Shopping for a new BBQ...Need input... | GTAMotorcycle.com

Shopping for a new BBQ...Need input...

oioioi

oioioi

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We are in need of a new BBQ. The current one has lasted us 14 year and we got it lightly used at that time. Needs to be natural gas.

What is a good brand of BBQs? I am leaning towards a Weber or a Napoleon? Any others?
I have heard from a friend that Weber has outstanding customer service. I did see they have 12 year "limited" warranty and Napoleon has 15 year "bumper to bumper" but have not looked into the fine print.

What's the better cooking surface? Longevity vs taste of food? Cast Iron or Stainless Steel? I am leaning towards stainless steel for longevity. The current one has cast iron and I find that it is rusting and flaking off.

Where is a good place to buy one? HD, Lowes, specialty stores? I did see Lowes has some clearance sale going on. Just poking around on my phone. Have not actually gone in store to check them out.

When do the clearance sale tend to start?

Budget? I am thinking around $1500ish.

We are not a frequent BBQing family. Maybe 2-5 times a month in the summer months, and very rare in the winter. But I really do not want to be buying a new BBQ in 5 or even 8 years from now.

..... and GO.
 
Those were the two I was deciding between.
I think the Napoleon looks nicer, but I went with Weber because it was supposed to have a more even cooking surface.
Tbh I don't find much difference from my old NexGrill.
I'm a no frills guy.
Both of the ones that I was debating on were available at Costco.
I think I paid $1800 for mine last year.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk
 
I got a webber genesis 2 s435 NG for fathersday last year and love the thing. The missus bought it from Costco, so if webber service is ever flakey costco return policy kicks in. It cooks evenly and heats up really quick. A mate of mine bough a new higher end broil king and i was really impressed with it too, can't remember the model though.
 
oioioi said:
We are in need of a new BBQ. The current one has lasted us 14 year and we got it lightly used at that time. Needs to be natural gas.

What is a good brand of BBQs? I am leaning towards a Weber or a Napoleon? Any others?
I have heard from a friend that Weber has outstanding customer service. I did see they have 12 year "limited" warranty and Napoleon has 15 year "bumper to bumper" but have not looked into the fine print.

What's the better cooking surface? Longevity vs taste of food? Cast Iron or Stainless Steel? I am leaning towards stainless steel for longevity. The current one has cast iron and I find that it is rusting and flaking off.

Where is a good place to buy one? HD, Lowes, specialty stores? I did see Lowes has some clearance sale going on. Just poking around on my phone. Have not actually gone in store to check them out.

When do the clearance sale tend to start?

Budget? I am thinking around $1500ish.

We are not a frequent BBQing family. Maybe 2-5 times a month in the summer months, and very rare in the winter. But I really do not want to be buying a new BBQ in 5 or even 8 years from now.

..... and GO.
Click to expand...
I had the same decision and went Napoleon because made in Canada. Big mistake should have got a Weber a friend also made the same bad decision. The Napoleon is all hot spots and uneven in my experience webers are very consistent.

Sent from the future
 
I picked up a new weber genesis ii E-325 at an auction for <$200. It had taken a tumble after assembly. A little hammering and bending later and it works fine. It is NG and can get over 500F even in the winter so no issues with anemic output that sometimes happens with NG bbq's. It's hotter than my old Ducane LP which was pretty good but rotted out after 12 years. Weber bought Ducane and killed them as they were 90% of the quality for 30% of the money.

I have no real love for any modern gas bbq. I think lava rocks tasted and worked better than modern "flavor" trays that are cheaper and smaller to ship.
 
I have a Weber Genesis, somewhere between 12 and 14 years old with the side burner. It has been pretty good but the bottom of the "chassis" is completely (I really mean completely) rotted out. It is the older style with three burners going side to side (not front to back), I think I would prefer front to back like the newer ones. It is a "stainless" version, the lid, side shelves and doors are stainless, the rest plain old steel.

For what it is worth, it depends if you consider 12 to 14 years the life of the BBQ, I did expect a bit longer and mine will get some quality time with the welder in the fall.
 
oioioi said:
We are in need of a new BBQ. The current one has lasted us 14 year and we got it lightly used at that time. Needs to be natural gas.

What is a good brand of BBQs? I am leaning towards a Weber or a Napoleon? Any others?
I have heard from a friend that Weber has outstanding customer service. I did see they have 12 year "limited" warranty and Napoleon has 15 year "bumper to bumper" but have not looked into the fine print.

