Need A New Grill-What Brand?

[Todd&Copper]

Weber.

We had a "Patio Caddie" from Char-Broil for about 4 or 5 years, but the plate that disperses the flame was slowly flaking away and we decided to try a Weber when that one went. I love the Weber. The food grills so much more evenly than the C-B.

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

I'm really loving all these reviews. I have done a little more homework and we went to Sears to look them over. I would be satisfied with a portable Weber because we don't cook loads for big crowds EVER! So, I'm still not sure. I was comparing them with the Coleman portables and they seem very similar. Anyone have a Coleman? This thread is once again making me lean towards the Weber. Will I hate a portable size? I have looked at the grill unit and it seems size suffient for us. Any more thoughts? But still I'm thinking $$$ $$$!!!

 

[DebMcDonald]

I'm really loving all these reviews. I have done a little more homework and we went to Sears to look them over. I would be satisfied with a portable Weber because we don't cook loads for big crowds EVER! So, I'm still not sure. I was comparing them with the Coleman portables and they seem very similar. Anyone have a Coleman? This thread is once again making me lean towards the Weber. Will I hate a portable size? I have looked at the grill unit and it seems size suffient for us. Any more thoughts? But still I'm thinking $$$ $$$!!!

Is that referred to as the baby Q, because it so we got my parents that for X-mas or something as they loved their big weber and they are very very happy with it. They only use it for camping and they do have the stand.

 

[bookgirl]

honestly, my really big really expensive gas/charcoaler is nothing more than a really big dust collector. I use the cheapo walmart 20 dollar charcoal grill, that I bought as a one time emergency use last year, just about every other weekend in the summer. It's so easy to use and quick to clean up, and we prefer charcoal to gas taste. We'd have all these good intentions with the big grill but we just needed a small grill to cook for three (though I tend to cook enough for 2 or 3 meals plus lunches/leftovers) But the coals stay hot long enough even on the small grill to cook this, and it's just easier. Plus it's not a big deal if the 20 dollar one looks cruddy, I'll buy a new one when this one gets icky looking and worn out and won't think wow that's Xhundred dollars down the drain.

I say buy the smallest grill that will fit your needs and save yourself the headache....

PS about planning ahead....buy a chimney charcoal starter. They run about 8 bucks and you have cook ready coals in about 20 minutes, plus you need no lighter fluid...so all the charcoal yumminess comes through.

 

[bnorm27]

Weber hands down. Had a Char-Broil and that grill was a piece of junk. If you keep your Weber clean, it will last forever!

 

[cjackearl]

We ended up with a CR Best Buy, a Charbroil Commercial Series 4 burner grill available only at Lowes. The exterior is stainless as are the burners, which have a lifetime warranty, and the grates are porcelain coated cast iron, which give your grilled meats a great sear. Plus, this grill cost $300, versus $700 or more for a Weber, Vermont Castings or Ducane. The side burner is a nice bonus. You sometimes get what you pay for, according to the CR reviews, but not always. You don't have to spend big bucks for a Weber to get a really great grill.

 

[jdes88]

I don't think a name brand matters! As long as you buy a good cover, it's not going to rust---I live in the fingerlakes region of NY and we get high humidity in the summer too---with my cover on my grill, it's never rusted, and it's a cheapy one!

 

[gottaluvdis]

Another Weber recommendation here. We've had ours at least 10 years. Hubby keeps the grill in the garage and his car in the driveway!! It will last forever with proper care.

 

[dnoyes]

We're a two Weber family One at home and one at the cabin. Last weekend I slow cooked a 24 pound turkey on the patio using the first and third burners (they give you a nice book that tells you how to do these things) Our guests loved it and it was as easy as anything I've ever cooked. No mess to clean up.

As for the grill rusting, Weber has a spray for the cast iron grills that I use for the grill in the mountains, really I think it just like PAN cooking spray but either way you just spray it before you put it away for the season. Open it up in the summer and it looks like new

 

[MD DisneyFreaks]

I have a large Weber charcoal grill and I love it. Gas can't even begin to touch the flavor of real hickory and mesquite...yum!!

I use a chimney starter and I'm cooking within 15 minutes! In reality, it probably takes about the same amount of time as gas. It may take a bit longer to get the coals hot, but the charcoal burns very hot!

But again...it's all about the flavor in my book!

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

I was going to order the Weber Q 200 from Amazon but then realized it wasn't free shipping like I thought. I guess I was reading too many different grill sites at once. Now I'm thinking of just going to Target and buying it there with the stand and cover.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Been doing some looking around, I actually found a 600+ 98K BTU 6 burner Perfect Flame grill for 100 bucks unused, but that's another story...

Anyhoo, if you go with Stainless Steel, bring a magnet with you. Only the non magnetic stainless steel grills will not rust. If a magnet sticks to it, it WILL rust.

Also, if you get one with an enamel coating, the steel can flex and cause the paint to chip off.

Some names I've always associated with a good grill are of course Weber and Ducane. We have a 40 yo Ducane grill in the back yard (still works) and DH refuses to dismantle it to put up the new grill... ...

 

[bdcp]

Weber, hands down the best grill we've ever had. Brand name does matter. We've had other, cheaper grills and they haven't lasted more than a couple of years. I'm not talking rust, I'm talking the burners not working properly, the whole grill made of much thinner materials, and something as simple as the lighter breaking. We've never had a single grill rust and all have been black, none were stainless, but we have had 3 or 4 previous cheaper grills that just broke down and weren't worth fixing after less than 3 years. We've had our Weber for almost 5 years and it still works great and looks good.

 

[ahecht]

Thanks, I agree about the charcoal grills. We never plan ahead far enough and are too impatient for that, but I do love the taste. Anyone else?

I used to use gas, but I swear by charcoal now. I never noticed a time advantage to a gas grill -- you have to let the gas grill preheat for 10-15 minutes anyway to get good results. Besides, if I want a "grilled look" but without any of the charcoal taste I just use my oven's broiler.

For charcoal I use a Weber Chimney Starter that can have the coals hot and ready to go in 10-15 minutes. Other chimney starters, electric starters, and lighter fluid all take much longer. Plus the chimney was only $12 from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Weber-7416-Rapidfire-Chimney-Starter/dp/B000WEOQV8

 

[clh2]

Weber is excellent. Their grills tend to last forever.

Yes, weber is excellent. No - they do not last forever, we needed to replace our first gas grill after 17 years. Definitely bought a new Weber. Wouldn't have considered anything else!

And - the first 8 years of the 1st Weber - we didn't even have a stove/oven. We grilled all the time THe weather didn't matter, and we live in Wisconsin.

 

[kstatefamily]

We bought a Traeger grill-smoker two years ago. Best we have ever had. I smoked a brisket hte first weekend we had it and now I am the official meat provider for family functions.

 

[lemondog]

We have a Weber and DH loves it! It is connected to an inground gas line. I second the recommendation to get a good cover.

My dad has a dual Weber -- it has a gas tank or you can use charcoal with it. He has had that thing for 15+ years and it's still like new.