BBQ Grill Recommendations
Mates,
I just pulled some ribs off the grill and I am afraid my gas BBQ grill is done-for. The baffles are crumbling and the lighter went out. We have been lighting with a match, no big deal, but with the innards turning to dust its time to get a new one. I know some of you are wizards at the BBQ thing and hopefully won't mind sharing some great 'value' ideas on a new BBQ.
So this summer time question is pretty simple: What are your recommendations for a gas BBQ grill, and where might they be available?
Thank you for you suggestions.
XM
Go with a Weber- it’s a bit pricier than some other options but the quality and customer service make it well worth the dough.
any particular model you'd suggest?
I have a Weber Performer with the propane burner starter. Can’t recommend it enough. There’s been many an evening that we grilled (when we wouldn’t have otherwise) because I knew starting the coals would be foolproof.
Gas? Weber Spirit 3 burner...yes I have a gas grill, a charcoal grill and a smoker. Don’t look at me like that. :)
+1 on the Weber Performer. I’ve had mine 10+ years. It’s still going strong & looks good.
Its nearly as convenient as a gas grill & works solidly as a smoker. It really is a do it all grill.
To get the propane lighting system (which is awesome) these days, you have to get the “Performer Deluxe” which you can find for under $450.
you and those like you are the exact people i was hoping would chime in on this. i'm afraid to look at the cost though, guessing some of those are pretty pricey.
I have a blue Weber 22" kettle with table (similar to Performer, but without the starter / charcoal bin). I bought it new in 2005 and it is still going strong. Only things I've replaced are the coal bins that go inside for creating direct / indirect zones and the grate (which I replaced with a fancy cast iron grate that was suggested by the MGoBBQ guy).
If you go charcoal, get a chimney starter...super easy getting the coals going and you don't need lighter fluid or the lighter fluid soaked coals. I just crumple a couple pieces of newspaper under the bottom, fill it with coals and light the paper in/on the grate. 10-15 minutes later, pour it into the grill and ready to go.
What is newspaper and can I get it on amazon?
You are a good man.
I thought every body has all 3.
I would have 3 but I use a Komodo style as a charcoal grill/smoker
Seconding the Weber Spirit 3 burner. A hidden gem about Weber gas grills is that when the innards (burners, flavor bars, grates, etc.) do eventually wear out you can easily (seriously) rebuild it for cheap. The grill body itself is built like a tank and on most cheaper grills the body will rust through about the time the burners start to go. I think I spent about $450 on mine originally and then 6 years later replaced all of the insides for about $125 total. That should get me another 5-6 years. So even if I buy a new one at that point, I spent less than $600 for ten plus years of great grill.
And for sure agree on having a charcoal and gas both.
Did you buy the spare parts directly from Weber? Or somewhere else? I have a Spirit 3-burner myself and am 3 years in with it. I've had a cover on it whenever I haven't been using it, but the insides are starting to accumulate rust. I imagine I will need to be replacing parts around 6 years like you mentioned.
Check amazon. There are a number of Chinese sellers who sell all the parts for half the price. (Although, I would probably go with an OEM replacement for the burner tubes). I just got some replacement flavorizer bars and they work fine.
Ive gotta take a look at parts I have a Weber Spirit 3 burner for about 10 years it stays outside all year (New England) albeit well covered. The innards are fine but the starter quit and the frame at the bottom where both the caster is inserted and door hinge connected has rusted out lead to the right hand door coming off and caster popping out routinely.
Not to hijack the thread, but...
What kind of smoker? Charcoal or electric? Why? Brand?
A smoker is my next major purchase.
And while we're on the subject, where do you get your meats? Especially brisket?
Get a PRIMO smoker - better than the Weber Green Egg - holds heat fantastically well, high quality. will last a lifetime...
Agreed. If you can wait, many stores will put their webers on clearance in Jan/Feb. I got a Spirit 300 series for $150 from Walmart a couple years ago.
Dude, any true Michigan fan is going to go with a Grillworks 42”. Designed by a UM professor and made in Michigan. It’s the Champion of grills. Look it up.
