| ammdaddy |
Fellow Piloteers:
I'm going to be buying an outdoor grill in the next couple of weeks and was wondering if I could get a recommendation or two.
Weber seems to be the number one grill marketed and sold in the USA, but Home Depot carries a grill from Vermont Castings that seems to be made much MUCH better for the same price.
Does anyone here own a Vermont? If so, what do you think of it? Are there any other brands I should be looking at? I'd like to stick to the 36,000BTU and up grills.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
ammdaddy |
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| tigger1114 |
I bought a Weber Genesis B-looked at the Vermont Castings as well-both rate highly. However, the Weber has a MUCH better warranty than the Vermont Castings. I've had my Weber several months and love it!
_________________________________________________
'04 LX silver |
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| ChipUser |
I think the June 2004 issue of Consumer Reports magazine has a full report on the gas grills they tested.
IIRC their best buy recommendations were one brand available at Home Depot (not Weber) and one at Target. The Target one was completely stainless steel construction. Both in the $400 range. |
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| Alexandra242628 |
| We have the Char-Broil (I think that is the name of it) which came from Home Depot. It cost just under $200, sits in the hot south Florida sun and miserable daily rain without a cover and still works perfectly with no rust. It also has a side burner and has two separate heating sections. |
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| gymeni |
| I tried hard to join the gas grill club, but I just couldn't hang. I bought a Charbroil gas grill about 3 years ago -- loved the convenience -- but I don't care what anyone says, there's nothing like the flavor of food cooked over good old charcoal. I broke down a couple of months ago and bought a Charbroil CHARCOAL grill, and my gas grill sits right next to it... unused. |
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| ramirami |
a lot depends on what price range you are looking at....
besides the above mentioed brands..kenmore too has some good grills (at sears).....costco has some good mid-priced grills too |
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| TheWorm |
We have a Weber Gen that's several years old (dunno which model - it has a side burner, tho). Works like a champ, especially considering I've really done zero maintenance.
gymeni's right...it's not the same as charcoal. We ended up buying one of Weber's "smoker kits" ($30 IIRC) that let's you add some wood chips for a better BBQ/smoke flavor. I'd also highly recommend Weber's replacement handle ($20-$25) that has built-in lights for grilling @ night, if you don't have good patio lighting. |
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| Preludetundra |
| I have had our Weber for 5 years and have had no problems. I think there is a reason why it is highly recommended by consumer reports year after year sort of like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Tundra. |
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| Jackytar |
I love my Weber Genesis Silver B but... consumer reports rate the Vermont casting sold at Home Depot (model CF9030LP) higher than the Weber and a best buy. I've learned that these guys don't always get it right but there it is. The Weber was a best buy when I purchased it 5 yrs ago.
My Weber provides great grilling and still looks good after 5 years of use and exposure to the elements. Parts and supplies are easy to find because of Webers popularity and numbers sold. Both the Vermont Casting and Weber have three burners... don't settle for less. This allows you to grill via the "indirect method" meaning the burner directly below the meat is off. I do a lot of grilling this way (pork loins etc.)with fool proof results.
The other best buy was a Thermos stainless model 461246804 sold at Target. Happy grilling whatever you decide... |
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| Art |
quote:
Originally posted by ramirami
a lot depends on what price range you are looking at....
besides the above mentioed brands..kenmore too has some good grills (at sears).....costco has some good mid-priced grills too
We bought a Kenmore summer of 2002. It's great....:4: |
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| desertpilot |
We also have the Char-Broil model with the charcoal tray for using charcoal and the usual two burners and another one on the side. It also has a lighted front handle. I'll replace it in a year or two with a larger stainless grill when I finish my backyard patio.
How about this Freedom Grill mounted in your tow hitch (see pic below).:2:
Freedom Grill website link |
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| desertpilot |
Here's another pic. Just ignore the Ford SUV. :D
Come and get it! :D :D |
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| FLPilot |
I have a cheap(er) Charbroil gas grill so I can't help with this one. I will be putting a grill on our wedding registry though. So thanks for starting this. Now it ironic that I am reading this, because I am about to throw a couple Omaha steaks and burgers on the grill in about 30 minutes :2:
I love their meat! |
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| john802 |
I love my Crown-Verity MCB-30 gas grill w/ one 20lbs tank. I bought it from my co-worker at a big discount last year and it's well made with 304 Stainless Steel. As ramirami said, It depends on your budget.
-john |
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| Qbrozen |
| whatever it is, I strongly recommend getting all solid stainless steel. I bought what I thought was a rather expensive Sunbeam model 4 years ago (about $450 retail, IIRC). I was pretty happy with it up until now. We're in the process of moving and I wanted to take it apart and clean it. Well, the first thing that happened was the bolts holding the burner cover broke off due to rust (and its never been out in the rain). then when I finally got it apart and started cleaning it, the dried grease came off and took the finish with it, exposing rusted metal underneath! Ugh! |
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| jdeanski |
| I bought a replacement grill last year. Another Weber! My first one lasted over 10 years. I've been very pleased with them, they seem to cook more evenly and don't flare up as much as other grills, and compared to my old Weber these new ones assemble sooooo easily! |
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| Ziploc |
Here's another vote for Char-Broil gas grill.....bought ours about 4 years ago for a little over $200 and still going strong despite exposure to the elements year round and virtually no maintenance. Has a side burner and nice side table, but I don't know model info.
