Buying a Weber

[Scarpozzi]

IMO save the hundred bucks. Maybe even go a bit cheaper. Grills die/rust out on me after 5ish years, and you can buy some nice ones for under 500.

I bought a dirt-cheap grill about 5 years ago and it has performed great. I got a 2 burner gas grill for $94 at walmart that included a $50 gift card. It was hard to turn down...I should have bought a second one and shelfed it.

If you have a dry place to store your grill...not just under a cover, but somewhere enclosed, it will last a lot longer. If you spend over $300, you should store it properly anyhow to protect your investment.

 

[notposting]

For the people looking at non-propane/gas grills, seems like the Big Green Egg's are a worthy competitor to Weber.

*off to sous vide and Searzall his chicken for dinner*

 

[NetWareHead]

Dont know about all of you but my side burner gets plenty of use. Primarily when frying things that would smell up the house or messy fried dishes that would splash everywhere. Better to do that outdoors. The only thing we fry inside is bacon since that smells delicious.

 

[Mxylplyx]

Meh, no coals fell out of the chimney.

I guess I left the chimney on the side burner too long one time.

That little guy was all warped/melted.

I called Weber for a replacement. They sent me a free replacement (I had to pay for shipping though).

Needless to say, I will not be using the side burner for a charcoal chimney lighter again, even though it saves a couple minutes, and is less smokey than using paper.

I started using the weber starter cubes last year, and will never go back. I hated dealing with paper.

 

[Mxylplyx]

I bought a dirt-cheap grill about 5 years ago and it has performed great. I got a 2 burner gas grill for $94 at walmart that included a $50 gift card. It was hard to turn down...I should have bought a second one and shelfed it.

If you have a dry place to store your grill...not just under a cover, but somewhere enclosed, it will last a lot longer. If you spend over $300, you should store it properly anyhow to protect your investment.

A quality grill, ie a weber, will last damn near forever left outside with a cover. My parents left a weber kettle sitting in their driveway uncovered for 10+ years, and decided to dust it off when they needed a grill for their lakeside camper. I think they maybe replaced the grate, but other than that it's in perfect shape.

 

[Midwayman]

I have the S 330. The sear station really helps it get up to temp and sanitize the grates, etc. Otherwise the burners are a little low BTU if you really want a super hot area. Never use the side burner. The SS upgrade is totally worth it in longevity IMHO. The heavy SS rod grill is great.

For those suggesting $500 grills, weber keeps parts in stock for decades. While you spend $500-600 on a grill every few years a weber own can spend $20 and get brand new burners and have a like new grill again on top of having a nicer grill to begin with. It's certainly a long term prospect though.

 

[Drako]

I started using the weber starter cubes last year, and will never go back. I hated dealing with paper.

Yep, I use those occasionally too. Paper is free, and I almost always have some around.

 

[boomhower]

I bought an E-310 from Lowes and absolutely love it. It wasn't cheap but I can certainly tell the difference between the cheaper ones I've had before. I've had several grills with sideburners and have never used one so I saved the $100.

 

[rommelrommel]

I have a 6 year old EP Genesis with no side burner (there was no sear station at that time) and it is basically flawless except for some paint flaking off of the castings.

If you're going to buy one, but the EP from a weber dealer, not the cheaper HD/Lowes/etc version. The 50 bucks more or whatever is well spent.

 

[lupi]

looks like about $50 more for the EP version and seems to be stainless steel grates vice the enameled ones. who likes which type?

 

[schmuckley]

So, does Weber actually offer any kind of charcoal grills that have more features than "holds charcoal"? I mean, I continuously hear about how good Weber is, but they simply don't offer anything I want.

:thumbsdown:

Green Egg or nothing!

Not gas green egg,either.

 

[waggy]

Some sort of tiered grill, similar to how they have in robata places. I'd prefer something very close the fire and something at a "normal" distance at the same time.

you can do that with zone cooking. just stack the coals on one side. i do it for steak.

I stack them on one side. It sears in seconds. then move it to the "cool" side to finish.

 

[ponyo]

looks like about $50 more for the EP version and seems to be stainless steel grates vice the enameled ones. who likes which type?

I would definitely spend the $50 more for the EP version. Stainless steel grates are easier to take care of. I love my S-330.

 

[rommelrommel]

I would definitely spend the $50 more for the EP version. Stainless steel grates are easier to take care of. I love my S-330.

X2 on stainless grates. You can buy the others separately later if you really regret it.

 

[dank69]

You won't get a deal on them, but take a look at Ace Hardware. They carry the EP line of grills which have full stainless burners, covers, and grates. Nice little upgrade over the standard 310/330 for about $50 more.

I've got the 330 with the sear station. It helps get the grill *HOT*. I'm running natural gas and with 3 burners on it will get the grill up to about 450. Throw the sear burner on and it's able to hit over 600 degrees. I don't use it that often though. It's nice for getting things preheated fast, and I'll use it a bit to do more indirect cooking at higher temps. It's also good for getting high temps if you are doing pizza's on pizza stone on the grill. 500-550 degrees and a couple minutes on stone and you've got an awesome pizza.

This man speaketh the truth. Love my EP-330

 

[rsutoratosu]

my weber charcoal rusted after 9-10 years, all rusted parts were replaced for free.. they have great warranty. You can probably find a used on off craigs list and get parts replace from weber

 

[smackababy]

you can do that with zone cooking. just stack the coals on one side. i do it for steak.

I stack them on one side. It sears in seconds. then move it to the "cool" side to finish.

This is what I currently do, but the problem comes when I run out of grill space or want to have one zone for larger things. I hate cooking in shifts, especially for larger groups of people. A tiered style grill would be absolutely ideal, although it might be a bit difficult to cover.

Maybe, I will just have to make my own grill. =(

 

[seepy83]

I got a 330 last summer, and the sear burner is absolutely worth the extra cost. I'm not in the habit of grilling much during the winter because I always had cheaper grills and they just couldn't cut it. Last week I fired up the Weber when it was 30F degrees out, with the sear burner on, and the grill was registering 600+ degrees within 4 minutes. I've always been a Weber fan for their charcoal grills and the WSM, but never wanted to spend the money on a weber gasser. I expect the 330 will last me for many, many years to come...but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Weber gas grill again if I needed more surface area.

 

[lupi]

So looking like majority opinion by the users is EP-330 would be the one to buy.

 

[nmcbrid]

I've got a Weber Performer as a Smokey Joe (for when I'm on the move ). Next up is a Smokey Mountain. My performer beens outside for almost 10 years now through heaps of snow, rain etc. with no cover and it still looks great. Plus I've found Webers warranty support (my Smokey Joe came without some hardware) quick and easy, they just mailed me all brand new hardware instantly.

PLUS Made in America!