GRILLS!

[Fly320s]

Cooking type, that is.

I need a new one.  Mine has rusted in too many places to be useable. 

The number and options for grills makes car buying look easy.  So, are any of you grill experts?  Afficionados?  Opinionated jerks?

What I'm looking for:

- Propane only.  No natural gas around here and I'm not interested in charcoal or wood or anything else.
- Medium to small size.  400 - 500 square inches of cooking area.
- Insulated lid to help hold in heat.
- Ceramic/porcelain coated cast iron grills.
- Don't need a side burner.
- Side shelves are good.
- Don't care about IR burners
- No rotisserie

I've looked at several grill websites, but none have a worthwhile search function.

[Boomhauer]

The Chargriller barrel shapped ones are very good. Very affordable at Lowes too

[Brad Johnson]

Budget?

If you can fit the ticket in your wallet, the Weber Genesis is pretty much the pinnacle of priced-within-reach mammal flesh charring devices.  They run $700-900.

Brad

[Ben]

Honestly for the simple type of grill that you're looking for, most any of the less expensive ones you find at Home Depot and Lowes will do you. They may not last as quite as long as top of the line (or they might -- my dad's el cheapo is 8 years old), but you're talking ~$150 versus $500+.

[Fly320s]

My el cheapo lasted 10 years before rust killed the vital parts.  I liked it well enough, but wish it had a better insulated lid to retain heat.

Brad, do the Webers have insulated, or at least completely, closing lids?

Budget is about $600.

[dogmush]

My low rent Home depot grill is rusting pretty baddly (stainless my but  ) and I'm looking to downsize grill real estate so I think I'm in the same market as you.

I've been carressing this one every time I walk through Lowes.  It's well built, gets great reviews, and feels really solid.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_277024-505-6511001_4294703259__?productId=3318328&Ns=p_product_price|0

The one I linked has porcielen coated steel lid.  So some insulation.  It closes pretty tight as well.

[AZRedhawk44]

I've got a Char-Broil that I purchased at Home Depot about 3 years ago, that I love.

It was about $300, is stainless steel, with a side burner and 4 independent internal burner controls for the main cooking surface.  Temperature controls appear to be very consistent and repeatable.  I don't have much of an opinion in regards to rust since it sits under a covered patio in the AZ climate.  It is exposed to some water from the sprinkler system via mist or condensation at night, and I have no complaints to how its handled that over the last 3 years. 

[Tallpine]

I've got an old Weber that you can have if you want to come get it 

The undercarraige needs fixing.

[T.O.M.]

I've never had a Char Broil or other cheaper gas grill do as well or last like my Weber Spirit 3 burner.  Lid closes up pretty darned tight.  I have straight cast iron grates, and they do extremely well.  Minimal rusting in the 4+ years I've had it.  In fact, the only thing I have done to it is vaccuum out the inside every once in a while and brush the burners.  Worth every penny.

[T.O.M.]

Guess I should add that I allso have my father's Weber charcoal grill.  I use gas for cooks that take 30  inutes or less.  For low and slow, I break out Old Smokey, throw a handful of wet wood chips on the liit charcoal, and let it cook for an hour or more.  I use the gas year  round,  even shoveling the snow off the deck if I need to.

[Scout26]

These are what I've been looking at getting.  Best of all three.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/smoke-hollow-combination-grill-gas-charcoal-smoker/prod8420002.ip?srccode=cii_22032207&cpncode=30-131404210-2&pid=CSE_TheFind

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/smoke-hollow-combination-grill-gas-charcoal-smoker/prod8420002.ip?srccode=cii_22032207&cpncode=30-131404210-2&pid=CSE_TheFind

[charby]

My next propane grill is going to a Weber Q, probably the 300.

http://www.weber.com/explore/grills/q-300/weber-q-300-2

I have a Weber charcoal grill that I use over my current propane most of the time, only time the propane gets used is if I am in a hurry or don't want to deal with waiting on charcoal (or forgot to buy charcoal)

Plus the Weber Q is portable so I can use it camping and tailgating.