Fired it up last nite to grill rockfish we caught on fishing trip over the weekend. Added corn, sliced tomatoes, and fresh asparagus, and voila ---a scrumptious meal in 20 minutes flat!!! |
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| 4603pba |
| Another vote for Char Broil. I purchased mine in March at Lowes. Got the all stainless model, $349 which included assembly & delivery. No problems so far and cooks great. |
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| krygny |
I've wanted a Weber for years but always balked at the price. After going through cheap grills and parts every year, last year my wife got an incredible deal at amazon.com on a Weber Genesis Gold-C ($479, free shipping, and $100 GC), so I told her to go for it.
Wow!! I would have payed full price plus tax. It's not like any grill I've ever owned. It's more like an appliance, it's so precise. I've never considered myself a great grill cook, but I am now.
I think Vermont Castings grills are just as good, but I don't know that. One thing great about Weber is their support. A co-worker had one for about 12 years and it works perfectly (even the electric start) but last year his flavorizer bars finally rusted out. He called Weber's 800 number and they sent him replacements - no charge! |
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| Bill Balmer |
I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy. I vote for the Weber kettle charcoal grill. No gas for me!
BUT--here's something very important for you other hold-outs. Don't use briquets. Find some REAL charcoal. It's less dense, looks like charred wood and it's showing up more and more in plain old stores. I've been seeing it a lot lately at hardware stores.
Light it with old newspaper from underneath. No starter fluid, no smell. It's ready in 10 minutes and burns hotter than briquets. It's ALMOST as easy as turning on the gas and gives you all of the benefits of cooking over a real charcoal fire.
I'll never go back to Kingsford. |
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| Ziploc |
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Balmer
I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy. I vote for the Weber kettle charcoal grill. No gas for me!
BUT--here's something very important for you other hold-outs. Don't use briquets. Find some REAL charcoal. It's less dense, looks like charred wood and it's showing up more and more in plain old stores. I've been seeing it a lot lately at hardware stores.
Light it with old newspaper from underneath. No starter fluid, no smell. It's ready in 10 minutes and burns hotter than briquets. It's ALMOST as easy as turning on the gas and gives you all of the benefits of cooking over a real charcoal fire.
I'll never go back to Kingsford.
Sounds like something I'll want to check out; I've never been a fan of Kingsford and starter fluid. Though I do like (and sometimes need) the convenience of instant lighting of the gas grill, I'm gonna be purchasing a small portable charcoal grill to use when traveling and camping. I'll look for the REAL charcoal then. |
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| ammdaddy |
Thanks to all for the feedback so far. Char Broil and Weber sure seem to have their fan bases. Weber support may be a weighting factor for me. I doubt Vermont Castings has great customer support . . . I think all dealings/parts ordering go through their distributor, Home Depot. But side-by-side quality still has me leaning to the VC.
If you're at Home Depot and get a chance, simply open the lids of the various gas grills. All of them feel tinny and make a creaking noise when you open them . . . except for the Vermont. The Vermont lid is a lot heavier, but balanced.
Oh well . . . decisions, decisions.
As for all of you charcoal traditionalists out there, IMO, chimney starters are the ONLY way to properly start a charcoal grill.
ammdaddy |
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| terrier |
quote:
Originally posted by ammdaddy
As for all of you charcoal traditionalists out there, IMO, chimney starters are the ONLY way to properly start a charcoal grill.
ammdaddy
Ah, speaking of traditional. I was raised grilling with mesquite, on a pit that my dad made by stacking salvaged brick topped with stainless steel chain link (galvanized can make you sick, you know).
I, unfortunately have become to citified, and am too far from mesquite trees and have gone to natural gas. We did kitchen redo and my concession on the deal was my wife got me a Lynx stainless steel grill. We bought it configured for LP gas while our kitchen was being torn down and rebuilt. I then converted it to natural gas and have a couple of outlets on the deck. (one under a roof by the kitchen door, the other one at the edge of the deck where smoking (mesquite of course) doesn't find it's way inside).
Lynx is pretty cool in that it structure is completely welded, no screws to come loose. It also gets significantly hotter than the last several BBQs I owned. The cost was a little steep, but we use it year round as an extension of our kitchen.
Which ever you decide on, enjoy it!
Terrier |
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| Stevie B |
| Glad this thread was started. I'm in the market for a grill myself. While I like, and grew up with, a charcoal grill, I have a natural gas line that runs out the back of my house that's just waiting for a new gas grill. I won't be missing the charcoal cleanup. |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by terrier
Ah, speaking of traditional. I was raised grilling with mesquite, on a pit that my dad made by stacking salvaged brick topped with stainless steel chain link ...
...snip
My mom walked to school several miles, uphill both ways, carrying her ham biscuits in a tin bucket, in the snow...:D |
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| terrier |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
My mom walked to school several miles, uphill both ways, carrying her ham biscuits in a tin bucket, in the snow...:D
We didn't have snow. 110 degree weather, yes, snow, no, that was stuff of stories and TV.
Was I in for a shock moving to DC! (And yes, I know DC doesn't get as much as some places. Thank God!)
I do have to say though, that we've used snow to keep the Coronas and Lone Star Beer at several Texas Independence day parties. :1:
Terrier |
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| kemosabe |
| There's always an inherent danger when cooking with gas... :eek: |
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| phinzup |
I have a Ducane 5005. I've had it for about 7-8 years and it still works like brand new. I can cook ~16 hamburgers on it at the same time, while grilling hotdogs on the upper rack and heating chili on the side burner. :29:
I'll never have any other brand of grill, unless I can afford a Viking. |
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| krygny |
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Balmer
I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy. I vote for the Weber kettle charcoal grill. No gas for me!
