Gas Grills

[ISUFan22]

Researching gas grills - wanted to solicit some opinions. Looking to buy in the next week or two. Went to Lowes, Home Depot and True Value.

At Lowes, we found this grill...

Perfect Flame 5-Burner Gas Grill (model #SLG2007D) - Gas Grill Review

It's a Perfect Flame brand, huge BTU output (65k) and plenty of cooking space. It's the 2007 model, so they have it marked way down - $267. An added plus, it's the gas version which is what we'll be after (we ran a gas line out under the deck so we no longer need a propane tank).

My concern with this grill is the quality and huge BTU size. I certainly want a grill that heats up quick, maintains it and has plenty of cooking space. But I'm after one that is of very good quality and will be able to keep it for a long time. The under $300 is tough to pass up though.

Saw a couple Char-Broil grills I was interested in, one being the TEC grill with full or partial infrared burners. Not familiar with these at all and would be interested in feedback.

True Value had some Weber grills (the other two stores didn't really have any) but not much of a selection there either. I continue to hear Weber is the way to go, just not thrilled to pay that price but will - if it makes sense.

Basically - anyone bought these Perfect Flame grills and if so - thoughts on them? Any/all feedback appreciated.

 

[brianhos]

WE got one of these 10 years ago:

Welcome to Weber.com

Of course it is a little different than the current models, but it is a really nice grill. Really easy to cook on, and you really have to try hard to burn things. Ours has sat outside in the elements for 10 years and is still holding up well.

 

[jumbopackage]

Never heard of perfect flame. I cook on a weber charcoal grill, but I'd like to get a genesis at some point just for convenience.

I don't think I'll ever by anything that's not a weber, but I'm just picky.

 

[ISUFan22]

Yeah, I was looking at those. I like 'em. Just trying to convince myself I like them enough to pay that much more.

I've also heard that a grill with the burners running right to left instead of front to back are better. I can see cases for both sides there.

Weber runs right to left (left to right). Perfect Flame runs the other way.

 

[Phaedrus]

Let's face it: Friends don't let friends cook with propane. My FIL threw out his gas grill the day after he saw my "method" for cooking with charcoal. Once you learn how, it's just about as convenient as gas, too.

You can do anything with charcoal that you can do with gas, only the food tastes good with charcoal.

 

[Arkansas Cyclone]

I went with a JenAir (or however you spell it). Cost more than the stove in my house but, man, that thing is sweet!

 

[jumbopackage]

Let's face it: Friends don't let friends cook with propane. My FIL threw out his gas grill the day after he saw my "method" for cooking with charcoal. Once you learn how, it's just about as convenient as gas, too.

You can do anything with charcoal that you can do with gas, only the food tastes good with charcoal.

I endorse this product/service.

With a chimney starter and a couple pieces of newspaper a charcoal grill can be ready in nearly the same amount of time as a gas grill.

I think it tastes way better too, IMO. Sometimes it's just convenient to turn a knob and come back though. Especially if you grill in the winter time.

 

[Rogue52]

My recommendation on gas grills: Don't Buy One.

Cavemen cooked with coal, so can you. If you truly learn how to cook with charcoal, it's all you'll ever need.

 

[CTAClone]

Yes, charcoal always tastes better, at first. However, I have a cheap gas grill that after about 6 months, it tastes awesome. I've thrown some lava coals into it and I know where all the hot spots are so I can cook whatever meat I want at whatever temp I want and it tastes great. I wouldn't trade it in for anything else. I can grease fire if I want to sear some meat or I can slow cook it if I want. The more I cook on it, the better it tastes.

 

[BvK1126]

I just bought this Char Broil grill at Lowe's last summer, and I have been very pleased with it. I did a lot of homework before I bought, and I chose this model because it got extremely high marks from Consumer Reports. At $300, it beat out grills that cost two and three times as much in Consumer Reports' performance tests. For what it's worth, 22, the Char Broil grill was rated higher than every Perfect Flame model that Consumer Reports reviewed, including ones that were considerably more expensive.

 

[ISUCyclones]

Yes, charcoal always tastes better, at first. However, I have a cheap gas grill that after about 6 months, it tastes awesome. I've thrown some lava coals into it and I know where all the hot spots are so I can cook whatever meat I want at whatever temp I want and it tastes great. I wouldn't trade it in for anything else. I can grease fire if I want to sear some meat or I can slow cook it if I want. The more I cook on it, the better it tastes.

You sir, are spot on!

 

[ISUFan22]

I've done charcoal before - many times. Grew up grilling that way.

As noted, after a while, the gas grills can taste just as good because of the flavor being left on the grill. Also, I grill year round - 90 degrees or below freezing...doesn't matter. I appreciate the feedback, yet I'm only seeking a gas grill.

BvK- I looked at the model you're referring to. It's my understanding that Char-Broil makes Perfect Flame (you'll notice they look very similar). I'm not able to see ratings/reviews on Consumer Reports as I'm not a subscriber.

