Jon Tofte
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
I started this from a comment I made on an old thread that I found. I thought it would get more notice if I started fresh:
In the old thread several long-time members mentioned that you can't really have too many grills Some referred to their accumulation of grills and admitted that, like me, they were still always looking Long-suffering wives of guys who can't resist yet another Weber renovation project were also mentioned. I can definitely relate to all of that, so it got me to thinking about what grills I would have if space was not an issue and funds & time were adequate to buy and restore. Here's my first try:
A Weber kettle grill. A version such as the Performer with workshelf is a big plus. (CHECK) - I have to admit that the 26" version sure does look tempting!!!
A Weber Genesis 330 (which includes the 4th "sear" burner). I have noticed that this feature gets mixed reviews, but I really like it myself. Works much better to me if done in the reverse sear order. (CHECK - but needing a rebuild). - I know the new Genesis II grills are made in China and that Weber is going more flash and less and less quality, but I have to admit the 4 burner ones look pretty cool
A Weber Q 200 series. I never thought I would like these that much until I got mine for ten bucks! The 200 series is a perfect compromise for easy portability (think tailgating, picnics and trips) while still having some decent room to work with.(CHECK) - I have to admit that the larger and not nearly so portable 320 looks really tempting! If all you want to do is grill steaks, burgers, chops, etc. rather than BBQ this could be a great alternative to a smaller "regular" grill.
A Weber Genesis 1000 series restored with all wood slats, handle and two fold-down trays! This would be the grill you put front and center on the patio for all to see. It would also be the one to use when you can take time to stand around and enjoy your cooking. Not as big as the newer ones, not as practical as the Silver series with the plastic-type shelves, but OH SO BEAUTIFUL AND TIMELESS! (DON'T HAVE ONE READY YET BUT HAVE A WORTHY CANDIDATE FOR RESTORATION).
A couple more:
An Orion Cooker. I know, I know...it is not a conventional barbecue method but if you need to crank out a half-dozen racks of ribs on the short it IS pretty impressive. It also does a great whole chicken in lightning time. Somewhat of a pain to clean, but made of all stainless and has lasted me for years (CHECK).
Finally, a Rec Tec pellet grill. Never seen one in person but have studied it a lot. The company seems to have an AWESOME reputation for unbeatable service, and I really like how they keep improving their design. I am convinced that Weber will come out with one of these sometime because just like gas grills overtook charcoal it seems to me that pellet grills are the wave of the future. However, Rec Tec still has the family-owned flavor that sadly seems to have pretty much ebbed away at Weber. (DON'T HAVE AND CAN'T AFFORD RIGHT NOW. I WILL KEEP DREAMING)
So, other than the pellet grill I am pretty close. Didn't mention my Green Egg that someone gave to me. It is EXCEPTIONAL on long cooks, but my so-called "large" isn't all that big - about the size of a 18.5 inch Weber kettle. Nice for just my family, but not adequate for cooking for groups as I am asked to do from time to time. (The Rec Tec pellet grill will allow you to lay SIX racks of ribs all out flat on the single shelf. You can add a second shelf or use rib racks to do a bunch more.) Besides great heat retention, the other great thing about the Egg is that it is SO SIMPLE. The ceramic will last forever and the few metal parts are replaceable. You do have to redo the seals pretty often. So I like it a lot, but I don't think it is all that it is "cracked" up to be
So there. What would your ideal collection look like?
(I admit that in addition to the above grills that I would claim to actually use, I will probably never be able to resist an old Weber needing a redo. People know I like them so they keep bringing them to me! Besides the old Genesis - and even the Genesis 300 series - I have a soft spot for the really old Summits and I have a dream of taking a Genesis Silver and somehow melding wood shelves with the Silver's more modern features to create a "best of both worlds". That is for another thread someday when I have time...)
In the old thread several long-time members mentioned that you can't really have too many grills Some referred to their accumulation of grills and admitted that, like me, they were still always looking Long-suffering wives of guys who can't resist yet another Weber renovation project were also mentioned. I can definitely relate to all of that, so it got me to thinking about what grills I would have if space was not an issue and funds & time were adequate to buy and restore. Here's my first try:
A Weber kettle grill. A version such as the Performer with workshelf is a big plus. (CHECK) - I have to admit that the 26" version sure does look tempting!!!
A Weber Genesis 330 (which includes the 4th "sear" burner). I have noticed that this feature gets mixed reviews, but I really like it myself. Works much better to me if done in the reverse sear order. (CHECK - but needing a rebuild). - I know the new Genesis II grills are made in China and that Weber is going more flash and less and less quality, but I have to admit the 4 burner ones look pretty cool
A Weber Q 200 series. I never thought I would like these that much until I got mine for ten bucks! The 200 series is a perfect compromise for easy portability (think tailgating, picnics and trips) while still having some decent room to work with.(CHECK) - I have to admit that the larger and not nearly so portable 320 looks really tempting! If all you want to do is grill steaks, burgers, chops, etc. rather than BBQ this could be a great alternative to a smaller "regular" grill.
A Weber Genesis 1000 series restored with all wood slats, handle and two fold-down trays! This would be the grill you put front and center on the patio for all to see. It would also be the one to use when you can take time to stand around and enjoy your cooking. Not as big as the newer ones, not as practical as the Silver series with the plastic-type shelves, but OH SO BEAUTIFUL AND TIMELESS! (DON'T HAVE ONE READY YET BUT HAVE A WORTHY CANDIDATE FOR RESTORATION).
A couple more:
An Orion Cooker. I know, I know...it is not a conventional barbecue method but if you need to crank out a half-dozen racks of ribs on the short it IS pretty impressive. It also does a great whole chicken in lightning time. Somewhat of a pain to clean, but made of all stainless and has lasted me for years (CHECK).
Finally, a Rec Tec pellet grill. Never seen one in person but have studied it a lot. The company seems to have an AWESOME reputation for unbeatable service, and I really like how they keep improving their design. I am convinced that Weber will come out with one of these sometime because just like gas grills overtook charcoal it seems to me that pellet grills are the wave of the future. However, Rec Tec still has the family-owned flavor that sadly seems to have pretty much ebbed away at Weber. (DON'T HAVE AND CAN'T AFFORD RIGHT NOW. I WILL KEEP DREAMING)
So, other than the pellet grill I am pretty close. Didn't mention my Green Egg that someone gave to me. It is EXCEPTIONAL on long cooks, but my so-called "large" isn't all that big - about the size of a 18.5 inch Weber kettle. Nice for just my family, but not adequate for cooking for groups as I am asked to do from time to time. (The Rec Tec pellet grill will allow you to lay SIX racks of ribs all out flat on the single shelf. You can add a second shelf or use rib racks to do a bunch more.) Besides great heat retention, the other great thing about the Egg is that it is SO SIMPLE. The ceramic will last forever and the few metal parts are replaceable. You do have to redo the seals pretty often. So I like it a lot, but I don't think it is all that it is "cracked" up to be
So there. What would your ideal collection look like?
(I admit that in addition to the above grills that I would claim to actually use, I will probably never be able to resist an old Weber needing a redo. People know I like them so they keep bringing them to me! Besides the old Genesis - and even the Genesis 300 series - I have a soft spot for the really old Summits and I have a dream of taking a Genesis Silver and somehow melding wood shelves with the Silver's more modern features to create a "best of both worlds". That is for another thread someday when I have time...)