I have a tiny little portable coleman propane grill at the moment. It is a piece of crap, but cooks steaks.
It is just my wife and I and we very rarely entertain. Although it would be nice to be able to cook for 4 on it, just in case. I would like to buy a nice grill.. but of coarse not spend a fortune. It needs to survive outdoors. I will cover it... But that is all I can promise at this moment. I want something that will cook evenly and not tear up in 3 months.
And I want it for under $200 with a tank. Am I asking too much? It sure seems like I am. It seems like every grill review I read on the internet has the same pattern. Several over enthusiastic folks giving GREAT reviews.. And then the handful that you KNOW are real, the ones upset because the burner went out 90 days in, or the igniter went out in 2 weeks, or the grill rusted out in a year..
So how about you guys? What grill do you use and do you like it?
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05:29 PM
PFF
System Bot
87antuzzi Member
Posts: 11151 From: Surrounded by corn. Registered: Feb 2009
Oh oh oh oh. The STOK Island. It's a good grill and its on sale at home depot right meow. Its kinda a PITA to clean but so far its doing good. It will hold a ton of food too. Om nom nom nom.
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06:12 PM
Hank is Here Member
Posts: 4458 From: Hershey, Pa Registered: Sep 2000
Check out Magma grills. They are generally made for boats but have some nice table top mounts. They are true stainless (not plated junk like most grills). The nice thing is they are small enough to store indoors. They are a little over $200 but the quality makes up for the difference. Lastly is that they are made in the USA. I picked up one this spring and am very happy.
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06:58 PM
MidEngineManiac Member
Posts: 29566 From: Some unacceptable view Registered: Feb 2007
I got a Broil King electric (yeh, electric) grill this year, and just love it....no more worrying about if the tank has enough to do the meal, just plug it in and away ya go. If ya turn it down to about 200 and toss some hunks of wood in there near the elements, it makes a pretty good smoker too.
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07:15 PM
James Bond 007 Member
Posts: 8872 From: California.U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2002
I have this one and it uses a mini propane tank too.The Size is 19 1/2 in wide by 13,when you pop the lid,there is a folded edge running on the edges, so its the perfect size for 2 up to 4 people I baught mine from the neighbors garage sale.on line they sell for about $60.Im getting a little rust on the stainless steel,so I think I'll clear coat it.Mine says Brickman, but after a little searching I see it allso under the brand name Charmglow Grill Stainless Steel Table Top allso Google Brickman BBQ's.Ithink he baught it from Home Depo or Lowls. Dont let this picture fool you,its a scaled down verson of a big BBQ. http://images1.americanlist...at_ap_50_8587315.jpg
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07:19 PM
NEPTUNE Member
Posts: 10199 From: Ticlaw FL, and some other places. Registered: Aug 2001
We have a three burner no frills Weber that has lasted for 9+ years, only having to replace the 'flavor bars'. I'd say its way better than decent. It cost quite a bit more than $200.00, though. My very favorite for steaks is the Lodge Sportsman.($139.00) Get that cast iron baby hot and that steak will SIZZLE!!! I've had that for about 9 years, too, and it will probably live for another 20. They both stay outdoors, under covers.
Perfect for two or three steaks.
Wood/charcoal will make a MUCH better ribeye or T bone than any gas grill ever could. It has to do with the water produced when gas burns, versus the dry, smoky heat from charcoal. BTW, natural charcoal is better than briquettes if you can get it.
[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 10-17-2011).]
Those are some interesting options. I want to get away from the small tanks. My current ones uses them. They are too wasteful and too expensive for my tastes. I have had some electric grills.. It's just not the same. And nothing beats charcoal... But I hate dealing with it. But gas is a nice easy medium.
Keep em coming guys!
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08:55 PM
carnut122 Member
Posts: 9122 From: Waleska, GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
I have a Great Outdoors unit that I bought thinking it would never rust out. I bought it about 8 years ago,and so far I've only had to replace the manifolds once. The unit sits outside without a cover. I bought a spare set of manifolds and I'm planning on getting another 4-6 years out of it. At the time I bought it, it was still made in the USA. I'm not even sure if they sell them anymore.
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08:59 PM
Cheever3000 Member
Posts: 12400 From: The Man from Tallahassee Registered: Aug 2001
Q100 is perfect for two, and sometimes even more. $128 at Amazon for the grill. The cart is about $50, the tank adapter about $20. So you go over $200 with the cover, but you get a Weber.
