recommendations for "entry level" gas grills...

[janzik]

$300 at Lowes..

50,000 BTUs
660 sq. in. cooking area
Electronic ignition
Porcelain cast-iron cooking surface
Porcelain heat tent
28 burger capacity
Tank sold separately
Dual fuel LP/NG convertible valves
Welded and polished double wall hood
Fully enclosed cart
Conversion kit availble #92925


It doesn't say anything about lifetime warranty brass burners though...maybe they ended that mess...

I have the 5 burner version of this from 2 years prior. This model is the one I'm trying to convince my Dad to get. I'm real happy with mine. I added a rotissarie to mine, but I think the new ones all come with it now, and with an infrared back burner...

 

[Joe C]

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...roductId=100497225&N=10000003+503171+10401010

This is the one I purchased last year. It's a 4-burner with a side burner, and I built it at my house.. took me about 2 hours taking my time having a couple of beers. It was my first grill and I love it. I'm used to using my father's Webers at home, but for an entry level grill it has some good options (4 burners gives you more controll, and a side burner is always helpful). I figure that I will just beat on this grill until it falls apart, but so far it's been perfect. I have cooked on it year round as well.


I love webers, but if you're just getting into grilling and have a budget, the charbroil is a fine grill.

 

[HenryHill]

I bought a <90 dollar 2 burner Char-broil in '99 and used it a LOT; winters too. Bought a cheap cover and used it, most nights...(it didn't always make it back on before rain). Drilled a hole in the lid and added a thermometer. Took out the hand burner/warming rack. I replaced the burners once and the v-shaped deflector twice (Walmart), and just this spring one gas valve froze up. It has wood side tables and a flip-up front shelf.

I had considered just looking to see if a valve assembly was available, since it was clean, the burners and V were still good, and had fresh rock/brickettes in the bottom. But I had shopped, too, for a mid level SS one with brass burners to have something more durable.

Then I happened on a moving sale and got the same model, actually one step up, as it had the side burner, for 10 bucks-no propane tank. Looks like it got cooked on for a month, same relative age as mine.

Thing is, the cheap azz ones are big enough for our pool parties, the 2 burners allow for indirect cooking, and you can still throw soaked wood chunks in for smoke, I figure, why bother going bling....? It's covered when it's not in use and when you are using it, all you see is the food...

I got nobody to impress...

 

[FlyingHorse]

I ran across these reviews when I was looking, an dthey were helpful for at least laying out the pros and cons, and letting me know which models to consider and what to look for.

I looked everywhere for the Fiesta Optima, but can't find it anywhere (even though the mfg site says they sell through HD, Sears and KMart). Might be worth a look if you can find one near you.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

IS that Fesca up that chickens A$$?

Well...it's a Fresca can, filled with brown ale, garlic and spices. Good eye though! I can't remember the last time I had a can of beer in the house, so I have to improvise. Fresca & vodka is one of my "floating in the pool" beverages of choice!

 

[kornkob]

Fresca & vodka is one of my "floating in the pool" beverages of choice!

That sounds awesome. (Except for the pool part-- never did learn to swim)

 

[springer]

I decided to get a new grill 2 years ago I bought the 4 burner Perfect flame model #2518SL-LPG from Lowes.... What a piece if $hit

The lid has surface rust on it because they use the cheapest SS on the market I have never use anything other than SS grill cleaner and micro fiber cloth to clean the outside. And all the SS is so thin it bends if the door/lid or draw binds just a bit. The grill covered all the time
I have had replaced 2 of the 4 burners and the other 2 are ready to go.I am going to buy cast iron replacements next time. Cant get the side burner to adjust correctly I have taken it apart to clean everything (no spider webs) still get a sooty flame.


I end up using my old Weber Genesis grill most of the time its about 7 years old and works like the day I bought it. Yes it smaller only three burners and no side . But I'm glad my son moved to an Apt where he cant grill so he brought it back last winter. Only thing that broke on it was the handle and Weber sent me a new one free of charge 3 years after I purchased it.

 

[Timber]

Chargriller Duo...

