Barbeque Grill purchase opinions

melbertbloosfan · March 19, 2004

Did a search on this forum and could not find anything on barbeque grills!!! WTF???

Anyway, the boss is cutting loose bout $250 for the purchase of a new LP gas grill.

My situation/requirements:

1. Only four of us, so cooking size is not the biggest priority. Something at least 350 sq/in should be fine, but it must also have a warming rack..

2. Prefer a cast iron or s/s burner and grate.

3. It will spend it's time outside (in the elements) so maybe s/s or aluminum shell?

Any suggestions/links/advice on what to look for in a good, long-lasting, LP gas grill (at this price point )?

Thanks gents, looking at purchasing this week. Last day of winter today!!

LikeaRock14 · March 19, 2004

Somehow we found Weber's on sale and took advantage of it. We just got the Genisis A or w/e it's called, it's a nice unit! It's basically me, my bros and my dad, does an awesome job cooking, and it asn't burnt anything in it's first week yet lol. All stainless, so they go forever. My aunt's had her Weber pushin 10 yrs, looks good still, and the only thing they've done is filled the tanks! $349 for one is a hellof an investment

Look around and see if you can find them on sale. They never are, I don't know how we got so lucky lol. But tell the "boss" the extra $100 is WAY WELL WORTH the money! It'll last forever!

sdtahoe · March 19, 2004

I have a Coleman LG20510E and am going on the 3rd season with it and love it. It has a cast cooking racks with the porcilin coating and a warming rack. It also has a stainless steel burner. All that I have done with it is fill up the tank and keep on using it. I did have a problem witht he switch for the electonic ignition, I haven't fixed it yet just use my pocket knife to short the terminals to fire it up.

I spent $350 for the grill and cover at teh time.

Also since spring is here I may have to pull it out of the garage and fire it up

scooter70 · March 19, 2004

I think I saw a Webber on sale at Home Depot the other day. It was right there when I walked in the door. Not sure of the model or price though. It was probably ~$300 or so which seems to be a good price. I think that's what I'd get if I was looking for a grill.

Machine · March 19, 2004

Webber makes a fine gas grill for the $. I'm on my 3rd year with mine - I just cover it up after I'm done and put it in the garage. The only thing that needed to be replaced was the thermostat. I think I have the Genesis model

melbertbloosfan · March 19, 2004

Went to Lowes on my lunch hour and looked some grills over. The webbers are very nice as are the jenn-airs. But a little to pricey, it seems to me.

Now there was a coleman that had a nice, heavy lid and box and just felt very tightly put together. Three separate burners (cast iron) and three cast iron (porcelain coated) grates. Throw in a side burner and it's a pretty sweet deal for $269.

BTW, why don't new grills come with bottles? Add another $25. Grill cover $25. Nickel and dimeing me up to $350 (w/tax)! Maybe that webber came w/a bottle and cover.....hmmm.....Have to check when I go back to make my final decision after work.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

99silveradoz71 · March 19, 2004

Webber sounds good, Char Broil I think is fairly big as well. Get yourself a good cover to keep her dry and you'll be in good shape. Happy grilling...having a cookout on the 28th on midnight shift at work as a matter of fact

Wingnut · March 19, 2004

I cook on mine about twice, sometimes 3 times a week....I prefer the porcelain grill inserts myself. As long as you use a anti-sticking spray, (like Pam, for grills) they last and look better than the steel ones (in my opinion). I have used mine very frequently for almost 3 years with only one problem....The d@mn battery for the electronic ignition keeps dying....Yeah I know, boo-hoo.

As to them gouging you on the bottle, some do come with them. Just make sure that it's in the box before going home with your new backyard leviathon.

I want to know where you guys are getting $25 bottles though...Both of mine were $40!

LikeaRock14 · March 19, 2004

Our Weber came with a bottle, only had to fil er up and we were set!

The big thing you need to watch out for w/ cast burners is the fact that they will rust, even if it's covered. The porcelain grill is always nice too. Weber's burners are on the side, from looking at ours. It cooks everything throughorly and evenly, no burning. We actually get reall "grill marks" with it lol.

But spend the extra $50+, get a nice Weber or equivelant, it'll last a long time

(I think next week Ill try to get pops to lemme take it to school, my friends wanna have a tailgate party in the parking lot at lunch )

Wingnut · March 19, 2004

I have a different one for "mobile grilling".....It straps on the intake manifold.

airbalancer · March 20, 2004

I have Vermont Casting NG. NG burns hotter and never have worrt about running out

It is SLT of BBQ, while almost.

It has all the toys

Side grill , oven elemant, etc

It is cast and S/S

It burners are side/side. I had a Coleman that was front/back burners and hate it.

This is over $1200 CDN. Got piss off with cheap one so just got the best I could. I also got it at cost.

GF7PE · March 20, 2004

if you want something a little less expensive than the webbers check out a Kenmore. Not the best but easy to get parts if need be and warranty is realy easy to deal with

fmjcafe · March 20, 2004

I bought a Weber Genesis A last summer and really like it.

melbertbloosfan · March 22, 2004

alrighty, to bring this thread to a delicious end..

Got the coleman. Porc coated cast iron burners (3), grates and heat tents. Plus a 12K BTU side burner. One pain in the arse to put together! 163lbs in the box! Me and the lowes dude dropped the first one off the second level rack. Took another one home.

Looked at the other grills and they all ran round 100lbs. Weight isn't always an indicator of quality, but this sucker is SOLID...

Paid $269 + $25 bottle + $12 fill for said bottle. Nixed the cover as I plan on keeping it in my "john deere" garage downstairs with the rider and just wheeling it out on its four steel casters when I feel the need.

Anyway, wow, what a difference a good grill makes. In retrospect, my 7 yr old cheapie sunbeam was really awful!

Anyway, am grilling again tonite!!

Thanks for all the help gents and have a happy spring!