So I'm buying my first Outdoor Grill - any suggestions on what to get?

[LynneSin]

Mind you, my backyard is small so I don't want something supersized elaborate. Just a nice grill that I could use to cook bugers for 4-8 friends (or use for potential upcoming DU parties.

I'm just so confused with everything out there - do I want charcoal, gas or propane. Do I need the side burners. Any and all help appreciated!

[democracyindanger]

1. If you're just gonna cook a few burgers

what's wrong with your standard Weber?

[malta blue]

3. That's my thought too.

A regular charcoal Weber is just what you need.

[SeattleGirl]

11. I've had a standard Weber for years, and I love it.

And I've cooked for 10 people on it, so it works just fine.

[KitchenWitch]

21. I echo the Weber idea

Small enough to do a few burgers, large enough to do a medium sized Turkey!

[taterguy]

39. Webers are great but they don't have to be standardized

Mine has a drawing of my favorite chef

ps: Ignore all the folks who are claiming charcoal is too much of a hassle. Buy yourself a cheap electric starter and it's not much more difficult than gas, but much, much tastier.

[NMDemDist2]

2. i like my basic propane unit from KMart. charcoal is a pain IMO and expensive

my gas grill is easy, go turn on, grill, turn off

i have never found a need for a side burner :shrug:

easy peasey no?

[Midlodemocrat]

30. The charcoal gives it a nice flavor, but I'm with you.

Easy on, easy off. Plus, you can put fragrant wood chips into the grill. I love the mesquite ones.

[meegbear]

4. If you're doing charcoal ...

GO WEBER!

[Rambis]

5. One bit of advice

I got one as a gift and it is only 25,000 btu and it does not cook things very quickly? I think that is the problem? I do miss the charcoal taste as well.

[AllegroRondo]

6. How often do you plan on using it?

If its just for the once-a-month or so burger parties, the Weber charcoal grill is probably a good choice.
If you cook out a couple times a week, like I do in the summer, get a gas grill thats hooked up to the house gas. I never have to worry about propane tanks or ashes. Just turn it on and go.

[madinmaryland]

7. Since you are having a large party this spring you might want this...

http://www.grillstuff.com/weber-summit-s-650.html?productid=330

Otherwise you can probably get a regular gas grill for $200-300 at Target.

[AngryAmish]

8. will that fit through the tollbooth?

[LynneSin]

12. Yes but with something that big where do I put my guests who want to go

outdoors?

[madinmaryland]

18. What is the size of your patio/deck? I assume it's bigger than

a toll booth.

[montanto]

9. Weber Bar-B-Kettle. Charcoal all the way! nt

[Lex]

17. 100% correct.

nt

[LostinVA]

10. Ask Midlo -- she has a Freeper grill big enough to turn your whole yard into a firepit

[LynneSin]

13. Ok that frightens me for one reason

my backyard is NOT that big - trust me, when you come visit you'll see

[Midlodemocrat]

19. Yeppers. It rocks. It doubles as a bar, has a cooler, side burner,

storage, trash. It rocks.

:woohoo:

[LynneSin]

28. well with my backyard - the grill is more than enough

and we can toss trash over the fence into the neighbor's yard

[Midlodemocrat]

29. This event is going to be non smoking, right?

:hide:

I keed, I keed.

[LynneSin]

31. I'll have em smoke on the curb in front of my house

But smoking will not be accepted inside

[Maraya1969]

14. I believe it is worth the 7 or so dollars to get a 1 month subscription to

Consumer Reports on-line. I do this when I have to buy a big ticket item.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm

[Auggie]

15. I bought a gas grill last year and really regret it

Charcoal imparts a smokier flavor and carmelizes food sugars better.

The gas grill does light instantly and is ready to cook in minutes. But you miss out on the charcoal flavor.

So I'd suggest you get a charcoal grill and cook with mesquite. Get a "chimney starter" too -- no lighter fluid reguired. It works great.

[Infomaniac]

42. I echo that recommendation.

A Weber grill with the charcoal chimney starter. I have an 8 by 14 balcony with a Weber grill. I got it as a "gift" from the mortgage company when I bought my apartment.

