The storm last week had winds so hard that it flipped my current bbq grill over and broke it.

As it is 7 years old it isn't worth even messing with fixing.

So I need a new one.

Torn between a large 4 to 5 burner gas grill (what I had) and a griddle top style. I really wish there was a combo unit that utilised the large cooking area for both features but I can't find such an item.

I see Weber has a griddle top attachment but it only covers half the cooking surface.

Furthermore... it will go in an uncovered patio out back. At some point i will be improving the patio and build either a deck or landscaping block type combo and gazebo but not for at least 4 years as the kitchen remodel comes first.

I prefer the larger size grills to do indirect cooking easier as well as direct grilling.

One other issue is that in my experience the edges of the cooking area don't get nearly as hot as the middle so a lot of space is wasted of the cooktop.

I am not opposed to paying more for better quality or features but don't want to spend a small fortune on a grill that will only be protected by a cover.

What says the hive mind?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KevinCW,

Get a Weber Genesis, and buy some Grill Grates. Flip over Grill Grates from griddle to ridges depending on what you’re cooking. A good combo.

So what size Webber are you going to get?

quote:

Originally posted by Sigfest:
Get a Weber Genesis, and buy some Grill Grates. Flip over Grill Grates from griddle to ridges depending on what you’re cooking. A good combo.

Grill grates?

Kevin,

+1 on the Weber. Mine is 20+ years old and still going strong. I've replaced burners and a regulator hose. But the housing is still solid.

How many people are you cooking for, usually?

The reason I ask, is because a smaller unit may suit your needs most of the time.
For indirect cooking, when I have the time, I use charcoal and a Weber kettle. I build the fire more to one side when doing ribs or a turkey and smoke them a long time.

Normally cooking for 2 with leftovers or 4 with levtovers.... but want the ability to cook for more when entertaining or having a party.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
Normally cooking for 2 with leftovers or 4 with levtovers.... but want the ability to cook for more when entertaining or having a party.

I use a Genesis. I cook for two 95% of the time but can easily cook for ten (with all food done same time) or more (staggered done times). In order to do indirect cooking I either use top rack or only left or right burner and normal surface. You can not cook/smoke large amounts of food as. You are only using 1/3 of grill surface area, but I've done two butts and three racks of ribs before.

I like the idea of Grillgrates, but I have not tried them yet. Many on the site have and a couple really like using the backside as a griddle.

Here is one of the ways I set up for ribs, made these delicious ribs last night. I have water pan for heat sink and to block middle burner heat from hitting ribs directly. Smoker box has 8 charcoal brickettes in hit started with torch. When I'm ready to cook I slide hot coals all the way to one side and put in hunks of pear wood with coals touching only one side and replace/side over coals every 30-45 min, it's not great for smoking stuff to keep opening lid, but it works for me. Since I have a giant pan of water in there as a sink it comes back to temp really quickly.



You'll also notice I extended the top rack by adding two 10"x10" stainless cooling baking racks secured with some scrap copper wiring. This allows me to put butts or multiple racks up top.

quote:

Normally cooking for 2 with leftovers or 4 with leftovers.... but want the ability to cook for more when entertaining or having a party.

Same here.
Mine has 4 cast iron burners. I usually only turn on two of them, but I can turn on all 4 when I need to.

go charcoal, now is the perfect chance!

Grill Grates cook really well. Drippings from fatty meat, chicken etc drip on to the hot lower portion which sizzles and creates a vapor which adds a lot of flavor to the meat. There are absolutely no flare ups. You can walk away for awhile and not worry. You might see a bit of flame under the Grill Grates from time to time but they are not of any consequence as the food is shielded from this. They are however a real PITA to keep clean. I keep two sections on one side of my grill so I can grill in the conventional way on the other third, and use the GG side when cooking something appropriate. If I need the entire grill, I just take them off.

Hmmm. I really like the grill grates idea. Thanks all.

Now how about specific grill model suggestions?

Oh, are the grill grates dishwasher safe?

My buddy has one of these, but full gas with the full 36" griddle top. He is a big bbq guy and ran his own bbq business for a while with a trailer smoker.

He said this is the 2nd best grill he's ever owned, behind his trailer smoker that he used to use for his business.

https://www.blackstoneproducts...ddle_charcoal_combo/

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
My buddy has one of these, but full gas with the full 36" griddle top. He is a big bbq guy and ran his own bbq business for a while with a trailer smoker.

He said this is the 2nd best grill he's ever owned, behind his trailer smoker that he used to use for his business.

https://www.blackstoneproducts...ddle_charcoal_combo/

That would be bad ass for an RV or something but you can't do indirect as there is no lid.

Why can't someone make that with a removeable or the griddle part that swivels up out of the way and pit a big lid on it. Best of all 3 worlds.

I can't be the only person who wants this.

Leave it to the guys here to come up yet another cool way to wreck a budget. Grill Grates. Now that I have seen them, I'll be getting them in the very near future.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
Oh, are the grill grates dishwasher safe?

I believe so, but that won't get them clean. I used a 3000 psi gas power washer with the most aggressive nozzle and still needed to wire brush them. This was after soaking for a couple of days in Dawn and vinegar. To be honest though, you don't need to clean them that thoroughly after each use. A simple grill brush will clean the part that touches the food. Just looks bad but is quite safe to use that way.

I thought grill grates were the greatest thing. Although, now that I have a weber I actually prefer the standard weber grates. Flat side up for burgers, pointy side up for most other things.

Weber is king for kettle style charcoal grills.
If gas is what you seek buy the Napoleon that you can afford.
https://www.napoleon.com/en/us.../products/gas-grills

Weber’s are a great product for sure but Napoleon steps it up.

Napoleon has both cast iron and stainless griddle plates.

And with a good cover the Napoleon will last you a crazy long time minus any super winds that caused the demise of your last.

+1 for Napoleon. My first one lasted almost 20 years. I looked at others, but came back to Napoleon.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Weber is king for kettle style charcoal grills.
If gas is what you seek buy the Napoleon that you can afford.
https://www.napoleon.com/en/us.../products/gas-grills

Weber’s are a great product for sure but Napoleon steps it up.

I looked at those online. Damn they look great but I am not sure my budget allows this....