Buying a Propane Grill

[Archie F. Swin]

After years of charcoal grilling, I'm considering my first propane grill. I'll be bargain hunting, I'd like to spend less then $250. What do I need to know about the world of propane grills? What are some must-have features?

[tooge]

Weber makes a charcoal grill that is propane started called the Performer. I bought one last summer. It's essentially a regular Weber 22" kettle mounted into a cooking surface and rack with a propane burner to start your charcoal. Best of both worlds if you ask me. Add your charcoal, turn on the propane, turn off the propane after about 2minutes, and then spread the coals out once they are white hot, just like regular charcoal cooking.

[tooge]

Here's a pic of it. More prep space than most regular propane grills, a nice place to keep coals or beer on ice (pull out bin), and hell, it's a weber, so you will have it for 20 years.

[Archie F. Swin]

good stuff, keep em comin' fellas

[God of Thunder]

The Weber Performer is where it's at!

[Great Expectations]

Originally Posted by Donger

At least once a week, even during the winter. A few times a week during summer.

It's impressive that it has held up that well. I switched to a Big Green Egg because I was tired of needing to replace my gas grill every 3 years. I cook 3-4 times a week during the summer and at least once a week during the winter.

The charcoal weber with the propane starter sounds nice. I use an electric element starter and usually don't have to wait too long. The wait time is usually how long my prep time is so the wait is negligible.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

It's impressive that it has held up that well. I switched to a Big Green Egg because I was tired of needing to replace my gas grill every 3 years. I cook 3-4 times a week during the summer and at least once a week during the winter.

The charcoal weber with the propane starter sounds nice. I use an electric element starter and usually don't have to wait too long. The wait time is usually how long my prep time is so the wait is negligible.

Don't get me wrong; it certainly doesn't look like it used to. But it's mechanically completely sound. I do keep it covered when not grilling with Weber's best cover. But yes, surviving 14 Colorado winters and summers is pretty damn impressive.

[Reerun_KC]

I grabbed this bad boy in the spring... Havent looked back...

http://www.traegergrills.com/shop/de...4#.VcyyiU3bIdU

Its amazing.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

It's impressive that it has held up that well. I switched to a Big Green Egg because I was tired of needing to replace my gas grill every 3 years. I cook 3-4 times a week during the summer and at least once a week during the winter.

The charcoal weber with the propane starter sounds nice. I use an electric element starter and usually don't have to wait too long. The wait time is usually how long my prep time is so the wait is negligible.

Green Eggs are legit....

[Pitt Gorilla]

Weber Q is where it is at. I've had mine for years now, due to the portability and ease of putting it away for winter. Thing is tough as nails and uses very little gas.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Predarat

This is ChiefsPlanet, we don't do propane. If you want to talk propane, go to OrangeMane.

This, wtf is wrong with you people?

[Donger]

There's no appreciable difference between grilling with propane and grilling with charcoal.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Donger

There's no appreciable difference between grilling with propane and grilling with charcoal.

There is, IMO. However, the convenience of gas outweighs the flavor in many cases.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by scho63

Spending less than $250 will guarantee you are buying a disposable crappy grill that will last maybe 2-3 years before rusting out and falling apart like a Char Broil. You will be happy for the first 5-6 times you grill and then likely the excitement will decline.

I would look at grills that are $400+. Broil Kings are not as good as a Weber but much better than a Char Broil.

This has not been my experience. I own a cheap char broil. I grill all my food on it. Grill on Sunday to cover the entire week. Sometimes I grill 3 or times per week in the summer.

I clean it, keep it covered. Don't allow the elements to cause it to deteriorate. And 5 years later, it burns like a champ. No replacement parts at all.

If people keep them clean and dry, there is no reason even cheap grills can't last a decade.

As always YMMV.

[DaFace]

This is even further up the cost ladder, but I bought a Weber Genesis about 7 years ago, and if I actually spent the time to wash it really well, you'd barely even know it wasn't brand new. It cost me $600 (higher now I think), but I got tired of grills cooking like shit and falling apart after a few years. If you can afford it, it's worth the investment to get a good grill.

[KCUnited]

I have a Green Egg as my primary, but keep this around as a gasser if I'm in a hurry. I modded the heat shields a bit as they were a little wide, imo, but she's a trooper for what I need. She runs on a natural gas line as well (I can list my gun arsenal and death metal collection too if you'd like) so she'll crank some heat. I didn't see a point in springing for a Weber when I do most of my cooking on the Egg and just wanted something for a quick weeknight grill that wouldn't swallow my deck.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/KitchenAi...891B/205412604