What kind of barbecue options do i have with a new home?
I want to get a new grill for my patio - what kind of things do you suggest? What are my options? Are electric better than gas? I have about $1-2k to spend.
Ed, the more you spend on a grill the more it will cost you over time to fix. I purchased a high end grill a few years ago, Stainless with all the bells and whistles. While the manufacture is still in business and is quite popular I still needed to purchase some reflective heat bars for it. All I could get was retrofit parts. While they still worked, I had to modify them to fit my grill.
In any case, choose stainless over anything else. Cast iron grates are much better then the
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steel coated ones. Although they claim to be easier to clean. They do end up rusting a bit, but with some heat and good quality grill cleaner and wire brush my grates are still going strong after 10 years.
Side burners are a great option also. But this will depend upon just how much you spend using the grill. We burn food on ours all year round. We have natural gas line installed so no running to the store when the propane runs out in middle of steak dinner.
I spent around $700 for my grill, still looks good and other then the reflective burner trays burning out I have been pleased with the unit overall.
The brand I purchased was CharBroil brand. Got it at Home Depot.
One last suggestion. If your really into the higher end systems, you may want to consider a system that can be converted some day to a built in system. By removing the cart section of the BBQ and having a brick and block grilling area built, you can simply install this new unit into that configuration. We in fact did just that and it has been great. We also when we did our last renovation in our kitchen took our built in stove and cook top and custom built a cabinet on wheels to house it. Put a quick disconnect on the gas line and a cover that opens. So we now have a portable stove and oven that we use when we entertain a lot and need the extra cook tops. or oven to keep things warm. When were not using it we simply roll it into the storage shed.
We've had both and I prefer gas(propane)) but when I have time I use charcoal. I also go low to med. price and they have lasted 8 years or so. Keep them clean and covered and either will cook great for you. When is the the first picnic? :)
I would get a Weber Silver series propane, about $400-$500 range. As Woodbridge Envionmental mentioned. I too say, get Stainless steel Grates, not Cast Iron. Some Webers come with Stainless Steel heat diffuser bars also. Usually have to go to a local Hardware store to get better quality, over the big Box stores. What is shipped to the local stores, is better than what they ship to Big Box stores, trust me, I've been in the hardware business for over 25 years. Also invest in a good cover (around $50).
My brother has a nice "sterling" one.
In any case, choose stainless over anything else. Cast iron grates are much better then the ...»
Side burners are a great option also. But this will depend upon just how much you spend using the grill. We burn food on ours all year round. We have natural gas line installed so no running to the store when the propane runs out in middle of steak dinner.
I spent around $700 for my grill, still looks good and other then the reflective burner trays burning out I have been pleased with the unit overall.
The brand I purchased was CharBroil brand. Got it at Home Depot.
One last suggestion. If your really into the higher end systems, you may want to consider a system that can be converted some day to a built in system. By removing the cart section of the BBQ and having a brick and block grilling area built, you can simply install this new unit into that configuration. We in fact did just that and it has been great. We also when we did our last renovation in our kitchen took our built in stove and cook top and custom built a cabinet on wheels to house it. Put a quick disconnect on the gas line and a cover that opens. So we now have a portable stove and oven that we use when we entertain a lot and need the extra cook tops. or oven to keep things warm. When were not using it we simply roll it into the storage shed.
http://www.traditionaloven.com/
This will be integrated into an "outdoor" kitchen area.