New old or new new gasser?.


 
Rich G

Rich G

TVWBB Honor Circle
I've been a charcoal guy all my life, but I'm thinking now is the time to add a quality (Weber) gasser to the arsenal. I am mulling over two options:

- CL Genesis 2, in good condition, with wood slats, three burners and a red top. I can get this for $50.

- Genesis EP 330, also three burners, has a side burner, is new and should last like a Weber, can be had for $800 or so depending on sales, coupons and the like.

I know that either option will provide a good grilling platform for years. I'll get my money out of both. I think what I get stuck on with the old Genesis is the front to back burner set up. I've used gas grills before (including Weber's wight the three burner set up) and I always feel that it's tough to do indirect with it, as you get limited on grill space and need frequent turning of items to even out the heat from the one (or two burners that are lit).

So all of tht really. Means that I'd like some input from you seasoned gas grillers. D you think the side to side burner set up is superior to the front to back? If not, what are your cooking strategies to make the front to back work??

Thanks!

Rich
 
I bought a Genesis 310 off of CL about 6 months ago. To be honest, I don't really like it. It is convenient, but perhaps I haven't learned how to control the temps properly. I find that it doesn't get hot enough for direct grilling, and it doesn't really work well for indirect.

In fact, I wish the burners ran front to back, perhaps it is simply the way that I think, but I would rather have a hot zone on the right side and a cold side on the left side. I find that the left to right burners seem to be too focused.

I guess that the left/right combo would be good if I were doing a long cut of meat, like ribs, or a rotisserie, but I'm not going to do ribs on a gas grill.

If it were me, I would go for the $50 option to see if you like it. If you like it, you can always spring for the newer one. I am sure you could at least re-coop the $50.

Have you thought about the gas option for the kamado? I bought a kamado for my dad about 8 years ago. Not the best experience, but we eventually got it, and it works well. I know that Richard still lists them on his website. I think that it would be a gamble, but it might be something to think about.

Brett
 
Brett-

Thanks for the reply!! I'm kinda thinking that you are right about spending $50 now, can likely recoup that off CL later, and go with a new grill if I want to.

To clarify what you said, though, you indicated you would prefer a left or right "cool zone"? Isn't that what you get with the left to right burner placement (say, left on, middle and right off gives you a cool zone on the right?) In case my terminology is off, when I say right to left, I mean the burners are lined up like:

Weber_rightotleft.jpg


On the older Webers, the burners are lined up like:

Weber_fronttoback.jpg


I'm still mulling this one over. Any other thoughts out there?

Thanks!

Rich
 
Mine is set up like the second image. I don't remember what year it is, I think 2008.

I would prefer the first arrangement. The funny thing is that when I use my OTG, I bank all the coals in the back.

One more good thing about the gas grill is the larger grill area. I can cook more food on it.

Brett
 
Each direction would have it's advantages. If I would have gotten the burner configuration in the first picture and learned to cook on it, I think I would have prefered in. Now that I'm used to my older burner config (second picture), I'm not so sure I would like the first picture configuration. I don't think it would work as well with the rotisserie and a long cut of meat like ribs or a full sized rib roast.

One thing I definitely like about the Genesis is they got the knobs out of the way on the side. That is a total waste of space.
 
Thanks, Brett. I think the current crop of grills is set up like the first one..... Ah, decisions, decisions!
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R
 
Compare the BTU input on the older vs. newer one. I believe that some of the most recent ones have been reduced a bit so that the input from the optional sear burner does not allow them to get too hot.

I'm a charcoal guy as well and recently (as in weeks ago) added a gasser to my collection. I don't intend that it replace a charcoal grill but when I want to grill some veggies I can fire it up, grill them and be done in about the same time it would take me to light some coals.

I also looked at the newer grills after getting my older one (an approximate 10 year old Genesis Silver A) and I thought they were not built as solidly as the old one. It was not a side by side comparison, so I could be wrong.

If you enjoy restoring stuff, you could easily have the older one looking as good as the day it came out of the box. OTOH, you want to check out burners, flavorizer bars and the grates as replacing those could quickly run the price of an older grill higher than you might want to spend.

It seems to me you cannot go wrong with the $50 older model. If you don't like it, you can probably unload it for what you paid for it. If you like it, you may decide it meets your needs. Or you may decide that the niceties of the newer ones are worth the $$$ and you will be making an informed decision. That's the way I'd go.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I decided to go with the CL grill,and posted up a pic in the Photo Gallery section. I'm happy with the choice, and will be working On it over time to restore it. It is totally functional for now, though needs some cosmetic work.

Cheers,
Rich
 
I notice that my restored 1997 spirit gets much hotter than any of my friends "bargain grills" that they purchased at the local homestore.
I went that route at one time and never again.

I have mostly been a charcoal guy but I needed a good gasser so my wife can use it without fear of lighting charcoal and getting messy.

She is quickly becoming good at cooking on the grill and it helps since I am away sometimes in the evening.

Here is my restore thread:

http://tvwbb.com/eve/forums/a/...0039023/m/7411075616
 
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