Suggestions for a new gas grill?

[Matt S]

So after I realized the gas regulator on my grill went back (via a fire under the grill next to the tank...that was fun) I decided to assess the health of the rest of the grill for how much of a toll rust has taken, and I'll need about $400 in parts to bring it back up to par. So time for a new grill. This Kenmore was a hand me down, but I think it has gone for over a decade...so not bad.

I don't do anything fancy. Primarily I'd be happy with something that is well made and can put a nice sear on a steak. I'm somewhat intrigued with the idea of a rotisserie set up, which I know some come with dedicated "rotisserie burners" and such.

Like many other things, a little research showed there is a number of ways to go with this and brands I've never heard of. I'm tempted just to get the old standby Weber (probably a Genesis E-330 or S-330) and play safe. But then again, I wonder if the Weber is worth the premium over a basic $280 stainless Kenmore besides the 5 year vs. 10 year burner warranty. In my research so far, I came across Broil King which seemed like a potential nice value with good feedback (and made in Canada I think), but I don't think they have a big following in the States. I know you can spend as much as you want with these, so I'd like to stay under $1000. So I'm just wondering if anyone has a grill they love out there. Or a pile of rusting junk they would never buy again.

 

[Trenton]

I can't speak for Broil King grills made today, but I think I might try one, 25 years ago they made great grills. I was hoping to get another few years out of this one but galvanic reaction was finally the death of this one, screws holding on the dials finally ate through the housing. The grill was used regularly for the last 25 years, lived outside never under cover, I replaced the grill twice and the burner once. The igniter still works, I'm thinking that could be a record.

 

[Grumpy_Bottom]

I can't say enough good things about the one I picked up at Lowes for $299 plus another $70 or so for a smoker box...even if you don't care for the smoker box, it's a silly value since you can gas or charcoal. And for steaks, the gas side gets up well over 650 for a really sick sear. It's a 3 burner but puts my old 5 burner to shame in terms of heat output, I guess because the overall area is a little smaller on each side.

View attachment 324617

http://www.lowes.com/pd_5050-49769-5050_4294703263__?productId=1245537&Ntt=grill

 

[mretzloff]

Any of the Webers. I love my Summit.

 

[Mick]

Weber......

Built to last.....

Parts availability when they need them keeps them kicking for decades.

I got mine for free... yea... free.... Was a craigslist item and the person was very unresponsive, waffled about seeing it (when/how). After several weeks they just wanted it gone so when I called the last time (before giving up) they said, If you can get here in 15 minutes you can have it free.... zoom... made it in 10 minutes

Check craigslist in your area as used Weber grills are all over the place and reasonably priced.

No matter what you get, make sure you get a HD cover. This will ensure that your grill sticks around longer.

 

[jbaca]

I have a Weber it's great used warranty service superb

 

[Ollie4ISU]

My Weber Genesis 4000 is 17 years old. I just replaced the burners and grates for the first time last year..... When it finally gives up the ghost, a similar Weber will take its spot.

 

[73mountaineer]

Weber, Weber, Weber.

My Genesis is heading into its 10th year & has been fantastic. I have used it year-round during that time & may need to look at replacing the burners this year, maybe.

I won't ever buy any gasser other than a Weber again.

 

[Acmemfg]

You just are not gonna do better than a Weber. My Genesis has seen use 3-5 days a week EVERY week for about 6 years. 1 set of flavorizer bars, 1 cooking grid, 1 burner crossover bar are all that needed replacing so far. Oh...those parts were replaced free under warranty.

I live in what has been determined to be the most corrosive environment in the Northern Hemishpere (USPS even had to develop a special paint to keep mailboxes from rusting away). Weber sits outside..usually covered. Zero rust..........

 

[toyman]

I had a weber genesis silver for over 10 years. I replaced the flavorizors and grates once, and sold it on CL for $185. I sold it for a few reasons, mainly being that it was propane and I had a NG line put in when I built my house. I have a JennAir (Nexgrill) now, and it's going on 7 years old, with a new set of burners, grates and tamers. All in all a very nice grill, but has needed a little more attention, but is also a bit bigger and versatile. You can't go wrong with the (American Made) Webers.

 

[jpakstis]

We have had our Weber for six years and I keep it outside (covered) all year long, even in New England winters. Works like the first day we had it. Also, my dad got one and there was a problem with the igniter so they just sent out a whole new igniter/controls/burner part. Didn't even need to show any proof of purchase.

 

[camjr]

Yes - Weber is worth the premium. Pay more now, save money in the long run.

cheers,

 

[mretzloff]

My Weber Genesis 4000 is 17 years old. I just replaced the burners and grates for the first time last year..... When it finally gives up the ghost, a similar Weber will take its spot.

Weber, Weber, Weber.

My Genesis is heading into its 10th year & has been fantastic. I have used it year-round during that time & may need to look at replacing the burners this year, maybe.

I won't ever buy any gasser other than a Weber again.

How does one know when the burners need replacing?

 

[Ollie4ISU]

How does one know when the burners need replacing?

The flame won't look right. Either it will be too big or the wrong color (too yellow). If you suspect yours are going bad, pull the grates and flavorizer bars and take a look at the individual holes. If the burners are rusting out the holes won't be uniform any longer. You can fire it up and look for uniform flames. Usually it will be relatively obvious that the burners are about done. On mine, the crossover tube on the left side of my grill gave out first. I suspected it was going as I was getting a pretty good hot spot above the tube.

 

[mretzloff]

The flame won't look right. Either it will be too big or the wrong color (too yellow). If you suspect yours are going bad, pull the grates and flavorizer bars and take a look at the individual holes. If the burners are rusting out the holes won't be uniform any longer. You can fire it up and look for uniform flames. Usually it will be relatively obvious that the burners are about done. On mine, the crossover tube on the left side of my grill gave out first. I suspected it was going as I was getting a pretty good hot spot above the tube.

Thank you!

 

[Ollie4ISU]

Thank you!

You're welcome!

By the way, I flat out LOVE your creams. I have three so far. The Briar Limited edition and two that you made for The Groom Room in Ames, IA. Awesome stuff, I really appreciate your skill in making them.

 

[LuckyR]

You can pay more (a lot more) than a Weber and you can debate all day about what you are getting for that extra $$, but my recommendation is get a stock Weber, then pony up for stainless Weber replacement grills. Got them from Amazon "used" (ie 30% of the cost of "new") which just meant that the carton had some damage, the grills were brand new.

 

[lowjax]

Another vote for the Weber. I have a low end Weber Sprint 310 and I love it. Used it for 3 years and the only thing that has happened is that the grates are getting wonderfully seasoned.

 

[RondeB]

I would put my vote in for Weber. I have had mine for over 10 years and during that time haven't always taken the best care of it and it still works very well. The best part is you can always get parts.

 

[brucered]

$1000 budget, no doubt about it....WEBER.

As turtle said, check some used sites (craiglist in VA has some nice webers right now) if you don't mind a used grill, i wouldn't. Webers are built to last and all the parts are replaceable and some old weber restorations are sweet.

use the extra money to pick up a smoker or cermaic kamado like the Vision at costco, or a BGE, then thank me later

Broil Kings are built well, Vermont Castings are great (at least mine from a few years ago, it's built like a TANK)