New Grill

Im looking at gas grills both new and used for the back deck. Boy the new grills are spendy. I do prefer charcoal but sometimes I don’t have time for that and I already have a small weber I can still make use of if I want that charcoal flavor. Was looking to keep the purchase under $300 but for new grills that seems to be on the low end of the price scale. Any recommendations on gas grills from those with more experience? If it seems like all you can get for $300 or less is low quality than I will look at getting a used one but I would prefer a new grill.

Picked up this Weber last spring for less than $200. Most of these were going for $200-$225 last spring. I’d guess this one is close to 10 years old so don’t rule out an old one. They are super durable and should last at least 10 years if not 20.

I don’t think I’ve used my charcoal grill 3 times since I bought this. The flavor you get from this grill is better than charcoal in most cases. If you want a little smoke flavor, charcoal is best though.

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Steak is my favorite on this grill.

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$800 for a good Weber or just buy a new cheaper brand every couple of years.

Dutchboy wrote:

$800 for a good Weber or just buy a new cheaper brand every couple of years.

Cheaper grills won’t cook evenly anyway. Don’t even think about it.

Dutchboy wrote:

$800 for a good Weber or just buy a new cheaper brand every couple of years.

Exactly. Cheaper grills rust, but most importantly, do not have even heat across the surface as the prior poster said. I’ve already done the cheaper gas grill thing and the heat was terrible.

Do it right and save up for a Weber. If you can’t afford that, then just get something cheap for now to tide you over for now.

I am the same way that I prefer my charcoal grill, but am looking to supplement it with a gas grill for the times I just want to cook something quick after work. I am saving for the Weber.

I recently got a Pit Boss wood pellet grill. Love it.

biggill wrote:

Picked up this Weber last spring for less than $200. Most of these were going for $200-$225 last spring. I’d guess this one is close to 10 years old so don’t rule out an old one. They are super durable and should last at least 10 years if not 20.

I don’t think I’ve used my charcoal grill 3 times since I bought this. The flavor you get from this grill is better than charcoal in most cases. If you want a little smoke flavor, charcoal is best though.

I have the exact same grill and it is at least 25 years old. Replace some parts every few years, but the grates are the same and it works like a charm.

For Sale

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Stay away from Dyna-Glo unless you need some extra iron in your diet. Although I’ll say heat was not an issue. Quality is. I think it is 3 years old and I need my second replacement for the drip pan.

My next grill is going to have nice cast iron grates.

mplspug wrote:

For Sale

I wouldn’t offer you a dead bucket of minnows for that grill.

I wouldn’t let you or anyone have it. That being said it has done the job.

Crappie, I have a 10ish year old Weber I’m looking to sell. Comes with cover. New flavorizer bars last year. Just needs a new igniter, but I’ve been using a lighter and it’s just fine. Needs a good spring cleaning, but otherwise great condition, cooks great food. Getting married soon and don’t need two!

$150 and it’s yours!

Located in Savage

No propane tank however.

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Sounds like the consensus is cheap grills aren’t worth the trouble.

Thanks for the offer munchy. I’ll send a PM

It’s a tough pill to swallow, but a Weber will save you money in the long run. I’ve had my Genesis for ten years. Still like new. Best $650 I’ve spent, rock solid and reliable.

My natural gas Weber is 20 years old next month. I’ve had to replace the grates and flavorizer bars. When they rust out replace them with SS replacements. Still got the same burners and the igniter still works. It don’t look new anymore but works perfect.

Another recommendation on Weber here. Our genesis is 9 years old and still works like new, doesn’t look 9 years old either and we use it 2-4 times a week year round.

biggill wrote:

The flavor you get from this grill is better than charcoal in most cases.

Now you’ve lost all credibility.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>biggill wrote:</div>
The flavor you get from this grill is better than charcoal in most cases.

Now you’ve lost all credibility.

AGREE 100%

Dutchboy wrote:

$800 for a good Weber or just buy a new cheaper brand every couple of years.

Yep, I’ve made that mistake. I should have bought quality to begin with. My next one will be a Weber.

Go natural gas. Not having to fill expensive tanks anymore is fantastic.

Weber is the way to go. I was casually talking to a friend a few weeks ago about me needing a new grill. He says “I’ve got one in my woodshed you can have for free”…Yeah, that sounds like a real nice unit…

Checked it out and it was a Weber 8128 in excellent shape with almost no rust to speak of at all. That 15+ year old grill was in better shape than my 5 year old Kenmore grill that has been under a cover since day 1…You get what you pay for. Plus parts for older Webers are still available, wish I could say the same for my other grill that’s now in the scrap pile.

Mike W wrote:

Go natural gas. Not having to fill expensive tanks anymore is fantastic.

That is nice. We had one when I was growing up, but at some point my parents cut the gas. I am not sure why.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Now you’ve lost all credibility.

It makes me feel good I had some in the first place.

Purists

biggill wrote:

Picked up this Weber last spring for less than $200. Most of these were going for $200-$225 last spring. I’d guess this one is close to 10 years old so don’t rule out an old one. They are super durable and should last at least 10 years if not 20.

I don’t think I’ve used my charcoal grill 3 times since I bought this. The flavor you get from this grill is better than charcoal in most cases. If you want a little smoke flavor, charcoal is best though.

Same grill that my parents have been cooking on for AT LEAST 10 years, probably closer to 15. Seems to be one of the better gas grills to cook on in terms of no flare-ups and even heat.

If you could replicate the heat of a charcoal grill in a propane grill there would be no difference.

What ever happened to gas grills with lava rocks? Not that I have been looking lately, but it seems like they don’t sell them anymore?

mplspug wrote:

What ever happened to gas grills with lava rocks? Not that I have been looking lately, but it seems like they don’t sell them anymore?

X2 – If anyone finds one for sale, let me know! Have a 21 year old Sunbeam that I’m considering a complete rebuild on!

-J.

Got a Weber grill from my uncle couple years ago cause he was moving out of state and boy does that thing work great. Took my Walmart special and threw it right in the scrap pile. Nothing compares to a weber. This grill is at least 10 years old and doesn’t miss a beat.

A good comprimise would be a Weber Q. You get the quality of weber and nice cast iron grates in a portable unit if you wish to travel with it. Large enough for most grilling tasks. I have it on the boat all summer and usually use charcoal at home. But it sure is handy to have the Q in the garage during winter months and can start it and have burgers or whatever done with zero effort. They heat up nice, provide a great sear, and really cook like a ‘big’ grill.

mplspug wrote:

If you could replicate the heat of a charcoal grill in a propane grill there would be no difference.

Here’s the reason I like the propane over charcoal.

My propane Weber has the cast iron grates that creates grill marks that a charcoal grills with the thin wire grates can’t. Those grill marks aren’t for looks. The do indeed add a lot of flavor. I like the grill marks over the direct sear from charcoal. That said, my Weber stil gets pretty damn hot. 550+

Now, cast iron grates on a charcoal grill would be better, but not much in my opinion. I almost bought some before I bought this Weber. The one nice thing is that you can add wood chips to a charcoal grill to get a little added smoke. The smoke boxes for the gas grills don’t work that well in my opinion.