Grill/Smoker?

[Opsimath]

We are considering a grill/smoker but know nothing about what's currently available.

I have discarded the idea of pellet grills since I don't really want to have to plug anything in.

I have read reviews about poorly made units where when smoking the smoke pours out of badly fitted doors and gaping joints. We want a quality unit in the $400 to $600 range.

Any recommendations for what is a good brand? Any warnings about what isn't?

When used as a grill does gas give a cooked outdoors flavor, or is it more like using a gas stove out in the yard?

Is charcoal hard to work with?

We had a lava rock electric smoker years ago, but it has been so long I'll be learning grilling and smoking from the bottom up all over again. I saw one that was charcoal and gas at the upper end of our price range but have never cooked on a gas grill so don't know if paying extra for that feature would be worth the expense or not.

I'm clueless. Could someone kindly clue me in, please?

Thank you.

 

[beecee]

Gas will give a respectable char and grilled flavor....it's the fat hitting the hot metal parts under the "grid"

People love charcoal, but it's not as convenient.

BUT!!!!!

Weber came out with a version of their round kettle grill that has a small propane tank, (think Coleman stove or lamp), that will ignite the charcoal without the use of fluids. Very Tempting. You can add all sorts of attachments as well from griddle to wok.

As far as smoking, the Weber would excel but don't overlook the Traegar pellet smoker. They have an ingenious pizza over attachment too.
I'm pretty much over home cooked or Central NY BBQ joints... unless it's from a good deli in NY...BBQ brisket I can handle but not really for me.

 

[Rocky]

I have that Weber. Really convenient. If you usr the side baskets, you can cook 2.5-3 hours. Not enough for real smoking, but just enough for some baby backs.

 

[Stagefright]

Keep it simple with a Weber charcoal kettle grill. That’s been my choice for many decades. Ill likely cook the Thanksgiving turkey on a Weber.

 

[MartyG]

Where to begin? I have a large collection of grills, and have used most types and sizes over the years - gas, charcoal, pellet. If I had to make a recommendation in your price range, the classic Weber kettle is hard to beat, and the bigger 26.75" version is very versatile for both low and slow (smoking) and hot and fast (grilling). Depending on what you are grilling or smoking (meat types and volume of meat) that may point you in one direction or another. For my daily drivers, I use a three burner gas (propane) weber grill (vintage) for quick and reliable cooking on weeknights. And it's the only one my wife uses due to the simplicity. I like the older ones better that the newer ones, and they can be rebuilt time and time again if and when needed. My current gas grill cost me $20 in CL, and took some elbow grease to bring it back to life. (I can advise on how to clean a grill) It's been going strong for three years with no rehab needed.

On the charcoal side, even though I have a 26er, I like my 22" Weber, but have upgraded the grate to stainless (aftermarket) and used a large charcoal basket (also aftermarket) to allow foolproof indirect cooking. 90% of everything I cook is indirect unless I'm doing a final sear. You also want to know that some meats benefit from lump charcoal vs. brickettes - lump will burn hotter which is great for searing. My favorite steaks (thick ribeyes) are done directly on white hot lump charcoal - no grate and no lid used. 4 miinutes on each side and it's perfect. And no, the charcoal does not stick to the meat.

I would stay away from combo grills unless you have big $$$$. Even then, you'll get more use out of dedicated grills. It's really quite relaxing to use charcoal, and with a chimney for starting coals, you can be ready to cook by the time you get everything prepped anyway. Smoke is inevitable, but really not that bad if you set things up right. I like the ritual of live fire anyway. I also have a dedicated smoker, and use it for pork shoulders or ribs once in a while, but honestly I've done equally good food using a kettle grill.

I've had "Performer" grills like beecee mentioned, but have found that using the little wax charcoal starters Weber sells along with a chimney is faster, and I dont have to think about running out of gas. The side table is nice though, and you don't have to use the gas if you don't want to.

One thing to consider is the use of a rotisserie. They make a ring for the Weber 22" grill to allow a "spit" rod and motor to be attached, and that can be a fun way to spin a bird. I also have one for my gas grill and it's a nice accessory.

PM me if you want to get into way more detail that the membership here may want to read through. Setting up charcoal snakes for smoking for instance...

Marty

Full disclosure, a former boss of mine became Weber's CEO for several years when I was living in Chicago, so I had rare access to the inner sanctum of Weber. I took this photo of the original prototype at their HQ one fine spring day, Good times.



Oh, speaking of smoked turkey...this one on my modified 18" Weber Smoker. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[MartyG]

A few more photos. This is a part of my grill collection - all local finds.



