BBQ's / Gas Grills

[GreatBigAbyss]

My old BBQ shit the bed this past fall.  To be fair, we've always bought cheap BBQ's which never last for more than a few years.  This time I want to buy a proper BBQ.  IT's between Weber, Napoleon, and Broil King. 

I'm leaning towards Weber.  I want a decent 4 burner BBQ.  I don't care for any 'extra' features like side burners or anything.  I just want a decent quality, basic BBQ that will last.  I'm thinking something like  Weber Genesis S-315.  I think I prefer the stainless steel cooking grate over a cast iron grate, as it should be longer lasting, and more tolerant of poor maintenance and abuse.  While I like the price of this one, I could wish that it was a little larger, and had an extra burner.  When I cook wings on the BBQ, I tend to cook a LOT of wings, and space to move them around is appreciated.

Then there's something like the Napoleon Rogue Pro 425.
It's also a 3 burner grill with stainless steel grate, but this one has a side burner, which comes in handy perhaps a few times a year.

Finally, we have the Broil King Baron 420.  This is a proper 4-burner grill, also with a stainless steel grate.  No frill on this grill. Does a Broil King hold up to a Weber when it comes to overall quality and longevity? 

Somebody here must have some thoughts, experience, and preferences?

[Tortoise]

I'm a Weber fanboy. My current one is about 35 years old and still on the original burners. The biggest thing is that you can easily get replacement parts for grills of any age. And there's lots of after market options. For Weber's, the Genesis line is the way to go. And the sear station(4th burner) is nice if you grill lots of burgers and steaks, but not mandatory. Definitely get the stainless gates if you can, but stainless replacements aren't crazy expensive.

Napoleon grills are also very  good, but I am not sure the parts availability is the same as Weber.

We had a lower tier Broil King at the cottage. It was good for a few years but eventually started falling apart. In my experience, they don't hold up as well as a Weber.

For my money, I be getting a last gen Genesis Weber (with the controls on the front) from FB Marketplace. Even if it needs $200 in replacement parts to get it back to new, you're way ahead. I managed to find a mint Genesis with stainless grates for the cottage for $200. And I brought it home in the Highlander!

But, there's deals on the Genesis II models as well: https://www.facebook.com/share/18Y42GYLah/ (natural gas, but you get the idea)

[GreatBigAbyss]

Hmmm, used grills.  I'm not gonna lie, I've bought used grills off Kijiji before.  I bought a Broil King one time and got a few years out of it.  I think this time, I'd like something new that I can keep for 10-15 years. 

If I stick with Weber (which I'm really leaning towards), I could spend a little more money and get something with some more features, like this one: Weber Genesis S-335c.  This one has a side burner, and a sear zone. At least, I'm assuming that's what that little red knob does?

Are these features worth the additional $300?

[Tortoise]

If you're keeping it for 15 years, that's 20 bucks a year extra. I'd say they are worth it. I prefer the enamel lids, but they don't come with stainless grills. You could save a few bucks with this and replace the grates in 5 years or so: https://www.weber.com/CA/en/gas/genesis/genesis-e-335c-gas-grill/1500583.html 

A used Weber will still likely last you 10-15 years, and it's only frame rust that will do it in. The one I bought for the cottage has to be about 10 years old, still looks and works great.

[RRocket]

I was a LONG time Napoleon fan boy, having bought one in 96. Kept it until about 2020. Just wanted something smaller, 2 burner. Was still running like a champ and sold it for decent money, too.

Bought a Weber as a replacement. Big mistake. Quality not up to par compared to Napoleon. I essentially bought the same grill you're looking at...but not stainless and only 2 burner. Same guts.

It's been a disappointing BBQ. It just feels cheap. Had a wheel fall off. Igniter failures. Parts have been readily replaced..but still. Definitely feels cheap and like a step down.

That being said, it cooks fine.