But bbq.about.com had both the Char-Broil and Perfect Flame models rated as average/low quality. I'll admit, I'm a bit leery of that as I bought a lower quality grill around 7 years ago, have had to maintain it more than I should have and now need to replace it.

I think after some research last night, I'm leaning toward a Weber. I'm not at all thrilled about paying that price - but want a grill that will last me a long time and has the good support of the manufacturer if something should go wrong.

 

[Jerry1982]

I've actually been known to put a little cherry or apple wood on top of the lava rocks with a fair level of success. Trick is to not put too much wood on.
I don't know if this will offset those who have a preference to charcoal. I agree the convenience of gas is tough to beat. I own two grills. If I'm cooking a roast or a bird I'll use the weber charcoal. Something easy, like burgers, I'll use the gas.

I think the Weber you're looking at would be a fine model. I don't think however, that those premium brands, "holland and jenn air" can really justify their costs.

 

[ISUFan22]

I actually didn't link a Weber model I'm looking at, just that Perfect Flame grill that is a drastically marked-down '07 model.

This is the Weber I have my eye on (and really like), just trying to convince myself I like it enough to pay for it.

Weber Genesis E-320

 

[jtd9046]

I would have to say pay the extra for a Weber. I have a 10+ year old and it will still lite up on the very first try, summer or winter. When I moved into my first home a few years ago, I convinced my dad to get a new stainless steel model and give me his Weber. Let's just say he still regrets that decision. He bought his at Lowes, can't remember if it was a Perfect Flame or CharBroil.

 

[BvK1126]

BvK- I looked at the model you're referring to. It's my understanding that Char-Broil makes Perfect Flame (you'll notice they look very similar). I'm not able to see ratings/reviews on Consumer Reports as I'm not a subscriber.

But bbq.about.com had both the Char-Broil and Perfect Flame models rated as average/low quality. I'll admit, I'm a bit leery of that as I bought a lower quality grill around 7 years ago, have had to maintain it more than I should have and now need to replace it.

I think after some research last night, I'm leaning toward a Weber. I'm not at all thrilled about paying that price - but want a grill that will last me a long time and has the good support of the manufacturer if something should go wrong.

I would take the reviews on bbq.about.com with a grain of salt. They're all done by one guy rather than a panel, and he seems to be something of a "grill snob." He appears to downgrade anything that doesn't have expensive top-of-the-line components and features. I think it all depends on how you use your grill. I use my grill quite a bit, but not necessarily 12 months a year, and certainly not on an everyday basis. For how I grill, the Char Broil I bought works great. If you use a grill significantly more than that, it may be worth going with a more expensive model. By the way, 22, the Weber grill you're looking at is Consumer Reports' top-rated grill. If you can make the price work for you, I suspect you'll be happy with it.

 

[BvK1126]

I actually didn't link a Weber model I'm looking at, just that Perfect Flame grill that is a drastically marked-down '07 model.

This is the Weber I have my eye on (and really like), just trying to convince myself I like it enough to pay for it.

Weber Genesis E-320

Oooh! I just noticed this on the Consumer Reports website:

The Weber Genesis E-320 was recently recalled by the CPSC because of a fire hazard with a gas hose; Weber is replacing the hose for free.

The Weber E-320 is Consumer Reports' top-rated grill, but you may want to double-check about that gas hose issue before you buy one.

 

[jtaconutz]

MHP is the best. They will cost you more but they last forever.

MHP Gas Grills to Last a Life Time

 

[Kyle]

I did a lot of research on this before I bought my grill three years ago and ended up going with a Webber. If you decide to do this it can be useful to shop around a little bit because they will package them slightly differently for different stores. For example, when I got mine the one at Lowes had crappy grates, the one at Home Depot had coated cast iron grates, and the one at Ace Hardware had stainless grates. Home depot had a few other decent brands that I looked at as well, namely Ducane and Vermont Castings.

One big thing to keep in mind is that all stainless steel is not the same. From what I saw online, the charbroils and perfect flames of the world are made with lower quality stainless that will still eventually rust. I saw this first hand on my uncle's several year old grill. I think someone linked this and tore it back down already, but I think the about.com reviews are pretty good.
Before you Buy a Gas Grills - Updated for 2007 - Best Gas Grills - Gas Grill Reviews - Gas Grills

Does consumer reports take into account the long-term durability of the grills it is reviewing? If not, that is something to keep in mind.

 

[ColoradoClone]

I went through this process last year. What we found out was that Char-Broil, and PerfectFlame were "disposable" grills. They work very well for a year or two, but then go downhill fast.

We decided on a Ducane Affinity 3100. They cost about $300, and were new next year. There weren't any reviews at the time, but what we did learn was that when Ducane was bought out by Weber, they merged some of the two company's technologies and the Affinity was the result. They are priced competively, built with quality materials and look great. Plus, we expect it to last us longer than any of the Lowes or HD brands. I believe Ace Hardware sells them, and I'd highly recommend at least giving them a look over the Charbroils and PerfectFlame.