I've never heard of a grill with a insulated lid.

[Ben]

My next propane grill is going to a Weber Q, probably the 300.

http://www.weber.com/explore/grills/q-300/weber-q-300-2

I have a Weber charcoal grill that I use over my current propane most of the time, only time the propane gets used is if I am in a hurry or don't want to deal with waiting on charcoal (or forgot to buy charcoal)

Plus the Weber Q is portable so I can use it camping and tailgating.

I've never heard of a grill with a insulated lid.

I have the Baby Q, which is good for a few steaks, bacon, etc. and also great for going portable. Very well made, but my one complaint is the BTUs are a little weak.

[Fly320s]

The Big Green Eggs have insulated lids.

I'd be happy with a normal lid that has a full enclosed back. Mine has a large vent in back.

[charby]

The Big Green Eggs have insulated lids.

I'd be happy with a normal lid that has a full enclosed back. Mine has a large vent in back.

The BGE is charcoal/wood fired, not propane there.

I've had the best luck with propane grills that the bodies are made from cast aluminum for heat retention. I grill year round and I also can grill indirect on a bigger propane grill, its not as good as a charcoal but it can be done.

[Ben]

[Blakenzy]

Deez Grillz? Yo?

[Hutch]

These are what I've been looking at getting.  Best of all three.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/smoke-hollow-combination-grill-gas-charcoal-smoker/prod8420002.ip?srccode=cii_22032207&cpncode=30-131404210-2&pid=CSE_TheFind

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/smoke-hollow-combination-grill-gas-charcoal-smoker/prod8420002.ip?srccode=cii_22032207&cpncode=30-131404210-2&pid=CSE_TheFind

I have that very one.  Function: A to A+.  Durability, not so good.  I use a lot of salty marinades, and the little metal tents over the burners are rapidly failing.  Have used hickory in the firebox to good effect.  Still like it, a lot.

[RoadKingLarry]

- Propane only.

Pffff, why bother.

[Fly320s]

Pffff, why bother.

Simple. Natural gas isn't available here and I don't want the extra work of charcoal.

[Gewehr98]

I'd love to assist, but I'm running the same Holland Grill I've had for going on 9 years...   

http://www.hollandgrill.com/

My charcoal grill is an Aussie, but it's starting to show signs of age - although I can replace the ash pan when the time comes.

[RoadKingLarry]

Hickory, pecan, cherry, apple, mesquite, oak... Charcoal is ok for quick grilling but for the serious work ya gotta use real wood. Gas is for stoves for the wimmins to cook at. 

[T.O.M.]

Just re-red the thread...I said I had my fthare's ld Weber charcoal grill.  Didn't mention that I bougt it for him as a Father's Day gift...in 1986.  All I had to do to get it ready to cook was replace the grates.  I need to replace the internal dampers for the bottom vent holes, as they have rusted through, and let the temps get higher than I want for a long smoke.  And, Larry, I have used harwood in the Weber.  Charcoal is just more convenient.

[geronimotwo]

we have a charbroil "red", which indicates that it cooks with infrared.  no direct flame, as it has a pan slung under the porcelain grills which gets hot enough to cook the meat.  upside, i think the meat stays juicer and no mess on the burners, as it catches all the fat drippings.  downside, it takes longer to heat up, and it will sear ok, but not super hot.  i highly reccomend getting one with a cover, as ours looks pretty much like new after 4 years.  one regret that i have is not getting one with a side burner for corn, rice, pasta, etc, as it would help keep the heat out of the kitchen in the summer.  also, keep your idiot friends from using your grill and forcing the knobs the wrong way.   

[Scout26]

I have that very one.  Function: A to A+.  Durability, not so good.  I use a lot of salty marinades, and the little metal tents over the burners are rapidly failing.  Have used hickory in the firebox to good effect.  Still like it, a lot.

Which one Hutch?  There are two different ones.  I've been leaning towards the Sam's Club one.