Buying a BBQ

[luvzgirlz]

On the market for a new BBQ. Any recommendations? Any brands to absolutely avoid?

 

[Bubbles99]

Great thread I am in the market as well!

 

[LoveThemGirls]

Weber's are the best looking. You can choose between either porcelain/ceramic grills or steel, both have their own pluses and negatives. Porcelain heats evenly but you won't get the grill marks that you would get using a steel grill. You also have to be careful to not scratch the porcelain, once you do it'll start chipping and you'll have to replace them, which are pretty expensive. Steel doesn't chip and they're way cheaper to replace. I prefer steel.

 

[Loosely]

Only buy WEBER !!

 

[fmahovalich]

Where is the good prices on natural gas?

 

[Seffner Monger]

Weber Genesis with a side burner, so you can do things like cook stinky deep-fried fish outside.

Best grill I've ever used -- hands down. It's very overbuilt and heats very evenly.

Plus, it's American made! :eyebrows:

 

[rld]

I also think my Weber is fantastic.

 

[whitewaterguy]

Big Green Egg....the only way to go do your own googling

 

[ready2rock]

+3 for Weber. My SS Genesis heats quickly, cooks great & looks nice on my deck to boot.

R2R

 

[blackrock13]

Annual question and here are some threads that had a lot of good advice;

Barbeques?
BBQ TIME! need to replace my old crap beast with a new shinny beast!
BBQ : Gas vs. charcoal
Best place to buy a BBQ and recommendations

 

[homerjsimpson]

Best advice I've heard is that BBQ's are sold by the pound. Mo' heavier, mo' better.

 

[blackrock13]

I remember catching the end of this on CTV;

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...sen_best_bbq_20100527?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

 

[Old Milwaukee]

I'm a big Weber fan as well, had mine for almost 10 years, never a problem, even the little electric push button start thingy still works. The gauge of the metal used in the hood and base is important, the thicker it is, the more heat it retains. You can tell the Weber is thicker when you lift the hood. I wouldn't look at another brand.

 

[Petzel]

Yea but Webers are not cheap.......far from it.

 

[Old Milwaukee]

True, but you get what you pay for.

 

[TeasePlease]

Weber's are great. I love my Napoleon.

Best value I've seen this year - Costco (Scarborough) has the Vermont Castings 4 burner (plus rotisserie and side burner) on sale. From $999 to $799. I'd snap that up if I were in the market.....

 

[GameBoy27]

Consumer Reports top 6

All depends on your budget and peripherals you want but I've highlighted CR's Top picks in bold. I personally think Weber has a good name but you can get more bang for your buck with other brands.

1. Vermont Castings Signature Series VCS300SSP - 85/100 Pts. $900.00
2. Vermont Castings Signature Series VCS322SSP - 85/100 Pts. $1,050.00
3. Char-Broil Red 463250511 (Home Depot) - 84/100 Pts. $400.00
4. Char-Broil Gourmet TRU-Infrared 463250512 (Home Depot) - 84/100 Pts. $400.00
5. Kenmore 16142 - 80/100 Pts. $350.00
6. Weber Genesis E-330 - 80/100 - $800.00

Weber's are the best looking. You can choose between either porcelain/ceramic grills or steel, both have their own pluses and negatives. Porcelain heats evenly but you won't get the grill marks that you would get using a steel grill. You also have to be careful to not scratch the porcelain, once you do it'll start chipping and you'll have to replace them, which are pretty expensive. Steel doesn't chip and they're way cheaper to replace. I prefer steel.

My BBQ came with coated cast iron grills. They're 5 years old and are still like new.

Where is the good prices on natural gas?

Something to think about when choosing between LP and NG.

Propane is hotter. It's one of the components of most natural gases and byproduct of refinement of crude petroleum. Propane heat output is about 2,500 BTU per cubic foot. Methane in its turn is the main constituent of natural gas and its heat output is less than half of propane's - 1,012 BTU per cubic foot.

So if you like to sear your steaks, LP is the way to go.

 

[K Douglas]

I'm not sure if Broil King still makes BBQ's but mine is 7+ years old and works like a charm. Even cooking, only think the starter doesn't work. Best BBQ for the buck if you ask me.

 

[Old Milwaukee]

Something to think about when choosing between LP and NG.

Propane is hotter. It's one of the components of most natural gases and byproduct of refinement of crude petroleum. Propane heat output is about 2,500 BTU per cubic foot. Methane in its turn is the main constituent of natural gas and its heat output is less than half of propane's - 1,012 BTU per cubic foot.

So if you like to sear your steaks, LP is the way to go.

I would think that the fuel regulator would adjust and compensate for the difference in heat, would it not? I can't imagine my existing Weber would put out half the heat if it were a NG model.

 

[smiley1437]

I would think that the fuel regulator would adjust and compensate for the difference in heat, would it not? I can't imagine my existing Weber would put out half the heat if it were a NG model.

The NG and LP versions of a grill have different orifice sizes for the gas inlet to compensate for the difference in BTU per cubic meter of gas (the hole for NG is larger).