I was curious, so I looked it up. Why not just upgrade a little to the 42 "CRE" and drop a cool $11k. Holy freaking cow. Unless you're a professional grill cooker guy, how is that conceivable?!?
No. Newer Webers are complete overpriced shit. They sold part of the company to Chinese equity a couple of years ago, and quality took a nose dive. They use parts like plastic bolts, their wheels are crap, burners are thin cheap steel and they rust out fast. Last years models did not even have doors on them. They put doors back on for 19 because dealers complained. And the 19 doors are shit.
Avoid Weber. They are NOT the same Weber that they were 10-20 years ago.
Note: I was a top grill sales manufacturer rep from 2017-19. I did not work for Weber obviously...and they are shit.
Weber is still a quality product. If not Weber than what do you recommend?
Go to the Amazing Ribs website. They are like the CNET of cooking reviews.
It depends on budget. Under $1000 is a crap shoot because most manufacturers in that range are not using 304 stainless steel, they are using 430 or some lower grade. If under $1000, then Weber should be OK, just do not expect to get 10+ years out of it like the Old Webers used to get. Also, expect more warranty issues and problems.
Over $1000, look at Blaze (BBQ Guys website, they make that grill and sell it along with others), AOG (which is owned by RH Peterson who makes the high end grill FireMagic), Delta Heat (owned by Twin Eagles), Lynx...etc. Avoid Napoleon, they have a lot of issues with quality and use cheap parts.
Over $3000 look at FireMagic, Twin Eagles, Alfresco, DCS and more. You can get a great grill all 304 stainless which will last 20 years.
I just bought a Weber Spirit (which still has no doors for 19) and it seems pretty nice so far. I can't speak to the longevity yet since I just got it though. I prefer the no door design, I never really stored anything in there on my last grill and it was just a hiding place for spiders.
I do admit the wheels are pretty crap but my grill sits in one place 99% of the time anyways. Anyways, I'm not in the grilling industry, just did a ton of research before spending this much on a grill and reviews seemed to be universaly good for Weber. So far my experience with my new grill is great.
Im glad you like it. The problem with no doors is that the drip tray is exposed, which animals/pets or kids can get in to...which can burn them. It can also get very messy under there. Be sure to keep it covered when not using it and empty the drip tray catcher.
I’m in desperate need of a new grill as well and have been looking. I think I’m going to double up and get a 6 burner Char-Broil and a Big Green Egg! Those things are awesome!
can you share models, prices, places to buy that you think would be advantageous?
Kamado Joe Classic 2 is an excellent device, edges out the Big Green Egg in quality seal, balanced lid, better top vent and better accessories, but it’s close.
Most important advice for all is GIVE UP GAS and go Kamado w/lump charcoal. It’s fast, efficient, and tastes like a BBQ should. I buy 40# bags for $15 at Cash and Carry, I grill a ton, and that’s six-eight month supply.
I smoke for 16 hours at 200 F w/o refueling and sear steaks at 650 F. Close it down, charcoal goes out, and most is left for next time. Smoke a turkey, smoke pork shoulder. Pizza. Crown rack of pork. It’s amazingly versatile.
Best cooking device ever
Admittedly, I'm a wannabe, pudknocker smoker. But I have a question:
How do you smoke for 16 hours without refueling?
Ceramic smokers are extremely efficient (thick ceramic retains heat) allowing for really long cooks. Love my BGE.
I can't warn you enough about getting a 6-burner grill. Large grills take a long time to get hot. Are too big that they can't maintain their heat. Lastly, you rarely need the entire surface.
Go smaller and you'll never have a bad grilling experience. I can't emphasize this enough.
If you get a Char-broil...save a spot out by the curb for when you place it there in 2.5 years after it rusts out to shit.
living this now...
We had a Charbroil Infrared for six years. Finally got a Weber to replace it—I found the CharBroil cooked better with regard to flare ups. But I’m getting used to the Weber system and food is turning out well.
I also have a BGE for smoking, which I also recommend like others.
Are you using the Weber app? It’s interesting that you’re seeing a lot of flare ups because you shouldn’t be on a Weber.
