BBQ Grills Need advice

August 12, 2020, 01:02 PM

valkyrie1

quote:
Originally posted by frayedends:
quote:
Originally posted by leonidas211:
I appreciate all the responses.

Would going up a few hundred make a difference?

I might be installing a gas line, called the city today.

On the Napoleon grills a few hundred more makes a difference. You can get a side burner or better a side infrared sear burner. Also I think you have to go up a bit to get a natural gas model. Also look at the Napoleon prestige models. Some are not that expensive but to get one may be too much of a price leap.

I looked hard at Weber but decided on the Napoleon Prestige series with the rotisserie and infra red side burner. Happy with my decision...

August 12, 2020, 03:30 PM

trapper189

Weber Spirit II E-310, $479. It's well built and will last for years. Add a 22" Weber Original Kettle Grill for $110 if you want to give charcoal a try, plus it's fairly portable if you have a truck. I have the 18" version, but it's a little small for the 5 of us.

August 12, 2020, 03:59 PM

08 Cayenne

Comments on a couple things I read here.

We make a lot of the parts for Weber, no cheap materials at all. They are very demanding and take quality very seriously.

Our parts are made in the USA from USA materials and shipped to Weber in USA. Doubt if their shipping it to China.

Napoleon Prestige, I have one, piece of shit. One of the earlier models where they had quality issues, I've heard their much better now.

August 12, 2020, 04:23 PM

RoyW

I have Smokin Brothers pellet grill, love it. Has a Savannah Stoker control.Holds temp well, they are more than you were looking to spend. Made in the USA though.
https://smokinbrothers.com/

August 12, 2020, 04:24 PM

sig77

quote:
Originally posted by trapper189:
Weber Spirit II E-310, $479. It's well built and will last for years. Add a 22" Weber Original Kettle Grill for $110 if you want to give charcoal a try, plus it's fairly portable if you have a truck. I have the 18" version, but it's a little small for the 5 of us.

I have the same Weber gas grill, but got the 22 inch master touch kettle. Honestly, I use the kettle anytime I have an extra 10 minutes to get the charcoal chimney going.

August 12, 2020, 04:27 PM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC:
I have a Weber smoker..stand up..looks like r2d2..

Also have a Weber gas grill for burgers - like the gas cause it’s quick

And lastly have a Weber charcoal grill- there is nothing,Ike the taste of a steak over a charcoal fire, throw in a chunk of hickory and it’s perfect

So I’m no help, sorry not sorry

same same cept no gas,

charcoal, weber kettle style
chimney,
lump charcoal,

may take 15 minutes longer than gas and tastes sooooo much better,

August 12, 2020, 04:40 PM

SHOOTIN BLANKS

I am cooking my way through the second summer with this natural gas version of the Weber 310. Took a while to get acquainted but we are getting long really well. But as others have stated, that is for grilling. For BBQ I have a charcoal smoker.

Weber 310

August 12, 2020, 08:20 PM

trapper189

quote:
Originally sig77:

I have the same Weber gas grill, but got the 22 inch master touch kettle. Honestly, I use the kettle anytime I have an extra 10 minutes to get the charcoal chimney going.

I wish I could get the hang of charcoal. I use too much, too little, don't wait long enough for the coals to start in the chimney, and/or don't spread them right and wind up with hot spots. Change brands because it's all that was available and wind up with a hotter grill or cooler grill.

Seriously, I'm so all over the place with charcoal, my wife told me to buy a gas grill for Michigan. I had it so hot once this summer while doing hot dogs and brats that first ones started burning before I even got the last ones on the grill. It was so hot, I lost the hair on my fingers and the hair on the back of my hands started curling up while putting the dogs and brats on even with a long set of tongs. Nothing says grilling like the smell of burned hair.

I've had good results as well, but I get consistently good results on my gas grill. Except for the 11 hour 5lb brisket experiment in April. That was the only waste of meat on my gas grill in 10 years. On the other hand, I used the snake method on a 2.5lb chuck roast in the 18" Weber Kettle Grill and it turned out pretty good.

I get the vibe that the OP is not a seasoned grill master. I'm certainly not, but I do well with gas, hence my suggestion.

August 12, 2020, 09:53 PM

sig77

quote:
Originally posted by trapper189:
quote:
Originally sig77:

I have the same Weber gas grill, but got the 22 inch master touch kettle. Honestly, I use the kettle anytime I have an extra 10 minutes to get the charcoal chimney going.

I wish I could get the hang of charcoal. I use too much, too little, don't wait long enough for the coals to start in the chimney, and/or don't spread them right and wind up with hot spots. Change brands because it's all that was available and wind up with a hotter grill or cooler grill.

Seriously, I'm so all over the place with charcoal, my wife told me to buy a gas grill for Michigan. I had it so hot once this summer while doing hot dogs and brats that first ones started burning before I even got the last ones on the grill. It was so hot, I lost the hair on my fingers and the hair on the back of my hands started curling up while putting the dogs and brats on even with a long set of tongs. Nothing says grilling like the smell of burned hair.

I've had good results as well, but I get consistently good results on my gas grill. Except for the 11 hour 5lb brisket experiment in April. That was the only waste of meat on my gas grill in 10 years. On the other hand, I used the snake method on a 2.5lb chuck roast in the 18" Weber Kettle Grill and it turned out pretty good.

I get the vibe that the OP is not a seasoned grill master. I'm certainly not, but I do well with gas, hence my suggestion.

Most of the time When cooking for just the two of us I only put enough charcoal on to fill half the kettle. This allows me to both char and indirect cook depending on the side the grill. This allows me to select the temperature and avoid the issues your talking about. Yes, gas is definitely easier but mastering charcoal is worth it in the flavor. I also smoke ribs, ham, and chicken on the Weber with the indirect method. I hardly use my electric smoker anymore.