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Gas Grill

mulester7

mulester7

LIVE from Lake Ouachita
.....after 30 years of charcoaling with a Weber, I'm reviewing the situation of getting a gas grill....durability is the main thing I'm after....imo, the taste you get on a steak from a gas grill is very good.....

.....some say, give me charcoal or give me a skillet, but you can get tired of the charcoal taste, and tired of messing with the charcoal bed inside the cooker....gets old....maintaining the ashes, cleaning the lower walls of the cooker to aid the rake-system, working with the charcoal bed helping the fire to catch hold, going to the store to buy the charcoal, lugging it home, etc....it would sure be easier to just turn a valve, and strike a match....I say again, the taste of a steak done on a gas-grill tastes "very" good to me....are there any Weber gas-grill owners here?....how long would a canister of gas last me?.....
 
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I switched from charcoal to gas a couple of years ago, for the reasons you mentioned. I grilled year-round, mainly to avoid messing up my kitchen (single guy, here). After looking around, I purchased a Webber Mini-Q along with the optional fuel hose for a 21lb propane tank.

It's big enough to cook four decent steaks when I have friends over, yet small enough to fire up for a quick solo burger or fish steak. A tank of fuel lasts me about a year. I use the tank exchange system found at many Dado Marts, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. The fuel doesn't go bad when exposed to rain or high humidity. The little mini-Q is small enough to take to the lake, or up to the cabin for weekend stays, and there's no ashes to blow around, and no charcoal or lighting fluid to spill during transit. On these weekends away I use the little disposable fuel cans, which lasts about a weekend of four grilling meals. (Steaks and fish)

The grid-iron is heavy-duty and distributes heat very well. The top fits nicely, holding heat inside, and keeping rain or snow outside.

Purists may sneer, but it worked well enough for me that I purchased one for my Dad. Even though he's totally "old school" he loves the "on/off" convenience of gas and not having to mess with lighting fluid.

Good time of year to be purchasing a grill too!!!
 
I switched to a gas grill several years ago due to space constraints and I haven't really missed charcoal. If I want burned wood flavor, I break out the smoker.

Just this summer we retired the old grill and christened one of these:

picture.php


A tank of gas lasts us a couple of months, cooking an average of 2-3 times per week.
 
Been using a stainless steel Charbroil gas grill for over 20 years. Still works and looks great. No glass window. (they look like crap after the first year) Got one with the side burner, but never use it. Too windy on my deck to cook on the burner. Use about 2 to 3 tanks a year and cook on it pretty frequently.

Daughter and Son in Law bought a Weber gas grill (for about 3 times what mine cost) and the steaks taste the same.

My brother swears by charcoal and only uses an electric starter so the food is as pure as possible and not tainted by the fuel or starter fluid. Dinner is always late and the steaks taste the same as at my house.
 
Char-Broil used to make grills that you would hook up to your natural gas. Then you don't have to worry about running out of propane in the middle of grilling. You might check into those and see what you think. My dad had one for a bunch of years and it worked well.

I prefer charcoal, but agree propane is plenty good.
 
www.records said:
Char-Broil used to make grills that you would hook up to your natural gas. Then you don't have to worry about running out of propane in the middle of grilling. You might check into those and see what you think. My dad had one for a bunch of years and it worked well.

I prefer charcoal, but agree propane is plenty good.
Click to expand...

I think most manufacturers have a natural gas option. Either specific grills or a retrofit kit.
 
I've had a Napoleon since 1999, and it is still going strong. I replaced the grills a couple of years ago, and the bracket for the rotisserie fell off, but other than that it has been great. It is used year round, too. Even in -30 degree C weather.
I also own one of those small Weber Qs. I use it for camping. It doesn't get as hot as the Napoleon, and it only has one burner, so I couldn't use it for all my grill needs. But it is a great little grill. After using a cheap grill for camping for years I'm really happy I bought it.

One word of advice on the propane cylinders. Buy two. When one runs out, in the middle of cooking, you will have a backup. You can then refill tank number one. It is well worth the money, IMO.
 
