Charcoal Grills, Home Audio Equipment and/or Wok Heat

[Gugny]

So I was determined to get a Weber kettle grill this year. I'm having some difficulty in justifying over $300 for a grill, now. I know Weber is a great name and I know they are durable.

 

I also know there are grills out there that are better than Weber grills.

 

The purpose of this thread is to get some opinions on the less-expensive charcoal grills like Char-Griller, Char-Broil or Master Forge.

 

Or if I'm just being stupidly cheap, and should pay more for the Weber, feel free to say that, too.

 

Thanks.

Edited August 22, 2013 by Gugny

[plenzmd1]

So I was determined to get a Weber kettle grill this year. I'm having some difficulty in justifying over $300 for a grill, now. I know Weber is a great name and I know they are durable.

 

I also know there are grills out there that are better than Weber grills.

 

The purpose of this thread is to get some opinions on the less-expensive charcoal grills like Char-Griller, Char-Broil or Master Forge.

 

Or if I'm just being stupidly cheap, and should pay more for the Weber, feel free to say that, too.

 

Thanks.

 

you are just being stupidly cheap, and should pay more for the Weber,

[KD in CA]

you are just being stupidly cheap, and should pay more for the Weber,

 

+1

 

I bought a cheap Char-grill for my wife's rental place and it's pretty low end. I wouldn't recommend it for much other than burgers and dogs.

[Beerball]

Get the kettle. Mine had a bad weld so I emailed Weber. They asked for pictures which I sent, they sent me a new lid no fuss no muss.

 

Besides that they work very well and you'll use less charcoal. After you finish your grilling shut the upper and lower vents and the coals are snuffed out. You'll use them again next time.

 

Also...get yourself a chimney starter if you don't have one. A few pages of newspaper crinkled up & a match is all you need to get your coals started.

[Gugny]

Great input so far, gents, thanks. And BB, yeah, I bought a chimney starter last year and it's definitely worth its weight in gold.

 

Is there an advantage to having a grill that you can adjust the charcoal distance on? That's one of my sources for reluctance in going with the kettle. I've read so much about it and know that the kettle shape, generally, provides the best heat. But the grills where you can lower/raise the charcoal seem pretty convenient.

 

Thoughts?

[IDBillzFan]

Let me preface by saying we grill out a lot. I have a Weber kettle grill (One-Touch 26" version), but I constantly found myself wanting more space for smoking larger cuts of meat (indirect cooking), as well as more cooking area so steaks, veggies, etc., could all fit. There are plenty of varying grills out there, but I ended up going with the Master Forge linked below.

 

Pros: For the money, it's really well made. Very solid. It has an adjustable coal rack that lets you lower/raise your coals easily, and the heavy door on the front makes it easier to add coals without removing the grates. Adjustable air vents on left and right. Heavy, quality enamel cooking grates are excellent. This is area where Weber falls down with it's usual wirey, easily rusted grate.

 

There are three cooking grates that slide next to each other left to right. This is cool for the quick sear/move to smoking position. Example: we just did a tri-tip this weekend, which calls for a 3-4 minute sear on each side, then indirect cooking smoked with hickory. You put on only one grate over the coals and leave the other two off the grill. When the grate is hot, sear the meat, then just slide the grate all the way to the right and put your chips on top of the coals and close the lid. When it's time to put in another foil filled with wood chips, you just need to open the hood, pull the old, put in the new, close the cover; no moving the grate with the meat to have access to the coals.

 

One Con I've come to live with: The area where you slide the grates in is a narrow ledge on the front and back of the grill which, due to a poor design, tends to capture the melted fat. If you don't keep it clean after each meal, it builds up enough to drip. I put a BBQ mat under to catch it, but not before it left a stain.

 

The Weber is retired now except for the times i need to run two grills at the same time.

 

http://www.lowes.com...fo=Master Forge

Edited March 18, 2013 by LABillzFan

[Gugny]

Let me preface by saying we grill out a lot. I have a Weber kettle grill (One-Touch 26" version), but I constantly found myself wanting more space for smoking larger cuts of meat (indirect cooking), as well as more cooking area so steaks, veggies, etc., could all fit. There are plenty of varying grills out there, but I ended up going with the Master Forge linked below.

 

Pros: For the money, it's really well made. Very solid. It has an adjustable coal rack that lets you lower/raise your coals easily, and the heavy door on the front makes it easier to add coals without removing the grates. Adjustable air vents on left and right. Heavy, quality enamel cooking grates are excellent. This is area where Weber falls down with it's usual wirey, easily rusted grate.

