Grill help....AGAIN!

[perc-o-prince]

OK. I can't believe that the s/s grill I bought near Father's Day last year was just returned for a full refund today (after a few phone calls and such). So now, I have to do the grill search and purchase all over again. Long story short, here are a few things I didn't like about the grill. Know that there were quality and parts issues that forced the return, and not any of these things, or "buyer's remorse:"

-Burners under heat tents. I found there to be way too much differential in heat, a.k.a. hot and cold spots.

-Burners/heat tents too close to the cooking surface. Too much flare-up. Couldn't cook chicken pieces on the lower rack without a lot of flare-ups, even on low! Had to cook them on the top rack on medium, but could only cook about 12-14 pieces because it had a...

-Small upper cooking/warming area. I use the upper rack too much for putting nearly done stuff while others finish and still others, like corn, stay warm, and other such chores.

-Heat box bottom flat with ports in the middle for grease et al to drop into a small (maybe 4 oz) drip tray. First, too much stayed in the bottom of the heat box and didn't burn off or drop. Lots of it carbonized, but stayed in the heat box. Oh, and a small capacity drip tray??? Rain or sprinkler water could also get into the bottom of the heat box, through the back, and fill the drip tray.

I'm seriously considering trying to find a big 'ole plain black, cast-aluminum, lava rock usin' grill. If not, I'll have to go with something similar to what I was lucky enough to have gotten rid of. If I could find an s/s grill with porcelain over cast cooking grates that used lava... WOW!!!

What are your thoughts?? I'd really like to get some input on your experience again!

Thanks in advance,
Chuck

 

[accapp]

I bought a Chinese-made Kenmore Elite about four years ago on clearance (October) for about $400. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The solid cast-iron oval shaped burners are clearly designed to last forever and it fires up every time even after a rain. It is easy to clean, the grill itself is 5/16" stainless steel welded rods and the plates between the burners and grills are thick stainless as well. It came on a powder-coated cart with stainless doors but the next year's model had an all-stainless cart. No biggie. When we redid our kitchen last year it cooked all our home-made food for two months and I even baked a lasanga quite nicely in it with the lid closed. Start poking around, leave no stone unturned and you will be rewarded. There is one waiting for you somewhere.

 

[58limited]

I bought my grill at Wal-Mart for $250.00, three months later it went on sale for $190.00. It sounds similar to the one you returned.

Anyway, it is a BlueFlame brand (subsidiary of BlueRhino - the propane tank exchange company). It has porcelin coated cast iron grates, four burners, and a side burner for a pot of beans, etc. It does flare up when cooking if the meat has a lot of fat, but this hasn't been a problem with chicken so much as with beef. The top warmer grill is small, and the heat can be a little variable over the cooking surface. Same bottom and grease trap issues that you mentioned. Despite the flaws, this grill serves my needs well, the flare ups haven't really bothered me - they are not too common and its kinda like cooking over charcoal: I just move the meat over or squirt a little water on the flames.

This grill is NOT at all set up for slow, long smoking. I have a separate smoker for that. Howver, I bought a wood chip box to use with the grill and it works great for regular grilling: burgers, steaks, sausage, and of course the local delicacy: BOUDAIN!

 

[bigbubbacain]

s/s grills aren't perfect

My partner and I spent about $900 to buy one for his parents 2 yrs. ago. I was embarassed to see how poorly it's been holding up, even when covered and wintered in their garage. Yet, I have a humble Char-Broil cast-iron set up that I use with briquets or B&B charcoal. The elements don't bother it one bit. I know there are good s/s units out there, but it's a matter of finding the right brand. I wish I knew. As for other types, my in-laws have a Kamado they've owned for 35 years. It's wonderful! I use it every time I go to see them because purchasing one is way out of my budget. Most curious looking device I've ever seen.
www.kamado.com

 

[coldspot66]

Chuck,

Bought a Kenmore 5 burner s/s and black grill on closeout last March. I've only used it a few times so far. I do notice that without lava rock, it doesn't hold the heat as well. Seems you have to keep the cover down alot to keep the temp steady. It has 5 burners, which makes it versatile for different kinds of cooking. I need more grill time to determine if I really like it. It was a buy at $299.00 (I thought), but I don't think I would have paid full price for it. Soooo if you guys stop by, we'll test it out!!! LOL

 

[58limited]

Kamados

These are really neat. I can't afford one either but I will be building something similar to it when I build the outdoor kitchen - I got the plans out of a 1953 Arizona Highways magazine: there was a restaraunt there that cooked with one, movie stars and other famous people would fly in for dinner there. Another version of the kamado is the Big Green Egg, it is more affordable.

