This is for my parents who prefer gas grills for the convenience. (personally I like my $89 Weber kettle)
Sick of all the crap the home centers are pushing. Overpriced junk that needs replacement in 5 yrs... [bang]
Here are the requirements:
- Heavy uncoated cast iron grates, heavy stainless ok
- NO sideburner/frills
- Around 45,000btu +/-
- Sear plates that won't disintegrate after a season or lava rocks etc.
- Heavy cast burner
- Heavy frame that won't rot/rust
- Built to last and be serviced
Thanks in advance for the input!
If you want quality then go with Weber. They are more expensive than other grills but they are made out of better materials and they stand behind their work with a 10 year warranty. I just replaced a stainless grill from another manufacturer and it lasted about 3 years, and that was after replacing a lot of parts under the 3 year warranty.
Weber used to make all great grills. Now, I am not so sure. I think they have a intro line that is sold at the big box stores, then a couple better grades that are still sold at smaller retail stores like hardware and outdoor living. I love my 5 year old weber with stainless grates and no frills. When I bought mine, they were still made in Palatine IL, and well worth the $500.
What is your parents budget?
mitt
Have they considered a wood pellet grill? I have a Traeger (http://www.traegerindustries.com (http://www.traegerindustries.com), and it make the beast with two backsing rocks. It's all electric and automatic; all you have to do is keep the hopper full of pellets, turn that baby on and let her heat up. It is essentially a convection oven, but so much more. It makes the juiciest burgers, steaks, awesome ribs, etc. You can smoke meat, jerky, fish, etc. It all around kicks ass.
And, if you have a Joe's Sporting Goods near you, they are on sale due to the liquidation.
Those look cool, but damn, the prices are a bit steep for a grill. The cheapest one they make is less than 20k BTU's and is $450!
Quote from: NAKID on May 04, 2009, 08:58:54 PM
Those look cool, but damn, the prices are a bit steep for a grill. The cheapest one they make is less than 20k BTU's and is $450!
Good shit ain't cheap (the construction is pretty stout). It's more than just a grill, really. It's a smoker, convection oven, etc. I've cooked pizza in mine, and smoked a sirloin tip roast. I'm going to be making some elk jerky soon.
My wife got me a Weber Spirit for my birthday last year.
That is a great grill and has been perfect for my needs and I grilled out (prior to becoming a vegetarian for the time being) 4-6 nights a week.
That thing kicks ass.
But then again, I bought a grill from Sears when I was in college for 120$, can't recall the brand, I just gave it to my neighbor. Aside from replacing the burner 3 times, that thing kicked ass. It still does. I always stored it indoors, so it wasn't left out in the weather. I live in the midwest, so climate changes are frequent. It was always stored in a garage except for 12 months in college when it was on my covered porch, chained up of course.
However, that grill never got nearly as hot as my Weber.
My vote would be for a Weber Spirit.
Quote from: Sinister on May 04, 2009, 09:16:42 PM
Good shit ain't cheap (the construction is pretty stout). It's more than just a grill, really. It's a smoker, convection oven, etc. I've cooked pizza in mine, and smoked a sirloin tip roast. I'm going to be making some elk jerky soon.
If you want to talk about smoking meat.........<insert joke here>
I'll take you on with my 18$ little piece of shit travel charcoal grill I bought from walmart two years ago.
I dig that grill you bought, though. Very cool, but a bit more than I wanted to spend on one.
The Big Green Egg.
http://www.biggreenegg.com/ (http://www.biggreenegg.com/)
Price limit?
Check out Barbecues Galore (http://www.bbqgalore.com/).
For some serious grills.
Quote from: alfisti on May 04, 2009, 06:48:26 PM
This is for my parents who prefer gas grills for the convenience. (personally I like my $89 Weber kettle)
Sick of all the crap the home centers are pushing. Overpriced junk that needs replacement in 5 yrs... [bang]
Here are the requirements:
- Heavy uncoated cast iron grates, heavy stainless ok
- NO sideburner/frills
- Around 45,000btu +/-
- Sear plates that won't disintegrate after a season or lava rocks etc.
- Heavy cast burner
- Heavy frame that won't rot/rust
- Built to last and be serviced
Thanks in advance for the input!
Weber Genesis
(http://www.fototime.com/350631AA1A70852/standard.jpg)
http://www.starlandmetals.com/grills.html (http://www.starlandmetals.com/grills.html)
These are made locally by a metal forming outfit. Heavy gauge stainless steel throughout, virtually indestructible. A friend of mine has had one for about five years, which sits outside all the time, and it still looks basically new.
another vote for the weber. i had one for about 12 years. kicked ass
Quote from: mitt on May 04, 2009, 08:02:24 PM
What is your parents budget?
mitt
They were ready to drop $700 for a Weber. A little more is ok as long as the quality is there.
Quote from: herm on May 05, 2009, 04:33:27 AM
another vote for the weber. i had one for about 12 years. kicked ass
My concern is are the new ones as good as the 12 yo ones? The $700 Weber at Lowes has awesome grates and a good burner... but the sear plates are porcelain coated paper thin sheet metal. The frame is also real thin sheet metal. The burner box is cast alum but also real thin.
