what to look for in a bbq

[Bitz]

I'm in the market for a new bbq, but have no idea what to look for.

There's one on sale at CT this week: $120 for 34,000 total BTU. What exactly is BTU and is that a good deal? If so, I'll pick it up when the sale starts in a few days.

The bbq is shown on the 11th scanned page of the flyer:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265260&page=1&pp=15

Comments? Other good deals for BBQs you know about? Not looking for anything fancy...just something to get my burgers and chicken wings cooked in the summer :)

[dasaylay]

BTU= British Thermal Units

[leungly]

http://www.fiestabbq.com/whatbbq/buyersguide.html
Here's a link but its only moderately not biased towards fiesta bbq's but serves as a decent primer or how to for basics. (Note: I do not endorse or encourage anyone to buy a Fiesta BBQ, only using as a general link.)


I just saw a clearance one at CT for 69.99 or 79.99. It was the ultra cheapo one which is enough.

Basically there are ranges in price. In general the more you pay the longer it'll last. The cheaper ones don't last as long as the build quality and parts used are of poor quality but they got the job done. (My friends and I bought the ultra cheap one from CT and managed to use it at least once a day for an entire year. Of course by the 6th month it didn't look like it was in good shape but it managed. Mainly some rust and the knob busted off, and some rusting, etc.)

The parts most likely to fail include the knobs (control flame), the burner, the igniter (very likely to stop working, so manual lighting with a match becomes necessary). With cheaper solutions finding replacement parts also becomes more difficult though Grill Pro does make a line of universal burners for replacing them. But yeah overall, just spend what you feel is justified in your eyes according to your needs.

[deep]

A few big fat steaks.

[coltsmild]

(My friends and I bought the ultra cheap one from CT and managed to use it at least once a day for an entire year.

wow, while i love bbq, that's a hell lot of it and surely can't be good for you!

[Ayumix]

Broil King and Broil Mate (same company) are the best "simple" propane BBQs you can buy. They're not fancy and most of the money is spent on construction and quality of parts.

Heat distribution is very good on my Broil King. All zones are hot and it heats up fast.

Replacement parts (unlikely you'll need it) are very easy to find for Broil Mate/King grills.

IMO, I prefer a good simple BBQ. Afterall, a fancy/expensive BBQ isn't going to make your food taste any better! :D

Webers also come highly recommended, but the Broil Kings were on special when I was looking (Home Depot).

[sleepyguy]

i'm hoping (for the sake of your friends health) it was steak everyday :)

wow, while i love bbq, that's a hell lot of it and surely can't be good for you!

[deep]

...I prefer a good simple BBQ...

I totally agree. Every gadget beyond the elements, grills, and the case around them is just something waiting to break down.

My BBQ is there to provide a heat source below a place to set and sear food, and an enclosure to cook it through and through.

I have a Broil King natural gas BBQ by the way, and if you search, you'll find a thread in which I raved about the good service I received from this company. We use the BBQ several times a week spring summer and fall, and even keep it going in the winter when we can. (Like this year).

I think it was on sale for $350-400 from Home Depot, and it was one of the best purchases I've made in years.

[llbeanburrito]

One suggestion that will save you money. Don't buy a propane tank from a store. Instead go to a real propane company (phone a Superior Propane office and ask for the nearest Superior location that sells recertified cylinders) and buy a prefilled recertified cylinder from them. You'll save $20-$40 depending on size and local pricing differences. Recertified cylinders have new valves on them and are as good as new.

When it comes to refilling them, phone around. There can be big differences in pricing, especially if you're dealing with local gas stations.

[Ayumix]

I think it was on sale for $350-400 from Home Depot, and it was one of the best purchases I've made in years.

I paid $320 for my unit I think. $350 for the natural gas hook-up.

Some other factors to consider:

- weight/thickness of hood. Heavier/thicker hood = better heat retention. If it's thinner, you'll lose most of your heat to the elements.

- ease of cleaning. My Broil King only has 3 parts to clean: 2 grill surfaces and 1 heating deflector. You only need to wash those once a year.

- Stainless grill vs. ceramic coated grill. Not sure what the cooking properties are for the two, but ceramic grills can only be cleaned using plastic/non-abrasive brushes. If you use those steel brushes, you're going to damage the ceramic coat and you're going to have to end up buying a new grill surface in 2-3 years.

- size of cooking area. If you host lots of parties, then a big grill is worth it. I host a lot of gatherings and I wish I had a bigger surface. It sucks being stuck at the fire while everyone else is eating.

- if buying a bigger grill, consider getting 4-zone controls vs. 2-zone. 2-zone for a large grill may waste your gas if you're not using the whole thing.

[mart242]

If you don't have much $, get a broil mate / broil king as mentionned above. Good bang for buck, good quality and made in Canada.

If you want something better, look at the Napoleons. More $$$ though (but I think that they have a line that's not too expensive).

Please do not do like the sheeps that go buy the cheap 200$ made in china BBQs from Loblaws.

[charliebrown]

I paid $320 for my unit I think. $350 for the natural gas hook-up.

Some other factors to consider:

- weight/thickness of hood. Heavier/thicker hood = better heat retention. If it's thinner, you'll lose most of your heat to the elements.

- ease of cleaning. My Broil King only has 3 parts to clean: 2 grill surfaces and 1 heating deflector. You only need to wash those once a year.

- Stainless grill vs. ceramic coated grill. Not sure what the cooking properties are for the two, but ceramic grills can only be cleaned using plastic/non-abrasive brushes. If you use those steel brushes, you're going to damage the ceramic coat and you're going to have to end up buying a new grill surface in 2-3 years.

- size of cooking area. If you host lots of parties, then a big grill is worth it. I host a lot of gatherings and I wish I had a bigger surface. It sucks being stuck at the fire while everyone else is eating.

- if buying a bigger grill, consider getting 4-zone controls vs. 2-zone. 2-zone for a large grill may waste your gas if you're not using the whole thing.

My friend mentioned (he's more of a bbq chef) that you should look for cast iron grills -- these will cook steaks better (not sure how the physics/thermodynamics work, but that's what he said)

[redflame]

Hmm... BBQ~~ can't wait till it's summer time :)

[cliff]

it was warm enough here tonight (just above freezing), had some delicious tube steaks for dinner.

[mlc2000]

Its always warm enough for bbq. Take off the skirt, wimpboy....and get out there and grill!

[freethebees]

Re: "What to look for in a bbq"
Ans: Meat.

[Bitz]

thanks everyone. this was exactly the type of information i was looking for....keep it coming! :)

what do you think about the cheapo(?) grills currently being sold at CanTire and Walmart? anything stand out as a "get it while it lasts"?

[mart242]

thanks everyone. this was exactly the type of information i was looking for....keep it coming! :)

what do you think about the cheapo(?) grills currently being sold at CanTire and Walmart? anything stand out as a "get it while it lasts"?

You should be able to find a pretty cheap fiesta BBQ made in canada (look for them, some are from china. www.fiestabbq.com should tell you where to buy if I remember the url correctly) that should last you a few years (including winters) for the same price as the cheap chinese crap from walmart and c-tire.

[Ayumix]

I wouldn't trust any of those. Frankly those ones made by Thermos and the rest look pretty scary. Fiesta might be a better buy for cheaper units.

When I bought a BBQ, I went in thinking it as another major appliance I was going to use for years. $300-400 for a good BBQ you'll use for 10-15 years is pretty good!