Let's Talk Grills

SlammedZero

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What kind of setups do you guys/gals have? I'm looking for suggestions and opinions on brands.

I'm in the market for a new one but I can't seem to make up my mind on what I want. My back patio is stubbed for natural gas which is convenient, however, they stubbed it right at the end of my patio. I had one for years there, and when it finally went belly up, once it was gone I absolutely loved how open that part of my patio felt. So I'm torn on throwing another grill there.

I've had charcoal before, and that may be my favorite method, but it requires a lot more patience and material to keep running.

I know people absolutely love smokers, and I understand the reasoning, but I've had some meals from friends where I didn't care for the flavor. I'm not sure if that is because of their particular smoker or maybe the chip flavor they were using but it kind of left me unimpressed. On the other side of the coin I've had some fantastic meals cooked in a smoker.

To wrap this up, I found a natural gas Weber Spirit E-315 grill. It feels a tad expensive to me but it looks like it has good reviews. I love the openness of my patio now, but , using that gas stub is better than always refilling a propane tank. I've never owned a Weber. Are they a good product??

Thanks! :)
 

Juggernaut

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You found a nice grill. Weber makes a good product. But you kind of have to make a good product to be in business as long as Weber has been in business. I personally would save some money and get the natural gas grill Weber Spirit E-310. The only real difference between the two is the 310 has porcelain enameled Flavorizer bars over the burners, while the 315 has stainless steel Flavorized bars. The stainless steel Flavorized bars will last approximately 1-2 years longer than the porcelain enameled ones; however, you can always buy stainless steel ones with the 310 and still save money. :)
 

CouchCoach

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I've had Weber charcoal grills and have a Weber Genesis II gas grill now and wouldn't consider anything else for a grill. I also have a smoker, and I've had them all from the first vertical water smokers to electric to the Big Green Egg and have a Dyna-Glo gas now that I would not buy again. Has a smoker box design flaw.

My son has had a Weber Genesis for over 10 years and last year realized he'd left it out in the elements too long and needed to change some parts out so he called the company. So he calls customer service and at the end of the call, after asking him some questions, they end up sending him everything new but the bottom of the grill which they agreed was still in good shape. And they sent all of that and paid the shipping. Needless to say, I will have nothing but Weber as a grill and neither will he. They not only do they make a fine product but they stand behind it.

Weber just recently introduced the Smoke Fire, their combo grill and pellet smoker and after reading the reviews from some Weberheads, I would wait until the next version comes out because they are known to learn from their customers. Evidently there is a feed problem with the smoker pellets but they will fix that and they will send the fix to the customers who bought the first ones, that's just how they do business. And their brand loyalty is the best in that business.

I had an in ground grill and had it removed and replaced that with a propane one that I would move wherever I wanted it. I also did not think it got as hot as the propane models for some fine searing.

I know it's more of an investment, but I would spring for the additional bucks and get the Genesis II over the Spirit. I checked out both when I bought the Genesis II and do not regret spending the extra coin, it is a great solid grill and I am a hard user as I cook on it 4-5 times a week and use it as an outdoor oven in the summer. It has that extra sear burner that kicks in and makes the best reverse sear steaks you can get on a commercial grill.
 

SlammedZero

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You found a nice grill. Weber makes a good product. But you kind of have to make a good product to be in business as long as Weber has been in business. I personally would save some money and get the natural gas grill Weber Spirit E-310. The only real difference between the two is the 310 has porcelain enameled Flavorizer bars over the burners, while the 315 has stainless steel Flavorized bars. The stainless steel Flavorized bars will last approximately 1-2 years longer than the porcelain enameled ones; however, you can always buy stainless steel ones with the 310 and still save money. :)

Good info. Thank you.

Get one of each…..a smoker(stick), charcoal grill, gas grill and a pellet smoker. Arrange them in a half circle surrounding a beer cooler and you are all set! Don’t forget the flatscreen :thumbup:

:lmao2:Brillaint! I love it! haha
 

Jammer

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What kind of setups do you guys/gals have? I'm looking for suggestions and opinions on brands.

I'm in the market for a new one but I can't seem to make up my mind on what I want. My back patio is stubbed for natural gas which is convenient, however, they stubbed it right at the end of my patio. I had one for years there, and when it finally went belly up, once it was gone I absolutely loved how open that part of my patio felt. So I'm torn on throwing another grill there.

I've had charcoal before, and that may be my favorite method, but it requires a lot more patience and material to keep running.

I know people absolutely love smokers, and I understand the reasoning, but I've had some meals from friends where I didn't care for the flavor. I'm not sure if that is because of their particular smoker or maybe the chip flavor they were using but it kind of left me unimpressed. On the other side of the coin I've had some fantastic meals cooked in a smoker.

To wrap this up, I found a natural gas Weber Spirit E-315 grill. It feels a tad expensive to me but it looks like it has good reviews. I love the openness of my patio now, but , using that gas stub is better than always refilling a propane tank. I've never owned a Weber. Are they a good product??

