Outdoor Grill Recommendations

[carolinarider09]

We currently have a Char-Broil Commercial T-47D MODEL 463241413.  It was purchased about 10 years ago.  We thought, since it was stainless steel it would last.  It has not.  While the outside is stainless steel, the insides are beginning to deteriorate .  And while I have replace the burner tubes that have rusted through, I cannot replace the burner tube mounting points that have rusted away. 

The grill is generally kept covered but my wife has this thing about cleaning the thing after ever use so, it does not always get covered up after use unit the next day or so. 

The grill sits outside on a concrete pad and is feed from natural gas. 

So, we are in the market for a new grill. 

My wife is the only one who uses it.  She grills hamburgers, pork chops and maybe a steak. 

The current grill has four burners, two would be more than satisfactory. 

Only real requirements are:

Should be able to handle being outside
Should be able to be fed with natural gas
Should have at least two burners
Should have a platform on one side of the girl or the other for putting a plate on (both sides would be ok)
Should have a life expectance of more than 10 years

Any an all suggestions are welcome. 

[Jess from VA]

Probably not what you're looking for.

Fun to watch, but presents difficulty with cooking food (and keeping your hair).



I had a number of gas grilles.  I learned that is was better to go small with no more grille than you need for your one family cooking (2 for me), and not plan for the 10 people party you never have.  I eventually pitched my grille for a small charcoal hibachi.

Ceramic grille bars clean easy.  Spray Pam and wire brush after dinner.  

And keep the mice from moving in over the winter (though watching them all abandon ship with the first fire in Spring is pretty entertaining).  

I will endorse Sunbeam (grilles), because when I called for replacement parts on my old 2d hand propane grille, they sent me all free parts, years out of warranty)

[Patrick]

I've had a NexGrill [ 5 burner ] for about 25 years. Sits outside year round uncovered, I want them to 'breath'. Replaced the grates a couple years ago. This grill gets used a lot.

So, when it came time to replace the junkers in Florida I went with NexGrill [ 2,  4 burners ]. They were on sale for $250. I cut a 1/2" steel plate for one to make it a flat top. These get used a lot.

Oh, both are stainless. But, not all stainless is created equal.

This are also propane powered, but, changing to NG isn't a biggie.

[carolinarider09]

Jess,

Yes you are right, not what I had in mind     But interesting none the less.

Patrick,

 I will look up the NexGrill.  Thanks.  25 years is a good recommendation.

[carolinarider09]

Just looked up the Nexgrill, Home Depot Sells them.  Use to be my go to place when i lived in suburbs.  Where I am now we have our very dependable locally owned Hardware store and Lowes.   

Anyway.

Option 1  https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nexgrill-4-Burner-Propane-Gas-Grill-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Side-Burner-and-Stainless-Steel-Doors-720-0830H/205449953

(actually two many burners but......   should not be an issue).

Option 2 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nexgrill-Deluxe-2-Burner-Propane-Gas-Grill-in-Red-720-0864R/310654542

Meets my wife's requirements (Check Box One) but its red.   Not a big deal... just, really "red"?

Option 3 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nexgrill-Evolution-2-Burner-Propane-Gas-Grill-in-Stainless-Steel-with-Infrared-Technology-720-0864M/300025263

But its out of stock.  Meets my wife's requirements. 

Frankly I had never heard of the Nexgrill.  I will have to do some more research.  But since the Char-Broil only lasted about 10 years and Patricks' Nexgrill has lasted 20 Plus....... 

[carolinarider09]

Turns out she likes the "red" color.   So, next to investigate the conversion to natural gas.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I expect to have to put our grill in my will. (But it only rains here 3 times in a lifetime)

[carolinarider09]

Meathead, what brand do you have?

You know inquiring minds 

And the natural gas conversion kit is about $90.  Interesting its almost half the price of the grill.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Meathead, what brand do you have?

You know inquiring minds 

And the natural gas conversion kit is about $90.  Interesting its almost half the price of the grill.   

I'd have to go out and look. And I'm too lazy, Coyotes are playing, and it's already 110*. It's a stainless grill we got at Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, or somewhere 15-20 years ago. I think a $2.99 sheet metal grill would last 10 years here. You got to go out of your way to get something to rust here.

