Barbecue/Smoker Recommendations

[Taboni]

I am a big fan of the Weber Performer (have mine about 5 years now). I don't buy the convenience of the gas grill argument since I am ready to cook in around 15-20 minutes after initial ignition and I assume everyone pre heats their gas grills for approximately the same amount of time so where exactly is the time saving?

Say when did they cheap out and put on the plastic work surface instead of the stainless steel one that mine has?

Edited May 12, 2005 by Taboni (log)

[daves]

I gotta agree with Taboni: I need about 15-20 minutes to get coconut or oak lump up to steak searing temps -- 500-600° dome temps and a lot more at the grill surface. I used to use a chimney, but that was too slow.

Last year, I 'graduated' to a 500k BTU propane weedburner. Yes, half a million BTUs -- at least the packaging said that. It hooks up to a propane tank without a regulator. There's probably a good 2.5-3 foot blue flame at full throttle Looks similar to this. The propane tank used to be connected to a Ducane, which hasn't been used in 2+ years.

I open up the dampers on the grill, play the torch over the coals for about a minute, and I'm ready to put on the food within 20 minutes.

[daniellewiley]

I am a big fan of the Weber Performer (have mine about 5 years now). I don't buy the convenience of the gas grill argument since I am ready to cook in around 15-20 minutes after initial ignition and I assume everyone pre heats their gas grills for approximately the same amount of time so where exactly is the time saving? 

Say when did they cheap out and put on the plastic work surface instead of the stainless steel one that mine has?

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We bought ours Father's Day 2003, I believe, and we have the stainless steel.

[jayt90]

Home Despot

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Wish I'd thought of that!

[bleachboy]

I have A Broil-Mate 7168 that runs on natural gas. I love it, and use it often. It's a post-style that is permanently fixed into the ground. The innards are all stainless steel and the outside is some kind of powder-coated steel. It seems very well-built, and looks as though it will last a very, very long time.

[JohnN]

One of my friends just asked me for some grill advice this weekend...she's in a condo with a very small (i.e. 6' x 8') patio, but was complaining that all of the grills she has seen at Home Depot, Target, Sears, etc. have huge shelves on the side(s) and/or burners.  I see that the Weber Genesis has the same; are any of you aware of a gas grill (has to be for her condo to ok it) that isn't enormous and/or that doesn't have shelves on both sides?  Any/all ideas are greatly appreciated...

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In most cases you could simply omit one or both of the shelves when you are assembling the unit.

We just got a Napoleon PT308 Prestige II which is a small grill (483 sq. in.) with nice heavy duty stainless grates, stainless sear plates, two stainless tube burners and a rotisserie with infared burner. This is the scaled down version (but same features) of the PT450 which is reviewed here.

One of the things that is cool about it is that while small, the grates come right up to the edge and fit securely so you can make good use of the space you have.

It has two side shelves, but you could leave one or both of them off. Other than the shevles, it is very compact but very nice.

I paid $760 at a local appliance place. They took my old grill for free.

-john

Edited May 13, 2005 by JohnN (log)

[jhlurie]

Home Despot

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Wish I'd thought of that!

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Trust me, Chris didn't think of it.

Are Home Depot prices actually edging out all of the local places which used to do this kind of business? When I was a kid I remember seeing them in Home & Garden stores most often, although I suppose the occasional hardware store had them as well.

And don't tell me the alternative these days is Lowe's. That's like saying Pepsi is a Coke alternative.

[Jason Perlow]

In terms of volume pricing on Weber, nobody beats Home Depot. Amazon has the 2004 models about $50 cheaper than Home Depot does for the comparative 2005 models, but if you factor in the fact that Home Depot carries the entire Weber line and you can pick it up at the store, that pretty much negates Amazon's advantage unless you live nowhere near one.

A small mom and pop store will probably be able to assemble and deliver your grill for a modest fee, although come to think of it Home Depot probably does as well.

[robyn]

In terms of volume pricing on Weber, nobody beats Home Depot. Amazon has the 2004 models about $50 cheaper than Home Depot does for the comparative 2005 models, but if you factor in the fact that Home Depot carries the entire Weber line and you can pick it up at the store, that pretty much negates Amazon's advantage unless you live nowhere near one.

A small mom and pop store will probably be able to assemble and deliver your grill for a modest fee, although come to think of it Home Depot probably does as well.

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Our local Ace Hardware stores will meet any Home Depot/Lowes price on anything if asked. Ditto with setup and delivery charges on items that have to be set up and delivered. The Ace we use has a guy who really knows a lot about grills - so we have used Ace for grills and grill accessories. Robyn

[robyn]

Home Despot

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Wish I'd thought of that!

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Trust me, Chris didn't think of it.

