BBQ's / Gas Grills

[Fobroader]

I bought our Weber off my parents about 5-6 years ago and it was about that old when I bought it. I love that Weber has actual parts availability and its built well. Call me a Weber fanboy, but I've never met anyone that has one and had problems with it or didn't like it.

[Tortoise]

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

-gasp!-

$2300 is too much for a grill.

I have read that the grills in the big box stores (HD, Lowes, etc) are not the same as those in the dedicated shops. But I haven't been able to confirm for myself.

[GreatBigAbyss]

Damnit,  I just muddied the waters, and changed the whole game.  At lunch I popped into Luxe BBQ, as I had questions for the guy there.  I had my mind 98% made up to go with the Weber S-335, and just had a few questions.  ONE of the questions I had was 'could a pellet grill replace a propane grill for daily use?'  And he brought me over and showed me this:
Weber Searwood 600

So, this thing is a digitally controlled pellet grill.  Self-ignites.  Preheats in about 15-min, so similar to a gas grill.  Digital temperature control.  And it heats up to 600F, which while it isn't quite as hot as a gas grill can get in the sear zone, is pretty darn close.  And the guy told me if I wanted to sear meat, I just take off the heat distributor plate, and sear right over the firebox.  The best part is that it can do super low temperature with smoke, so you can slow cook ribs, smoke a brisket, etc. 

I've got some thinking to do over the next little bit, but darn it, I'm leaning towards the pellet grill.  It costs less than the S-335, too. 

[Bridgecity]

I have a Saber that I bought about 14 years ago.  Its been great.  Solid construction, stainless fasteners.  I don't think I've seen a better built grill.  That said, the Saber website seems to be going downhill, with little information about parts, etc.  I wonder if they're on their way out.  I could be wrong.

I'd be looking at the same brands you are if I was buying in that price range today.  I haven't looked close enough at a Weber or Napolean lately to know which I'd prefer.  I did buy a beaten up Broil King Regal for the lake and am surprised how solid it is, better than I was expecting.  I had to replace a few parts and they were easily attainable from a Canadian grill site.  Not much help I guess, but get your hands on all three if you can and see what you like.

[Bridgecity]

Damnit,  I just muddied the waters, and changed the whole game.  At lunch I popped into Luxe BBQ, as I had questions for the guy there.  I had my mind 98% made up to go with the Weber S-335, and just had a few questions.  ONE of the questions I had was 'could a pellet grill replace a propane grill for daily use?'  And he brought me over and showed me this:
Weber Searwood 600

So, this thing is a digitally controlled pellet grill.  Self-ignites.  Preheats in about 15-min, so similar to a gas grill.  Digital temperature control.  And it heats up to 600F, which while it isn't quite as hot as a gas grill can get in the sear zone, is pretty darn close.  And the guy told me if I wanted to sear meat, I just take off the heat distributor plate, and sear right over the firebox.  The best part is that it can do super low temperature with smoke, so you can slow cook ribs, smoke a brisket, etc. 

I've got some thinking to do over the next little bit, but darn it, I'm leaning towards the pellet grill.  It costs less than the S-335, too.

Anyone I know with a pellet smoker also has a gas grill.  I don't have a pellet smoker so I can't say for sure, but I think it comes down to convenience of gas when you just want to grill something (faster heat up, less clean up, etc).  The other thing to consider is do you always want that smoker flavour?

[Gurgie]

I'd still scour FB Marketplace & Kijiji for grills. I got lucky back in 2021 and found a brand new in the box Napoleon LEX on Kijiji, the Costco version for $200 less than retail. It replaced my Vermont Castings (that I bought used 12yrs earlier) that was Made in Canada and still solid. I ended up giving the Vermont Castings away to one of the kids buddies and it still might be going. I do like the Napoleon, its' been fantastic!! It does have the side sear station, that I used MORE often than anticipated to sear certain cuts, and I've used it to boil water during power outages. It does also have the rear rotisserie burner that I have yet to use. I looked into purchasing the rotisserie for it, just never have bothered. I use my BBQ's year round, so between the Napoleon & the Louisiana Grills egg, they get a lot of use and both are still in fantastic shape & operating condition. 

[GreatBigAbyss]

Damnit,  I just muddied the waters, and changed the whole game.  At lunch I popped into Luxe BBQ, as I had questions for the guy there.  I had my mind 98% made up to go with the Weber S-335, and just had a few questions.  ONE of the questions I had was 'could a pellet grill replace a propane grill for daily use?'  And he brought me over and showed me this:
Weber Searwood 600

So, this thing is a digitally controlled pellet grill.  Self-ignites.  Preheats in about 15-min, so similar to a gas grill.  Digital temperature control.  And it heats up to 600F, which while it isn't quite as hot as a gas grill can get in the sear zone, is pretty darn close.  And the guy told me if I wanted to sear meat, I just take off the heat distributor plate, and sear right over the firebox.  The best part is that it can do super low temperature with smoke, so you can slow cook ribs, smoke a brisket, etc. 

I've got some thinking to do over the next little bit, but darn it, I'm leaning towards the pellet grill.  It costs less than the S-335, too.

Anyone I know with a pellet smoker also has a gas grill.  I don't have a pellet smoker so I can't say for sure, but I think it comes down to convenience of gas when you just want to grill something (faster heat up, less clean up, etc).  The other thing to consider is do you always want that smoker flavour?

I asked these questions, specifically about needing a gas grill to accompany.  And for most pellet smokers, yes that is the case. But with this Weber pellet grill, it's intended to completely replace gas, and be just as convenience.  Maintenance is a little higher, as you need to routinely empty the ash tray, but as far as day-to-day cooking, it should be just as convenient as a gas.  Also, at higher heat it produces less smoke, as it's burning the wood more completely in order to make that heat.