What's the better cooking surface? Longevity vs taste of food? Cast Iron or Stainless Steel? I am leaning towards stainless steel for longevity. The current one has cast iron and I find that it is rusting and flaking off.

Where is a good place to buy one? HD, Lowes, specialty stores? I did see Lowes has some clearance sale going on. Just poking around on my phone. Have not actually gone in store to check them out.

When do the clearance sale tend to start?

Budget? I am thinking around $1500ish.

We are not a frequent BBQing family. Maybe 2-5 times a month in the summer months, and very rare in the winter. But I really do not want to be buying a new BBQ in 5 or even 8 years from now.

..... and GO.
Click to expand...
I've had one of each, both bought about 20 years old.

The Weber Genesis served us well. Elements and 'flavour bars' lasted about 7 years -- I replaced them twice in teh past ($200), they needed replacing again but since the stand and BBQ base plate were rusted beyond repair, I scrapped her this spring.

Napoleon Prestige was bought around the same time (long story as to why I had both) it's been rock solid. I replaced the original burners for the first time last month, they were 24 years old (replacements were free, Napo Prestiges have a bumper-to-bumper lifetime warranty) -- the original burners lasted 24 years. The grilles and heat bars are still perfect, should go another 25.

IMHO Napoleons are both cheaper and better. A Weber S470 lists for $3500, the equivalent and arguably better Napo Roge SE lists for $1900. If you really want to spend $3000, the Napo Prestige Pro line is a true commercial grade BBQ -- miles ahead of Weber's best and comes with a lifetime warranty. And the Napo higher end BBQs are still made in Canada - Weber's are now all Chinese.
 
backmarkerducati said:
I have a Weber Genesis, somewhere between 12 and 14 years old with the side burner. It has been pretty good but the bottom of the "chassis" is completely (I really mean completely) rotted out. It is the older style with three burners going side to side (not front to back), I think I would prefer front to back like the newer ones. It is a "stainless" version, the lid, side shelves and doors are stainless, the rest plain old steel.

For what it is worth, it depends if you consider 12 to 14 years the life of the BBQ, I did expect a bit longer and mine will get some quality time with the welder in the fall.
Click to expand...
My ducane failed the same way (and was covered it's whole life). Bottom of the clam shell evaporated. Not really anything to weld to. I guess I could have made a new clamshell from scratch but that didn't seem worth the effort. On that note, I never ever cleaned that BBQ below the grilles. I should check the current one and see if schmoo is building up in the clamshell and trapping moisture.
 
GreyGhost said:
My ducane failed the same way (and was covered it's whole life). Bottom of the clam shell evaporated. Not really anything to weld to. I guess I could have made a new clamshell from scratch but that didn't seem worth the effort. On that note, I never ever cleaned that BBQ below the grilles. I should check the current one and see if schmoo is building up in the clamshell and trapping moisture.
Click to expand...
The clamshell seems to be OK on my Weber (aluminum on mine), it is the cart it sits on that has evaporated.
 
I have a Sterling. Bought it about 10 years ago. I think under $500 then.
All I really know about BBQs is having them hooked up to home NG is the best. I hardly ever see that but 2 of the 3 houses I've owned were already plumbed for NG BBQ.
 
timtune said:
I have a Sterling. Bought it about 10 years ago. I think under $500 then.
All I really know about BBQs is having them hooked up to home NG is the best. I hardly ever see that but 2 of the 3 houses I've owned were already plumbed for NG BBQ.
Click to expand...
Just remember to turn it off. In-laws have it on a blind side of their house. Went to preheat to cook steaks and there was a surprising lack of snow on BBQ.. It had been on high for a week. He turned it up to clean it after last meal and forgot to go turn it off. LPG limits your downside to <$20.
 
Wow. I have never walked into a store and bought something on impulse. I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Manager at HD in Mississauga gave me a good deal in a Weber Genesis E-330

$1799.99 regular price reduced to $1349.99 by head office and this manager gave me another $100 off the assembled floor model plus $70 off an overpriced BBQ cover.

It has a couple of scuffs on the side tables. But nothing I won't create myself. But I was also told that the customer service from Weber is great. I may test it.

It is a 3 burner plus searing with a CAST iron grilling surface. The cast iron provides a better cooking result but stainless last longer. I figured this cast iron will last long enough with my use as it is brand new.

I was initially thinking of a 4 burner but realistically we probably don't need it.

I have till Sunday to pick up and decide if I want to keep or return.

What do you guys think?

Keep the opinions coming.

