We bought a top of the line Sears grill 4 years ago. Kept it covered and clean.

Last night we heard something go "bang". Looked out the door, shined a flashlight around, didn't see anything. Dogs weren't concerned, so we went back to bed.

Went out to fire up the smoker and there it is. The grill collapsed. Legs were rotted out. Damn, just damn.

Looks like son and I are off to get a Weber.

I went through a couple of frustrating gas grills and finally ponied up for a Weber. A little more money up front but it just keeps on working.

Yep buy a Weber and cry once. Be glad it didn’t collapse when red hot, especially if it’s on a wood deck.

Go for an Egg (or variant).

Rust just doesn't happen overnight, you didn't see any rust or rot?
Plus metal is metal and if not properly protected it and any mental can exhibit the same.

Not everyone wants to deal with charcoal or to smoke. For a quick meal, gas works well.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Go for an Egg (or variant).

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
Not everyone wants to deal with charcoal or to smoke. For a quick meal, gas works well.

With a propane charcoal torch (i.e. flamethrower), I can get my charcoal lit and my Egg up to temp just as quickly as a gas grill.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
Not everyone wants to deal with charcoal or to smoke. For a quick meal, gas works well.

They don't just smoke, they do everything and they do it well. Smoking, roasting, baking, frying, you name it.

As far as time goes, I can get my egg up to 600F in about 10-15 minutes, so it's really not a factor.

Charcoal can be messy and a bit of a pain though.

Yeah, gas might be a little more convenient, but I'll never go back.

The last Weber grill I owned lasted over 20 years.
Over the years I did have to replace some parts but it lasted.
I finally got rid of it when i could not find repair parts anymore.
My mistake was not buying another Weber. I tried another brand and it did not last 5 years.

We have a 9 year old Weber gas and a year old Traeger; I hope to never buy another BBQ or smoker.
Things generally don't rust much in Montana

I use a chimney to light the charcoal,

light it in the chimney,
go inside and gather up the stuff I am grilling,

take it all outside,
pour the charcoal out of the Chimney into my weber,
give the grill surface a brush or 3,

start cooking,


takes a couple minutes to get, fill, light etc than propane,, but tastes that much better too,

The great thing about Weber is you can buy replacement parts easily. Mine is over 10 years old and I have replaced the burner and the grill grates and bars. Running like new.

Side note on charcoal ...

when I was growing up and my father wanted to grill a couple steaks or burgers he'd lay the charcoal out in the grill... then roll out the acetylene torch... hit the coals for about a minute with the acetylene then switch to pure oxygen for another minute and he was ready to cook.

Reminds me of a dinner at what became my inlaws house soon after my wife and I got serious. To say my future inlaws weren't pleased at their daughter's choice is an understatement. I was tasked with grilling the steaks on their gas grill which was atop a single mounting pipe. I flip open the grill to check the steaks and the lid rolling back onto its stop breaks the rusty mounting post. Grill, steaks and all rolls down the hill.

Her mom blamed me.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
Side note on charcoal ...

when I was growing up and my father wanted to grill a couple steaks or burgers he'd lay the charcoal out in the grill... then roll out the acetylene torch... hit the coals for about a minute with the acetylene then switch to pure oxygen for another minute and he was ready to cook.

That's basically a more hardcore equivalent to what a lot of folks (myself included) still do, with modern charcoal torches.

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:
I flip open the grill to check the steaks and the lid rolling back onto its stop breaks the rusty mounting post. Grill, steaks and all rolls down the hill.

Her mom blamed me.

That's an awesome story.

My in-law grilling story:

Father in-law says to me, "make my steak well done." I just stare at him but don't say anything. I let that shit cook forever on the grill. It must have turned out dry and tasteless. As it's spending 20 minutes on the grill outside, I come back in and he's searching through the cabinet. I ask him what he's looking for and he says, "you got any A1?" I couldn't just say no so I said, "no, we don't keep that shit in our house, it's not allowed."

Well done steak and A1? May as well not even bother eating steak as it's fucked up both ways.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Well done steak and A1

That poor steak...
That poor man...

quote:

Originally posted by ulsterman:
Looks like son and I are off to get a Weber.

For a gas grill, I don't think you can go wrong with a Weber. I finally broke down and bought one 4 years ago while my wonderful fiancee bought an inexpensive Charbroil around the same time frame. I just replaced the cast iron grills with Grill Grates on mine. Her's is literally falling apart and not worth fixing.

"Sears" has become a perjorative term for anything defective or cheaply and shoddily made in our vernacular.

Inept driver? Took driving lessons from Sears.

Costume jewelry that turns your neck green? Sears necklace.

Shitty flashlight? Sears.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
"Sears" has become a perjorative term for anything defective or cheaply and shoddily made in our vernacular.