[RRocket]

Damnit,  I just muddied the waters, and changed the whole game.  At lunch I popped into Luxe BBQ, as I had questions for the guy there.  I had my mind 98% made up to go with the Weber S-335, and just had a few questions.  ONE of the questions I had was 'could a pellet grill replace a propane grill for daily use?'  And he brought me over and showed me this:
Weber Searwood 600

So, this thing is a digitally controlled pellet grill.  Self-ignites.  Preheats in about 15-min, so similar to a gas grill.  Digital temperature control.  And it heats up to 600F, which while it isn't quite as hot as a gas grill can get in the sear zone, is pretty darn close.  And the guy told me if I wanted to sear meat, I just take off the heat distributor plate, and sear right over the firebox.  The best part is that it can do super low temperature with smoke, so you can slow cook ribs, smoke a brisket, etc. 

I've got some thinking to do over the next little bit, but darn it, I'm leaning towards the pellet grill.  It costs less than the S-335, too.

Anyone I know with a pellet smoker also has a gas grill.  I don't have a pellet smoker so I can't say for sure, but I think it comes down to convenience of gas when you just want to grill something (faster heat up, less clean up, etc).  The other thing to consider is do you always want that smoker flavour?

Damnit,  I just muddied the waters, and changed the whole game.  At lunch I popped into Luxe BBQ, as I had questions for the guy there.  I had my mind 98% made up to go with the Weber S-335, and just had a few questions.  ONE of the questions I had was 'could a pellet grill replace a propane grill for daily use?'  And he brought me over and showed me this:
Weber Searwood 600

So, this thing is a digitally controlled pellet grill.  Self-ignites.  Preheats in about 15-min, so similar to a gas grill.  Digital temperature control.  And it heats up to 600F, which while it isn't quite as hot as a gas grill can get in the sear zone, is pretty darn close.  And the guy told me if I wanted to sear meat, I just take off the heat distributor plate, and sear right over the firebox.  The best part is that it can do super low temperature with smoke, so you can slow cook ribs, smoke a brisket, etc. 

I've got some thinking to do over the next little bit, but darn it, I'm leaning towards the pellet grill.  It costs less than the S-335, too.

Anyone I know with a pellet smoker also has a gas grill.  I don't have a pellet smoker so I can't say for sure, but I think it comes down to convenience of gas when you just want to grill something (faster heat up, less clean up, etc).  The other thing to consider is do you always want that smoker flavour?

I asked these questions, specifically about needing a gas grill to accompany.  And for most pellet smokers, yes that is the case. But with this Weber pellet grill, it's intended to completely replace gas, and be just as convenience.  Maintenance is a little higher, as you need to routinely empty the ash tray, but as far as day-to-day cooking, it should be just as convenient as a gas.  Also, at higher heat it produces less smoke, as it's burning the wood more completely in order to make that heat.

Yep, same as the Woodwind.

Not only can you control the heat..you can also control how much smoke.

[Tortoise]

I'd look into the cost of pellets before making that call.

A friend of mine bought the previous version of the Weber Searwood. Once he realized the thermometer was reading in Celsius he seemed to like it.

[GreatBigAbyss]

Already did.  They're about $33/40lb bag, and the average burn rate is 1 lb/hr.  So, given how often I BBQ in the summer, I'd get about a month out of a bag of pellets, perhaps a little more.  I usually get about a month or two out of a tank  of propane, and these days, a propane fill is $25 at Co-op.  So the wood pellets will end up costing more, but not like an astronomical amount. 

[Johnnymac]

I am by no means a grill expert, but I will chime in a couple of thoughts. 

One is definitely purely go with stainless steel grill grates.  I had one with cast iron and rust becomes an issue.

Secondly, while that pellet grill is good concept, I still think it might be more of a pain than a gas grill.  I can't imagine having to wait 10-15 minutes to grill some hotdogs and burgers.  Sure if you are doing steak it's more acceptable.

I will most likely be replacing the current one I bought from Costco, Nexgrill is the brand name.  It's a bigger grill, 4 burner, side sear zone, even has a rotisserie burner and came with the motor and spit.  Honestly haven't used the rotisserie before.  I believe I bought it around 9 years ago and it's the heat shield that is rusting out, just put an old baking pan over it and will get through another summer.

I will probably go with a Weber Genesis grill of kind in similar size, maybe find an end of season special this fall.

I have a cheap electric smoker that is about the size of a mini fridge and it's been excellent.  I think it's 5 years old and we paid around $250 for it.  It's nice because it's a digital display so easy to set and forget.  I call it my "man slow cooker" because it's about the same amount of effort in cooking to a traditional slow cooker.  Every 1.5 hours I empty the chips and replace with new ones and spray the meat with some kind of liquid, usually apple cider vinegar.

Like most things, a dedicated "tool" is typically better than one that does multiple jobs and I would assume a pellet grill/smoker might be the same.

[RRocket]

Already did.  They're about $33/40lb bag, and the average burn rate is 1 lb/hr.  So, given how often I BBQ in the summer, I'd get about a month out of a bag of pellets, perhaps a little more.  I usually get about a month or two out of a tank  of propane, and these days, a propane fill is $25 at Co-op.  So the wood pellets will end up costing more, but not like an astronomical amount. 

I've used $8 bag hardwood pellets from CDN Tire for smoking many times. Would be great in a BBQ UNLESS you're looking for a very specific smoke profile.

I also have chunks of apple, cherry, mulberry and some 10+ year aged whiskey barrel chunks.