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Grill Advice

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Researched and overanalyzed this issue last fall and actually directly compared the Charbroil Infrared with several different Weber series grills. My in-laws wanted to purchase a grill for us as a house-warming gift, so I was budget conscious, but was willing to buy a more expensive one on my own rather than settle for something less expensive that we wouldn't enjoy. The other consideration was that it had to fit on a balcony and therefore not be too large, especially when not in use.

1. The Charbroil Infrared isn't a true grill. The in-laws were set on purchasing this grill for us, and the 2 biggest critiques on this grill are: (1) that it dents very easily (not a deal breaker in and of itself), and (2) that there is no exposed flame - that the "infrared" technology is a thin sheet of steel in between the flame and the grates that heats up to a hotter temperature. We have a gas range and a stainless steel searing pan that would achieve the same effect inside our house. When I told my father-in-law that there was no exposed flame, his response was: "that's not a grill."

2. The Weber grills. We chose to go with a Weber Q 320 grill over the spirit series as the cast iron grates were thicker (depending on the retailer, the Spirit series grills don't even come with cast iron grates (re: Amazon), so beware if you go that route), and the side arms fold down and take up less space when the grill is not in use - or even when the grill is in use if you have either one or both sides down. It was also less expensive than the Spirit series, but that did not play a factor in our decision. We bought the grill from a local neighborhood Ace hardware store who honored a 10% off Lowes moving coupon that we had (you can get this coupon in the mover's packet in any post office at any time - may help with whatever grill you choose). We had to special order the Q 320 as our store did not stock the largest of the Q Series grills. When we picked the grill up, two of the hardware store workers said that we made a great choice, that it was sturdier and cooked better than the next couple of more expensive Weber series - if you look at the voluminous online reviews of various grills, you will see that opinion echoed repeatedly. Most people who own a Weber Q series have one of the smaller versions which are good for tailgaiting, but the Q 320 is a good size - it's primary cooking area is slightly bigger than the Spirit E210 grill that someone else mentioned in this thread and a lot bigger than the smallest Infrared. I cook on it all the time and couldn't recommend it more highly. If you can increase your budget by $100, I would highly recommend it.
 
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I caught a sale on the Char Broil 4 burner this weekend. The savings provided the cash to buy a high end cover to keep it from getting weathered badly. The killer is the initial gas bomb with having to buy a new one and fill it. In any event if I can get 3-5 years, I will be happy with the result at this time.
 
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Speaking of filling your gas tanks - DO NOT go to the local gas station and do the exchange-a-tank thing. Biggest scam ever.

You are not getting a full tank of propane when you do that. You're getting "a tank of propane" and it's often only 2/3 or 3/4 full.

Go find a local propane distributor that puts your empty tank on a scale and fills it, then charges you by weight. Around here I can get my tanked FILLED for $13-$17, depending on whether or not they're having a sale.
 
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JohnnyCockfight;2159011; said:
Researched and overanalyzed this issue last fall and actually directly compared the Charbroil Infrared with several different Weber series grills. My in-laws wanted to purchase a grill for us as a house-warming gift, so I was budget conscious, but was willing to buy a more expensive one on my own rather than settle for something less expensive that we wouldn't enjoy. The other consideration was that it had to fit on a balcony and therefore not be too large, especially when not in use.

1. The Charbroil Infrared isn't a true grill. The in-laws were set on purchasing this grill for us, and the 2 biggest critiques on this grill are: (1) that it dents very easily (not a deal breaker in and of itself), and (2) that there is no exposed flame - that the "infrared" technology is a thin sheet of steel in between the flame and the grates that heats up to a hotter temperature. We have a gas range and a stainless steel searing pan that would achieve the same effect inside our house. When I told my father-in-law that there was no exposed flame, his response was: "that's not a grill."

