So I need to buy a new grill

Learn me grills. I'm not talking some multi-thousdand dollar pellet burner with an automatic feed hopper. I'm not talking charcoal (that was an interesting conversation with the wife). I just want a propane grill. Don't need a side burner. I want to be able to access the tank from the front, so either open on the bottom or a cabinet door.

The other limitation is that I pretty much am limited to buying something from Lowes unless I want to drive an extra 40 minutes to get one from Home Depot.

I'm thinking something in the $200-400 range.

Thoughts or suggestions?

I got a Char-Griller Duo from Lowes (does charcoal and propane). I'm enjoying it so far, though i have to admit that i haven't done anything with the charcoal side except for season it. I'm going to convert that side into a mostly-dedicated smoker.

When i was there, they had a nice big solid-feeling stainless steel Char-Broil for $300. Or the world's smallest Weber for $400.

Yeah, the small weber it too small.

The double one is intriguing, but the problem is my wife wants the charcoal egg knockoff the Akorn. I told her that's fine, but she would be the one buying and lugging around bags of charcoal and then taking them time for them to heat up and be ready to cook and then going back later and cleaning up the ashes.

So, the double one is a no go for me because the charcoal side is not egg shaped.

I'd just go to Lowes/Sams Club/Home Depot and get the biggest one you can afford. Size is king for grills IMO because when I have people over and it's time to put 20+ burgers on I hate having to cook in shifts.

Mine is Lowes, off brand, and big 5 burners. Replaced the burners and baffles last year and it should be good for another 4-5 years.

A thread just like this popped up within the past month or two but I can't seem to find it for you.

Cliff notes:

Used weber off craigslist.

Enyar wrote: A thread just like this popped up within the past month or two but I can't seem to find it for you. Cliff notes: Used weber off craigslist.

Warning: I tried this a few years ago, and only got a couple of uses out of it before a discontinued and completely unavailable part broke rendering it useless.

I'm not saying that it's not worth trying, just make sure its not an oddball or really old. The one that I dragged home turned out to be 20+ years old, but it didn't look anywhere near that old, since it was a high end model that was well kept.

In the OP's stated price range there should be some good choices. FWIW, I think Lowe's has better stuff than Home Depot or any of the he other big box stores. Better yet, if you have an Ace Hardware near by stop and see what they have, you might be pleasantly surprised.

What can possibly break in a grill to render it useless?

Control valve? Get one from another grill on the curb. Hoses? Parts store, salvage grill, hardware store. Igniter? Aim n Flame works just fine. Burner itself? Scab in one from a comparable sized unit.

93gsxturbo wrote: What can possibly break in a grill to render it useless? Control valve? Get one from another grill on the curb. Hoses? Parts store, salvage grill, hardware store. Igniter? Aim n Flame works just fine. Burner itself? Scab in one from a comparable sized unit.

Yeah I wonder too. Plus, a lot of parts in my 2009 grill interchange with one from the 80s. Must have been a funky weber.

Grab a Broil King. If you lived in Canada, you'd be able to pick them up at Home Hardware Stainless burners with a 10 year warranty, stainless heat baffles, heavy cast iron grilles - good stuff. The Signet 20 that I use is available at Lowes and meets your parameters: http://www.lowes.com/pd_503227-65173-986554___?productId=50078141&pl=1&Ntt=broil+king

Keep in mind that grill prices vary dramatically over the year, so waiting for a bit might save you a chunk of change.

Or just get something big if you're into catering.

Take whatever you are about to buy, and roll the floor model out into the parking lot. The one we got at sears was really nice in the store, (and it still cooks really nice), but the caster wheels SUCK and I actually BENT the frame trying to move the dang thing around when it wouldn't roll. On my concrete driveway.

Now its just another thing on the list for me to fix.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

That's the one I liked the best. Just not sure if one thst is $100 less would last me just as long.

