Outdoor Grill Recommendations

[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

[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!

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'04 LX silver

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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...

[Art]

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....

[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).


Freedom Grill website link

[desertpilot]

Here's another pic. Just ignore the Ford SUV.

Come and get it!

[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

I love their meat!

[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

[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!