...
I would prefer charcoal but, for many of us, it's just not practical. In the summer, we make dinner on the grill almost every evening. I can't wait 30-45 min for coals to heat up then 2 hours for the grill to cool down to put the cover on. Then there's the mess. If I were to entertain more, and needed a second grill, I would definitely get a Weber kettle. |
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| robottik |
quote:
Originally posted by krygny
I would prefer charcoal but, for many of us, it's just not practical. In the summer, we make dinner on the grill almost every evening. I can't wait 30-45 min for coals to heat up then 2 hours for the grill to cool down to put the cover on. Then there's the mess. If I were to entertain more, and needed a second grill, I would definitely get a Weber kettle.
I used to use a Weber charcoal grill exclusively, but like you, I found it's a lot of work when I wanted to do some quick grilling, say during the week after work.
So I broke down and bought a gas grill too. I use the gas grill on weeknights for quickie grilling and use the charcoal grill on the weekends when I have more time. :4: |
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| robottik |
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Balmer
Don't use briquets. Find some REAL charcoal. It's less dense, looks like charred wood and it's showing up more and more in plain old stores. I've been seeing it a lot lately at hardware stores.
Light it with old newspaper from underneath. No starter fluid, no smell. It's ready in 10 minutes and burns hotter than briquets.
Hmmm... sounds promising! I'll have to check this out. Thanks for the pointer. :29: |
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| Ratso |
My wife is a budding chef and I am FAT because of it. We grill year 'round. We have been using Weber products for nearly 10 years. Their customer service is really good and their warranty even better. That said, Weber does have it's limitations as to weight and configurations. Jenn-Aire, Viking, Char-broil and many other have lots of different choices.
I will caution those who shop by price first. The cheaper models will not hold up well and you won't get 5-10 years out of them. Our Weber Genesis is nearly 10 years old now and other than discoloration, works perfect. I have had several friends buy the "$200" model only to have a thermometer housing crack, glass "pre-view pane" explode in their faces, and tank hangers rust off. Many manufacturers will tout all stainless construction but neglect to tell the buyer that many of the hangers and smaller pieces are not. Buyer beware.
My first choice would be a new Viking, but who has that kind of cash. $2,500 for a gas grill is a bit much.
A good solid weber with plenty of rack space and caster feet for easy maneuverability in the ol' patio or deck will set you back about $650 and last 10-15 years is maintained. That's only about $40 a year. |
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| dbaggette |
| I did a lot of research before my purchase last year, and by far the best grill I could find was the Broilmaster. Ranked 1 by CR, they are made in the USA, and have the best warranty in the business. Lifetime on all parts except the briquettes. I found mine on EBAY, beating all local dealers by more than $200, with FREE shipping. |
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| dbaggette |
| Sorry, realized the attachment was blank. Here is a pic. |
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| Bill Balmer |
quote:
Originally posted by krygny
I would prefer charcoal but, for many of us, it's just not practical. In the summer, we make dinner on the grill almost every evening. I can't wait 30-45 min for coals to heat up then 2 hours for the grill to cool down to put the cover on. Then there's the mess. If I were to entertain more, and needed a second grill, I would definitely get a Weber kettle.
Wait for the grill to cool down to put the cover on?!?! No, no, no. You put the cover on and close the vents right when you're done cooking. Then the coals are oxygen starved and the fire goes out, saving your coals for tomorrow.
Or maybe I'm talking about the "lid" and you're talking about a plastic cover (like a car cover) that keeps the grill dry? I don't use anything like that. A Weber is made to withstand the elements.
And like I said before, if you use good charcoal (the less dense, non-briquet variety) and light it with newspaper, it's ready to cook in about 10 minutes.
If you close it up and save the coals, the mess is also much reduced, and what ash there is makes a good additive to your garden soil. |
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| copilot |
| I had never heard about them until I bought one 6 years ago. Double burner, ceramic grates, ceramic briquets. Lifetime guarantee on the burner. It burns or rusts out-new one free. I think they are worth looking around for. Cast aluminum body, stainless steel front--not really much to go wrong. It's been a long time since I had a grill that would last 10-15 years. Of course, you don't get to buy the new toys as often either. |
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| elduderino |
| I don't know if there is a Barbeque Galore store in your area, but we bought our grill there and have been extremely happy with it. We bought their house brand grill ("Cook On") and it came with 4 burners and kicks out 60,000 BTUs. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was the assembly of the grill. I'm pretty handy with a toolbox, but it was a ***** and a half to assemble the grill. Everything and I mean everything needed to be put together and it took me the good part of an evening to complete it. |
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| Ziploc |
quote:
Originally posted by krygny
I would prefer charcoal but, for many of us, it's just not practical. In the summer, we make dinner on the grill almost every evening. I can't wait 30-45 min for coals to heat up then 2 hours for the grill to cool down to put the cover on. Then there's the mess. If I were to entertain more, and needed a second grill, I would definitely get a Weber kettle.
I guess I'd still be grilling with charcoal, too, but it just takes more time than I've got during the week (and sometimes on the weekend) to get the coals "just right." Call me unreasonable and even paranoid, but extinguishing the charcoal by smothering it with the lid--if you have to leave the grill unattended--still bothers me. I'd probably be less paranoid if the grill wasn't sitting on a wooden deck. I like the idea of that "good" charcoal you describe, Bill Balmer, but does lighting it with the newspaper tend to produce flyaway sparks?