The problem is that most of the big box retailers do not sell the best units. Weber & many others make special lines just for the big box places (Lowes, Home Cheapo & Walmart). You don't ever want to buy grills, snow blowers or lawn tractors there. Most of these items are made in China, as cheaply as possible. John Deer won't even sell the tractors they provide Home Cheapo in their own stores. You are just buying the name & not getting the quality behind it.
Quote from: alfisti on May 05, 2009, 04:42:34 AM
They were ready to drop $700 for a Weber. A little more is ok as long as the quality is there.
My concern is are the new ones as good as the 12 yo ones? The $700 Weber at Lowes has awesome grates and a good burner... but the sear plates are porcelain coated paper thin sheet metal. The frame is also real thin sheet metal. The burner box is cast alum but also real thin.
You might try browsing webers website to see other material options. Like I said, mine is from ~2002, and I could only find it at a ACE hardware store. Home depot or Lowes did not carry the exact same model and options. It had stainless grates, and stainless flavor bars. I will agree, the frame seems like the week link on most of their grills - it is thin sheet metal, but so far is holding up well. I store it covered, outside, except in the winter when it goes in the shed.
mitt
Gonna give another vote for Weber. Got mine at a neighborhood hardware store. Far better quality than the big box store ones. Got it 4 years ago and haven't had a single issue with it. Plus it's dual gas so I ran a line out from the house and haven't paid for propane since. And I use it year round. No pansy ass shed for my grill! ;D
for gas I'd get a Wilminton grill (big money but nice) or a Holland (a little less but still up there)
I've been looking to replace my grill for 6 months and agonizing over it. finally settled on the holland but as I was about to order one a sales rep gave me a speach about the Big Green Egg. mind has been changed and I'm going the egg route.
Another vote for Weber.
I have a Weber Silver gas grill which I've had now for 5 years. It sits outside all year in rainy Seattle with no other protection than the stock cover it comes with. It is still in great shape.
And the winner is...
Actually there's no winner yet but they are leaning heavily towards the Starland. (thanks, Speedbag!) It's built like a Wilminton but at HALF the price.
Full heavy gauge 304 stainless construction throughout. Double wall burner box and lid. Built like a true commercial product.
The only weak link is they use a stamped stainless burner but Larry the sales rep said it was designed to accept almost any burner so when it goes it can be replaced with something cast.
(http://www.starlandmetals.com/images/grills/grill_closeup_448_2005.jpg)
P.S. thanks again for your help, everyone!
Quote from: alfisti on May 05, 2009, 03:38:21 PM
And the winner is...
Actually there's no winner yet but they are leaning heavily towards the Starland. (thanks, Speedbag!) It's built like a Wilminton but at HALF the price.
Full heavy gauge 304 stainless construction throughout. Double wall burner box and lid. Built like a true commercial product.
The only weak link is they use a stamped stainless burner but Larry the sales rep said it was designed to accept almost any burner so when it goes it can be replaced with something cast.
(http://www.starlandmetals.com/images/grills/grill_closeup_448_2005.jpg)
There is
no store-bought grill that is built like that Starland. My buddy loves his, and I have used it myself and liked it. I will have one once my cheap Home Depot piece of shit finally dies (probably soon by the look of it).
That said, I loooooove my Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. But it's charcoal and another topic altogether. ;)
The Starland looks very nice and seems to be quality, but for $750-800 I'd rather buy a nice Weber with a 10 year warrantly versus 3 years on the Starland.
Quote from: alfisti on May 05, 2009, 03:38:21 PM
And the winner is...
Actually there's no winner yet but they are leaning heavily towards the Starland. (thanks, Speedbag!) It's built like a Wilminton but at HALF the price.
Full heavy gauge 304 stainless construction throughout. Double wall burner box and lid. Built like a true commercial product.
The only weak link is they use a stamped stainless burner but Larry the sales rep said it was designed to accept almost any burner so when it goes it can be replaced with something cast.
(http://www.starlandmetals.com/images/grills/grill_closeup_448_2005.jpg)
Where do you buy them?
mitt
I am very happy with the Capt Cook grill I got over 5 years ago from the local BBQs Galore. The store is no longer in bidness, but my grill works fine. I've only had to replace regulators and hoses cause of squirrels chewing the hoses and one set of cast iron burners due to a combo of overuse and rusting. I grill a couple times a week year round and almost daily from spring till fall.
Quote from: mitt on May 05, 2009, 05:03:58 PM
Where do you buy them?
mitt
http://www.shopstarlandmetals.com/Grills.aspx (http://www.shopstarlandmetals.com/Grills.aspx)
The sales rep is Larry and they're based out of Minnesota.
I think they do a lot of local business b/c he was a little surprised to hear we are from NY.
Too late but.... Vermont Castings!
http://www.myownbbq.com/content/bbq-grills/ (http://www.myownbbq.com/content/bbq-grills/)
I love mine!
+1 for BBQ's Galore: I have a built in Grand Turbo: http://www.bbqgalore.com/gas_grills/grand_turbo_38/ (http://www.bbqgalore.com/gas_grills/grand_turbo_38/)
The above happens with a lot of items, some electronics too. VERY carefully check model numbers when buying a big ticket product from Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal-Mart etc.
JM
The be all and end all of grills....
http://www.kingfisherkookers.com/index.html (http://www.kingfisherkookers.com/index.html)
Your folks will not be disappointed.