PXL_20230712_130603421.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
 
oioioi said:
Wow. I have never walked into a store and bought something on impulse. I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Manager at HD in Mississauga gave me a good deal in a Weber Genesis E-330

$1799.99 regular price reduced to $1349.99 by head office and this manager gave me another $100 off the assembled floor model plus $70 off an overpriced BBQ cover.

It has a couple of scuffs on the side tables. But nothing I won't create myself. But I was also told that the customer service from Weber is great. I may test it.

It is a 3 burner plus searing with a CAST iron grilling surface. The cast iron provides a better cooking result but stainless last longer. I figured this cast iron will last long enough with my use as it is brand new.

I was initially thinking of a 4 burner but realistically we probably don't need it.

I have till Sunday to pick up and decide if I want to keep or return.

What do you guys think?

Keep the opinions coming.

View attachment 62123

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
Click to expand...
Looks like a great deal you should be happy for years

Sent from the future
 
oioioi said:
Wow. I have never walked into a store and bought something on impulse. I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Manager at HD in Mississauga gave me a good deal in a Weber Genesis E-330

$1799.99 regular price reduced to $1349.99 by head office and this manager gave me another $100 off the assembled floor model plus $70 off an overpriced BBQ cover.

It has a couple of scuffs on the side tables. But nothing I won't create myself. But I was also told that the customer service from Weber is great. I may test it.

It is a 3 burner plus searing with a CAST iron grilling surface. The cast iron provides a better cooking result but stainless last longer. I figured this cast iron will last long enough with my use as it is brand new.

I was initially thinking of a 4 burner but realistically we probably don't need it.

I have till Sunday to pick up and decide if I want to keep or return.

What do you guys think?

Keep the opinions coming.

View attachment 62123

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
Click to expand...
I'm with SS. Deal is decent, BBQ is decent. Most people buy way too big for their needs. Takes more gas to heat up and keep up to temp and costs a bunch more up front.
 
GreyGhost said:
I'm with SS. Deal is decent, BBQ is decent. Most people buy way too big for their needs. Takes more gas to heat up and keep up to temp and costs a bunch more up front.
Click to expand...
On that note I am shopping for a propane Weber Q (likely a 2000) to sit on the outdoor counter-top for when I just want to cook one or two steaks, when I need two different BBQ temps for different foods and for when (very rarely) the Gensis 335 is out of space and I need just a little more grill.
 
GreyGhost said:
I'm with SS. Deal is decent, BBQ is decent. Most people buy way too big for their needs. Takes more gas to heat up and keep up to temp and costs a bunch more up front.
Click to expand...
That was exactly my thought.
I bought a BBQ for my imidiate family needs. Not my guests. Sorry.

We don't host large parties often enough. Maybe 2-3 times a year. If there is a small delay in food being ready because of the slightly smaller cooking surface, so be it.


I will maybe look for a stainless steel replacement grates to have as backup just in case. But I'm no chef or steak expect so I won't notice the difference in the two.
 
backmarkerducati said:
I have a Weber Genesis, somewhere between 12 and 14 years old with the side burner. It has been pretty good but the bottom of the "chassis" is completely (I really mean completely) rotted out. It is the older style with three burners going side to side (not front to back), I think I would prefer front to back like the newer ones. It is a "stainless" version, the lid, side shelves and doors are stainless, the rest plain old steel.

For what it is worth, it depends if you consider 12 to 14 years the life of the BBQ, I did expect a bit longer and mine will get some quality time with the welder in the fall.
Click to expand...
Same experience with my Weber.
Scuba Steve said:
I had the same decision and went Napoleon because made in Canada. Big mistake should have got a Weber a friend also made the same bad decision. The Napoleon is all hot spots and uneven in my experience webers are very consistent.

Sent from the future
Click to expand...
I'd bet there is something wrong with the tuning,

Hot spots almost always due to obstructions or tuning - they should be cleaned and tuned every few years. Spiders, corrosion, water in gas supply can all cause a BBQ to go out of tune.

Each valve has a jet to enter fuel to the burner, each burner has an air mixture -- like a carb on a bike the tiniest obstruction to jets and fuel passages causes problems. Tuneup is simple, takes about 20 minutes. Pop out the burners, clean intake screens or burner holes (replace if cracked or heavily corroded). With the burners out, remove the gas jets from the backside of the valves with a 3/8" socket. Make sure they are clear, blow compressed air thru the manifold with all valves open then reinstall jets. One by one install burners, adjusting the air intake just until the yellow flame is blue.
 
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