About time for a new grill - recommendations?

lowcountry

lowcountry

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My current gas CharGriller is about rusted out. I have really enjoyed this grill and used it regularly for the last 3 years. Most of my cooking is grilling some chicken breasts or smaller cuts of pork real quick for an easy dinner. For smoking, I use smoker box to get some smoke flavor. I am a big fan of charcoal and the only reason I don't have a charcoal grill is because it takes a little longer to get going and I feel like I waste charcoal for 15 minutes of grilling. I was thinking about getting the CharGiller gas/charcoal combo, anyone have any experience with these? I think I might be on the replace every 3 year plan thanks to the coastal environment. If budget was not an option, I would have an Egg and a Weber Gas.
 
I’ve got one and love it. I use the real hardwood charcoal and when I’m done I shut the vents. It put out the charcoal and I use it again the next time.


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Weber kettle and a chimney and your done uses less charcoal than the other and much better flexablity. Several friends had the others and i was not impressed at all with air flow control and it fell apart from rust in just a couple years.
 
I'm a Weber fan, and a charcoal fan, so I would suggest you look at (in increasing level of expense) the Original Kettle Premium, the Mastertouch, the Performer Premium, or the Summit. The kettles are available in 22" or 26", or 18" which I consider too small. Personally I wouldn't consider any kettle that did not have the One Touch Ash system, it is far superior to the open Ash catcher. My first Weber kettle lasted over 30 years, stored outside (with a cover). I finally replaced it when one of the leg sockets rusted out. So even on the coast you should be able to get a lot more than 3 years out of one.
 
Stok Drum for Charcoal
Stok Quattro for gas.

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I live at the beach and my cheap gasser died after 3 years. My Weber kettle is still in damn near mint condition and I have had it for a lot longer. I have a Weber Q series I take on the boat, I doubt that will last forever being it is only used in heavy salt water conditions but it could be a great option for you as it is small enough to store away from the elements. I have the q 1200 and it cooks 8 large burgers at a time easy.

I also have the Camp Chef Woodwind with sear box. That is a pellet smoker with a small gas grill attached. That thing is awesome but it will cost you.

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lowcountry said:
@BigTwig That is the perfect combo and I wish I could afford that, I use my gas burner a lot for cast iron cooking.
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Right side is a gas grill not a burner (I have camp stoves for that, also never really used the burner on my old gas grill). Center is the pellet smoker, left is the hopper for the pellets and electronics to run the smoker.

Its nice that you can hold things hot in the smoker body if you are grilling a lot of things. The grill is small but it sure does get hot and I mean super hot (I think 900 degrees is what it claims).

Like I said, very expensive though. It is my lazy smoker/gas grill.
 
So if I was to go with a weber, is the kettle premium worth it over the regular kettle? I have a charcoal chimney and a good dual probe thermometer already, what other accessories would you recommend to make charcoal grilling and smoking easier?
 
Mirac said:
Are you coming to the M&G tomorrow ?
You could see my small one run
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No unfortunately I have to work. I'm well versed in cooking on the Traegar my buddy has the biggest one they make and we often cook on it. They are great pellet grills thats for sure. I believe though if I was going to spend that kind of money I would get a BGE.
 
lowcountry said:
So if I was to go with a weber, is the kettle premium worth it over the regular kettle? I have a charcoal chimney and a good dual probe thermometer already, what other accessories would you recommend to make charcoal grilling and smoking easier?
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I use the royal oak brand lump charcoal from walmart. It burns much hotter than kingsford and the flavor is better. Plus like I said earlier if you close the dampers after cooking it will go out and you can relight it next time. I use a chimney to get mine going it takes less than 15 mins to be ready. The webber kettles are great grills for the money they are very versatile.
 
I had a large BGE, gets really hot, personally I didn't like it for smoking because I had better to do that job (with way more cooking space). At the same time I used it when I needed extra cooking space for catering.

My favorite set up is a 22 Weber kettle, 22 WSM (or UDS). Best grilling and smoking on a budget imo.

Right now I have the woodwind (lazy smoker, not as good as charcoal and wood though) weber q1200 (boat grill), 22 weber kettle (would never live without one), weber smokey joe w/ smoker conversion (tailgating/traveling smoker).

Looking for a couple of drums to make a couple UDS's and a Jamaica style grill (the only thing that isn't authentic about my jerk chicken). So hard to find a drum around here that is still a circle or has a removable top (I prefer those for UDS's).

With a little knowledge you can make good food on anything with anything. Those are just my preferences.
 
lowcountry said:
So if I was to go with a weber, is the kettle premium worth it over the regular kettle? I have a charcoal chimney and a good dual probe thermometer already, what other accessories would you recommend to make charcoal grilling and smoking easier?
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I like the premium ash catcher option better since it is less chance of ashes falling out starting a fire or blowing around in the wind if I am on a deck grilling. Other than that not much difference in them except some of the rack and tables attachment options. I just have the 22.5" one lowes had at the time one step up from basic.
 
Stay away from the bisexul "grills" (gas/ charcoal). You'll just confuse the kids.

Weber, chimney, good to go.

Use that time waiting on the coals to prep your meats properly.
 
