamburgers at once, but I DO like a big 6 burner wide grill, as it allows you total control whether to use direct or in-direct heat.

Cast Iron Burners last a long long time!

Replacement Part 29351 4 Pack Brinkmann Gas Barbecue Grill Cast Iron Burner on eBay!

[Rickysa]

Hasty Bake...hands down.

You can sear or slow-cook or even smoke.

Lump charcoal, not briquettes, and definitely not gas...may as well cook in the stove.

We grill 3-4 times a week year-round...it's well built and won't burn up on you.

If you want a real investment, look at Trager wood-pellet grills...although they aren't good for searing

[onewhippedpuppy]

We finally made the leap to a decent BBQ after years of replacing cheap Walmart Brinkman and similar models every few years. We bought a Weber Genesis ($700-ish) and could never go back. Absolutely night and day improvement, even for a crappy cook like me. Burgers and steaks are so much easier to cook and taste far better because you can actually control the temperature. Ours lives outside with a cover and still looks brand new after a year.

Pellet grills are nice but SLOW, the time to warm up is similar to charcoal. My father in law has one and likes it, but still has a gas grill for quick burgers and brauts.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by jpk

I'd definitely go with another Weber if I ever need a new grill. My old Genesis going on 20 years now. I can still get parts if I need them. I've only had to replace the "flavor bars" once (about 3 years ago). The cast iron cooking grates are holding up well. Even the ignitor works.

Good to know. I bought a Genesis 2 years ago. I like cooking with it, but the gas system is more touchy than my old grill. I have to bleed (or reset or whatever they call it) the safety flow restricter in the gas system about every other time I use it.

Where is the restricter? Is it in the regulator, or is it part of the gas tank? Weber sent me another regulator and it didn't make any difference. Anyone have any tips on making the gas flow every time?

[sammyg2]

I'm using a stainless steel char-broil infra-red and am happy with it.
get's pretty darned hot, plenty hot enough to sear, easy to control, but will not flare-up.
I like that.
$325 on sale IIRC.

BTW I'm running natural gas piped from the house. Propane sux.

[jpk]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Good to know. I bought a Genesis 2 years ago. I like cooking with it, but the gas system is more touchy than my old grill. I have to bleed (or reset or whatever they call it) the safety flow restricter in the gas system about every other time I use it.

Where is the restricter? Is it in the regulator, or is it part of the gas tank? Weber sent me another regulator and it didn't make any difference. Anyone have any tips on making the gas flow every time?

I have no idea... they didn't have any of that safety crap 20 years ago...I'd probably guess it's all in the regulator.

One thing I did notice (and have gotten used to) is that I have to turn off all the gas burner controls, then open the valve on the tank. This is not unique to Weber; I think all regulators need to see equal pressure on both sides of the regulator for the gas to flow correctly.

[JAR0023]

My best friend has a Holland. His only complaint is it won't get hot enough. Otherwise he has no issues, but then his lives in a garage when not in use.

My only real advice is not to buy a 'house brand' grill. You may never find parts.

My current grill is a five year old Char-Broil Commercial in stainless. It lives outside in MS so plenty of rain and lots of humidity. I just this year had to do anything with it other than cook. I replaced the tube burners, flame tamers and grates for around $100. All the parts were readily available and cheap via Amazon. Should be good for another 4-5 years.

-J

[vash]

Weber annoyed me big time.

i have a Weber Genesis in Stainless. love the grill. the only thing that would make it better is if the burners would run front to back instead of left to right.

you know what? the very next year, Weber made the change!! bastards!!

the new burner configuration gives you really nice off heat cooking options. i bet you could turn on both side burners, set a chicken in the middle over a unlit burner and get great results. mine, i have to open up the grill to flip the food. heat blows out the opening, and lengthens cook time.

get the new genesis in stainless. some barkeepfriend will make it look like new after a huge bash.

[911SauCy]

Thanks for the info so far all!

Funny Weber Genesis came up multiple times, thats the series I was looking at the most amongst others.

Sean

Here's the last thing outstanding to me...

Where did you buy them?

I have reservations about buying at Lowe's/Home-Cheapo in knowing damn well the John Deere mower you get at a Deere Dealer is dramatically different...

Think the grills are the same?

In reading all of their descriptions sounds like materials etc are same.

[VINMAN]

I have one of these Sams club grills. Have it hooked up to my house NG.
Going on 11 yrs old can complain. It gets very heavy use and is holding up well

.

[911SauCy]

^^^good to know.

[Zeke]

I think the Char Broil Commercial Series is a lot of grill for under 400 bucks. Lifetime burner warranty. I had an older unit that I pulled out of a built-in outdoor kitchen. I used it for several years and it was already pretty used. If today's units are anything like that, they would be a contender.

[Moses]

[RWebb]

it does not matter what is best

what matters is what she will like the best

talk to her gf's and find out if she has ever mentioned a "dream grill" or any characteristics that could be used to locate her dream grill

- you get Brownie points just for trying to figure this out (and her gf's WILL let her know)

also, something that can be exchanged

[Hydrocket]

Napoleon Grills for me. Lifetime warranty on burners and other components. One of the best grills on the market amd rated highly by CR. http://www.napoleongrills.com/ To give you an idea of how robust these are...I'm STILL on my 1997 model and the only thing I've ever had to replace was an igniter. The burners are still as new. There's a reason there's a lifetime warranty on these...because they will last that long.

Which ever grill you decide, buy a set of Grill Grates. These are a must have IMO. Can't believe I went so long without them. The BEST accessory for a grill you can buy IMO.

Your must-have grilling grate for any and every grill | GrillGrate