Thanks! :)
One of the best gas grills I've ever had was a Weber, so I think you will be happy with it. I kept it in pristine condition. I kept it in my garage and rolled it outside when I needed to use it. After my divorce I had to give it up as I sold my house and moved into an apartment. :(

The grill I have now is a decent one. It's hooked up the gas line off the house. It's nice never having to worry about running out of fuel.

The grill you listed was a lot like the one I had and a more expensive than the one I have now. Make sure you do get one that will work with natural gas as the nozzles are different. Natural gas comes in at lower pressure than propane so the gas nozzles have bigger openings.
 

Hardline

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If you are cooking with propane you might as well cook in the kitchen.
Charcoal and real wood is the only way to go.
 

CouchCoach

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One of the best gas grills I've ever had was a Weber, so I think you will be happy with it. I kept it in pristine condition. I kept it in my garage and rolled it outside when I needed to use it. After my divorce I had to give it up as I sold my house and moved into an apartment. :(

The grill I have now is a decent one. It's hooked up the gas line off the house. It's nice never having to worry about running out of fuel.

The grill you listed was a lot like the one I had and a more expensive than the one I have now. Make sure you do get one that will work with natural gas as the nozzles are different. Natural gas comes in at lower pressure than propane so the gas nozzles have bigger openings.
Tim McGraw sang about your situation. "Please Don't Take the Grill".
 

HungryLion

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Does anyone have an experience with a black stone flat top grill? I’ve heard good things. My dad needs a new grill down at his shore house and I was thinking about getting him one for Christmas.

note: we already have smokers when we went that Smokey flavor on stuff.

but down at the shore, do a lot of cooking outside on the grill. Including breakfast, eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. currently we use a metal cook top we lay on the grill. So I thought it might be good to go straight for the black stone
 

Jammer

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Does anyone have an experience with a black stone flat top grill? I’ve heard good things. My dad needs a new grill down at his shore house and I was thinking about getting him one for Christmas.

note: we already have smokers when we went that Smokey flavor on stuff.

but down at the shore, do a lot of cooking outside on the grill. Including breakfast, eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. currently we use a metal cook top we lay on the grill. So I thought it might be good to go straight for the black stone
I know two people who have the flat top grill and they absolutely love it. I have a cast iron griddle to put on the top of my grill grates and it works well enough but I would get one in a heartbeat once my current grill bites the dust.
 

CouchCoach

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Does anyone have an experience with a black stone flat top grill? I’ve heard good things. My dad needs a new grill down at his shore house and I was thinking about getting him one for Christmas.

note: we already have smokers when we went that Smokey flavor on stuff.

but down at the shore, do a lot of cooking outside on the grill. Including breakfast, eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. currently we use a metal cook top we lay on the grill. So I thought it might be good to go straight for the black stone
One of my grilling buds got one and loves it.

A burger on a gas grill is nothing to write home about but on a flat top, that's special.
 

CouchCoach

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If you are cooking with propane you might as well cook in the kitchen.
Charcoal and real wood is the only way to go.
Flavor wise, completely agree but it is more convenient and down in this part of Texas we're in a burn ban most of the time and firing that up is a fine for sure.

The last fire in this area was started by a guy using a Big Green Egg, one that you would think would be safe....unless one cooks with the slide on the bottom open on a windy day.
 

HungryLion

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I know two people who have the flat top grill and they absolutely love it. I have a cast iron griddle to put on the top of my grill grates and it works well enough but I would get one in a heartbeat once my current grill bites the dust.


Nice thanks for the feedback. I think we will go that route. Nothing but positive feedback from everyone I’ve asked so far.
 

HungryLion

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One of my grilling buds got one and loves it.

A burger on a gas grill is nothing to write home about but on a flat top, that's special.


Yeah. I’m pretty sold on it at this point. Like you said. If you’re using propane you’re not really adding flavor anyway. I think it’s more for the ease of use.
 

Rockport

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What kind of setups do you guys/gals have? I'm looking for suggestions and opinions on brands.

I'm in the market for a new one but I can't seem to make up my mind on what I want. My back patio is stubbed for natural gas which is convenient, however, they stubbed it right at the end of my patio. I had one for years there, and when it finally went belly up, once it was gone I absolutely loved how open that part of my patio felt. So I'm torn on throwing another grill there.

I've had charcoal before, and that may be my favorite method, but it requires a lot more patience and material to keep running.

I know people absolutely love smokers, and I understand the reasoning, but I've had some meals from friends where I didn't care for the flavor. I'm not sure if that is because of their particular smoker or maybe the chip flavor they were using but it kind of left me unimpressed. On the other side of the coin I've had some fantastic meals cooked in a smoker.

To wrap this up, I found a natural gas Weber Spirit E-315 grill. It feels a tad expensive to me but it looks like it has good reviews. I love the openness of my patio now, but , using that gas stub is better than always refilling a propane tank. I've never owned a Weber. Are they a good product??

Thanks! :)
Forget gas. May as well grill your meat over a Texas oil well flaring. Check out the Big Green Egg or similar smokers. Very versatile.
 
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