 

There are three cooking grates that slide next to each other left to right. This is cool for the quick sear/move to smoking position. Example: we just did a tri-tip this weekend, which calls for a 3-4 minute sear on each side, then indirect cooking smoked with hickory. You put on only one grate over the coals and leave the other two off the grill. When the grate is hot, sear the meat, then just slide the grate all the way to the right and put your chips on top of the coals and close the lid. When it's time to put in another foil filled with wood chips, you just need to open the hood, pull the old, put in the new, close the cover; no moving the grate with the meat to have access to the coals.

 

One Con I've come to live with: The area where you slide the grates in is a narrow ledge on the front and back of the grill which, due to a poor design, tends to capture the melted fat. If you don't keep it clean after each meal, it builds up enough to drip. I put a BBQ mat under to catch it, but not before it left a stain.

 

The Weber is retired now except for the times i need to run two grills at the same time.

 

http://www.lowes.com...fo=Master Forge

This is the exact grill I was looking at yesterday - and the primary reason I backed off of my Weber kettle kick. Decisions, decisions.

 

How long have you had the Master Forge?

[plenzmd1]

Stop being cheap and just go buy one of these.

 

 

http://www.grillsandcookers.com/2000-original-grill.php

[IDBillzFan]

This is the exact grill I was looking at yesterday - and the primary reason I backed off of my Weber kettle kick. Decisions, decisions.

 

How long have you had the Master Forge?

 

Just over a year. My Weber is two years old. Not sure if you're looking at Lowes, but I ordered it in the morning and they put it together for me at the store (no charge) and I picked it up in the afternoon.

 

Many people love their Weber, and there is no question it's a good grill, but after spending countless dollars over the years on various Weber gas grills, smokers, and kettle grills, one thing became clear: Weber is the Bose of outdoor grills.

 

Sidenote: I JUST last week talked myself out of getting the 36" version of this: http://www.cowboycam...ills.htm#Grills

 

Stop being cheap and just go buy one of these.

 

 

http://www.grillsand...ginal-grill.php

 

Now that's what I'm talking about. If that grill were a woman, it'd be Kate Upton.

[plenzmd1]

Sidenote: I JUST last week talked myself out of getting the 36" version of this: http://www.cowboycam...ills.htm#Grills

 

 

 

 

Do you have a woodburning firplace? I have one outside and one inside, and use a tuscan grill from NapaStyle http://grillsinusa2012.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/napa-style-handmade-large-tuscan-hearth-grill/ to cook in them. Only problem is the highest slot for the grate is not really high enough when you use a grate or want to not just use coals, so thinking of going to a blacksmith and getting one custom made.

 

I sit outside and watch most Bills/Sabres games, almost always have a fire going so this is great

[IDBillzFan]

Do you have a woodburning firplace? I have one outside and one inside, and use a tuscan grill from NapaStyle http://grillsinusa20...n-hearth-grill/ to cook in them. Only problem is the highest slot for the grate is not really high enough when you use a grate or want to not just use coals, so thinking of going to a blacksmith and getting one custom made.

 

I sit outside and watch most Bills/Sabres games, almost always have a fire going so this is great

 

Not yet. We have a corner in the backyard that has a woodburning fireplace in its future for the past four years, but any home improvements have been going to the interior recently.

[Just Jack]

This is what I got....

 

http://www.ezgrill.com/Grilling-Products/Original-EZ-Grill

[KD in CA]

This is what I got....

 

http://www.ezgrill.c...iginal-EZ-Grill

 

Those are actually great if you want to have a little sunset BBQ right from your beach chair.

[BUFFALOKIE]

I've had a Char-Broiler for about five years and have used it a lot. I love it. Everything about it is heavy duty. It has more cooking space, more side-shelf prep space, the lid is attached, has adjustable coal height, and seems sturdier than the three legged kettle grill. The heavy cast iron grate is a must - I'll never own a chrome wire grill again! I paid $99 for mine, but I think they run closer to $150 now. I'm sure the Weber is lighter if you plan to bring it tailgaiting, though.

[jr1]

Dick Butkus newspaper grill

[Chef Jim]

Go Big Green Egg or don't go at all.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I bought a cheap-o charcoal grill from Walmart about 3 years ago, and I can't even remember the name of it. I think I spent like $45 dollars on it here in Alaska, so it would be like $35 in the lower 48. I do a lot of grilling (2-3 times/week), and this thing has held up just fine...even in the arctic winter conditions. Steaks, Ribs, Chicken....whatever. You don't need to spend a ton of money to get a decent grill. If this one breaks, I'll just spend $45 bucks on a brand spankin new one.

 

Boom!

[Hammered a Lot]

This is what I got....

 

http://www.ezgrill.c...iginal-EZ-Grill

Seen them used in the lot and they work great

[mead107]

I have gas.

[Chef Jim]

Not yet. We have a corner in the backyard that has a woodburning fireplace in its future for the past four years, but any home improvements have been going to the interior recently.

 

We finished the interior pretty much this month. Just replaced all the windows. I've already invisioned where the outdoor kitchen is going.