It's kinda the same way with my fireplace. I often wonder if we'd be happier if we'd chosen a gas fireplace instead of wood when the house was built. I don't go to bed or leave the premises until the last spark is out and the fireplace completely dormant and I can close the damper. |
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| Stevie B |
quote:
Originally posted by elduderino
I don't know if there is a Barbeque Galore store in your area, but we bought our grill there and have been extremely happy with it. We bought their house brand grill ("Cook On") and it came with 4 burners and kicks out 60,000 BTUs. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was the assembly of the grill. I'm pretty handy with a toolbox, but it was a ***** and a half to assemble the grill. Everything and I mean everything needed to be put together and it took me the good part of an evening to complete it.
That's the one I'm looking at. I think I'll have them assemble it for me. |
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| borg |
| Another vote for the Weber Gas grill for quality, performance & convenience. I've had mine for the last 6 yrs with great results & very little maintenace.:29: |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
Another vote for the Weber Gas grill for quality, performance & convenience. I've had mine for the last 6 yrs with great results & very little maintenace.:29:
Get the webber.
If you don't like it I will give you the name of the VP of customer service. :)
LOL
Actually they make a great grill, but sending disgruntled customers his way too often might not be good for neighborhoood peace. |
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| ammdaddy |
Here's the CR ratings list. Hope this helps all of you deciding what grill to buy.
Enjoy,
ammdaddy |
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| Stevie B |
| Ended up getting the Cook On 3 burner from Barbeques Galore. Assembly wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Hooked it up to the natural gas line and it worked great. |
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| Ziploc |
quote:
Originally posted by ammdaddy
Here's the CR ratings list. Hope this helps all of you deciding what grill to buy.
Enjoy,
ammdaddy
Looking at No. 6, a Best Buy in Average-Sized Grills, apparently Thermos and Char-Broil are made by the same manufacturer? Maybe that's why I remember having a difficult time choosing between the Char-Broil model I ended up buying and a similar Thermos model. |
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| glider pilot |
| Vermont Castings is THE premium wood stove manufacturer in the U.S. My experience with Vermont Castings is limited to their wood pellet stove. In 1994 we bought a Vermont Castings pellet stove to heat our completely unheated family room here in our Pennsylvania farmhouse. Ten years later, with absolutely no repairs, I am completely sold on their quality. It just works and works. Every winter my wife remarks about what a great job it does. However, because I like charcoal, I bought a Charbroil Charcoal/Gas grill. I have owned it for a year and still love it. You can do either, but I use charcoal about 90% of the time. You dump a layer of charcoal briquets on the pan and light the burners using the gas. After 20 minutes, you shut off the gas and ten minutes later you're ready to grill. Because we have a burn pit on our six acres, disposal of the coals/ashes is not a consideration. On an apartment balcony however, I probably would not recommend charcoal. But it smells so good - especially when using the Kingsford Mesquite briquets! |
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| Caf2461 |
quote:
Originally posted by phinzup
I have a Ducane 5005. I've had it for about 7-8 years and it still works like brand new. I can cook ~16 hamburgers on it at the same time, while grilling hotdogs on the upper rack and heating chili on the side burner. :29:
I'll never have any other brand of grill, unless I can afford a Viking.
I replaced my rotted out Weber (non stainless) with a 1305 Ducane. I'll never look back. It takes up less deck space than the Weber did and has the same size cooking area. This grill never flares up (stainless sear grate/ cooking grates) and cooks food evenly like no other (ceramic briquets).
Weber recently bought Ducane, left their dealers hanging and does not seem to know what to do with them yet.
http://www.garden-online-store.com/...ls/7143507.html |
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| EXRider |
It mostly depends on what you want. I actually use a Turbo 3 burner gas grill. I used to have a Char Broil, it worked great, hardley used any gas and always cooked great. Just a side note, Char Broil is the maker of gas broilers for major burger joints and even some resturants. Back to my Turbo, it is also from BBQ's Galore in PHX, I love the thing, takes a little time to heat at a consistant temp but otherwise not one problem.
Last tip, if you go gas, get an extra propane tank, you'll never know when you will run out. |
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| FLPilot |
quote:
Originally posted by EXRider
It mostly depends on what you want. I actually use a Turbo 3 burner gas grill. I used to have a Char Broil, it worked great, hardley used any gas and always cooked great. Just a side note, Char Broil is the maker of gas broilers for major burger joints and even some resturants. Back to my Turbo, it is also from BBQ's Galore in PHX, I love the thing, takes a little time to heat at a consistant temp but otherwise not one problem.
Last tip, if you go gas, get an extra propane tank, you'll never know when you will run out.
Yeah like I did two weeks ago :3:
I had to drive to Home Depot to swap tanks. When I swapped them I just took it and got home in a hurry without checking the which type of tank they gave me. Well sure enough it was the wrong tank (didn't even know they had different ones). The grill I have has a twist on piece and this one was not going to accept it. Needless to say I was so :3: that I just left it and had to put my steaks on the George Forman grill :rolleyes: |
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| FLPilot |
I was at Linens-n-Things the other day registering for wedding/bridal shower gifts (what a joy :rolleyes: ). Anyway, I guess something great came out of it, because as I walked up I saw a bunch of Weber grills lined up outside. Only two of them had "Clearance" signs on them with 25% off (They were the Genesis Silver B models). I of course (being a deal seeker and being cheap) walked up to the Manager and told him that I wanted the only Genesis Gold C at the same discount. He said yes without hesitating. So I walk over to it and found that the top basket is missing and so is the metal grate from the side burner. Long story short (after 45 minutes of dealing with the manager) we settled on $599 minus 25% ($449.25) minus 10% for missing parts ($404.33) and of course I had a Linens-n-Things 20% off coupon which brought me down to about $323.xx plus taxes. Not bad for 45 minutes of work. That is almost half off the going rate for this grill. I have checked every where else and they are selling them for as low as $549 right now. Oh and the best part was it was already put together, although I have heard it only takes 10-15 minutes to put Weber grills together.