[Lex]

16. A Weber charcoal grill.

Period.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

20. Lynne, I'd definitely would recommend the Weber charcoal grill.

I had one for 20 years and I loved it. We had to get rid of it in 2004 because our landlord decided (or rather the village) decided that apartments couldn't have charcoal grills anymore.

We replaced it with a gas Weber grill, but I really miss the flavor of the charcoal.

[pokerfan]

22. The Big Green Egg!

The rebirth of the ancient oriental Kamado cooker. The idea is 3000 years old but The Big Green Egg is NOW! The perfect smoker AND grill AND barbecue.

http://biggreenegg.com



Couple of friends swear by it. I'm waiting for my Weber Kettle to give up the ghost so I can get one.

[LynneSin]

24. $900!!!!!

Um, I'll stick with the Weber Grill

[pokerfan]

27. But it's really, really cool!

It's the high tech ceramics that makes it expensive.

[LSK]

23. one that takes tolls?

:hide:

[LynneSin]

25. You're such a damn Tool

:grr:

[madinmaryland]

26. WWLMD?

:shrug:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

32. How about a nice gas grill?

It's great for warming up Olive Garden leftovers!

[LynneSin]

33. You know I almost ate there today!

Instead we went to the culinary delight of "Red Lobster"

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

34. What's the appeal?

I recently moved from Cincinnati (OK-three years ago) and the Red Lobsters there were friggin' packed from 4:00 until closing. I've eaten there. It's OK. But you're talking about people waiting more than an hour for a table.

So I moved up to Milwaukee, thinking that it was just a Cincinnati thing. But when I drive by the Red Lobster near me, it's the same story. Is it the Crystal Meth Crab Legs? I dunno.

[LynneSin]

35. Their cheesy biscuits - seriously I'd go back for those artery clogging delights

other than that - nothing

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

36. I'll give them the biscuits...

Those are mighty yummy. Toxic in large amounts. But yummy.

[yellowdogintexas]

40. cheese biscuits have crack in them. Olive Garden Salad Dressing has crack in it

that has to be it, you know.

Local family Mexican place near our house has a sour cream sauce that has to have crack in it, very addictive.

[NV Whino]

37. Aussie Walkabout Grill

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000G16RB4/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=286168&s=garden


These are way better than Webber. Vents front, back and top. You can really control the temps. Someone gave me an old one which finally died. The new ones, such as the one listed, have wheels and fold up when not in use. They're inexpensive, too.

[dembotoz]

38. gas gas gas

in summer i grill 3 - 4 times per week
I have grilled in the snow, I have grilled in the cold.
I just do not have the time to do charcoal.
I need to be able to see the food that i am cooking
In summer it really doesn't matter but in spring, fall, and winter daylight is limited.
Get home @ 6 or so lite grill, cook, done by 7.
ain't happening with charcoal.

[LynneSin]

44. I got the Weber last night but I'm thinking of returning it for gas

I keep thinking that this grill has alot of work if I just want to go home at night and grill up a tuna steak from the fresh fish shop that is located right by my bus stop where I get off at when I get home.

[yellowdogintexas]

41. I totally LOVE my Brinkmann Electric Grill/Smoker. Plug it in, it's ready

and cooks great. Looks sorta like a red rocket, has heat element and lava rocks in bottom, grill rack that sits close to the element, then a tall "tube" that has two places for additional grill racks and a drip bowl for marinates, barbecue sauce, wood, etc. and a domed cover. You can smoke a turkey in it, or several chickens, I mostly use it for quick grilling; chicken breasts, pork chops, burgers, steaks, veggies, right over the grill unit.

We received our first one as a gift, wore it out and then replaced it with one just like it. I would do so again.

Simple, instant, delicious. Not very expensive either. Doesn't take up a whole lot of room. It is about 24" in diameter, it will cook about 15 burgers easily.

[Gormy Cuss]

43. Another vote for a Weber kettle.

If you planned to grill regularly for just yourself and one other, it make seem like a chore to keep the Weber in charcoal (a Smokey Joe is actually better for singles or two) but if you're only planning to fire it up when you have more company, charcoal is the way to go for flavor. You do need to learn how to use it efficiently -- many n00bs don't close off the air as soon as they're done cooking to conserve charcoal.