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09:09 PM
Oct 18th, 2011
1fatcat Member
Posts: 1519 From: Zimmerman, Mn Registered: Dec 2010
It is just my wife and I and we very rarely entertain. Although it would be nice to be able to cook for 4 on it, just in case.
My girlfriend and I love her little Holland Companion grill. It only ran on small camping bottles of propane, so I bought an adapter hose from Menards to run it off a regular 20 pound propane cylinder. Also mounted it a little higher off the ground because it is short (intended to be a portable camping unit). We grill a lot and still only use one 20 pound tank per year (summer months only). It cooks very well, much better than the cheaper grills I've had in the past. The Companion is their smallest grill, and works great for 2 people. You can cook for 4 on it, but allow for more cooking time. They also make larger grills. http://www.hollandgrill.com...l/prodID/2/index.htm
[This message has been edited by 1fatcat (edited 10-18-2011).]
I was at Lowe's today and they had a 3 burner Grill Master with a Side burner on for $129. So I bought it $188 with a full tank of gas. Just spent the last 2 hours putting it together.. Now I am off to buy hamburger meat and buns!!
Q100 is perfect for two, and sometimes even more. $128 at Amazon for the grill. The cart is about $50, the tank adapter about $20. So you go over $200 with the cover, but you get a Weber.
That is how I bought both of mine from Sam's Club. I had a grill almost identical to the one you bought 8-Ball. It resides outside and I can't give it away. The burners rusted out. A $30 part... I am SO much happier with my big grill. It cooks super even. I would have replaced the other one's part, but I thought it cooked too hot. Very hard to keep it under 200F without turning off at least one burner.
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10:05 PM
jetman Member
Posts: 7799 From: Sterling Heights Mich Registered: Dec 2002
I've cooked on "Ole-Vesuvius" for a quarter of a century now, might be time to retire her as replacement parts on most everything will be needed to continue any much longer. How do you like the sear feature?
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11:24 PM
PFF
System Bot
Oct 19th, 2011
Shyster Member
Posts: 1085 From: Conroe, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2005
If I want to cook over gas, I can do it easily, in my air-conditioned kitchen. No humpherra, no elements, no rain, no snow, no rusting of stuff. No posturing. Doesn't make the food taste any better, but I'm not spending $200-$300 for posturing rights, as an entry fee. Nor am I paying for gas bottles to do outside what I can already do inside.
So where's the question?
Now to those of you at least burning charcoal, occasionally, yeah, there's a question. What's the better outdoor grill? Some stand up better than others. But if all you want to do is burn your meat with gas, the best outdoor grill is an indoor grill.
Me? I can grill on anything, though I prefer outdoors, and my choice of charcoals, depending on that which is to be grilled.
But I smoke with pride. (Slowly, and with good woods. )
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12:24 AM
87antuzzi Member
Posts: 11151 From: Surrounded by corn. Registered: Feb 2009
I've cooked on "Ole-Vesuvius" for a quarter of a century now, might be time to retire her as replacement parts on most everything will be needed to continue any much longer. How do you like the sear feature?
Actually, that isn't the one I have. Mine has a 4th box for smoking. Not sure how I mixed it up. Also has storage underneath. I paid less than $400. It is very nice. Only problem I have had has been that I broke one of my knobs....and that the newest model has a bottle opener installed.
If I want to cook over gas, I can do it easily, in my air-conditioned kitchen. No humpherra, no elements, no rain, no snow, no rusting of stuff. No posturing. Doesn't make the food taste any better, but I'm not spending $200-$300 for posturing rights, as an entry fee. Nor am I paying for gas bottles to do outside what I can already do inside.
So where's the question?
Now to those of you at least burning charcoal, occasionally, yeah, there's a question. What's the better outdoor grill? Some stand up better than others. But if all you want to do is burn your meat with gas, the best outdoor grill is an indoor grill.
Me? I can grill on anything, though I prefer outdoors, and my choice of charcoals, depending on that which is to be grilled.
But I smoke with pride. (Slowly, and with good woods. )
Bro. you're a lawyer...How bad is your practice that you even bat an eye at $300?
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01:01 AM
Shyster Member
Posts: 1085 From: Conroe, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2005
Originally posted by ls3mach: Bro. you're a lawyer...How bad is your practice that you even bat an eye at $300?