I called Weber and told them that I was missing the top to the side burner and they will be shipping it to me free of charge. Gotta love deals like this. Anyway, I just thought I would let you all know in case someone was in the market for one. Call all your local Linens-n-Things (www.lnt.com) and see if they have them. Not sure if the 25% off is a national thing or what. Good luck....I will probably be cooking my first filet mignon tomorrow night :D |
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| krygny |
Good deal. I like deals like that, especially with reputable companies like Weber who will send you anything that's missing, no charge and no questions asked.
I just hate it when a store has a floor model on clearance and they take off a lousy 10-20%. Instead of pricing it down 50-70%, they'd rather throw it in the crusher than sell it at a deep discount. And forget about donating anything to charity. |
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| Ziploc |
quote:
Originally posted by FLPilot
~snip~
I called Weber and told them that I was missing the top to the side burner and they will be shipping it to me free of charge. Gotta love deals like this. Anyway, I just thought I would let you all know in case someone was in the market for one. Call all your local Linens-n-Things (www.lnt.com) and see if they have them. Not sure if the 25% off is a national thing or what. Good luck....I will probably be cooking my first filet mignon tomorrow night :D
FLPilot, thx. for sharing your success story with the rest of us. You've reminded me not to shy away from attempting to negotiate "deals" in similar situations.
Re Weber sending you the missing piece free of charge--I've gotten so jaded over the years from repeated encounters w/poor service that I never would have expected a manufacturer (even a company like Weber) to come through like that. When my current grill bites the dust, I'll strongly consider replacing it with a Weber.
P.S. When is the big day? May you and your soon-to-be other half enjoy many evenings of Filet Mignon grilled just the way you like it! |
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| FLPilot |
Well the grilled steak was great tonight. The only bad thing that I could think of is that the grill got dirty. Maybe I don't know enough how to clean stainless steel, but now my new grill doesn't look so new on the inside anymore. I thought that the stainless steel would clean easily, but it didn't. Anyone have any recommendations for cleaning the grill?
Ziploc you are very welcome. I only posted my deal here where I know there are mature readers. I didn't even think about posting it in any of my deal forums as they are so bad over there. The big day is December 4th. Oh and the customer service with Weber was excellent. She asked me for the serial number so that she could identify me I guess and register my grill and without questions, stated that the piece would shipped. She did state that it would take about two weeks though due to inventory, but I am not in a hurry.
Also, if anyone is looking to buy a grill cover, don't get wallet raped. I went to Lowes and found a 68" cover made by Char-broil which is of exact quality as the Weber one. Difference was mine cost $20 where the Weber one was $55. I thought the Weber one would have been thicker or something, but no chance. |
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| krygny |
quote:
Originally posted by FLPilot
...
Maybe I don't know enough how to clean stainless steel, but now my new grill doesn't look so new on the inside anymore. I thought that the stainless steel would clean easily, but it didn't. Anyone have any recommendations for cleaning the grill?
...
I wouldn't worry too much about the inside, it's gonna get black. It's a grill. The Weber documentation tells you exactly how to clean it: soap and water. Don't try to get cute or use anything special.
On the outside I just use a little Dawn, hot water, and a sponge. Then, hose it off. Like washing a car. (I did make the mistake of using the scrubbing side of the sponge, and it caused scratches in the stainless; just use a plain sponge.)
On the inside, the same thing but I don't get too anal about it. I just get the bulk of the muck out. Just be sure to clean the bottom pan fairly often. It gets a lot of build-up. There's a warning about it catching fire which I only noticed after I had it catch fire. It cleans real easy. You can just hose it off, because you're not eating off it. But it's enamel coated so a little scrubbing cleans it good as new.
Like I said, just follow Weber's instructions. |
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| hop23 |
quote:
Originally posted by krygny
I wouldn't worry too much about the inside, it's gonna get black. It's a grill. The Weber documentation tells you exactly how to clean it: soap and water. Don't try to get cute or use anything special.
On the outside I just use a little Dawn, hot water, and a sponge. Then, hose it off. Like washing a car. (I did make the mistake of using the scrubbing side of the sponge, and it caused scratches in the stainless; just use a plain sponge.)
On the inside, the same thing but I don't get too anal about it. I just get the bulk of the muck out. Just be sure to clean the bottom pan fairly often. It gets a lot of build-up. There's a warning about it catching fire which I only noticed after I had it catch fire. It cleans real easy. You can just hose it off, because you're not eating off it. But it's enamel coated so a little scrubbing cleans it good as new.
Like I said, just follow Weber's instructions.
This is one of the many reasons God created pressure washers. |
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| FLPilot |
Thanks krygny, unfortunately I didn't get a manual due to the fact that this was the last one and it was already put together. I asked if they still had anything else (since it was missing two parts) and the manager stated they didn't. I guess I should have asked Weber when I was on the phone, but didn't think I would need it. I checked their site as best as I could and could not find a way to download a manual either.