^^^THIS. I have my last CharBroil that I'll ever buy. It will get me through the summer/fall until prices drop over the winter and I can replace it with something that will last longer than about 2 years. This is my 3rd... I get lured in by that pricetag and the reviews left by whothehellknows. I grill year-round & the gas grills are great for a quick dash out to the deck in any weather, fire it up, broil some burgers or fish (without making the whole house funky), and duck back inside.
I agree with a few other replies. Gas is good if you want an outdoor BROILER. Coal & wood are for BBQ. Gas is for broiling. There's a place for all 3 - grill, gas, & smoker.
Also, for the gas grill, 2-3 burner is all you should need & all you should need. Quicker to heat up, holds heat better than larger models, and if you're doing something bigger, get a good BBQ grill.
You know why it's called "char broil" right? Because of the uneven heating all your expensive meats will be charred. I had a char broil several years back, absolutely laughable garbage. Weber may have sold off part to the chinese but their product is still decent if you can get it on sale. Otherwise I would just go with the Lowes or Walmart cheapie for now. The Big Green egg, yes, no problems there, would love to have one myself.
I’m a Weber fan and have a spirit 3 burner which I’ve had just under 10 years, I would recommend it the second Weber spirit 3 that I’ve owned the first one lasted about 14 years and I only got a new one because I moved and it seemed like a good time. I use a chargriller Akorn which is a nice alternative to pricier Komodo style cookers. It has a steel shell and has ceramic walls on the inside which retain the heat like with Big Green Egg. The factory seal is t the best but an upgraded one can be had for 25-30 bucks. I’ve placed in some local bbq comps using it as my base set up with a few mods, lump charcoal tastes the best so if I have time I use it to seat up steals it can get very hot upwards of 650. The Weber is so convenient starts up and within 10-15 minutes your at 500 ready to cook.
Amazingribs.com is the place to look for reviews. Possibly THE source for grill/barbecue/smoking info online. Check it out.
BTW, if you’re looking for a smoker, I vote MAK.
Ditto on amazing ribs.com
The best source of info that I’ve come across with all things BBQ.
Ditto ditto
https://amazingribs.com/ratings-reviews-and-buying-guides
XM,
Best guide on the web. You can filter between fuel, price, rating, etc.
1. user name checks out! (and thank you for your input)
2. clicked on that review link above and started reading it right before dinner. i guess i need to buy a better grill, one that won't cave in at the 3 yr mark.
Yeah, those UP winters are definitely tougher on a grill than say, San Diego. ?
You could also consider a flat top griddle. Those are great for cooking for larger groups, are a lot of fun to use, and pretty reasonably priced. I love mine. Can’t really do ribs on it though.
Lots and lots and lots of data. TMI this early in the morning. I will need to have a beer and look at it tomorrow.
Several of my friends swear by their Traeggers(sp?). First question is to u plan to grill, smoke, or BBQ? Second due u want propane, electric, pellet, charcoal, or wood? How many people are u looking to cook for on average?
propane, 1-3x/wk. usually at least 9 people at dinner. and the grill will sit outside, up north, 365 days/yr.
Sounds like you need at least 4 burners for 9 people. I've had many grills over the years but my latest the Weber Spirit 3-burner grill is the best I've had (I have only 4 people to serve at most, even with guests). Also, I've had propane tanks over the years but for this latest grill, 2 years ago I had a plumber come over and run a gas line over to the deck which may be the best move ever...no more tanks to worry about. This option generally gives you more heat with a steadier fuel flow. If you don't have gas for your furnace then that might not be in the cards for you. Get a propane tank Weber 4-burner in that case, costs a bit more but worth it.
Here’s a link to amazingribs.com review section with the following qualifiers:
under $600
Medium to Large Cooking surface
Gold rating (which is their highest rating)
:)
Charcoal for flavor and a true grilling experience. Gas for ease and a quick, clean meal. No matter how much you spend a gas grill will rust out after a few years.
why do they rust out like that? i had good luck with my first one that lasted about a decade, but the last two have been 3 or 4 yrs and then ka-put.