Indecisive over gas grill purchase

[ezmobee]

I'm in the market for a new gas grill. I currently have a 6 year old Brinkmann that is completely shot. After about year 3 or 4 I replaced all the burners in it and at that time I could already see that the some of the structure was rotting so I knew I would not be bothering to replace the burners again.

I want a 3+ burner grill with a side burner.

My dilemma is that there are tons of grills to choose from in the $300 range that would suit my needs perfectly, but I'd probably be shopping for a new one again in 5-6 years. There are some $500 grills available that are a little better reviewed (Ducane) but quality/durability issues are still indicated. The Weber Genesis looks like a heck of a grill but the model I'd want starts at $749 and to get it in all stainless is $949. I could buy 3 cheapo grills for that. Anyone have any recommendations for me? I'm just not sure what the smart buy is here.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

I bought a red and black one year-before-last at Lowes while home on R&R. I swear I cant remember the name of it, but it is made by Jenn-Aire (Jenn-Aire is the parent company) and is identical the their stainless grill, but mine is not stainless. It has 4 burners, plus a side burner, and an infrared burner, as well as a rotisserie and a nice LED light inside. It's HUGE. It had been $650+, but I got it on closeout, plus used my Gov't ID and got 10% more off of it, so I got it and a cover out the door for just a little over $300. I like bargains, and I like Jenn-Aire, so win-win. It's hard to go wrong with a Weber, and my Father in law swears by his Big Green Egg. He also has a new Grill Master 3-in-1 and loves it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

I'd recommend Weber, very high-quality grills. I recently replaced the drip bars and grills with new stainless on my old Weber and it's like new again.

Maybe store it in the garage to make it last longer?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

My grill is on my deck which is off the kitchen and is a full story off the ground. The garage would be a pain and take up too much room. I have a Weber charcoal grill also and it has held up well. Maybe I should milk the Brinkmann a little longer and save up for a Weber. Any comments on the stainless vs. the porcelin coating steel versions of the same grill?

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-6521001...BBA4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1300218381&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-6570001...BB72/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1300218381&sr=8-6

 

[swaycleveland]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

there are only 2 grills on the market Weber and EVERYONE else. you really only buy a weber once try craigslist

heres once in your hood
http://york.craigslist.org/for/2264392984.html
honestly buy one weber grill pass it on to your kids

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

I think that Weber stainless looks WAY nicer than the black one(since you are buying)

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

Buy a Weber....you'll never buy another brand! Yes they cost more....they're worth it. Highly recommend the stainless models. I bought a Summit all stainless model in 2006 and haven't done anything but use the bat crap out of it. My father in-law bought a bigger grill for less money (all stainless) the same year and after only using it for 3 summers at the lake house we had to replace all of the burners......Weber uses good stainless steel in their burners and warranty them for 20 years! Again they cost more...but if you have to replace burners every other year, how much did you save! Buy a Weber!

 

[wifisher]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

if it stays outside it is going to rot away. Winter is hard on grills. If you can't keep it out of the weather, don't spend too much on it. Get another one for $300 and plan on replacing it every five years or so.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

honestly buy one weber grill pass it on to your kids

My Weber was bought new by my dad in the late 80s...been stored outside some years and garaged others. I repainted it a bit and flipped the wood pieces over and it looks brand new again.

They last, even stored outside.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

Put a cover over the Weber and it will last 20+ years sitting out in the weather. Mine sits outside all year long covered.....bought it in 06...havent replaced even so much as an igniter. I even use mine in the winter.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

My grill is on my deck which is off the kitchen and is a full story off the ground. The garage would be a pain and take up too much room. I have a Weber charcoal grill also and it has held up well. Maybe I should milk the Brinkmann a little longer and save up for a Weber. Any comments on the stainless vs. the porcelin coating steel versions of the same grill?

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-6521001...BBA4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1300218381&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Weber-6570001...BB72/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1300218381&sr=8-6

it depends. The stainless is nice, and honestly is what I would have bought if I had not gotten such a killer deal on my coated steel. Only problem with stainless is if you have kids, or get greasy stuff on it, it can be a pain to keep it looking right. We have all real stainless Samsung appliances in our kitchen, and my wife used to complain about trying to keep the fingerprints off of 5 big appliances. We found some stuff that works great, but it says specifically not to be used on outside grills...maybe due to heat?...dunno. But is something to consider. I feel your pain on the grill being on the upper deck. Mine is too. Gotta warn the partiers below when cooking, so they dont get grease dripped on 'em. I dont hink the all stainless is necessarily worth the extra $200...but I would prolly do it anyway...because I would get home and think..."dang, I wish I would have gotten the all stainless..." but that's just me.