I did buy a bottle of stainless steel cleaner, and it works great. I only used that on the outside, as it states not to use on cooking surface due to the chemicals I am sure. My concern was just trying to keep the cooking grate (stainless steel) clean and looking as new as possible. I know the inside hood and the favorized bars at the bottom will just get dirty and would only get cleaned every once in a while. I am not a clean freak, but would like the cooking are clean. I guess I should take a picture huh? I will do that either tomorrow or Friday. Thanks again..... |
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| krygny |
quote:
Originally posted by FLPilot
Thanks krygny, unfortunately I didn't get a manual due to the fact that this was the last one and it was already put together. I asked if they still had anything else (since it was missing two parts) and the manager stated they didn't. I guess I should have asked Weber when I was on the phone, but didn't think I would need it.
...
I would call them back and get it, even if it's just to determine if there's anything else missing. I don't remember all the documentation that came with mine, but there's at least an owner's manual, assembly instructions, a cookbook, and the usual warranty and other paperwork. I'm sure Weber will send it all just for the asking. |
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| N_Jay |
I will have to pass all the great comments about Weber's customer service to one of my neighbors.
He is VP Customer Service for Weber, and will be happy to hear how well the CUSTOMERS perceive the service. |
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| FLPilot |
quote:
Originally posted by N_Jay
I will have to pass all the great comments about Weber's customer service to one of my neighbors.
He is VP Customer Service for Weber, and will be happy to hear how well the CUSTOMERS perceive the service.
Now if only he was willing to send me all those items krygny stated :D
A cook book would have been nice. I guess that's what I get for buying it at such a good deal. |
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| OB3 |
quote:
Originally posted by copilot
I had never heard about them until I bought one 6 years ago. Double burner, ceramic grates, ceramic briquets. Lifetime guarantee on the burner. It burns or rusts out-new one free. I think they are worth looking around for. Cast aluminum body, stainless steel front--not really much to go wrong. It's been a long time since I had a grill that would last 10-15 years. Of course, you don't get to buy the new toys as often either.
I got an MHP in May, it is the best grill i have owned. Love the fact is is made in the good ole USA, and the lifetime warranty can't be beat. I went for the sear plate grill, which flip over to grill veggie or fish, they are tough to clean, but heat up much hotter than the regular grate.
I highly recco MHP, a little pricey, no gadgets, but quality through and thru. |
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| knhellesky |
It's time to replace my single burner Sunbeam Gas grill with Lava rock.
I spared no expense with this one. :2:
It's 7 yrs. old and it's time for a new one. We were at Lowe's last night and I was eyeballing (more like gawking) the Jen-Air selection, particulary the 3 Burner one (45K BTU + 12K BTU sideburner). And if I play my cards right, I might be able to convince my wife with the 4 burner (48K BTU + 12K BTU sideburner).
All inputs are appreciated.
(Sorry...I tried to attach the links for the Lowe's website, but we got issues with Internet access at work right now) |
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| OB3 |
quote:
Originally posted by knhellesky
It's time to replace my single burner Sunbeam Gas grill with Lava rock.
I spared no expense with this one. :2:
It's 7 yrs. old and it's time for a new one. We were at Lowe's last night and I was eyeballing (more like gawking) the Jen-Air selection, particulary the 3 Burner one (45K BTU + 12K BTU sideburner). And if I play my cards right, I might be able to convince my wife with the 4 burner (48K BTU + 12K BTU sideburner).
All inputs are appreciated.
(Sorry...I tried to attach the links for the Lowe's website, but we got issues with Internet access at work right now)
i did a lot of research on grills before i bought, I was very interested in the Jenn Air, but read numerous articles on their reliability and how they hold up over the long run.
My post above yours is the one i made about MHP, it is going on 2 years old now, and i have nothing but great things to say about it. Starts on the first turn of the ignitors, never a clog, always nice and hot.
If you like bells and whistle, jenn air is great. If you want a great cooking instument, MHP is the grill for you.
best of luck
tom |
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| Caf2461 |
| My freind's Jenn Air is nice but like alot of grills out there it will flame up from grease and burn the meat. I had a Sunbeam and it would also do that (although for the price it is a good grill). I have had the Ducane for the last 4 years I could not be happier. Never burnt a steak or had to stand by with the water bottle. |
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| knhellesky |
Thanks for the info!
We're going to Home Depot tonight and we'll look at their selection. Their website is advertising the Ducane gas grills.
My price range is around $500-$700. |
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| pilot 454 |
I would recomend the Char Broil Grill I recently purchased from Lowes. It is a stainless steel three burner grill with a side burner. It has porcelain coated steel grates and soild brass burners with a 100 year warranty.
I have had about twenty burgers on it at once with no flare up problems. If you turn the heat down low you can BBQ chicken without burning it. It may not have enough heat to put a deep black char on a steak if you like Pittsburg style.
No matter what you get if you buy a stainless grill be sure to buy the highest quality cover for it. My first cover was cheap and it leaked during a rain storm and caused the stainless to get small rust spots. Fortunately it was covered by the warranty. |
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| borg |
| I've had my Weber gas grill for 7 problem free years, only maintenace required was to clean the drip pans. This year I decided to clean the whole thing with a pressure washer, used duct tape to cover the holes of the burners & blasted away all the grime that's accumulated(surprisingly minimal) over the years. Let it dry for a couple of hours & voila!!! it works & looks like new again.:) |
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| john802 |
quote:
Originally posted by pilot 454
...No matter what you get if you buy a stainless grill be sure to buy the highest quality cover for it. My first cover was cheap and it leaked during a rain storm and caused the stainless to get small rust spots. Fortunately it was covered by the warranty.