My wife found this one at a local consignment shop, and it came with a nice side table.


And here it is using the rotisserie attachment:



This is another way to set up the 22" grill - heat in the middle / wings around the perimeter:



And here's the bigger kettle with three full racks of ribs - using a large charcoal basket.



I could go on and on...

 

[Rocky]

Who makes the aftermarket grills for Weber? My OEM one needs replacing.

 

[Rocky]

Is charcoal hard to work with?

No, but there is a learning curve, as with anything. Once you learn the grill and placement/time, it's pretty easy. It is more time consuming than gas though.

Probably not an issue where you live, but a Weber kettle doesn't work well below 60 Fahrenheit, or if it's really windy.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Weber is the way to go. I have the 22" and 26" kettle grills and a Weber gas grill. When stuff needs replacing (and it will), parts are readily available. Weber's customer service is outstanding - I've called them to order igniter parts for the gas grill and they sent them for free as a courtesy.

I have the rotisserie for the 22" kettle grill and use it or smoked turkey breast at Thanksgiving and a rotisserie chicken every couple of weeks. Did a rotisserie porchetta for a cookout this summer that was outstanding. Also have a rotisserie basket that I use to recreate my pop's barbecue chicken.

I do pizza on the 22" kettle grill with this:

KPPK-22 Pro Pizza Oven Kit For Weber 22.5 - KettlePizza - Pizza Oven Kits for Weber Charcoal and Gas Grills

KettlePizza Pro Kit includes our specially designed grate and tombstone shaped cordierite stone which is thicker than our round standard stone

www.kettlepizza.com

I get temps over 700 degrees with that and the pizza is outstanding.

The beauty of the Weber kettles are their simplicity and how you can learn the basics of grilling and smoking. Not sure you get that with a thermostatically-controlled pellet grill.

 

[adorshki]

Where to begin? I have a large collection of grills, and have used most types and sizes over the years - gas, charcoal, pellet. If I had to make a recommendation in your price range, the classic Weber kettle is hard to beat, and the bigger 26.75" version is very versatile for both low and slow (smoking) and hot and fast (grilling). Depending on what you are grilling or smoking (meat types and volume of meat) that may point you in one direction or another. For my daily drivers, I use a three burner gas (propane) weber grill (vintage) for quick and reliable cooking on weeknights. And it's the only one my wife uses due to the simplicity. I like the older ones better that the newer ones, and they can be rebuilt time and time again if and when needed. My current gas grill cost me $20 in CL, and took some elbow grease to bring it back to life. (I can advise on how to clean a grill) It's been going strong for three years with no rehab needed.

On the charcoal side, even though I have a 26er, I like my 22" Weber, but have upgraded the grate to stainless (aftermarket) and used a large charcoal basket (also aftermarket) to allow foolproof indirect cooking. 90% of everything I cook is indirect unless I'm doing a final sear. You also want to know that some meats benefit from lump charcoal vs. brickettes - lump will burn hotter which is great for searing. My favorite steaks (thick ribeyes) are done directly on white hot lump charcoal - no grate and no lid used. 4 miinutes on each side and it's perfect. And no, the charcoal does not stick to the meat.

I would stay away from combo grills unless you have big $$$$. Even then, you'll get more use out of dedicated grills. It's really quite relaxing to use charcoal, and with a chimney for starting coals, you can be ready to cook by the time you get everything prepped anyway. Smoke is inevitable, but really not that bad if you set things up right. I like the ritual of live fire anyway. I also have a dedicated smoker, and use it for pork shoulders or ribs once in a while, but honestly I've done equally good food using a kettle grill.

I've had "Performer" grills like beecee mentioned, but have found that using the little wax charcoal starters Weber sells along with a chimney is faster, and I dont have to think about running out of gas. The side table is nice though, and you don't have to use the gas if you don't want to.

One thing to consider is the use of a rotisserie. They make a ring for the Weber 22" grill to allow a "spit" rod and motor to be attached, and that can be a fun way to spin a bird. I also have one for my gas grill and it's a nice accessory.

PM me if you want to get into way more detail that the membership here may want to read through. Setting up charcoal snakes for smoking for instance...

Marty

Full disclosure, a former boss of mine became Weber's CEO for several years when I was living in Chicago, so I had rare access to the inner sanctum of Weber. I took this photo of the original prototype at their HQ one fine spring day, Good times.



Oh, speaking of smoked turkey...this one on my modified 18" Weber Smoker. Happy Thanksgiving!

Many years ago I was invited to T-giving at a neighbor's who was smoking his turkey in just such a contraption. Don't recall the make, and seem to recall it may have been taller and the turkey hung inside, but it was magnificent. Simply maggers. And pretty good, too. The ol' pulls off the bone and juicy good. I like dark meat but even the white meat was juicy on that puppy. Or bird, as it were.

