Grills

[SweetErika]

My mom wants to buy Hubby a gas grill for his birthday, but we're having trouble deciding what to get. Our budget is about $500, and we primarily grill chicken, seafood and veggies. We don't grill a ton, but probably would more if we had a good BBQ.

She likes the 2009 Weber Spirit E-310, which is around $500.

The 2008 Weber Spirit E-310 is currently on sale for $300.

Do you know anything about Weber grills? Pros, cons, good or bad experiences with them? Do you think the new model is worth the extra $200, or would we be better off with the 2008 model (and maybe putting some of the savings into a cover, propane tank, and other accessories)?

I'm also interested in Char-Broil grills (like this 3-zone and these. They look pretty sturdy and the Red Infrared system caught my eye. I'm also curious about whether commercial or non-commercial is generally better. Do you know anything about them, or how they compare to Weber grills? Or is there another brand altogether we should be looking at?

Anything else we should know about buying a grill, good sources of info, etc.?

Thanks in advance, Master Grillers!

 

[fireymatt]

Personally i have this... http://www.napoleongrills.com/Gourmet-grills/PT600RBI.html#
and it has that infrared "sizzle zone", which is great to cook things quickly or sear the outside of them.... its a fairly large unit, but there is lots of entertaining going on so i dont mind.
Weber, Char-broil, Vermont Castings, Napoleon are all fairly higher end units.
Stainless seems to be the way to go, although alot of them have models with an enamel finish and there is lots of colours to choose from. I didnt get a side burner, i had one before and never used it so i opted out this time... and dont miss it at all
heavy stainless components mean the grill will last forever... so look for heavier burners and grills.... and also heat deflectors below
if you can use natural gas.... endless supply and never run out, plus a NG unit will last longer than a propane one (there is less moisture in the fuel itself)..... the problem is your tied to a hose of about 5' in length
Just pic one that you 'like' and im quite certain he will love you for it..... spend what you can afford, nothing worse than having one too small....ENJOY

 

[Cathleen]

I can't see any difference worth $200 and do think getting a cover, tools and a mat would be good money spent.

I'm with Matt about hooking up to a ng line, there always seems to come a time when someone forgets to get a propane tank filled.

 

[SweetErika]

Hmm... I don't know how practical it'd be to hook it up to our gas line. Our only gas thing is our furnace, which is downstairs and on the opposite side of the house from where the BBQ will go. I'm guessing the gas line runs straight from the street into the garage or laundry room where the furnace is, and stops there, but maybe I'm wrong about that. I'd probably have to go look at the house plans with the county or something to find out for sure.

I'll check out those other brands you mentioned, Matt. I agree with you on the side burner (I can't see using it enough, especially since our kitchen isn't too far from where the grill will go), and am glad to hear your opinion on the infrared.

I guess I wonder what makes Weber so much better than Char-broil or comparable brands that they cost so much for relatively few features. The Spirit E-310 we saw at Home Depot didn't seem that great or sturdy in comparison to the Char-broil in the same class. The grill itself was fine, but the cabinet was kind of flimsy and it the whole thing was pretty bare-bones for the price. I question whether Weber's just charging for the name, or if the products are really that much better than other big-name brands.

 

[just for fun]

The Weber grills are built like tanks and they last a long time. I've had mine for about 10 years while all the other cheapos I had before it would have fallen apart.

My mom has a newer Weber with the updated flavorizer bars and man that thing heats up hot and quick, great for seering meat. Follow their instructions for cooking and you can't go wrong...

 

[darrad143]

screw the gas grill go with the weber performer it is a charcoal grill with propane start. so no lighter fluid needed. coals are ready in like 10 min

 

[sircumvent]

SweetErika,

If the grill appeared flimsy in the store, then your intuitions are probably correct. I've never understood spending a ton of money on a gas grill. I can understand the convenience, but not the cost. A cheaper version will cook chicken, asparagus, corn or whatever you want just as well as the more expensive version, but may not look as cool.
Personally, I use 16 concrete blocks shaped in a U with a grate across the top. I use pecan, oak or hickory coals to cook anything imaginable.
Good luck on your final decision and happy grilling.

