Home Barbecues...

[Pandora II]

Okay people, many of whom live in places with more than 3 days of sunshine a year and are hence experts in the art of alfresco cuisine!

DH and I are wanting to buy a decent barbecue and I have been researching like mad. We want something that isn''t so huge that it''s no worth lighting for food for 2, but could also do enough for having 6 or so friends round as well if needs be.

Current choices:

The medium Big Green Egg - this sounds amazing, but it''s looking doubtful that we can get one in the UK.

The Broil King Signet 20

The Broil King Regal 420

The Sterling 2888 Gas Grill

The Weber Spirit Classic E-310



Other than the BGE, DH is set on gas rather than charcoal or wood. Also anything that is ''Cool Touch'' is a plus in my mind due to small kids.

We have limited space - our total outside space is 23ft x 6.5ft, so nothing that takes up much more than about 5ft x 2 ft.

Any advice on other makes, or things to be aware of are gratefully received.

 

[Kaleigh]

I like the Sterling 2888.

We use our gas grill all year long. This one looks great.

My husband grills even if it''s snowing... IDK, must be a guy thing... No complaints from me.

We mostly do chicken, but grilled veggies ahhh so yummy.

My fave right now is tomatoes, and then addding some freshly grated parmesian cheese...

 

[cara]

I would go with one of the Broil Kings, they are better in this price range than the Weber. (Though I'm not familiar with the Sterling model.) You also might consider going up the BK line to one of the models that comes with stainless grates, if you would prefer those. Cast iron holds the heat better but is less durable with the porcelain coating, so its a personal preference on SS versus the cast iron.

Also, while charcoal has its devotees, I find gas *so* much easier that it gets more use in my cooking, hence I'd go gas unless you know you are big charcoal fans and will use it.

 

[CasaBlanca]

Hope you really meant ANY ADVICE GREATLY RECEIVED...

We cook out almost every night. But it a huge HIGH heat touch monster. So I can't offer advice on a specific model, I thought I would purge all my thoughts on your choices you submitted in hopes of something that may be helpful.

One thing I noticed was I was thrilled you were looking at Webers. Had great success with that brand. But those new models perplex me. They are providing a great side shelf, but it is completely unusable. Those knobs are SO NOT in the right place. Why they did that is unbelievable. The knobs on that flat surface when not under a cover will collect dust, pollen, rain water, ick....being they are not at an angle water will just pool in about the knob area. And then there is the fact that the knobs will totally mess up the efficiency that the side table generally offers. I am scratching my head on that one! Why Weber WHY? They have one that is real modern looking like a spaceship...I lurve the lines of it!

The green egg I have seen favorable reports and lots of passion from users. I thought they are just Charcoal/wood cookers and fabutablous smokers. They aren't gas are they? It is small and seems more portable in case of in climate weather. But I depend on the use of the side shelves, the convenience to have that already there is so important. I see the egg can have accessory folding wing shelves, but with kids I would want to have more substantial shelves. I would also point out the cooking space is going to be limited as you are working with a circle that is not going to give you as much heated cook space. (when you get out towards the sides, the sides will be less heated). SO you are going to have to use the multi tier cooking technique. Which means you are going to need secondary tables or places to set your racks about as you get down from one level to the other. If you are really into smoke indirect cooking the egg is a fabulous choice. But I think SPACE is one of your main criteria, isn't it?

I do like cold spots on my rectangular grilling area at items. This enables me to move items away from the heat as they cook differently. I grill pizza a lot and you need to move the dough from the intense heat sometimes to get the cheese to melt. Also breads or buns need to only be lightly kissed and need a non flame staging area to rest and to maintain the heat. So I would lean towards a larger rectangular cooking space for those reasons. You just ignite one or two burners at the time, leaving the third idle.

A large flank of a salmon side for example would take up the more than 70% of your cooking space on the egg. No space to roll corn cobs or tater wedges etc.

I do love the side burner option. But rarely used it while I was outdoor grilling. I have used it when power has gone out and we needed a cook top. Have also used it for a gas burner where my one kitchen has electric only. So I love the side burners, but prefer them to be covered with a usable side table top-like the one you submitted.

I have cheated...used a gas grill for charcoal on those things that charcoal just tastes better. I have an oven broiler pan from my indoor kitchen, I place it inside and inside of that a disposable foil pan filled with charcoal. I lite the charcoal or wood and then cook on the gas grill grates just as I would if the gas were the heat source. So if you are a charcoal lover, there is still hope for you to use it occasionally.

Here is the one thing I hope others can ARGUE away...I have found in most lines the cooking things all wear out no matter how much you spend on the whole unit. There are heat shields that hoover over the flame housing. The shields get moisture and oil splatter and begin to rust. They need replacing no MATTER how much you spend on the outside unit. The flame thing also begins to wear out and also needs replacement. These components are usually $15 each times 3 and the flame thing...(sorry I can't think of the name right now) can run $15 to 25 a piece times 3. The reason I am telling you this, after one or two years of continual use, you may have to replace them. If so, you need to weigh the initial investment against replacement parts availability in your area.

You know, I would suggest getting the cheapest gas three burner with at least one side shelf. Use it for a year and get used to what you cook and find out what you would use most in features. THEN I would come back to the market and buy one suited for me after having used one and learned all the nuances. Spending over $500 is a great investment. I would hate that you are married to a bad decision based on lack of experience.

Sorry I can't steer you to a specific model, because mine IS EVERYTHING YOU DON'T WANT. Just wanted to share some things to think about. Happy Future Grilling! Yum!

Have you ever grilled pineapple or bananas? Well, you are going to have too! Kids will love them!

 

[Amandine]

We have a Weber Genesis, not sure of the specific model number. DH is a pretty active griller, and he just loves it. It was a bit of an investment for us, but we have been pleased with it (have had it for 3 years or so). I just asked him if there was anything he didn''t like about it, and after thinking for a moment, he said the front doors don''t meet perfectly.

He did quite a bit of research, and we have been quite pleased with the results!

 

[Pandora II]

Wow Casablanca, that was definitely comprehensive - and very helpful. Have passed it all on to DH.

Thanks to everyone so far for info.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I will be getting the weber Q320. My FI has the smaller version, and it is wonderful. Heats evenly, easy to clean ect. I used the older model (Q300) at his parent''s house and it really worked like a dream.

I would probably get a Genesis if needed to cook for more people and more settled, but right now I want something a little smaller and easier to move.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Not an expert, but charcoal/wood kicks butt over gas every time.... it''s all about the taste you get from "real" fire. I know you said that your hubby wants gas, but I had to throw it out there. I don''t know anything about the green egg (cute name... makes me think Dr. Seuss!!), but if it''s non-gas, I hope you find that one!!

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 4/19/2010 9:35:49 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Not an expert, but charcoal/wood kicks butt over gas every time.... it''s all about the taste you get from ''real'' fire. I know you said that your hubby wants gas, but I had to throw it out there. I don''t know anything about the green egg (cute name... makes me think Dr. Seuss!!), but if it''s non-gas, I hope you find that one!!

Ditto, charcoal grills are much better than gas.

 

[waterlilly]

We have this one

I love it. It is a charcoal grill BUT - you light the coals via gas. No lighter fluid, you just turn on the gas, press the button and it flames the charcoal as long as you''d like. Turn of the gas and the coals are ready to go.

The coals are kept in baskets so you can move them around to set up a cooking area for indirect/direct heat cooking, or just use one basket for a smaller meal.

I LOVE THIS GRILL.

The ability to move the baskets of coal around really allows you to cook so much better.