In reply to 93gsxturbo:

It had a very unusual burner that connected straight to the control valves with out tubes or hoses.

there are a lot of propane grills on the local facebook junk for sale groups around here, ranging in price from "just get it out of my yard" to "it retails for $300 and is barely used, so i'll take no less than $400 for it"...

My Vermont Castings grill has lasted 15 years and counting. And I cant claim any credit cause I don't do squat to make its life easier. We use it at least twice a week year round.

Rumour is that they went to China, made E36 M3 product, and are now back on USA soil and back on top of their game.

Before the Vermont Castings, we used to buy a new grill at Crappy Tire every two or three years.

Edit: Just took a look at the prices Seems they are at the top of the price range when even with a great review the cost made the reviewer squirm.

Quick summary:

http://grilljunkieguy.com/tag/vermont-castings-gas-grill-review/

Love my Weber Summit, which was also spendy, but several years in it's still rock-solid and cooks like a champ. Found lots of listings for them on craigslist, but all but the natural gas ones were already sold. There were several "wanted to buy" for them still up. So guess I'm not the only one with a love for this grill.

Margie

Got a Char-Grill infrared stainless, average size, no extra burner stuff. Bought it at HD I think, though it could have been Lowes. Not particularly robust, but it has survived three moves and about 8 years of cooking without much complaint. Had to replace the regulator recently. I think the grills themselves may be on their last legs, but so far they are holding up. Not fancy, not expensive (under $300), won't last a lifetime, but works fine.

Yea I'm planning on buying a new gas/charcoal combo right around winter. Got 5+ years out of my $50 Home Depot special

So, I went to Lowes last night to get the Broil King Signet that right now sells for $399. I ended up buying a last year's model Char Broil that was $299, but got if for $228 (plus my 10% military discount). It's not as nice as the Broil King, but I figured for about half the price I'd give it a try. It is leagues above the $199 Char Broil grill that they have a boatload of. It has cast iron grills and stainless steel burners. Bonus that it was already assembled. In the spirit of compromise, I also bought the fake green egg AKORN charcoal grill. Now I want to grill some stuff.

Brinkman wheels suck, went through 3 sets on mine before it rusted out altogether (I'm ~10mi from the ocean).

Currently using a $100 Costco tabletop unit. It is 100% stainless steel, and portable enough to bring on vacation, camping, boating, tailgates, whatever. Just big enough to cook for 4. 6 months in I'm happy with it.

In reply to MattGent:

I live on the ICW, so there is salt water about 20 feet from my grill at high tide. The salt certainly takes a toll on things outside.

I got tired off the wifey complaining so I got her the Weber she wanted. Since I decided at lunch to get it I had to out it together.

Happy wife, happy life.

Ive got the el cheapo 2 burner weber spirit and used it a lot this year. You wont be disappointed.

Failboat, I already bought new grills. See earlier post.

Cooked some steaks on the AKRON grill last night. Delicious. Also did some potato packs and some squash,peppers,onions and asparagus in a little basket. Best dinner I've had in a long while. Not sure if it was the grill, the ingredients, the cook or just sheer luck, but damn it was a great meal.

Having some friends over tonight for hamburgers, hot dogs and shrimp. Yum. Looking forward to making a beer can chicken and also to try smoking a brisket, but that will come later.

Bought a Char-Broil 4 burner Advantage this morning at Lowes, more grill than I'll prolly ever need but. Looks good for the money. Ordered a patio dining table and chairs too from the Orange Store. Damn, I'm becoming domestic again.

Now, to get them motor parts off my kitchen table.

I have a Broil King Keg I bought on clearance about 5yrs ago. I use a cheapo heat gun to start it and it takes maybe 10 minutes to be ready to grill on. I use whatever lump charcoal is on sale when I run out, and throw on a small chunk of hickory or cherry wood for flavor.

I bought an A-Maze-ing pellet smoke basket but it's fussy and takes up much room. I think it would be better on a gas grill for flavoring up the food.