"One word of advice on the propane cylinders. Buy two. When one runs out, in the middle of cooking, you will have a backup. You can then refill tank number one. It is well worth the money, IMO."

I use the little 2lb cans for back up when at home as well as when camping out. I've only used them once, and it carries plenty of fuel to either complete or cook a meal.

I got my little Baby-Q at an end of season sale for about 89$. The burner is stainless steel, and since it's covered when not in use, there's no telling how long it will last.
 
That's a steal of a deal. I had a bunch of Home Depot promo gift cards from my basement reno, and I used them for my Q. I was ready to buy a decent small grill anyway, so the timing was good. The last cheapo one I had was a gift, and it didn't even last through the first meal I cooked on it. It got hot(duh!) and the plastic thing that held up of the wire "legs" broke. I had to prop it up with a rock for the rest of the weekend.
I've been meaning to look into the adapter for those small cans, so I can use them as backup at home. When one of my 20lb tanks expires I might do that. I always have more of those small tanks kicking around here than I need anyway.
Back up is pretty important, though. Murphy's Law says the tank always runs out in the middle of cooking a meal. At least around here.:D
 
Natural gas grills and propane are the same, except a different control orifice because of the higher energy content of propane.

You smoke on a gas grill for flavor with a wood box. Cast iron won't cut it for all the ash (rust), you need 100% stainless. Not just a panel on the front but everything including the burners.

You can charcoal, gas, smoke, or bake on one of these and it will last. Not cheap, however.

www.wilmingtongrill.com

I have one on natural gas and use it year round.
 
mrkirker said:
"One word of advice on the propane cylinders. Buy two. When one runs out, in the middle of cooking, you will have a backup. You can then refill tank number one. It is well worth the money, IMO."

I use the little 2lb cans for back up when at home as well as when camping out. I've only used them once, and it carries plenty of fuel to either complete or cook a meal.

I got my little Baby-Q at an end of season sale for about 89$. The burner is stainless steel, and since it's covered when not in use, there's no telling how long it will last.
Click to expand...

Agreed with the backup propane tank. I also have the little weber Q - great for camping and docks onto a rollaround for the deck - pretty cool.

One thing to look for in a gas grill is ease of access into the grill itself - as the more you use it - the more grease is generated etc - and critters will start getting inside of it - was a huge problem for my charbroiler - it had huge openings - I had to get rid of it (I had no room indoors to store it) - the weber gas grills seem much better - at least the one in the screen shot above. If you are going to store it outside even with a cover - make sure there are no huge openings - otherwise you will be visited.

Good luck.
 
You know, I'm just the opposite, I've had a few gas grills in the past, along with some charcoal grills too, and I haven't wanted one, or used a gas grill in years. My 22.5" Weber Gold is the shiz, especially now that I have the Smokenator accessory too.

What some find a pain in the ass, I find a relaxing part of grilling. I guess it's the exact opposite of how I prefer digital music because of convenience, while others prefer the "ritual" of LP's, similar to how I view grilling/bbq'ing.
 
I use a Weber genesis that is an easy 20 years old. Keep it covered, take good care if it and it will last a LOONG time. Mine is due for new flavorizer bars and could use a fresh set of racks but I keep on using it.
 
I'm shopping for new weber gas to replace my 2004 model.
$$$$$$
expect to pay about $500 to $800 from what I've seen!
 
Hey H, why do you need a new one? Seems you can get damn near any part under the sun for a weber and do a rebuild... rust?
 
240sx4u said:
Hey H, why do you need a new one? Seems you can get damn near any part under the sun for a weber and do a rebuild... rust?
Click to expand...

yes...I'm aware of the availability of parts for these and have replaced the flavor bars once already.
there is some rust. (close to the beach)

Our current grill just looking a bit "tired" after 8 almost 9 years...
and I really like that the new Genesis has retooled the burners front to back instead of side to side.
And the knobs have been transferred from the side table to the front offering more laydown area.....plus the tank get's concealed inside the cabinet!
I'm looking online at US Appliance who is offering the E-310 for $699 plus free shipping. Assembly is DIY basic.

http://www.us-appliance.com/6512001.html#ReviewHeader

usappliance_2226_44628402
 
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