Since I cook most of my steak Sous Vide these days, it's mostly used for burgers, dogs and the like. I'll probably replace it with a Camp Chef flat top and a searing burner. If I get rid of my smoker too, I'd likely replace with a Camp Chef Woodwind.

[Tortoise]

If you had a two burner you had the Spirit model, which are indeed not as good as the Genesis models.

[GreatBigAbyss]

^^^That answers my next question:  I can find Spirit models for less money, but it sounds like they're not up to par with quality, therefore I should just stay with the Genesis.

[RRocket]

Regardless of what you get, I've been using Grill Grates for YEARS and will not own a grill without them. They work that well.

https://www.grillgrate.com

[RRocket]

If you had a two burner you had the Spirit model, which are indeed not as good as the Genesis models.

My bro looked at the Genesis line and compared it to the Rogue and Lex Napoleons.

Weber Genesis was inferior to both. In both our opinions.

They just feel cheaper than Napoleons.

[Tortoise]

^^^That answers my next question:  I can find Spirit models for less money, but it sounds like they're not up to par with quality, therefore I should just stay with the Genesis.

Correct.

[GreatBigAbyss]

I've actually heard from a few different people that Weber Genesis is the one to get, and online reviews back those statements up.  So, I'm not entirely sure where you're coming from, RRocket.

[RRocket]

Iand online reviews back those statements up.  So, I'm not entirely sure where you're coming from, RRocket.

Well I bought my Weber based on those same people...and here we are! LOL 😆

If you want to bury yourself in research, AmazingRibs.com has a truly exhaustive BBQ test area. A very good website IMO (my grill had the highest award there, too) Also bought my smoker based on their recommendations, too. And it has been spectacular! Just for fun, I checked pricing. I paid $500...they now retail for  about $1500 now!! Yikes!!

[Tortoise]

Also, Napoleon Prestige is made in Canada, and the Rogue in China. In case that matters to you.

[GreatBigAbyss]

As nice as the Prestige is, they start at $2300.

Let me tell you, I walked into our local BBQ specialty store (luxe BBQ Company), and honestly, even though I'm planning on spending $1000-$1500 on a BBQ, I'm looking at the lower end of quality BBQ's.  Most of their stock were in the $2300 - $5000 range, and they even had a few at $12k - $16k, and even one at $20k.  Just insane!!!!

I'm thinking that BBQ's are like mountain bikes.  You've got your budget brands that you can buy at Home Depot and Superstore.  Those are like the Canadian Tire and Walmart Bikes.  Then, when you got to a specialty BBQ store, that's like walking into an actual bike shop, with quality stuff, and sales staff who know what they're talking about. 

Honestly, I felt like the average non-cyclist Joe Blow who would walk into my bike shop and not have any idea what he's looking at, and have to be guided through the process. 

[RRocket]

As nice as the Prestige is, they start at $2300.

Let me tell you, I walked into our local BBQ specialty store (luxe BBQ Company), and honestly, even though I'm planning on spending $1000-$1500 on a BBQ, I'm looking at the lower end of quality BBQ's.  Most of their stock were in the $2300 - $5000 range, and they even had a few at $12k - $16k, and even one at $20k.  Just insane!!!!

I'm thinking that BBQ's are like mountain bikes.  You've got your budget brands that you can buy at Home Depot and Superstore.  Those are like the Canadian Tire and Walmart Bikes.  Then, when you got to a specialty BBQ store, that's like walking into an actual bike shop, with quality stuff, and sales staff who know what they're talking about. 

Honestly, I felt like the average non-cyclist Joe Blow who would walk into my bike shop and not have any idea what he's looking at, and have to be guided through the process. 

Truth be told, they'll all get the job done..especially so with mods like Grill Grates. Just be sure to do a bread test when you get your new grill to see if and where you have cold spots if you care about such things.

I'd say have a look at a Woodwind if you want to smoke, too. They used to be $1200 or so. But I'm scared to see what they are now!