Hi Fellow TFP folks!
Questions:
1. Which brand/model do you think best fits my needs and budget? (below)
2. What should I look for to determine grill quality:
a. Sturdy construction - what areas typically poop out on grills and how to tell good quality from disposable construction?
b. Materials/Stainless steel thoughts? Per other thread Stainless (300 ss series) sounds really good - bring magnet to verify it does NOT stick to 300ss. However I don't know if ss is overpriced, better than enamel/powder-coated cast iron, or if there is some ceramic grill rack that is available???
3. Where have you found the best place to get LP Grills?
I don't mind buying online (typically buy.com, craigslist.org (limitied time to search though), and amazon.com). Home Depot and Lowes are both nearby.
Initial Thoughts:
Probably Weber, but need to look at makes and models available online and around town.
1. $638 (inc. tax) Weber Spirit S-320 at Home Depot: 3 burner, no side burner
, 36K BTU, Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates
2. $550 (inc. tax) Weber Spirit E-310 at Home Depot: 3 burner, no side burner, 36Kbtu, 3 stainless steel burners .
3. $297 (inc. tax) Char-Broil at Home Depot: Stainless Steel, 4-burner, 48K BTU, side burner, Porcelain-coated cast iron grates. I'm concerned about brand quality.
4. $220 (inc. tax) Nexgrill grill on special at Home Depot (normally $379) but I'm concerned it might be too low end or won't last. (It has 4 burners with rotisserie burner :?: , 634sq. in., 48K BTU, side burner, enclosed cart, Porcelain cast iron cooking grids.)
Background:
I don't grill much, but that's likely due to equipment more than operator. I've got an old red painted (aluminum fire box?) Weber LP grill that stopped working early last year. I think mud wasps clogged up the LP jets but I couldn't figure it out after replacing the regulator + 1 hour of tinkering. Even if I fixed it I'm tired of the black paint flecks on inside of the lid lid seasoning the food every time the lid shuts too hard. I've been promised a father's day grill, but I want to get something that works well and lasts. Budget is ~$300-$800 I think, but might go a bit more if quality jump is really worth it. I like cooking salmon, roasting veggies, chicken, and anything else I can.
Needs:
1. Reliable: Lasts 10+ years, doesn't rust, rarely cleaned, puts up with neglect and wet climate (Seattle weather).
2. Scaleable: Feed 2 adults & 2 Tweens easily at least once a week, feed 8 ~once a month, and feed ~18 on 4th of July and couple other big events (like when it gets over 90 in Seattle since we have one of the very few pools around
). I might also invite software development team of 11+ this summer now that I live only 10 blocks from work .
3. LP gas. Sorry, but I don't have patience and often don't have time for charcoal or wood.
4. Middle-to-high quality (to meet requirement #1 and have good grilling experience)
5. 3 or more burners
6. Side burner for boiling water (typically do big stew pot full of corn while grilling for family)
7. Upper shelf - I've loved this when I've had one for slowing cooking or keeping hot but mostly done cooking.
Wants:
8. Griddle plate - I've got a collapsable camping stove that I run one burner with a grill and other with a griddle and it works great for small jobs!
9. Rotisserie (or at least attachment-compatible).
10. Something that has spare parts available for less than an arm and a leg. (Weber is a winner in this category.)
11. Convertible to natural gas in case I ever start grilling often enough to draw piping around 40'.
My guess is a Weber grill is where I'll end up. I haven't read up on all the models yet (genesis, gold, platinum, etc.). I don't think I have the budget for ceramic (plus ceramic grills typically are charcoal/wood for purists). Charmglow, Grill???, and other brands don't instill confidence in me.
Yes, I know I should have posted at least a week ago to get well rounded feedback
. At this point I'll take anything I can get. Even if it's past due I like learning for next round or to help others.
Questions:
1. Which brand/model do you think best fits my needs and budget? (below)
2. What should I look for to determine grill quality:
a. Sturdy construction - what areas typically poop out on grills and how to tell good quality from disposable construction?
b. Materials/Stainless steel thoughts? Per other thread Stainless (300 ss series) sounds really good - bring magnet to verify it does NOT stick to 300ss. However I don't know if ss is overpriced, better than enamel/powder-coated cast iron, or if there is some ceramic grill rack that is available???
3. Where have you found the best place to get LP Grills?
I don't mind buying online (typically buy.com, craigslist.org (limitied time to search though), and amazon.com). Home Depot and Lowes are both nearby.
Initial Thoughts:
Probably Weber, but need to look at makes and models available online and around town.
1. $638 (inc. tax) Weber Spirit S-320 at Home Depot: 3 burner, no side burner
, 36K BTU, Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates2. $550 (inc. tax) Weber Spirit E-310 at Home Depot: 3 burner, no side burner
, 36Kbtu, 3 stainless steel burners . 3. $297 (inc. tax) Char-Broil at Home Depot: Stainless Steel, 4-burner, 48K BTU, side burner, Porcelain-coated cast iron grates. I'm concerned about brand quality.
4. $220 (inc. tax) Nexgrill grill on special at Home Depot (normally $379) but I'm concerned it might be too low end or won't last. (It has 4 burners with rotisserie burner :?: , 634sq. in., 48K BTU, side burner, enclosed cart, Porcelain cast iron cooking grids.)
Background:
I don't grill much, but that's likely due to equipment more than operator. I've got an old red painted (aluminum fire box?) Weber LP grill that stopped working early last year. I think mud wasps clogged up the LP jets but I couldn't figure it out after replacing the regulator + 1 hour of tinkering. Even if I fixed it I'm tired of the black paint flecks on inside of the lid lid seasoning the food every time the lid shuts too hard. I've been promised a father's day grill, but I want to get something that works well and lasts. Budget is ~$300-$800 I think, but might go a bit more if quality jump is really worth it. I like cooking salmon, roasting veggies, chicken, and anything else I can.
Needs:
1. Reliable: Lasts 10+ years, doesn't rust, rarely cleaned, puts up with neglect and wet climate (Seattle weather).
2. Scaleable: Feed 2 adults & 2 Tweens easily at least once a week, feed 8 ~once a month, and feed ~18 on 4th of July and couple other big events (like when it gets over 90 in Seattle since we have one of the very few pools around
). I might also invite software development team of 11+ this summer now that I live only 10 blocks from work .3. LP gas. Sorry, but I don't have patience and often don't have time for charcoal or wood.
4. Middle-to-high quality (to meet requirement #1 and have good grilling experience)
5. 3 or more burners
6. Side burner for boiling water (typically do big stew pot full of corn while grilling for family)
7. Upper shelf - I've loved this when I've had one for slowing cooking or keeping hot but mostly done cooking.
Wants:
8. Griddle plate - I've got a collapsable camping stove that I run one burner with a grill and other with a griddle and it works great for small jobs!
9. Rotisserie (or at least attachment-compatible).
10. Something that has spare parts available for less than an arm and a leg. (Weber is a winner in this category.)
11. Convertible to natural gas in case I ever start grilling often enough to draw piping around 40'.
My guess is a Weber grill is where I'll end up. I haven't read up on all the models yet (genesis, gold, platinum, etc.). I don't think I have the budget for ceramic (plus ceramic grills typically are charcoal/wood for purists). Charmglow, Grill???, and other brands don't instill confidence in me.
Yes, I know I should have posted at least a week ago to get well rounded feedback
. At this point I'll take anything I can get. Even if it's past due I like learning for next round or to help others.