 

[aamassther]

We just went through the same situation. 3 years ago we bought a stainless steel grill at Lowe's, replacing our 10 year old Weber. My partner has complained about this grill for the three years we've had it. It flairs up and is difficult to control the heat. As we were cleaning it, we noticed the burner now needs to be replaced and the grates are rusted. Fortunately it's still under warranty and the company will send us new ones, when the backorder stock comes in. It's a beautiful grill, and is now for sale.
We've gone back to Weber, an E-310, in black. This is an amazing grill, so far. The cooking is excellent and much easier to control heat. My husband has his grilling "mojo" back. They ain't cheap, but less than what we paid for the Jenn-Air. Nothing cooks like a Weber. Hope this helps, Todd

 

[jasonl]

Propane? CHARCOAL!

I bought a cheap $19 made in China charcoal BBQ pit from Wal-Mart and it makes some of the best tasting steaks, burgers, dogs, etc. you've ever eaten.

I also like my dad's Weber kettle grill. The ol' classic makes fine BBQ.

Oh and no more lighter fluid for me. I'm going to buy one of those charcoal chimneys. It looks like a big coffee can but you put newspaper in the bottom and charcoal in the top. Light the paper and it will start the coals pollution free. That's better than Match Light charcoal.

 

[andyelectrolux]

Big Green Egg

I have friends who have one, and it is the BEST grill I've ever cooked on hands down. Because it seasons as you use it, it actually cooks better as it gets older. I've never found any other grill that could sear steaks like the Egg can, plus you can use it as a smoker. I don't have one yet, but it's definitely on my must have list.

www.biggreenegg.com

 

[andyelectrolux]

Big Green Egg

Here's a pic of the various sizes

 

[volvoguy87]

Big Green Egg

My Uncle has a Big Green Egg and it is one of the best grills ever! I like the classic Webber Kettle, but the BGE is a better grill. He hunts and venison is a frequently-served staple of dinner. The BGE makes the venison tasty and tender. Whatever they are charging, the BGE is worth every penny.

Now I'm hungry,
Dave

 

[jasonl]

If I were to spend $$$ for a BBQ grill, I'd get the Barbecook Oyster. It has a built-in starter chimney and a bottom water-filled ash receptacle.

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www.barbecookusa.com

 

[rp2813]

It's been few years now that we've had a "Front Avenue" SS grill from Costco. It was the first type they ever had there and it was a steal at $369 or whatever. We had three Sunbeams before that and I got tired of replacing burners. Seems there's always a "foomp" sound when you shut the burner off and as the burner ages, that pressure eventually blows a big fat hole in it. The "Front Avenue" is made in China by Char-Broil and has a lifetime guarantee on the cast iron burners and 100 year guarantee on everything else. No lava rock or tents, just flames. Grates are SS and they are holding up perfectly. We do get flare-ups sometimes and I think those are tough to avoid. We've used the rotisserie a couple of times with good results but I prefer my old Roto-Broil Custom 400 for that. So far, this grill has held up better than any of its predecessors and even the ignitor still works fine.

I know some people who have had a Kumado for a good 40 years and they swear by it. Never had a better swordfish steak than the one that came off that grill!

 

[58limited]

Here is the one I am going to build.

Size can be changed to suit needs. There is an exploded parts/assembly view in the magazine article. It is made from firebricks that are plastered over with refractory concrete.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Thanks all! I really appreciate your input!

I see the Costco Front Ave got lots of cudos from users on the Grilling Web Discussion forum, but it looks like you can't get them any more. :-( Costco DOES have a very twatay canopy for use with many dual-shelf grills though (product #159942 on the website).