I've never had any problems w/ my Crown-Verity MCB-30 gas grill. All the steel parts are 304 SS. No problem w/ rust even if I don't put the cover.;) |
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| knhellesky |
quote:
Originally posted by borg
I've had my Weber gas grill for 7 problem free years, only maintenace required was to clean the drip pans. This year I decided to clean the whole thing with a pressure washer, used duct tape to cover the holes of the burners & blasted away all the grime that's accumulated(surprisingly minimal) over the years. Let it dry for a couple of hours & voila!!! it works & looks like new again.:)
Nice grill....and deck!:4: |
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| knhellesky |
quote:
Originally posted by pilot 454
I would recomend the Char Broil Grill I recently purchased from Lowes. It is a stainless steel three burner grill with a side burner. It has porcelain coated steel grates and soild brass burners with a 100 year warranty.
I have had about twenty burgers on it at once with no flare up problems. If you turn the heat down low you can BBQ chicken without burning it. It may not have enough heat to put a deep black char on a steak if you like Pittsburg style.
No matter what you get if you buy a stainless grill be sure to buy the highest quality cover for it. My first cover was cheap and it leaked during a rain storm and caused the stainless to get small rust spots. Fortunately it was covered by the warranty.
We're going to Sears tonight and look at the Kenmore and the other brands.
Our price range just went down from the 5-7C to 3-4C.:3:
Long story, but I think I'll compromise.:mad: |
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| JFHughesNJ |
Purchase a grill (going on 3rd year) from Sears, http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...t=Grills,%20Gas
Sears high end grills are made by Grand Hall. Grand Hall also sells their own line under the Grand Cafe name.
Great grill. 6 burners PLUS infrared back burner PLUS side burner PLUS smoker tray.
I couldn't be happier. Use it year-round here in the northeast. Paid $700 |
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| CarolinaPilot |
| I have a 10 year old Weber Genesis two burner tube grill. This grill has been outside its entire life, under cover with the original Weber grill cover (still in really good shape). I spent the past week rebuilding/replacing burners, cross wire ignition system, stripping it clean and repainting cast aluminum pieces. Works like it did when new now. I have about $50 into the rebuild. Spoke to technical support folks three times to order parts. They got it right 2 out of 3 times. I wish Weber's web site had exploded Weber Grills drawings of grills and asscoiated parts as it has been hard to get the items right from them the first time. They ship parts via FedEX for $5 with parts coming within three-five days. |
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| knhellesky |
Jenn-Air.....nope
Ducane......nah
Weber........no
Kenmore....not quite
We eventually got this Thermos gas grill from Target.
I'll assemble it tonight.
Thanks for all who shared their info. :4:
This Forum is the best. :2: |
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| CarolinaPilot |
| Was it price alone that you settled on the Thermos? What is the warranty and tech support like? Thanks. |
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| pilot 454 |
I see you took my advice and got the Char Broil grill....sort of. Did you notice how similar Thermos and Char Broil grills are? Char Broil owns the gas grill division of Thermos and sells the same grills with different names at different stores. Char Broil at Lowes and Thermos at Target etc.
They are great grills, I love mine. The customer service is good. After my grill had some rust spots I called the company and they sent me a brand new SS top and side shelf. I plan on posting my BBQ rib recipe to this thread soon if you're interested.
Happy Grilling |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by pilot 454
I see you took my advice and got the Char Broil grill....sort of. Did you notice how similar Thermos and Char Broil grills are? Char Broil owns the gas grill division of Thermos and sells the same grills with different names at different stores. Char Broil at Lowes and Thermos at Target etc.
They are great grills, I love mine. The customer service is good. After my grill had some rust spots I called the company and they sent me a brand new SS top and side shelf. I plan on posting my BBQ rib recipe to this thread soon if you're interested.
Happy Grilling
Then there's the Fire and Ice Thermos Grill by Char-Broil. which I take to NASCAR events.:p |
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| knhellesky |
quote:
Originally posted by CarolinaPilot
Was it price alone that you settled on the Thermos? What is the warranty and tech support like? Thanks.
Mostly yes on the first question. :4:
The warranty is not as good as the other grills....
~ Firebox and lid -- limited lifetime against perforation :rolleyes:
~ Burners -- 3 years
~ Elec. ignition -- 3 years
~ Remaining parts -- 1 yr
Compared to my old Sunbeam...this is a huge improvement. We'll use it tomorrow and see how it performs.
As far as tech support...I haven't used/called them yet. The assembly instructions were pretty good. It took me approx 2 hours (unpacking and reading instructions included) |
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| knhellesky |
quote:
Originally posted by pilot 454
I see you took my advice and got the Char Broil grill....sort of. Did you notice how similar Thermos and Char Broil grills are? Char Broil owns the gas grill division of Thermos and sells the same grills with different names at different stores. Char Broil at Lowes and Thermos at Target etc.
They are great grills, I love mine. The customer service is good. After my grill had some rust spots I called the company and they sent me a brand new SS top and side shelf. I plan on posting my BBQ rib recipe to this thread soon if you're interested.
Happy Grilling
Time will tell if we'll like this grill. Like I said before, almost any grill is an improvement from my old one.
Here are some pix... |
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| knhellesky |
| another one... |
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| borg |
Weber Nation.
Two guys drive across USA to ask Weber owners what they liked best about the grill. Some very interesting stories & testimonials from owners captured on video, click on view story to watch. |
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| Tim |
Just happened upon this thread.......
I barbeque on the average 4 times per week all year, (rain or shine). 15 years ago I replaced my rusted out 4 year old Char Broil with a Weber genisus 2000.