* 42,000-BTU three-burner gas cooking chamber, and 24-in. charcoal cooking chamber
* 12,000-BTU side-burner and charcoal starter
* 1,246-sq. in. of cooking surface
* Side fire-box adaptable

$249 from Academy.. Great grill with alot of adaptability

 

[JnJ]

My only advice would be to get the best one you can afford. I went through gas grills every few years before I got the Jenair. It was costy, but I've had it for 3 years and not one issue yet.

 

[the_bird]

Looks nice, but there are no Academys around here, and last I checked they didn't ship. The charcoal's not all that important to me, anyway; I've got a classic Weber charcoal grill that I love (except the wheel keeps falling off ), even though I rarely have time to use it.

"Best I can afford" is too hard to define. I could spend $1,000 on a grill and not have to feed my family hot dogs, but I don't want to. There are too many other things I'd rather spend the $750 or $800 difference on!

 

[springer]

Looks nice, but there are no Academys around here, and last I checked they didn't ship. The charcoal's not all that important to me, anyway; I've got a classic Weber charcoal grill that I love (except the wheel keeps falling off ), even though I rarely have time to use it.

"Best I can afford" is too hard to define. I could spend $1,000 on a grill and not have to feed my family hot dogs, but I don't want to. There are too many other things I'd rather spend the $750 or $800 difference on!

but do you want to go out and buy a new one 2-3 years from now? Better off spending 500 on a Weber or other top rated unit . Tells you something that the Weber is the top pick under 500 as well as the 500 - 1500 range. And second in the 1500-4000 range on About.com

 

[Timber]

Yeah I remember reading about your adversity to Charcoal, but you got ot admit having the option is always nice as to the smoking question (not to mention SFB) Lowes does carry Chargrillers), if your worried about smoke flavor wrap some chunks in foil and pop open the side that the fire is on, and then you'll get smoke in about 2 minutes, of course for this step make sure the grill is not turned on

 

[the_bird]

No adversity to charcoal. Just not something I have time to do most nights. I'm looking for something more to replace the kitchen stove two or three nights a week, make cooking a little more enjoyable for a change, be able to get out the wok and whip up some stir-frys, be able to cook things a little bit more "interestingly" that you can with just an electric stove.

What I'm finding... is that I'm really bored with cooking. That makes me lazy, and that means that I cook a lot more crap than I should. I'm looking for a propane grill, in part so that I'll use the damn thing!

 

[jds]

Slightly OT:

Owners of stainless grills: Are they as much of a PITA to keep clean as they would seem to be? I'm thinking about an upgrade sometime in the next year or so, and it seems like half or more of what's out there is now stainless bling. I want to grill on my grill, not obsess over cleaning it. So how are they working out? [/OT]

 

[janzik]

Slightly OT:

Owners of stainless grills: Are they as much of a PITA to keep clean as they would seem to be? I'm thinking about an upgrade sometime in the next year or so, and it seems like half or more of what's out there is now stainless bling. I want to grill on my grill, not obsess over cleaning it. So how are they working out? [/OT]

I'm a mess with my stainless grill. I don't clean it as well/often as I should (It's very seasoned!). When I do a big cleaning, it takes a bit to do, but I think it's worth it.

 

[JnJ]

I'm a mess with my stainless grill. I don't clean it as well/often as I should (It's very seasoned!). When I do a big cleaning, it takes a bit to do, but I think it's worth it.

Agreed. When I remember to use the cover, it's great, but since I use it 3-4 nights a week, I seldom put the cover on.

 

[Homercidal]

I have a charbroil and love it for what it is. I bought a cover for it when I got it years ago, but ended up throwing it away because I never remembered to put it back on after the grill had cooled. Still in decent shape and I've only replaced the burner and drip cover once, and the front handle once.

A Weber would be a better quality item, but I highly recommend the electronic ignition on any grill you buy. I retro fitted one on my friend's grill when I rebuilt his (cheap Walmart grill) and he LOVES it.

Also, thanks for the wood chip idea guys, never thought of doing that, but I will def try and beer can chicken too!