2. The Weber grills. We chose to go with a Weber Q 320 grill over the spirit series as the cast iron grates were thicker (depending on the retailer, the Spirit series grills don't even come with cast iron grates (re: Amazon), so beware if you go that route), and the side arms fold down and take up less space when the grill is not in use - or even when the grill is in use if you have either one or both sides down. It was also less expensive than the Spirit series, but that did not play a factor in our decision. We bought the grill from a local neighborhood Ace hardware store who honored a 10% off Lowes moving coupon that we had (you can get this coupon in the mover's packet in any post office at any time - may help with whatever grill you choose). We had to special order the Q 320 as our store did not stock the largest of the Q Series grills. When we picked the grill up, two of the hardware store workers said that we made a great choice, that it was sturdier and cooked better than the next couple of more expensive Weber series - if you look at the voluminous online reviews of various grills, you will see that opinion echoed repeatedly. Most people who own a Weber Q series have one of the smaller versions which are good for tailgaiting, but the Q 320 is a good size - it's primary cooking area is slightly bigger than the Spirit E210 grill that someone else mentioned in this thread and a lot bigger than the smallest Infrared. I cook on it all the time and couldn't recommend it more highly. If you can increase your budget by $100, I would highly recommend it.
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I ended up buying one of the 4 burner Charbroil Infrared grills at Walmart at the beginning of the season. They had it marked down $100 and it looked like a pretty good deal in the box. I didn't see what the inside of the grill looked like before I got it home. At first I wasn't sure about it since the grates pretty much block the flame, but the quality of what I grill has gotten much better that it was with my old grill. I'm not sure what it is, but it just does a better job than my old Aussie with lava rocks. I get plenty of smoke off the juices that come out of what I'm grilling to give it as good of flavor as any other gas grill. I'm pretty sure they said you can throw wood chips on the grill to get real smoke, but it seems weird to put burning wood on the cooking surface. If anyone isn't a grill snob and finds a good deal on one of these it has worked out well for me.
 
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You don't want to put wood chips directly on the grates in your gas grill. Wood ash does not mix well with the gas ports. You need a smoker box, which you can pick up at most local hardware stores, or most any place that sells grills.

Here's an example.







Regarding the Propane vs. Charcoal debate, I may have settled on the best of both worlds. I have a passable gas grill to get me by for the next couple of years, and I also invested in a patio fire pit which easily doubles as a charcoal grill. I cooked steaks over charcoal the other day on my fire pit. It worked tolerably well - it wasn't a true grill facsimile, but it was fine for what it was, and it didn't cost me the same as a regular grill.
 
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knapplc;2160599; said:
Speaking of filling your gas tanks - DO NOT go to the local gas station and do the exchange-a-tank thing. Biggest scam ever.

You are not getting a full tank of propane when you do that. You're getting "a tank of propane" and it's often only 2/3 or 3/4 full.

Go find a local propane distributor that puts your empty tank on a scale and fills it, then charges you by weight. Around here I can get my tanked FILLED for $13-$17, depending on whether or not they're having a sale.
Click to expand...


Always keep a second tank in the garage in case you are mid-meal and the propane runs out. Had this happen once and never again.
 
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I have owned the Brinkman 4 burner. The price at Wal-mart about 4 years ago was $128.00. Through steady year-round use and not keeping it covered, it was retired this spring. No regrets. Pretty decent grill at that price point. I replaced it this year with a Ducane Affinity 4 burner with a side burner. From what I have read, these are made with Weber parts and have gotten very favorable reviews. Cast iron grates. Lowes price was $429, but they had them on sale this spring for $349. So far I'm very happy with it, and made the brilliant decision to buy a cover. Before the Brinkman, it was a Char-Broil Commercial, stainless 4 burner from Lowes. $550. With a cover, I got 4 years out of it before it rotted out. Very disappointing. I use gas grills for weekday cooking when I don't have time for charcoal.
Infrared? I've looked at these. Looks pretty gimicky to me.
A lot of these stainless grills are pretty in the showroom, but pretty chintzy when it comes down to day to day use and durability.
FWIW
 
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Its time... after my chargrill "commercial" started to acquire some growth on the side tables and the fact the drip plates are rusted through (after about 8 years).... Wife has authorized the purchase of a new grill. First.. .Yes I would love a smoker/grill and to use charcoal... but with 2 kids under 5... time is not something I have a lot of... looking for a recommendations.
 
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AuTX Buckeye said:
Its time... after my chargrill "commercial" started to acquire some growth on the side tables and the fact the drip plates are rusted through (after about 8 years).... Wife has authorized the purchase of a new grill. First.. .Yes I would love a smoker/grill and to use charcoal... but with 2 kids under 5... time is not something I have a lot of... looking for a recommendations.
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Weber.

(Or what's the budget?)
 
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Just to have said it, with the electric prong heating my charcoal, I can be cooking in 20 minutes. I know you can cook in 5 on gas, but really, 15 minutes is good prep time for whatever you intend to firebrand. I just can't using an artificial cooking device anymore.
 
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