This year I had to replace the burners. Simple, although I did have to drill out two bolts - took 30 minutes.
The flavorizer bars would last app. 5/6 years - although the last set I bought are SS so I'm not sure how long they will last.
The smoker box/kit is gonna be a problem, they rust out every 3 or 4 years and they don't make them for that model (older grills) any more, part number #9880.
The first 5 years I had it I would cover it every night but then I added a side burner and the cover didn't quite fit any more.
The only sign of rust is on the hardware. (the rest is preserved in animal fat)...............:drool: |
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| CarolinaPilot |
Tim,
My Weber Silver Genesis grill is about 15 years old. I too, use it year round, I have just about replaced every part and this grill continues to fire up each and every time. I go though those flavorizer bars about every three years. Just a couple nights ago I was wire brushing the grates and flipping them around when I noticed those bars where in pretty bad rusted shape again. I don't know if they make stainless steel bars for my model grill or not. I wonder how much they cost? I still have the original Weber cover for the grill and it is in great shape. My rear burner bar does not distribute flame evenly across it anymore. Probably need to problem solve this soon. Lastly, every time I have called Weber tech support, this organization has been excellent. I will continue to support their product. Grill On! |
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| Tim |
quote:
Originally posted by CarolinaPilot
Tim,
My Weber Silver Genesis grill is about 15 years old. I too, use it year round, I have just about replaced every part and this grill continues to fire up each and every time. I go though those flavorizer bars about every three years. Just a couple nights ago I was wire brushing the grates and flipping them around when I noticed those bars where in pretty bad rusted shape again. I don't know if they make stainless steel bars for mymodel grill or note. I wonder how much they cost? I still have the orginal Weber cover for the grill and it is in great shape. My rear burner bar does not distribute flame evenly across it anymore. Probably need to problem solve this soon. Laslty, everytime I have called Weber tech support, this organization has been excellent. I will continue to support their product. Grill On!
If your's is a three burner grill, it's the same as mine. Provided it uses 13 bars (5 long, 8 short) here is the SS bars........:29: |
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| krygny |
| I've had my Weber Genesis Gold-C for 5 years and there is no significant oxidation on the SS flavorizer bars. I knew someone who got 15 years out of them and Weber sent him new ones for no charge (but I don't think they usually do that). |
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| BillG |
I had a Weber Genesis Gold C and a Brinkmann electric smoker.
When it was time to replace my smoker, I started looking around and discovered the Big Green Egg.
I was always hooked on the ease of use of gas and thought charcoal might be too difficult for regular use, so I kept my beloved Weber.
Fast forward a year later...
The Weber was just taking up space on my patio. I never used it.
The Egg is so easy to use and I get such great results that I had no desire to fire up the gas grill.
My Egg can be ready to cook in 15-20 minutes. That was about the same amount of time that it took my gas grill to warm up. Now that I've gotten used to using the Egg, I just try to light it about 30 minutes before cooking.
The Egg is super efficient. On a really long, low 'n slow barbeque, I have cooked 20+ hours on one load of charcoal without ever opening the top or adding more fuel.
Want that steakhouse quality sear? I could not get that with the heat output of my Weber. The Egg hits super hot temps.
The Egg takes some getting used to, but the results are well worth it.
I finally sold my Weber. Figured it deserved a good home and I was neglecting it.
(I don't work for them. I'm just a really happy customer.) |
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| Tim |
quote:
Originally posted by BillG
I had a Weber Genesis Gold C and a Brinkmann electric smoker.
When it was time to replace my smoker, I started looking around and discovered the Big Green Egg.
I was always hooked on the ease of use of gas and thought charcoal might be too difficult for regular use, so I kept my beloved Weber.
Fast forward a year later...
The Weber was just taking up space on my patio. I never used it.
The Egg is so easy to use and I get such great results that I had no desire to fire up the gas grill.
My Egg can be ready to cook in 15-20 minutes. That was about the same amount of time that it took my gas grill to warm up. Now that I've gotten used to using the Egg, I just try to light it about 30 minutes before cooking.
The Egg is super efficient. On a really long, low 'n slow barbeque, I have cooked 20+ hours on one load of charcoal without ever opening the top or adding more fuel.
Want that steakhouse quality sear? I could not get that with the heat output of my Weber. The Egg hits super hot temps.
The Egg takes some getting used to, but the results are well worth it.
I finally sold my Weber. Figured it deserved a good home and I was neglecting it.
(I don't work for them. I'm just a really happy customer.)
no doubt, charcoal is king, but the Egg doesn't look big enough to cook two 16lb turkeys on the spit in 2.5 hours........:drool: |
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| CarolinaPilot |
quote:
Originally posted by Tim
If your's is a three burner grill, it's the same as mine. Provided it uses 13 bars (5 long, 8 short) here is the SS bars........:29:
This is not the case for me Tim. Tow burners and five bars which run the length of the grill. Anybody got a on-line weber source for grill parts that they are happy to buy from? |
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| krygny |
quote:
Originally posted by BillG
...
My Egg can be ready to cook in 15-20 minutes. That was about the same amount of time that it took my gas grill to warm up.
...
A gas grill should not take more than 3-5 minutes to preheat. I think a charcoal grill is perfect as a second grill, especially for barbeques. They're generally inexpensive. It takes longer to heat up, but stays hot for hours, so at an all-day barbeque, whenever anyone wants to eat, they can oxidize the bovine/swine/fowl flesh of their choice.
A charcoal grill is not practical for me for everyday use. I can have dinner made in | | | |