 

[Glibbidy]

Bird- Check the True Value flyer this week. Some of the grills mentioned in ths thread are on sale.
Consumer Reports just did a review on grills. I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[the_bird]

Thanks for the heads-up, Glib. I'll check out the flyer when I get home.

 

[the_bird]

So, I'm confused now.

Glib, you'll be happy to hear that I've eliminated the Home Depot grills from consideration. The purdy $300 Charmglow porcelain model gets crappy reviews (bad construction, very uneven heating), and the other models in that price range felt too chintzy for me.

My question, though; should I be looking for a three- or four-burner model? I was ASSUMING the later, but what I'm reading seems to indicate that the three-burner models give more flexibility

 

[the_bird]

Anyone familiar with Ducane?

 

[BierMuncher]

That's the last grill you'll ever buy.

She's a beaut...

 

[BlindLemonLars]

Anyone familiar with Ducane?

They are Weber's line of less expensive, imported grills. They get excellent reviews, and the few I've seen in person appear to be built quite well.

I've done a LOT of grill research lately, and ended up ordering the natural gas version of this model by Blue Ember. Great reviews, great build quality, and lots of nice features. I love the sturdiness, especially the castings where the lid pivots...on most grills, that section is made from thin sheet metal.

Blue Ember FG50069

 

[the_bird]

Anyone use the Weber Spirit E-210? Sounds well-madel I just hesitate because it sounds like the main burners only kick out 26k BTUs. Is that going to frustrate me?

 

[AN_TKE]

They are Weber's line of less expensive, imported grills. They get excellent reviews, and the few I've seen in person appear to be built quite well.

I've done a LOT of grill research lately, and ended up ordering the natural gas version of this model by Blue Ember. Great reviews, great build quality, and lots of nice features. I love the sturdiness, especially the castings where the lid pivots...on most grills, that section is made from thin sheet metal.

Blue Ember FG50069

Liar - you bought it for the bottle opener...sly dog....

 

[BlindLemonLars]

Liar - you bought it for the bottle opener...sly dog....

Well...I did say it has "nice features." The ones I quite like are the rear infrared rotisserie burner, the built-in cast iron smoker box and even the lid light. I also like that the thermometer is calibrated in degrees, not just colored "hot - warm - cold" zones.

I settled on the Blue Ember after driving around one weekend, laying hands on every grill I get my hands on. It was the only full-feature, mid-price range grill I could find that didn't feel flimsy. Honestly, most of the stuff at Lowes and Home Depot feels SO cheap...the tops shake when you open them, the control knobs are sloppy, and thin sheet metal is used in load bearing areas. The only negative review I found was from a guy who said it was no good for "grilling in snow or rain." WTF??!??

Unfortunately Home Depot doesn't stock the NG version, so I had to order it and pay $60 shipping. It should be here by next weekend. I turned on my long neglected patio gas stub and installed a new ball valve & quick connect fitting, so I should be good to go.

 

[the_bird]

Well, I went ahead and bought the Ducane Affinity 3200. The local Aubuchon Hardware had a couple in stock, $350. A bit more than I was hoping to spend - but as I said originally, the budget could expand if I was confortable it was REALLY going to be worth it. Every single review I read of this model (and the 3100 I was looking at first) says the same thing; solid, straigtforward, works great, no frills, will last a long time, great service from Weber if needed. Sounded exactly like what I was looking for.

I tell you, I was stoked when I pulled up to the store (which, YES, I should shop at more often) and immediately recognized that they had a Ducane grill on display...

 

[BlindLemonLars]

Well, I went ahead and bought the Ducane Affinity 3200.

I think you made a good call! Ducane was definitely on my short list of brands, they seem like a good balance of features, quality and price. Apparently customer service is excellent as well, as with Weber.

So what are you cooking up for the inaugural grilling session?

 

[the_bird]

Grills 98% together, but DAMN it's hot today!

It's just The Bean and I today, so we'll hit the store this afternoon. Prolly a nice steak for me, and "Chicken With A Handle" (drumsticks) for her.

 

[EdWort]

Ok, time for pics of the inaugural steak and chick on Bird's new grill. Get-R-Done!