Gas Grill Advice?

[Mike P]

I had a Vermont Castings which was purchased from Home Cheapo---it lasted a whopping year and a half. It was used all winter, too--never sat idle. The company went bankrupt shortly after we bought it, and we couldn't get the parts to fix it

Vermont Castings in under new ownership now, and they're supposedly much better---but our next grill is still going to be a Weber.

[spence]

Interestingly enough, I think a lot of the big name grills at the big box stores are just purchased names. Pretty sure both Ducane and Jenn-Air are...

I didn't know VC went under, but it doesn't surprise me if they couldn't navigate the storm after HD started to price squeeze them. When my father bought his Vermont Castings the price difference between HD and the local retailer was more than 50% more. Big difference in quality...

Here's a nice photo of my grill, at least the top of it


-spence

[Raven]

with Gas grills outdoors except for not
cooking inside the house ect. mess and smoke

because i prefer to BBQ with 100% WOOD charcoal
for the flavor imparted to the meat that you
can never get from a gas grill.

It's almost as if the gas grill has become a
sort of status symbol like a second car
every year they are bigger
soon they'll have TV's built into them

right now they are adding fridges to them
side burners for steaming corn or lobster ect...

and Spence is advertising his favorite Brew on them
like they are a sexy girl in a Bikini with sushi on her Belly.

Just my woodsy opinion though....never mind. )

[Sea Dangles]

Big Green Egg.Smoker,cooker extraordinaire.The Raven way.

[Slingah]

I just got a CharGriller with side fire box that I BBQ and smoke with...had to do some modifications on it to make it hold temp
low & slooooooow
lump charcoal and wood for fuel

[BigFish]

I like kickin' it old school! Weber meatball charcoal grill....$99.00 and it will last me 4-5 seasons before its time for new! I do not like the taste of propane on my food...and its inevitable! I do not mind the wait for the coals.....gives me time for a couple cold bottles of suds while I wait!

[Raider Ronnie]

I'm another one.
10 years with a Weber.
No complaints from my wife at all !
I agree, cooking on a propane grille sucks compared to the old fashioned charcoal grilles !
Sucks we live in a society that we are in a rush for everything compared to when I was a kid !

[spence]

Originally Posted by Raven

with Gas grills outdoors except for not
cooking inside the house ect. mess and smoke

because i prefer to BBQ with 100% WOOD charcoal
for the flavor imparted to the meat that you
can never get from a gas grill.

It's almost as if the gas grill has become a
sort of status symbol like a second car
every year they are bigger
soon they'll have TV's built into them

right now they are adding fridges to them
side burners for steaming corn or lobster ect...

and Spence is advertising his favorite Brew on them
like they are a sexy girl in a Bikini with sushi on her Belly.

Just my woodsy opinion though....never mind. )

To me gas grilling and cooking with smoke are different things. I love the gas grill for it's convenience and heat control. For searing fish skin on cast iron without stinking up the house, making pizza or a perfect crust on a steak they can't be beat.

Smoke is for smoke. I've nearly bought an Egg a few times...perhaps...

-spence

[Raven]

Originally Posted by spence

To me gas grilling and cooking with smoke are different things.
Smoke is for smoke. I've nearly bought an Egg a few times...perhaps...

-spence

All i was saying is that i personally prefer real wood charcoal
as apposed to charcoal brickettes that need lighter fluid to ignite.

I like real small portable grills where you can cook anywhere with
only say...a half gallon of real wood charcoal...

there's simply no way you can haul one of these mega grills
around to BBQ at remote locations.... say camping , fishing unless .........
your driving LIKE ...a BIG motor home rig.

I don't own an egg... i have Hibach's and other cheaper Grills.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by spence

To me gas grilling and cooking with smoke are different things. I love the gas grill for it's convenience and heat control. For searing fish skin on cast iron without stinking up the house, making pizza or a perfect crust on a steak they can't be beat.
-spence

Yep.....I have a Vermont Castings for Grilling up Steaks, Chicken, and Fish, Dogs and Burgers and anything when its quick I need

I have a Brinkman Side by Side Smoker for the Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Turkey, and anything else that I want low and slow.

Also have a complete Cast Iron Dutch oven setup for when I want to apply the low and slow to Casseroles, Desserts, baked beans, and when I want to fire somethig up over charcoal or Wood Fire and hang around outside.

Originally Posted by Raven

All i was saying is that i personally prefer real wood charcoal
as apposed to charcoal brickettes that need lighter fluid to ignite.

You don't need Lighter Fluid to light Charcoal...I use a Charcoal Chimney and it works pissah, and No fluid flavor on the food

Originally Posted by Raven

I like real small portable grills where you can cook anywhere with
only say...a half gallon of real wood charcoal...

i have Hibach's and other cheaper Grills.

Checkout the Lodge Sportsmans Grill, All Solid Cast iron. I got one of these for X-Mas and it is the Bomb......great for camping and it sears meat the nuts.

Costs a bit but you will never need to buy another Hibachi/Small Grill again.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Also have a complete Cast Iron Dutch oven

You don't need Lighter Fluid to light Charcoal...I use a Charcoal Chimney and it works pissah, and No fluid flavor on the food

Checkout the Lodge Sportsmans Grill, All Solid Cast iron. I got one of these for X-Mas and it is the Bomb......great for camping and it sears meat the nuts.

Costs a bit but you will never need to buy another Hibachi/Small Grill again.

------------------------------ -------------------------------------
i needed a bolt for the wheel barrow so i was shopping @ true value and I just saw the charcoal chimney there...
What a great idea..

of course i'll make one =LOL...too easy

whered ya buy the dutch oven kev?

i am about to go disassemble a stone fire place and haul it away
and rebuild it here just because i want too and i'm rather crazy

i like stone....it's my gymnasium ...i think nothing of moving rocks
so big that you guys wouldn't tow them with your truck.
keeps me strong utilizing all muscles in Unison with max Chi force.

[Slingah]

Originally Posted by spence

To me gas grilling and cooking with smoke are different things. I love the gas grill for it's convenience and heat control. For searing fish skin on cast iron without stinking up the house, making pizza or a perfect crust on a steak they can't be beat.

Smoke is for smoke. I've nearly bought an Egg a few times...perhaps...

-spence

It sure is....real BBQ takes hours..low & slow
Grilling is HIGH heat
spence knows...he's a cook

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by spence

Interestingly enough, I think a lot of the big name grills at the big box stores are just purchased names. Pretty sure both Ducane and Jenn-Air are...

I didn't know VC went under, but it doesn't surprise me if they couldn't navigate the storm after HD started to price squeeze them. When my father bought his Vermont Castings the price difference between HD and the local retailer was more than 50% more. Big difference in quality...

Here's a nice photo of my grill, at least the top of it


-spence

The box stores order in such volume that they can jam their specs down a manufacturer's throat, and offer "name" brands of inferior quality. A locksmith showed me the difference between a HD Schlage door lock, and the "genuine:"one that hardware stores sold--same was true of Delta faucets. Much cheaper components inside.

I understand that the new owners of Vermont Castings are not allowing their grills to be sold at HD and Blowes.