 

[BF]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

I bought a Uniflame at wally world about 5 years ago and have been impressed with it... 4 stainless tube burners (that are arranged side by side, not front to back)... cast iron grill, porcelin heat deflectors, double walled stainless steel top, cabinet under it and side burner... was ~$350 if I recall right. I forget the BTU's but it gets HOT. I really like the 4 side by side burners. You can use only one or two and get indirect heat it you want to cook that way.

I looked at webers. nice but they were more than 2x the price around here...

 

[Cofe]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

there are only 2 grills on the market Weber and EVERYONE else. you really only buy a weber once try craigslist

heres once in your hood
http://york.craigslist.org/for/2264392984.html
honestly buy one weber grill pass it on to your kids

+1 ^^^^ That's one heck of a deal......

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

I just plan on replacing mine every 3-4 years. Wait until the fall when they mark them down. I bought a nice shiny red 4 burner Brinkman with the doors in front and a side burner for $150 at Target last August. That's cheaper than the price of buying new grates for most grills. As an added bonus I drag my old grill out to the curb and somebody always picks it up to replace theirs, so I make them happy too.

I've never had a stainless one. I'm going to try keeping some wax on mine this year, the porcelain coated steal does seem to fade a little over time, but the sun really pounds on mine and I keep it out on the deck all summer and winter.....I like to grill any chance I get and hate dealing with covers. I have a hard time believing a Weber would last significantly longer, at least not enough to justify the added expense. Maybe if you baby it the Weber would be worth the money but even so, buying grates and flavor bar things is more than finding a new one at the end of the season.

 

[Perlmudder]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

weber genesis. end of story. have one at the house and one at the cottage, excellent all around.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

I have been impressed with this one that I bought at lowes. I also have the charcoal version that I purchased 20 years ago and is still going strong at the lake house. http://www.chargriller.com/index.ph...&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

 

[mommicked]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

Ive had charcoal Chargrillers for years. they are the best for their size and price.Whatever you do,DON'T buy a gas grill w cast iron burners!!!

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

Highly recommend Weber...I have owned two in my life and the first one lasted me 10 years without issue and has since been passed on to a coworker who has also used it without issue for the past 3 - 4 years. Only reason I got rid of it was to upgrade to a slightly bigger one with a side burner.

Did have a personal experience with their customer service upon purchase of my second one. One of the door frames was bent right out of the box. One email later, a new set of doors was on its way to my house compliments of Weber, no questions asked. Top-notch service.

There is also no shortage of replacement parts and upgrades available if you do want or need them.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

This is swaying me towards the Weber http://www.northlineexpress.com/weber-2009-warranty.htm (although I'd like to have seen it right on their site)

One of the things that irks me about the Brinkmann is that I have no issue replacing burners periodically (mommicked hit the nail on the head about cast iron though, sheesh!) and Brinkmann was good about parts.....but as I mentioned, when I went in there, the crap steel structure of the grill was half shot already. So it really is disposable. I figure with the Weber, the main chassis of the grill will be well built and warrantied and parts should be availble for a very long time. Guess I'll nurse the Brinkmann for a while yet and save for the Weber. Thanks for the info guys. I'm mainly glad to hear that I wouldn't be a moron for spending that kinda money on a grill.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Indecisive over gas grill purchase

This is swaying me towards the Weber http://www.northlineexpress.com/weber-2009-warranty.htm (although I'd like to have seen it right on their site)

One of the things that irks me about the Brinkmann is that I have no issue replacing burners periodically (mommicked hit the nail on the head about cast iron though, sheesh!) and Brinkmann was good about parts.....but as I mentioned, when I went in there, the crap steel structure of the grill was half shot already. So it really is disposable. I figure with the Weber, the main chassis of the grill will be well built and warrantied and parts should be availble for a very long time. Guess I'll nurse the Brinkmann for a while yet and save for the Weber. Thanks for the info guys. I'm mainly glad to hear that I wouldn't be a moron for spending that kinda money on a grill.

A grill is considered a "Man Toy" and is covered under the official spend as much as you can afford, and get the biggest, coolest one you can find clause (paragraph - C, section - H, tab - 129) of the official "Man Toy" rule book. You have not been reading yours obviously.