I do have a charcoal grill, but with all of the grilling I do, it would be a pain, and a small fortune in charcoal by the end of the year. I grill year-round. Nothin' like a steak or burger over charcoal. Closest I've tasted on a gas grill was with well-used lava rocks! I should have just put that grill on a new cart last spring!!!!!

Rich and I went out for several hours and checked all the stores in the area: Sears, Linens & Things (believe that one?), Homo Depot, Lowes, WalMart, K-Mart, and BJ's.

While I was being helped at Lowes, I asked the guy helping me about the light "sprayed-on" coating of porcelain on a lot of the cooking grids, vs. the thicker "dipped" kind. I figured the sprayed coating would scrape right off with the use of utensils. He said the lighter coating ones would probably be good for about 3-4 years before I would start to see rust. The thin, almost sprayed-on, coating would wear off from a lot of use, but probably wouldn't scrape right off like I had thought.

I showed him a Perfect Flame that I thought was in the running, but told him it was a PF I had just returned. He told me that that's been a problem with the PFs: no longevity. Knocked PF right out of the running. Wouldn't even take another look with testamonial like that from an employee! And, considering he'd worked with metals before (as a welder and other things).....

So, I'm left with dipped cast or s/s cooking grates. Since I can't justify the $$$ for a Jenn-Aire grill, though it would be kind of neat to cook inside and out on Jenn-Aire, Lowes is out.

Linens & Things actually has a Char-Broil in s/s that's in the running. Nice big cooking area and a larger-than-I-just-got-rid-of warming (read: upper cooking) rack.

HD has a Charmglow (now made by Brinkmann?) for $369 that has nice grates and a large upper rack. The only holdback is that the upper grate hooks on in the back only and kind of floats. I think it will be fine, but Rich has reservations since I like to use the upper rack. I see that, but it still looks sturdy enough. Has anyone seen this one? It's not showing on the website.

The only other one in the running is also at HD but not on the website. It's a Blue Ember (or something close) for $399. The top rack is a little larger than I had before, and smaller than the Charmglow, but the bottom level can be adjusted by flipping the racks over. They can be lower to be closer to the heat for searing, higher for regular cooking, or sloped for a combo of the two. There are three across and they can be adjusted individually. The left side shelf also contains a bowl for ice and a divided tray that fits over it for condiments and the like.

There was a Uniflame at Walmart but I didn't like the idea of 4 burners with nothing over them. Just the burners under the cooking grates. Though they were brass!

Not ONE single grill that took lava rocks! Damnit!!!

So, I'm kinda in limbo at the moment. Since all three in the running were regular price, I didn't have to rush to buy it today. If you think of anything, please pipe up!!!

Thanks again,
Chuck

 

[jasonl]

Weber charcoal chimney

Well, I just made a barbecue using my Weber charcoal chimney. Now charcoal is easy and non-messy. All you need to lite it is two pieces of newspaper and some charcoal. At first, smoke poured out of that thing as the paper lit up, but that goes away once the coals start. And you get a nice hot even fire right from the get-go.

How To Use A Chimney Starter - The Virtual Weber Bullet

How to use a Weber chimney starter to light charcoal for barbecuing or grilling. Examples include using firestarter cubes, newspaper, and other variations.

virtualweberbullet.com

 

[58limited]

I have used a charcoal chimney for ten years now and will never let lighter fluid touch my wood or charcoal again. They are great and even a little quicker than the lighter fluid.

 

[jasonl]

Charcoal Chimney

The Weber chimney has more capacity than the smaller black ones they sell at HD, so you can fire a big Weber grill with it. Of course, I can always use less coals for my small grill.

It's the way to go.

 

[rp2813]

I think SS cooking grates are superior to porcelain coated, especially when you consider that Char-Broil is willing to guarantee them for 99 years on the Front Avenue.

Forgot to mention that if you're only grilling for a couple of people, a cheap little hibachi is hard to beat for ease of use and efficiency, where very little charcoal goes a long way. Sometimes firing up the big grill for a small amount of meat can be over-kill. Can't remember the last time I actually saw a hibachi for sale in a store though.