 

[Stagefright]

Who makes the aftermarket grills for Weber? My OEM one needs replacing.

Ebay if full of aftermarket parts for Weber grills. For OEM, Weber would be my first choice. There are folks on the web that specialize in Weber refurbish parts.

Here is the remedy for dry turkey on Thanksgiving. Soak the bird in a brine solution the night before cooking. Ive come to hate turkey, but the brine process is a huge improvement over stock bird.

 

[MartyG]

This company makes the grates and baskets. There are companies (rcplanebuyer on Ebay) that make stainless grates and other parts for the gas grills too.

Slow ‘N Sear® Inserts | SnS Grills

Making backyard barbecue easier than ever with our Slow ‘N Sear® kettle grill inserts!

snsgrills.com

Grill Grates Collection | SnS Grills

Shop all available cooking and grill grates from SnS Grills!

snsgrills.com

rcplanebuyer | eBay Stores

www.ebay.com

 

[chazmo]

Cynthia, smoking is a whole new world beyond barbecue. I've not done it myself, but several friends of mine have become addicted to smoking and have a lot of fun doing it. Hope you enjoy the journey if you go that way.

Personally, I've done a lot of gas-grill barbecuing over the years, and none of the grills I've owned have lasted more than 5 years. My current one (a Weber that my sons bought for me two years ago) is great though and I would certainly recommend it. I hope it lasts 10.

 

[MartyG]

Oh, and I have no issue grilling at much lower temps than 60F. I have grilled in a blizzard when the power went out. Agree wind can be problematic for low/slow cooks, but not a deal breaker. Just takes more planning and closer attention to the fuel loading. FYI I keep my grills covered when not in use. They can last indefinitely with a little TLC once in a while.

 

[chazmo]

Oh, and I have no issue grilling at much lower temps than 60F. I have grilled in a blizzard when the power went out. Agree wind can be problematic for low/slow cooks, but not a deal breaker. Just takes more planning and closer attention to the fuel loading. FYI I keep my grills covered when not in use. They can last indefinitely with a little TLC once in a while.

Oh, heck yeah! Grilling in the winter is great fun!

 

[gjmalcyon]

Personally, I've done a lot of gas-grill barbecuing over the years, and none of the grills I've owned have lasted more than 5 years. My current one (a Weber that my sons bought for me two years ago) is great though and I would certainly recommend it. I hope it lasts 10.

It will. That's the beauty of Weber grills: The stuff that wears out (flavorizer bars and burners) are readily available and easily replaced. The stuff that shouldn't wear out (cabinet, cast aluminum tub) doesn't.

It took me a couple of rounds of buying cheap grills at the home center (hello, Char-Broil) to figure that out.

 

[West R Lee]

I've got one of these Cynthia, and you can do it all with one. You can smoke meats, grill over charcoal, and cook on gas. I like the gas when in a hurry, I like the charcoal grill for burgers, salmon and steaks, and have done a ton of hams, turkeys and tenderloins on the smoker. It also has a gas warmer on the right side outside the cooking chambers.

Academy Sports and Tractor Supply carry them. I THINK they are around $400, but have had mine for years, so no telling these days.



Looks like $500 these days.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/oklahoma-joes-charcoal-and-gas-grill-and-smoker-combo

Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Combo Grill and Smoker | Academy

Smoke or grill meats for dinner or for a crowd with the Oklahoma Joe's Longhorn Combo Grill and Smoker. You can prepare mouthwatering smoked or grilled meats on thi...

www.academy.com

West

 

[tonepoet]

I have always had great results smoking with this style of charcoal grill/smoker. I use mesquite lump charcoal and damp apple wood


My tip on buying one, as posted in another thread recently, is do not have it shipped to you. This is what FedEx did to one I ordered recently.



Either pick it up at the store yourself or be sure they are delivering it from your local store and not some warehouse halfway across the country.

BTW, Lowe's Customer Service came and picked up the hot mess pictured above the same day and is bringing me one from the local store already assembled.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Either pick it up at the store yourself or be sure they are delivering it from your local store and not some warehouse halfway across the country.

If you shop at Ace Hardware and join their rewards program, they'll sometimes run specials on Weber grills, combining a discount, free assembly and delivery, and a tank of fuel for their rewards program members.

That what I did when I bought Thing Two a housewarming present of a nice Weber grill, as any good father would do.

 

[12 string]

The Weber kettle meets my simple needs. It's great for roasting whole turkeys.

' Strang