If you're ever down my way give me a shout and I'll cook you up something proper.

 

[dave's thing]

I don't know what tools you need but a cover is a must!! I've always had great success with a Weber.

 

[albertaboy]

I have a Broilking natural gas grill and love it.

I paid about $500 for it, unless you are a grilling freak, don't spend money on all the extra stuff, you will probably never use it.

What is worth paying for is three burners instead of 2 or the H shaped burner, far better heat distribution.

 

[badmatt]

just my $.02....

Weber makes fine grills. But just like buying Sony, 40% of what you pay for is the name. In the $500 range there are a number of excellent grills available. And while the mechanics of cooking as related to the Weber are no better or worse than most others, there's one thing to remember. Once you have it you will want to entertain with it as the centerpiece of the meal. That means more food on the grill at a time. Which means cooking surface is key. And in that regard, you NEVER ever get your money's worth with a Weber.

I'm personally a big fan of Ducane grills. Somewhat like Weber, you are paying for the name, but you tend to get more grill for your money and they're WAY better than Weber on quality. Most of the people I know with Weber gas grills have replaced burners and hoses in less than 3 years.

I understand what some are saying about not spending a lot, but you're investing in something that is probably gonna change the way you cook considerably. I have a very large back yard and patio, and while I still do considerable cooking on My two Weber 22" charcoal grills, the convenience of the monster I have from Ducane that's out on the patio can't be beat. The infrared zone is for searing, then you take whatever you're cooking away from the infrared aand let it finish over the traditional burners. And the infrared rotisserie burner is a godsend for whole chickens or roasts.

3 Heating zones (if it has infrared) /burners is the minimum. Don't worry about how sturdy the cabinet is, worry about the grill case itself. The case and the stand are the only important parts, you're eventually gonna break off a door on the cabinet or snap one of those fancy plastic folding tables. If it's got a side burner that's a plus, but not 100% necessary.

All in all just remember. What ever you do, don't go under $200 unless someone's got last year's $300 model on clearance. The ones under $200 never last through one solid summer of cooking.

Ducane at Amazon

 

[klippert]

you will go NUTZ

Once you start looking for a Gas grill you will start too go NUTZ.....I have been looking for a new grill myself.....Your choices of Weber are right on.....Char-broiler is a very good product.....What I look for is Replacement parts.....some grills are super cool, until you have too replace a part.....Weber and CB parts are available at ACE.....or Home Dumbell or Lowes.....

My personal Advice, Let your husband pick out the grill he wants....From experience selling golf equipment......I watched a very nice lady come in and get told all the information on a club......bought the club....the next weekend I was at the counter when a gentleman came in too exchange the club. The sales man didn't Bullshit her in any way, her hubby had a club in mind and that's what he bought..more expensive too.......A little light came on in my head.....every time a lady came in looking for a present for her hubby or BF......I told her to by a gift card, unless she had a specific club or product in mind......I relate this to buying intimates for mrs_K.....or clothing for that matter......She, like me, have very differing taste.......and Mrs_k never disappoints me

Give him a gift card or go with him and let him pick it out.....

 

[fireymatt]

Lots of great advice on here........
if you WANT to go NG... it wont be that much $$ to run a line outside, its really a matter of if you move your 'que' around. NG doesnt burn as 'hot' as propane... so keep that in mind.
For alot of people... using the que is a form of socailizing espec. if you entertain alot.... not just a means to cook.
I forgot about Ducane... great ques as well.
You certainly can tell quality when you see it and feel it.... Vermont Casting have very heavy lids... so people assume they are built tough....
i opted for the grill with stainless steel rods for the surface and the searing plates below.
i use it a ton and having as much stainless is great, some use porcelin racks which are very good too.... but can chip and start to rust....
let us know how you make out...