[vanavyman]

Have had a JennAir Stainless Steel Gas grill over the last 14 years from Lowe's and it has worked really well.  Have changed the burners a couple times.  Wanting to get more into Smoking and am looking at the  Pit Boss Pro Series 1100 Pellet Grill from Lowe's.  Retail for $599 and about $540 with my Military discount.  Some friends have this unit and it works well.
Dan

[Jersey mike]

We’ve had a Weber for I can’t remember how long, it’s been close to 15 years probably. I believe it’s the Genesis Silver Series and it’s natural gas. The igniter button still works too.

3 burner. Works great. I cover it in the winter. I replaced the grates once, and flavor bars twice.

Parts were easy to get.

[carolinarider09]

Ok, I have been doing some research and its interesting. 

The Nexgrill is sold at most of the big box stores, Home Depot, Costco, Sams Club, Kroger, Target, Canadian Tire, ect.

The only way I know this is because I went to the Nexgrill website to get a copy of the owners manual so I could see what the natural gas conversion was like for the two burner model. 

So,, there might be several version of this grill depending on where it is sold.  I find the interesting. 

[Patrick]

Why is the NG conversion so expensive ? What's in it ?  If my rememberer is working right the jet is larger for NG. I'd be drilling it out.


Weber makes a good grill, probably better than mine. But, they are spendy. I'm too cheap. 

The newer Nexgrill's don't seem as heavily built as the old ones. The one thing I don't like about the one is the grates have more gap/space than I like. Stuff tends to fall thru them too easily.

[scooperhsd]

If like the pellet fueled grills, Trager seems to be popular here in Kansas. I have a brother and sister each with one, and they seem to like them.

As for me - I use propane. In NC we had a CharBroil that was connected to the house propane tank and the shell (cast aluminum) lasted 20+ years - however, we had to occaisionally replace the burners / grills  - which isn't too bad as long as they are available.

[carolinarider09]

I am not sure why the Natural Gas conversion is so expensive.  Don't remember what it cost for the Char-Broil, but seemed it was in the $45 area, but that was six or seven years ago probably. 

All that is in the conversion kit is the hose, a couple of fittings and the regulator. 

[carolinarider09]

Here are some pictures of the inside of my current grill.  (and one picture of the unit)  You can see the damage and the fact that its really not a keeper.  I should have looked at the interior design when I bought it.

[Patrick]

It doesn't look bad to me, new burners and its good for another 10 yrs.

[carolinarider09]

Not to be a smart a?? but I could replace the burner pipes (after I get the ones they sent me exchanged for the correct ones) but the mounting points for the top ends no longer exist. 

Two burner pipes, $25.  To replace all four, which is what I would do, $50, but........

[Patrick]

Hmm, OK.

[oldsmokey]

Had a weber for 20 years. .Never touched a burner, replaced flavor bars with stainless ones, replaced grill racks with cast iron porcelin upgrade when that came out. Used it year round, alot. Not stainless, had side burner and rotisserie. Finally upgraded to newer Weber do to rot at lower section of frame near wheels.

[Robert]

Weber, natural gas, 10 year warranty will send you parts pretty much without question and its a good grill. I have NG all stainless 5 burner its a very good grill. I have the SS cooking grates, thick clean easy. We use the grill frequently and the wife will sometimes cook dinner on it, I was tired of replacing a grill every 3 years even with stainless ones so went with Weber. We will do bacon on the side grill outside rather than in the house sometimes so there is little mess to clean the the smell stays outside.

[Rams]

Realizing cost is almost always an issue (for most of us), have you considered either having a brick grill built or building it yourself?   Yes, it's more expensive to start with but, you won't have to worry about it rusting out.   Of course, eventually the burners will need to be replaced.   

I plan on going this route once my other half decides where she wants it.   Might even try to build it myself although, I've never laid brick.  Regardless of who builds it, it won't happen till it cools off here.

Rams

[carolinarider09]

Robert, Oldsmokey,

The Weber is truly expensive, but you do get what you pay for. 

Rams,

I had not thought of building one but, given the location we currently have and the other considerations, I think I will have to bite the bullet and buy one. 

There three two things that are under consideration.  One, is I am in my mid 70's, no real health issues but.....  So netting I buy must keep in mind the future, maintenance, ect.