You think we're all rich, do you? Shall i spin you stories about slow paying, or non-paying, clients?..., no Or what I may go though to get paid, . . . no
I'll tell you this tale, and you can believe it or not, I am rich, beyond all belief. I have a wife who loves me I have two loving dogs (treat them well, feed them well, pet them often, that's a "go figure") I live in a house we built on land that we caught at the rock-bottom of the market (by sheer luck)
As a result of what we've built, there are days on which I can, on behalf of someone who "has had [not] more than half a breakfast, or expects to have more than half a dinner," (apologies to T.B. Macaulay) fight the good fight. I'm very, very, lucky. For every one of me, there are tens, if not hundreds, of lawyers who, despite high ideals, decided to do something else that actually paid income.
Yes, there are a fair number of very wealthy lawyers, out there. They represent a very small fraction of lawyers (as the very wealthy do in any profession), and they represent a very small part of what we do.
But I'll tell you this tale, and you can believe it or not, I am rich, beyond all belief.
Just not in the sense that you meant. Me, I can live with that.
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02:08 AM
cliffw Member
Posts: 37533 From: Bandera, Texas, USA Registered: Jun 2003
Hank Hill, his propane and propane accessories can kiss my butt. Meat. Wood Fire. Beer (optional)
quote
Now to those of you at least burning charcoal, occasionally, yeah, there's a question. What's the better outdoor grill? Some stand up better than others.
This one is Not mine, but mine is very similar, tho smaller. I built it in 1977 for my mother, it's never been covered and has been exposed to East Texas weather for over 3 decades. I can smoke or grill on it, and tho it will not get any raves at showmanship or the one upmanship often present in many social circles, it's end product just might.
But, for some vague reason, I have always wanted one of the old fashioned ones made from brick just for the heck of it, tho I do understand they have problems of their own. I now have about 2000 fire bricks and may try to build one just to satisfy that curiosity.
quote
originally posted by shyster:I am rich, beyond all belief.
My father was not a flowery speaker by any means but had a saying he used to decribe those he had great respect for. I, view you in those same attributes. A "good and decent man and 'rich' in moral stature while wanting for naught."
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07:46 AM
87antuzzi Member
Posts: 11151 From: Surrounded by corn. Registered: Feb 2009
I did, cast my envious eye on a fire pit early last spring, at the Brickhouse, a little bar in on E 1960 Humble Texas. The object of my interest was a brick rectangle, 3'Wx6'Lx32' tall, covered with lava rocks and I assume a piped in NG fire burning--out on the patio of course. It was nice and kept the chill off, but must have used an unholy amt of fuel each night.
You think we're all rich, do you? Shall i spin you stories about slow paying, or non-paying, clients?..., no Or what I may go though to get paid, . . . no
I'll tell you this tale, and you can believe it or not, I am rich, beyond all belief. I have a wife who loves me I have two loving dogs (treat them well, feed them well, pet them often, that's a "go figure") I live in a house we built on land that we caught at the rock-bottom of the market (by sheer luck)
As a result of what we've built, there are days on which I can, on behalf of someone who "has had [not] more than half a breakfast, or expects to have more than half a dinner," (apologies to T.B. Macaulay) fight the good fight. I'm very, very, lucky. For every one of me, there are tens, if not hundreds, of lawyers who, despite high ideals, decided to do something else that actually paid income.
Yes, there are a fair number of very wealthy lawyers, out there. They represent a very small fraction of lawyers (as the very wealthy do in any profession), and they represent a very small part of what we do.
But I'll tell you this tale, and you can believe it or not, I am rich, beyond all belief.
Just not in the sense that you meant. Me, I can live with that.
I wasn't trying to be a jerk about that, it definitely came off that way though. I meant you went to college and it is your profession and I am sure cost you a lot of money to get into. I know all about slow pay and no payers. Also I wasn't implying that you are rich, just that I wouldn't think you would bat an eye at $300.
Cliff, I smoke meet in my smoke box on my grill. I grill burgers, chicken and pork though on the gas side.
$28.00 charcoal/wood smoker or grill. Although using it as a smoker uses lots of charcoal because you cook stuff for several hours at low temps. It does great ribs.
I've done chicken, turkeys and other pork products using it as a smoker.
Interesting. I can't tell what the manufacturer of your grill is, but it's identical to our Brinkman, except ours is larger with 6 burners, and a sear burner on the left. Definitely made by the same company as yours though.
Interesting. I can't tell what the manufacturer of your grill is, but it's identical to our Brinkman, except ours is larger with 6 burners, and a sear burner on the left. Definitely made by the same company as yours though.
quote
Originally posted by 8Ball:I was at Lowe's today and they had a 3 burner Grill Master with a Side burner on for $129. So I bought it $188 with a full tank of gas. Just spent the last 2 hours putting it together.. Now I am off to buy hamburger meat and buns!!
Thanks guys!
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 10-19-2011).]
