I've owned a Char Q since the early 2000's but I never even used it until the summer before last. It was a birthday gift from my mother and to be honest I didn't know what to think of it. I grew up being familiar with the Weber kettles but this thing was just strange looking, almost like cheap imported garbage. So I shoved it in the shed and continued to use our beat up gas grills over the years. Well 3 summers ago I went to my now wife's family camp and dragged out a rusted out old kettle from under the deck with the legs rotted right off it and proceeded to scrub it down and prop it up on a cement block and fire it up so we could have dinner. Well that was one of the best burgers I'd had in a long time. I had forgotten how much better cooking over charcoal was! Well once I had the opportunity I went to moms and pulled the Char Q out of the shed and put it into service. First cook was some burgers and the outside was charred and inside was still raw. Right then I realized exactly how close the coals were to the grate. Seemed my initial response was correct. Back in the shed it went. Well I've come a long ways with my grilling techniques and experience and now I love that grill. Char is the right name for it! When I want to really put a nice sear on steaks or burgers, or cook some crispy chicken wings it's my go to grill. It uses VERY little charcoal and you can get intense heat in those beautifully heavy grates. You just need to cook indirectly when you have anything with some thickness to it. No biggie, I appreciate challenges. So I own one, and I love it. I have to believe I'm not alone!