new grill?????
 

since my deck recently collapsed. (see post in general discussion) i am in the market for a new grill. what works well for you. my previous one was a webber gas grill?

First, I think you have to settle the gas v. charcoal debate for yourself. Charcoal is more viscerally pleasing to grill with, I think, but it's a slow process. It's not instantaneous in the way that grilling with gas is. Once you've answered that question, I think you can move on to making a decision.

Personally, you'll pry me away from my Weber One-Touch Silver kettle when I'm dead. I should note that I have three grills: the Silver, a Smokey Joe, and a portable Weber gas grill.

deleted

I got a Big Green Egg. I put it off for years because I didn't want to pay the price. Now, after experiencing it's awesomeness and ease of use, I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

I like the convience of gas. But I love the taste of charcoal

Charcoal is full of awesome and win. I will not suffer the blasphemy of propane in my back yard.

Y'know, if I ever have a back yard.

Seriosuly, dude. Just get a Weber charcoal grill. Done deal. They even do a giant family size version if that's your thing.

Just bought a new Brinkman gas grill (price was right). Our old Char-whatever needed all new burners and heat shield things. Was cheaper to buy a new one.
I've owned about 5 gas grills in my life and they all seem exactly the same. Only differences are number of burners and how annoying it is to change out the gas tanks.

Yeah. Weber charcoal grill assuming you have a 'regular guy' budget. The Big Green Egg looks pretty neat to me, if I had the money to spend. I'm sure there are plenty of other options in the big budget space, though.

the only downside to gas to me is when it runs out and i dont know it when steaks are on the grill. that sucks. and by that time ive had too many beers to go and get more.


typically how long does it take to get charcoal ready to cook on?

I have the best of both worlds. A Broilmaster pedestal mount permanently attached to the deck connected to the house's natural gas supply. And a Webber kettle sitting next to it.

Not having to deal with a propane ever again is worth the investment it takes to run gas to the grill. You need to make sure the orifices in the burner assembly are the correct size, though. The Broilmaster will last forever, mostly cast iron.

Both grills get used but lately the Broilmaster has been getting bulk of use due to convenience. Have a turkey breast that will go on the Webber one of these days. And will probably do some pork roasts on the Webber in the fall, for sure.

if you us a chimney starter and good lump charcoal, less than 15 minutes.

what is that??

please excuse my ignorance

http://grillguyz.com/images/307416_lg.jpg

In a pinch you can make one out of aluminum foil, just don't forget the holes at the bottom.

---------- Post added at 09:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------

Also, a coworker of mine just bought what amounts to a knockoff big green egg from Lowes, and loves it...it was about $500 less than an actual BGE.

again, excuse my ignorance. how does that work?

See the vertical openings along the bottom? There is a small grate just above those dividing the chimney into two sections. You put charcoal in the larger, top section (lighter fluid too, if you want to hurry the process along). I highly recommend hardwood lump charcoal over briquettes, but either will work. Put paper in the smaller, bottom section where the vertical openings are. Light the paper. The charcoal burns quicker and hotter in that chimney. Once the majority of the charcoal has begun burning (basically the bottom 1/2 or 2/3rds of the coals will be glowing, the top will be white and/or burning), dump the charcoal out into the grill. I always where an oven glove, as it is obviously hot even on the handle. Viola, you have a nice charcoal fire to cook over, much quicker and more consistent than just piling charcoal, adding lighter fluid, and throwing a match on it.

Right now I have a gas BBQ and a Weber Charcoal grill, I haven't used the gas grill in 4 or 5 years. I got this Weber when GI Joe's was closing stores in the area a couple of years ago for $85. I saw one at Lowe's the other day for $335. It's my favorite grill to date, by far. It's big enough to smoke a 12lb Turkey and WOW, does it taste good.

Performer® Grill from Weber Grills and Accessories

A friend has a Traeger that is awesome. Very versatile and built like a tank. When I have to replace the Weber, I'll probably go with this one.

Traeger Grills - Texas Grill (BBQ075 )

However, I stumbled across this the other day and I just might build one for the hell of it.

Build an All-in-One Outdoor Oven, Stove, Grill and Smoker

It looks like it can do everything I'd like, at a much small price tag than anything else I've seen.

I guess it depends on how you'll use it. If you're just going to flame and plate, I think the Weber is the way to go. If you like the low and slow method, the Traeger or a Little Green Egg is the way to go.

I don't care for gas grills, they just don't seem to be as versatile as Charcoal grills. I use only lump charcoal, none of that Kingsford crap. Home Depot sells a 'Cowboy Charcoal' that I really like and use a lot. Adds a nice smokey flavor, but not a heavy smoke taste.

I use a chimney starter but no lighter fluid. Seems to work fairly quickly. A couple of pages of crumpled up newspaper and you're good to go. Some BBQ purists really frown on using lighter fluid as they say it leaves an aftertaste on the meat. I've never noticed, however.

My experience is that if you use lighter fluid and squirt it across your grates, you get an aftertaste. If you are careful not to get it on the grates you will usually be fine, especially if you let the fire burn down enough that all the fluid is burned off by the time you put the food on. :cool:






Also, a guy I know who does granite had a remnant left that he let go to me for pretty cheap. So I just pimped out my grill table. Here's a shot of my Big Green Egg (the granite needs the lines used to measure the hole cleaned off it still).

http://lstwo.com/images/76010674023973357364.jpg

Nice set up!