Second, while I like the price and design of the Nexgrill, it is made in China.  Don't know where the Weber grill is made. 

Third, the Weber comes ready for natural gas so, the $299 purchase price of the Nexgrill and the $90 for the natural gas conversion and the need to do it myself, means the Nexgrill will be about $400, plus personal time and energy. 

The Weber Grill that meets my requirements is this one

https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/gas-grills/genesis-ii-series/66001001.html

Its cost is $900, which is very, very expensive.  Having said that, I firmly believe you get what you pay for. 

Still thinking. 

[sheets]

Weber Spirit model - propane -  two burners . . . cast iron grates - two folding shelves. Works fine for just two of us - and things (thin cuts of meat & veggies) that take 10/15 minutes to cook. After eight years I replaced the burner tubes (two). If I get another eight years out of it I will be more than satisfied. I have a wood fired pit to cook thicker cuts of meat; whole birds or beef tri-tip, brisket and pork butts. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Meathead, what brand do you have?

You know inquiring minds 

And the natural gas conversion kit is about $90.  Interesting its almost half the price of the grill.   

I'd have to go out and look. And I'm too lazy, Coyotes are playing, and it's already 110*. It's a stainless grill we got at Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, or somewhere 15-20 years ago. I think a $2.99 sheet metal grill would last 10 years here. You got to go out of your way to get something to rust here.

I looked while we were out swimming. It's an Igloo. This model here.

But, as I said, I think just about anything metal is going to last here. Plastic ? Not so much.

[cookiedough]

yah, get 10 years like we have out of the stainless steel burners doing good I think.  1 of my burners is rotted thru so only use 2 of the 4 burners just the 2 of us so really hardly ever used all 4 burners all at once.  I think I will replace the burner that is busted but have to buy set of 4 and the cross tube rotted away my brother cut to length a square metal tube at his work (welding shop) and works fine.  Need to get new burners though and the porcelain flame covers are rotted away pretty bad as well. 

If can get another 10 years out of it will be money well spent.

I'd go Weber or Nexgrill if I was you and since if only the 2 of you mostly,  just get the 2 burner one is cheaper and rarely use 4 burners all at once unless have company.

[Jess from VA]

Any meat from a nickle hot dog to an expensive cut of meat tastes better grilled.  No question.

But there is always more work and time involved grilling.  And maintaining the grille.

My grilles got used on and off.  More off than on, and now not at all.

My gas broiler and toaster oven grill meat good enough for my simple tastes. 

My bachelor cooking style goes like this.  I do not eat unless hungry, and when hungry I will eat in 10 or 20 minutes max.  Patience is not in me.  Food has never been a hobby or passion for me.

[Patrick]

Hmm, post disappeared.

Webers are good grills, just very expensive. Too expensive for me and I'm not cheap.

The new Nexgrills are cheaper built then the old one. But they'll last me the rest of my life, I think.
I don't like chinese junk but didn't pay attention to that at the time. It was before the kung flu hit us.

I think I would have fixed your grill and kept on cooking. If we were neighbors I'd come take it off your hands for you. 

[Tundra]

+1 on the Weber grill quality. You won't be disappointed. Sometimes it's nice to spend a little more and smile enjoying your wise purchase.
  Mine is a simple two burner (me and the wife) I am impressed with the cast iron burners. I've cleaned them once and cleaned the ports once in 10 years. Parts are easily accessible and the cast iron cooking surface with built in "removable cast iron skillet" is remarkable. Use it for bacon to keep the mess outside and stink up the neighborhood. We also do our veggies in the skillet and ribeye for shish- ka- bob, without the silly stick. Also good for shrimp and scallops, won't fall through the grate, and absorb the great steak flavor. My experience is the cast iron wears the best with minimal effort. The stainless and porcelain are pretty when new but just don't hold up over time. We are pleased with the Weber quality and function and use it 3-4 times a week. I also use a small Weber charcoal if I have more time on the weekends just for unmatched flavor on burgers and steaks. Think of it like owning a Valkyrie, smile and know you made a wise decision.

Mine looks identical to the Nexgrill on the outside. It's the inners that matter. It has CAST IRON BURNERS...last forever, cast iron cooking surface, reversible one side with wide gap other side with narrow gap and removable center grid where you can drop in the cast iron skillet. These things make it worth the price difference (for me).

