The Grill Thread

[slappybrown]

I've been reading some not so good reviews on the "cheap" ($500) Webers. It seems like you need to go around $800 to get one that's really going to last and isn't made in China. Any idea if that's true? Because $500 is pretty much my limit when it comes to a grill.

I got mine on a crazy deal for a 4 burner, but it was around 800. It was worth it, though my wife thought I was insane. She has come around.

[NTP66]

I've been reading some not so good reviews on the "cheap" ($500) Webers. It seems like you need to go around $800 to get one that's really going to last and isn't made in China. Any idea if that's true? Because $500 is pretty much my limit when it comes to a grill.

See my post above, as both grills fell into that category, the current one being one of the lower-priced Genesis grills.

[Willie Kool]

Regardless of which brand you go with, I am now an advocate of having a searing burner on the grill charcoal. Steak shouldn't be cooked on a grill otherwise.

Fixt.

IMO, a gas grill isn't even really a grill - it's nothing but a flame broiler.

[columbia]

The lack of natural gas in my life for cooking is just dismaying.
I **** hate electric stoves.

[dodint]

Source of the post Its a no brainer IMO. Our line is the same way; runs under the deck, hole drilled through a single plank, connector there for the grill. Shouldn't cost you much at all.

This is our exact plan. They said about $250 to come out, and whatever they do the $250 will apply to the work.

Since the place advertised "free estimates" I laughed and hung up. Since we need other gas work done in the house (switching our glass top terrorist of a stove to gas) they'll lose in the end when we go with someone else.

[slappybrown]

I think ours was around 150 bucks to do it, but it was a while back so I don't recall exactly. Suppose it also depends on how long the line they need to run is and how much work they need to do to get it outside. Never having to worry about a propane tank is freeing.

[slappybrown]

The lack of natural gas in my life for cooking is just dismaying.
I **** hate electric stoves.

Our kitchen is also nat gas. Electric stoves are awful, agreed.

[robbiestoupe]

Where in the name of 400 lb pink-haired transgender women do you get a contractor to put in a gas line for so little? Every one I had come to my house wants to gouge me in the chocolate starfish with their quotes. Just to run 20' of cast iron gas line they wanted over a grand.

[slappybrown]

For what its worth ours was nowhere near 20 feet. Maybe half that? It was a guy who used to work for the gas company who was retired and our families knew each other, so it probably was a sweetheart deal. I could also be remembering this entirely incorrectly, but in my mind I have 150-200.

[dodint]

In my case the pipe already runs right under the deck, so it would be adding a T-joint and a valve. Then, since my stove is right above where the water heater and furnace is all they have to do is add a flex-tube that runs through the floor. Simple stuff.

[slappybrown]

The end result here is that I am grilling steaks tonite.

[dodint]

Flame broiling, according to some.

[robbiestoupe]

@trilby77 may be able to correct me, but I believe gas grills are considered "grilling" and charcoal grills are considered "barbecuing".

[robbiestoupe]

The thing about my gas line is that I could easily do the work myself. It's 20' max of pipe with some bends plus drilling a few holes in the frames in the basement, through the floor, and one through the drywall into my garage. Other than that, it's cutting the pipe and running it, then installing a couple shut off valves. I just don't want to mess with natural gas. I mess up one fitting and it leaks, I'm burnt toast. I guess for a couple hundred bucks I could invest in a leak detector and still save money.

[tifosi77]

@trilby77 may be able to correct me, but I believe gas grills are considered "grilling" and charcoal grills are considered "barbecuing".

Perhaps the dictionary definition does not draw a distinction. But to me 'grilling' means cooking over direct heat, regardless of the source. 'Barbecue' means cooking with indirect radiant heat, often with smoke. (Some might say the smoking bit is a requirement)

[robbiestoupe]

@trilby77 may be able to correct me, but I believe gas grills are considered "grilling" and charcoal grills are considered "barbecuing".

Perhaps the dictionary definition does not draw a distinction. But to me 'grilling' means cooking over direct heat, regardless of the source. 'Barbecue' means cooking with indirect radiant heat, often with smoke. (Some might say the smoking bit is a requirement)

I read it in a magazine somewhere (cooks illustrated?) so there's definitely a delineation according to the "grilling" elite.

[Shyster]

Perhaps the dictionary definition does not draw a distinction. But to me 'grilling' means cooking over direct heat, regardless of the source. 'Barbecue' means cooking with indirect radiant heat, often with smoke. (Some might say the smoking bit is a requirement)

I would say smoke is absolutely required in order to have barbecue. Otherwise I agree with your definitions.

Does anyone own a pellet grill? I've been thinking of getting one to supplement the gas grill. They use an auger and electric motor to slowly feed food-grade wood pellets into a fire pot, and convection fans then circulate the heat from the pot throughout the grill. Because burning wood pellets are the heat source, the production of smoke is inherent in the design. You can buy food-grade pellets in all of the classic barbecue woods, and if you want to mix woods you just combine the pellets in the hopper. Most of the grills on the market top out at around 450° or so, which makes them less useful for hot-and-fast cooking like for steaks. They're really more of a smoker oven than an actual grill. But the big advantage is for low-and-slow barbecue. A full hopper of wood pellets can last for hours, and they have thermostat controls so you can maintain constant low temps. So you can fill up the hopper, toss on something like a pork shoulder, set the temp at 200° or so, and then pretty much leave it alone to cook for the next 6-8 hours. Traeger was I believe the original brand, but I've noticed a whole lot of new brands on the market in recent years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9OwKEt_kPs

[willeyeam]

this is the stuff I was looking for when I made this thread. Thank you all

[columbia]

My next grill will be pellet driven.

My parents had a pellet stove (for heat, not cooking) in one their houses and it was super simple to use and control.

[columbia]

Here's another one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbhhu1N2rYg

[Shyster]

Thanks for the video. That Camp Chef grill appears to be the same grill that Cabela's sells under its own name. Now I know where to search to compare that model.

[columbia]

This looks pretty awesome for camping trips or cooking for < 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUL3AIBJQ1k

[Shyster]

They do require electricity to run, so you'd need a generator or other source of power for camping.

[columbia]

A lot of campsites have e.

[BigMck]

I would like for my next investment in a grill to be a Big Green Egg. Grill, smoker, pizza oven.