Buying a grill- can you help?

[perc-o-prince]

Hey there,

I don't know how many of you will see this before I leave tomorrow to buy it, but if you have any suggestions for features, please let me know. Here's where I'm at:

-No chrome-plated cooking/warming grids. They start to rust after the first time they're scratched.

-No plain cast-iron cook surfaces because I know I won't clean and re-oil them every time.

-No thin-coat porcelain over cast iron as I use metal utensils and I'd be afraid of chipping or scratching through it. I usually use the burger flipper to give the grates a quick scrape before I cook if I see something burned on that I may have missed.

-No small secondary (upper) rack. I cook some things on this higher rack slowly (1 1/4 hours for chicken legs and thighs) with the heat on low to medium. I know you can use indirect heat by turning on the two outside burners and putting the meat in the middle, but it's still not over the heat.

- YES to stainless steel grates or heavy porcelain over cast iron or wire.

What I'm looking for is what good or bad experience any of you may have had with the NO or YES things I've listed.

I'd love to find another of the same grill I had! It was a Char-Broil with porcelain-over-wire lower rack, a secondary rack that was chrome plated but about 75% the size of the primary surface (a HUGE plus that I'd sacrifice longevity for), and a third level that was about 1/4 of the main surface. I know that I said chrome-plated was not good, but the size of the rack is important to me and I'd rather buy two grills with larger 2nd racks in 20 years, than one with a smaller more lasting rack. Listen to me --- a rack is important!!! LOL

Thanks,
Chuck
perc-o-prince's other half

 

[sudsmaster]

Try Costco or Sam's Club.

Costco has a very nice Kirkland all-stainless grill with searing burning, rotisserie, rear rotisserie burner. You can do a lot of slow cooking with the rotisserie that you might normally want to do on an upper rack. I believe the current price is about $700.

I have an older version of this grill, the "Classic" made by Virco. I believe Virco now OEM's them to Kirkland - very similar construction, although the newer ones are a bit better. Mainly the new ones have a pull-out drawer for the LP tank, which is handy. Don't know if I'd use the "searing burner" much, but it could be good for thick steaks.

 

[mixfinder]

Weber

At the end of the day, you can pay for more features, but the Weber gas Grill is as good as it gets. I can dial the temp to hold just like an oven and the porcelain racks go right in the self cleaning oven if I feel they need it. Aren't BBQs supposed to be blackened and smokey?
Kelly

 

[cleanteamofny]

I own the Weber Q 300 and I love it, its very easy to setup and not too hard to clean.

 

[frigilux]

Here's what Consumer Reports has to say, if that's of any help to you. This is the top half of the ratings list, which was in the June '06 issue. Happy grilling!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Thanks for the help! The CR was a big help, and I saw several of their best buys. But, the Vermont Castings at Homo Depot was too small and had thin porcelain over the cast iron main grate. Same with the grates on the Char-Broil at Lowes. THe Charmglow at HD was actually tops in the running for me, except the top grate rods were spaced too far apart. Several people thought hot dogs would fall through (and I can't have my hot dogs doing that, can I??).

I ended up with a Perfect Flame at Lowes (and I bought a grill there too!!! LOL). It has heavy porcelain over cast bottom grates and heavy porcelain over wire on top. I have to deal with a smaller top grate because the only ones with large top grates seem to be the ones that are chromed. And, since Perc-o-Prince was kind of nudging me toward all stainless so the legs wouldn't rust on me again....

Here's a pic of the new baby. I'd have posted this sooner to thank you for the help, but as you know we've not had a good week and I'm a big weenie when it comes to pets.

Yes, this is the grill we'll be using at the gathering in less than 3 weeks! I can't wait to see you all again, and meet some new folks too!!

Chuck

 

[frigilux]

Chuck: It's a beauty! Can I ask how much you paid for it?

 

[gadgetgary]

I'm a big weenie when it comes to pets.

'Perfect Flame'???

Nice grill...now lets see the racks..........

And thank God for no rust legs

 

[rayjay]

Rich, What a beautiful grill! I just love stainless steel. So pristeen. Are your "racks" as beautiful???? (LOL) A "BIG WEENIE" Oh my Rich..... You do not have to tell us that. (LOL) I guess we get to see the weenies at the wash in??? ROFL LOL

I have a MHP Grill, which is made by the original inventor of Charmglow. It is made out of cast aluminum and has cast aluminum grids that are searting grids on one side, and when they are flipped over, the grids are more solid which would enable you to grill veggies, fish, etc., meaning anything that could fall throught the regular grids. I picked this one, since my grill is hooked up to my natural gas line from the house. I have it around 10 years now and like it. I also have a side burner.

 

[perc-o-prince]

cost of grill

Hey Frigilux:

Retail was $549 but they had them yellow-tagged to $499. When I bought it, Lowes was running an additional 10% off, plus free assembly and free propane fill (trade an empty for a full). I think they're still doing the same deal now.

Rayjay and Gadget- I'll post pix of the racks (hopefully) tomorrow. As for your comments, Ray, as they said in Animal House, the movie,..... "you are a p-i-g pig!" (Did anyone say that's a bad thing???)

Chuck

 

[rayjay]

cost of grill

What a great buy on that grill! I paid more than that for mine years ago. However it is a natural gas one and had to be installed in the ground.

Chuck,

Are you calling the Silver Fox a p-i-g? Thanks so much for the compliment. Really! I love it.

Just making sure that you are keeping your weenies in your buns!
I'll take mine with sauerkraut and mustard!

ROFL LOL

Seriously, Can't wait till the gathering. Everyone is going to have a great time.

 

[jasonl]

Grills

Well, of course, I'd pick the Kenmore for a gas grill, but I'm a charcoal man. My favorite is the old Weber Kettle charcoal grill. Now that's BARBECUE.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Grates for Gary

Here they are Gary- post use.

Jason- Yes, there IS a difference between grilling and barbeque! Low and slow is the way to go for good BBQ but I use my grill all year 'round and taking the time for true BBQ wouldn't be possible. I do have a nifty iron bin that will hold hickory or apple wood chunks to get some smokin' goin' on my grill though! Great when I do ribs or chicken!!! And, a charcoal grill for those times when I want to take the time for a really nice steak!!!

Now if only we could get some decent crawfish up here to put on the grill! The ones we get are pre-cooked in some kind of heavily seasoned boil (not the really good boil like we had in NOLA) then frozen and shipped. I remember how to eat them, too! Bite the tail and suck the head! ;-)

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

...and this time...

I'll attach the pic!!!

 

[gadgetgary]

Chuck

Look at those grates......Oh baby.......Are they dw safe????

 

[rayjay]

Grates

Those grates look GREAT! They look like they will clean up easily.

 

[Maytagluver]

one word WEBER

there's no finer . . I have the Silver Series. . can't do better than Weber..