Are Home Depot prices actually edging out all of the local places which used to do this kind of business? When I was a kid I remember seeing them in Home & Garden stores most often, although I suppose the occasional hardware store had them as well.

And don't tell me the alternative these days is Lowe's. That's like saying Pepsi is a Coke alternative.

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Our local Ace Hardware stores (quite a few - owned by several different families - some own more than 1) - still sell tons of grills (don't know if it's because they match prices - but they do). Ace does middle to low high end. Home Depot/Lowes lower end to middle. Both sell Weber. Another player in our area is BBQs Galore. Robyn

[Jason Perlow]

In terms of volume pricing on Weber, nobody beats Home Depot. Amazon has the 2004 models about $50 cheaper than Home Depot does for the comparative 2005 models, but if you factor in the fact that Home Depot carries the entire Weber line and you can pick it up at the store, that pretty much negates Amazon's advantage unless you live nowhere near one.

A small mom and pop store will probably be able to assemble and deliver your grill for a modest fee, although come to think of it Home Depot probably does as well.

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Our local Ace Hardware stores will meet any Home Depot/Lowes price on anything if asked. Ditto with setup and delivery charges on items that have to be set up and delivered. The Ace we use has a guy who really knows a lot about grills - so we have used Ace for grills and grill accessories. Robyn

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I beleive when we bought our Weber, it was from an Ace affiliated store and we were able to beat Home Depot on the delivery/setup costs. It wasn't by a lot though.

[robyn]

Weber is one of those "you can't sell for any price lower than this" manufacturers. So if you get the lowest price - you get the lowest price (although - like you say - you might be able to save a bit on set-up or delivery costs charged by the local seller).

Only exception I ever found to this is when Linens & Things here was closing out its Weber stuff (it had an ill-fated experiment selling grills and grill accessories). Some unbelievable bargains (hidden in the pots and pans section of the store - where I happened to be browsing for a new pot). Robyn

[HungryChris]

I have a Weber Genesis 1000 that just turned 12. I have replaced the 'Flavorizer Bars', just ordered new cooking grates and had to buy a new propane tank. I switched to propane because I cook on my deck all year and just feel funny about

having a bunch of charcoal up there.

I just got the rotisserie for it (a long time dream) and discovered that when they say 'If you wish to save the drippings for gravy, place a drip pan in the center on top of the Flavorizer Bars before positioning the rotisserie and food in the barbecue.'

What they really should say is something like 'If you would like to make a gravy and or would rather not have to deal with your food item being set afire by the drippings and have to replace the burnt strings on them in what has become an uncomfortably hot environment, place a drip pan in the center on top of the Flavorizer Bars before positioning the rotisserie and food in the barbecue.'

One thing I just got from reading the June issue of Consumers Guide, which covers grills is the fact that there are good and bad alloys of stainless steel. One thing they mention is that the cheep stuff is magnetic. If you are out looking for one, it might be a good idea to bring a refigerator magnet with you and if it sticks to the stainless item in question, keep looking.

Cheers,

HC

[eje]

Weber also makes the 18 1/2" charcoal kettle which may fulfill your requirements at present, monetarily and space. It's most likely the least expensive way to go.

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I've had an 18 1/2" Weber for a few years now and find I wish I had gotten the 22".

It does OK for most straight ahead grilling; but, is really too small to be used very well for indirect cooking. Plus, if you think you're going to be doing any cooking for parties larger than 4, that extra real estate can make a big difference.

If you've got room the room for the couple extra inches of diameter, I would spend the 20 bucks and get the bigger one.

[carswell]

I've had an 18 1/2" Weber for a few years now and find I wish I had gotten the 22".

It does OK for most straight ahead grilling; but, is really too small to be used very well for indirect cooking.  Plus, if you think you're going to be doing any cooking for parties larger than 4, that extra real estate can make a big difference.

If you've got room the room for the couple extra inches of diameter, I would spend the  20 bucks and get the bigger one.

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Also, the Weber rotisserie attachment doesn't fit the 18½" grill. And the 18½-incher's lid doesn't have enough clearance for tall food like beer can chicken (beer can cornish game hens maybe, beer can quail for sure).

[eje]

Well, I've definitely outgrown my Weber 18 1/2 inch.

I'm sort of torn about what to do about it.

It is too small for parties. At times it just seems the Webers were not designed to take advantage of lump charcoal. They radiate too much heat instead of reflecting back on your food. Still viable/hot pieces of charcoal fall through the grates and out of the grill. It would also be nice to be able to do low heat cooking, without so much fussing.

However, we have a very small porch and patio, so it is nice to be easily able to pick it up and put it somewhere out of the way. If I had a full size charcoal or gas grill I couldn't do that.