If you can get by with yours for now, The Home Depot has Weber grill events several times a year with close to 50% savings. Usually a Spring/Garden event and Memorial Day grill event.

[Rugerbear]

I have a Traeger. You can grill or smoke on it.

[carolinarider09]

Thanks Rugerbear, never heard of that brand name will look it up.

Tundra,  thanks for the information on the sale.  I shall keep that in mind.  I did not find a two burner Weber,  This is the one I was looking at. 

https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/gas-grills/genesis-ii-series/66001001.html

[Oldfishguy]

Weber

Costco has the one you need.  $1000.00 though.  Stainless, side grill, cover included, temp probes that blue tooth to your phone, etc.

And yes, some assembly required. 

[bassman]

This one too small???

https://www.amazon.com/Weber-49010001-Spirit-Black-Outdoor/dp/B0783GVCFV/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=theonlinegrill-20&linkId=aadba6408e5c732340f3fbeb35c0c1f6&language=en_US

[carolinarider09]

Bassman, no its fine,

I am in a quandary (sp??) about the two.  There is a significant price difference ($400), both are three burner.  One is called a Spirit II and the other is called Genesis II.  There has to be a big difference in the two uints for $400. 

Both have the same warranty.  Both are natural gas.  So???????

https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/gas-grills/genesis-ii-series/66001001.html

https://www.amazon.com/Weber-49010001-Spirit-Black-Outdoor/dp/B0783GVCFV/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=theonlinegrill-20&linkId=aadba6408e5c732340f3fbeb35c0c1f6&language=en_US

[bassman]

This might help....

https://exchangebarandgrill.com/weber-spirit-vs-genesis/

[bassman]

Or this.....

https://raymond-nh.com/grill/gas-grills/weber-spirit-vs-genesis/


Good luck !

[carolinarider09]

bassman,

Good finds.  And long.  Will take some time to read.  Did not think to do a search.   

[Robert]

My grill was 1100.00 I would spend 250 to 300 on a new one every 2 to 3 years. In that time I would start with new and progress to the point of needing to replace all the burners and the grates sometimes leaving rust in my food. This was also the constant maintenance that they took and regardless of how careful you are they all return to dust. So if the Weber lasts 10 years and they replace the parts for free under warranty and you have a better grilling experience, I reckoned it was not expensive at all.

https://www.bbqguys.com/bbq-grills-smokers/gas-grills?ff2=1999

https://www.bbqguys.com/weber-grills/genesis-ii-435-propane-gas-grill-stainless-steel-62006001-2019

[carolinarider09]

You know Robert, when I purchased the Char_Broil about 8 or 10 years ago, I saw that it was stainless steel on the outside but did not do a good job of thinking about the inside.  The pins that hold the far end of the burner tubes in place have (at least for two of them) are totally rusted off or have a hole in the mounting location.  I did not consider that could happen.  But... you learn 

I don't mind replacing the burner tubes (about $15 each) but the ones I ordered are not the right ones and I was pretty confident I had the correct grill model number.  But....

The fact that I want to use natural gas compounds the issue for most grills in that I need to purchase a conversion kit.  At least the Weber can be purchased ready to go for natural gas. 

And the next thing is if I purchased a grill like the NexGrill every four or five years, I'd have to do a gas conversion every time and then that would drive the cost up to the point of the Weber. 

I know a bunch of variables. 

Still, I appreciated all the correspondence and information.  Lots of stuff I would probably have never found on my own.

[Robert]

Sounds like we are on the same track, I'm just a little further down the road since I already did the conversion LP to gas on a Grill without the kit. I got a chart of the jet sizes and estimated how large to go by drill diameter and estimating flow rates. I put the whole thing back together and everything was good. I was a bit off on flow and the burners were a little less intense but that came out perfect also since it wasn't as easy for the wife burn things.  Just don't say anything to her, she does a steak better than me but just cant seem not to burn some other things.

I certainly did not want to spend for the Weber and thought it nonsense, and there are some things that I am not impressed with but the grates and the grill is very good. I just went out there and cleaned it and except for the top its as good as new and the grates have not rusted at all and its been about a 1 1/2 years.