If you like gasser convenience buy a weber. The guts can be replaced and the cook box doesn't rust so no more replacing rusted out grills every few years

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So I got back the tiny weber and charcoal chimney I haven't used in years to grill some chicken for the next couple of meals. I honestly forgot we had one that was being "borrowed." I think I didn't let the charcoal ash enough in the chimney before dumping it since it didn't get good and hot until the chicken was about done. Definitely have to teach myself on how to use charcoal again. Flavor is definitely better and will be getting a larger kettle and vortex next.
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concepthomes1 said:
My next grill will be a flat top grill.

Man, some of those smashburgers they make on them look amazing.

I like to grill peppers and onions alongside my flank steak when making fajitas..
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I have a cast iron skillet for doing smash burgers and Pittsburg rare steaks. I enjoy a grilled burger, but also a good flat top burger every now and then.
 
I have a cast iron griddle that I put on the Weber to make smash burgers.
 
lowcountry said:
So I got back the tiny weber and charcoal chimney I haven't used in years to grill some chicken for the next couple of meals. I honestly forgot we had one that was being "borrowed." I think I didn't let the charcoal ash enough in the chimney before dumping it since it didn't get good and hot until the chicken was about done. Definitely have to teach myself on how to use charcoal again. Flavor is definitely better and will be getting a larger kettle and vortex next.
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You can turn that into a smoker really easy. (Pic from my old house, only one I could fiind, phone must be deleting pics without asking) there is a thermometer on the other side by the way.

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I can kill your typical Lowe's or Home Depot Charbroil grill or the like in about 3 years.
I did a thing where I sold @Geezer a lid and bowl from a Weber kettle I got as a replacement. I was going to buy a new gas grill...

I went out and bought a new Weber classic charcoal grill, have yet replace the gas grill, between the Weber and the Pit Barrel Cooker, I'm not in rush to.

That being said, if your going buy a gas grill and not regard it as a disposable thing, your going to have to go up in the cost factor. For what I've put into cheap grills I could probably have a nice Weber or other grill.
However the next grill I have will have a cast fire box, anything else is just going to rust or burn out.
 
BigTwig said:
You can turn that into a smoker really easy. (Pic from my old house, only one I could fiind, phone must be deleting pics without asking) there is a thermometer on the other side by the way.

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That is awesome, where can I find that middle piece.

@NCMedic I agree, if I get a gas again, it will be something better like a weber.
 
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I have the duel grill and love it. I added the smoke box attachment and mine came with the gas burner on the left side.

What I really like about the burner is it’s designed to start a charcoal chimney. Put it on, light the burner for about 5 minutes and then shut it off.

If I’m in a rush and don’t feel like lighting charcoal I just fire up the gas side.

When having a larger cookout I use both sides at the same time. Meat on the charcoal side and corn and veggies on the gas side.
 
NCMedic said:
I can kill your typical Lowe's or Home Depot Charbroil grill or the like in about 3 years.
I did a thing where I sold @Geezer a lid and bowl from a Weber kettle I got as a replacement. I was going to buy a new gas grill...

I went out and bought a new Weber classic charcoal grill, have yet replace the gas grill, between the Weber and the Pit Barrel Cooker, I'm not in rush to.

That being said, if your going buy a gas grill and not regard it as a disposable thing, your going to have to go up in the cost factor. For what I've put into cheap grills I could probably have a nice Weber or other grill.
However the next grill I have will have a cast fire box, anything else is just going to rust or burn out.
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Ha! So true. When I have more time I'll tell the tale of the high end stainless steel grill I about blew up and melted. If you really use or overuse a grill you can kill it quickly. Who knew you could blow the knobs across a patio? ;)
 
lowcountry said:
That is awesome, where can I find that middle piece.

@NCMedic I agree, if I get a gas again, it will be something better like a weber.
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It's a 32 quart tamale steamer pot. All you need is a drill, a metal bit, some stainless hardware, and high temp paint (if you want it painted).

There are many sites with guidance on it, here is a random one.

http://virtualweberbullet.com/miniwsm.html
 
CZfool68 said:
Ha! So true. When I have more time I'll tell the tale of the high end stainless steel grill I about blew up and melted. If you really use or overuse a grill you can kill it quickly. Who knew you could blow the knobs across a patio? ;)
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I had a Charbroil CS Rep actually admit that the use cycle of one of their grills is designed around 1-2 times a week for about 5 months of the year. Anything above that they consider heavy use. Of course these were the same people who told me that the grill should never be used on High.....after the knobs melted off.
 
I have one of the charbroil gas/charcoal deals and like it. After three years of heavy use the gas side is starting to rust through on the bottom, but the charcoal side is still good. Mostly smoke on that side. I’m going to use it until it falls apart, also have an air compressor tank that I’m going to build into a grill if time ever allows.
 
CZfool68 said:
Ha! So true. When I have more time I'll tell the tale of the high end stainless steel grill I about blew up and melted. If you really use or overuse a grill you can kill it quickly. Who knew you could blow the knobs across a patio? ;)
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I gotta hear this!
 
NCMedic said:
Of course these were the same people who told me that the grill should never be used on High.....after the knobs melted off.
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Then why is there a High setting?
 
Geezer said:
Then why is there a High setting?
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Only for preheating / lighting according to them.

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If you're on budget, keep an eye out on the local classifieds such as Craigslist or some of the neighborhood "for sale" pages on FB or the like to possibly find a grill. That is how I found my Weber Genesis E-310 a couple of years ago. Paid $200 for a $700+ grill. Works perfectly and the only thing that I had to replace so far were the "flavoring" bars. I will always own a Weber grill from here on out!!
 
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