Some of the gas grills folks have posted do look very nice. It would be cool to be able to put the grill on my porch, instead of relagating it to the patio. Also nice not to have the sparks from charcoal damage my plants when I dump them.

I guess my cheapest option would be a bigger Weber and a Smoky Mountain Cooker. Those Big Green Eggs and Kamodos sure are pretty, though.

One grill a hardware store here pushes is the Traeger Pellet Grill. It would take up more space; but, from what I've read it would do everything I most of the things I want from a grill/smoker. Specialty fuel, though, and it would take up a permanent spot on my patio or porch. Does anyone have experience with these grills or other similar models?

http://www.traegergrills.com/

[ScooterQ]

eje,

A Traeger pellet grill is great for medium heat items like chicken (and will have absolutely no flareups). It's also an excellent smoker, although the smoke flavor will be lighter than what you might get in a more traditional unit. This is because the wood burns very cleanly in the forced air firepit of a Traeger. It won't do everything though - they really can't achieve the high heats necessary for steaks. You'll want to keep your kettle or get say, a Lodge Sportsman grill for that. At BBQ cookoffs, a lot of chicken is cooked on pellet grills. I'll be practicing my competition chicken on my Traeger today. Fuel is expensive, particularly if you don't live near a source of pellets.

[ErinB]

I just bought a Weber Performer based on the recs from Egulleters.

I am a total grill novice. This is my first grill ever. What do tools and accessories do I really need?

I am planning on using hard lump charcoal. I am thinking of buying a chimney starter and a grill cover? Do I need these?

Any other suggestions?

[ronnie_suburban]

I just bought a Weber Performer based on the recs from Egulleters. 

I am a total grill novice.  This is my first grill ever.  What do tools and accessories do I really need?

I am planning on using hard lump charcoal.  I am thinking of buying a chimney starter and a grill cover? Do I need these?

Any other suggestions?

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Definitely get a chimney. I have a cover and never use it. Get a good pair of tongs and a large BBQ spatula. And I keep some cooking mitts in the storage compartment of the Performer because the handle on the chimney can get hot and it's just good to have a pair at the ready. If you plan to use the grill on a wood deck, maybe you should invest in a fire-proof mat to go underneath it, in case any burning embers stray. They cost anywhere from $30-$50 and can be quite useful.

Enjoy!

=R=

[Artichoke]

There is likely a thread on this somewhere although I could not find it.

After a lifetime spent living in a city, I will be spending the next couple of years living in the suburbs (the sacrifices one makes for marriage). Not to disparage suburban dwellers, It is just that I was born and raised in Manhattan and that is what I am used to and love.

If there is upside for me, aside from trying my hand at planting herbs and perhaps a few vegetables, is that I will be able to purchase an outdoor grill. While I have cooked on a few, I have never been in a position to buy one. Any suggestions from the grill masters out there? Cost is not a big concern, food and cooking is an area of my life where I have no issues spending money for quality.

Thanks.

[jsolomon]

There are a plethora of varied opinions on grills, and you know the old saw about opinions. But, enough digression...

Kamado Grills

Merged thread on grill recommendations--primarily gas

eGCI course on Smoking Meat at Home

Another Smoker/Grill thread

I think the main things you should contemplate first are: size, fuel, and cost. Defining two will get you close to fixing the third, but not completely.

[jgm]

I think your first consideration is which type of fuel you want to use. I've heard opinions both ways, but many people feel they get better flavor from burning charcoal.

If you're thinking about propane, keep in mind that you need to keep the grill well away from the house. A full tank of propane, I've been told, is the equivalent of a couple of sticks of dynamite. Every year in our community, we lose some very nice houses because propane tanks exploded. So far, no loss of life, fortunately.

Whichever type you purchase, make sure you have an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby at all times. Even if you are extremely competent, grills can always malfunction.

Also, a lot of grilling is done by having a heat source on one half of the grill, and placing the food on the other half, with a drip pan underneath. You may want to make sure the grill you get is large enough for that.

Don't forget to avail yourself of the different kinds of wood chips on the market, and experiment with the lovely flavors they can contribute!

[Dave Weinstein]

I'm a big fan (in terms of bang for buck) of whatever it is they are calling the high end Weber charcoal these days.

A Weber kettle, with a cart, and (here is the nice part) propane assist for igniting the charcoal.

And, as always, use hardwood charcoal. Briquets are evil.

--Dave

[russ parsons]

i've had both gas and charcoal and i now use a weber kettle. if you're going to do this you absolutely HAVE to spend the extra $25 and get the model with the ash catcher underneath. on my third one, i finally did and it is the greatest thing since ... hardwood charcoal?

[Daniel]

As long as its charcoal or wood and not gas, anything works..

Edited April 25, 2006 by Daniel (log)