Need a new propane grill. What's your opinion of the best of the best?

Libohunden

Libohunden

Member
I've been running a chargrill infrared grill for several years now.  It's worked out fairly well.  Attains fairly high temps and has seen a lot of action on my patio with great success.  Unfortunately, she's not built all that well. The insides have been disintegrating for the past two years (not just the grates). 

Now I'm in the market for a new propane grill with high btu capabilities that is built like a tank and has some nice features.  I've looked at some of the grills by Bull Outdoor Products.. Anyone own any of these?

What are your suggestions for a great Propane grill?  Please include links if possible. 
 
Large category: Highest rated Grill as per Consumer Reports is Brinkmann 810-6550-S (Home Depot) gas grill.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Brinkmann-Medallion-5-Burner-Gas-Grill-810-6550-SB/205460129

CR's Take
This top-rated large grill from Home Depot offers fast, even preheating and superb low-heat and high-heat cooking. Indirect cooking was very good but temp range is just good. An electronic igniter fires it up and a gauge lets you keep an eye on how much fuel remains. Use the side burner to sear steaks. Lighted controls and a pullout grease tray are nice extras, and so is the lifetime burner warranty.
Highs
High temperature even heating is excellent
Preheat performance is very good
Low temperature even heating is excellent
Indirect heating is very good
Coated-cast-iron grates

•Least likely to flare up
Lows, No performance flaws noted.


Mid Size: Weber Spirit SP-320 46700401 gas grill is the highest rated Grill as per Consumer Reports. 2 burner model Weber Spirit E-210 46110001 gas grill also highest rating in small category.

CR's Take (Weber Spirit E-210):
This small grill, with four casters for easy moving, offers impressive performance. Preheating was fast and even, and high and low-heat cooking were excellent. Indirect cooking was very good, but the temperature range was only so-so. An electronic igniter fires it up, and it has coated cast-iron grates, which tend to be better for searing and maintaining even grill temps. But like any coated cast-iron grates, the coating can crack, chip, or scratch, exposing the cast iron to corrosion. The burners come with a long warranty.
Highs
High temperature evenness is excellent
Preheat performance is very good
Low temperature performance is excellent
Indirect cooking is very good
Coated-cast-iron grates
Lows: No performance flaws noted.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Weber-Spirit-E-210-2-Burner-Propane-Gas-Grill-46110001/203597722

SS grill grates, very small footprint  and on sale @ Lowes:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_606687-82210-463645015_1z0uk3x__?productId=50329721&pl=1

Good Luck..  8)

 
I like my Weber, but if you get one do not buy from a box store.  If you buy from Ace or True Value hardware store you get a few upgrades that Home Depot and Lowes do not include. 

Stainless grates and stainless burner covers.

There are some good pellet grills out there too, but they might not be perfect in the winter time.

http://www.rectecgrills.com/grills/
 
In the past I have owned Holland grill, they are built super well.
http://www.amazon.com/Holland-Grill-HGG421900-Liberty-Propane/dp/B00JLFD5VG

Right now I have a grill that is built like a tank, from LA. Smokin' Cajun Grill - R&V Works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J7V0JeXHKU

Greg
 
My ol' Weber 1100 gasser has been going strong for 18 years, and it has definitely seen plenty of action!  I've replaced the burner tubes 3 times, flavorizer bars twice, and gave it a paint job.  I know it's not long until it just won't stand another repair.  There are lots of good grills out there, but I'll be hard-pressed to get anything but another Weber when the time comes.  One thing I consider is lifespan parts availability, and Weber is hard to beat for that.  The fact that I can still get most parts for a '97 model is amazing!
 
I'm on my 3rd Weber gas so I guess I like them (see my sig) for a lot of reasons but I feel that I need more horsepower (BTU's). I use propane, not natural gas, but it might be my altitude (about 7,000 ft). I think their BTU rating is in the range of most competitors. I do a maintenance twice a year to ensure "she's doin' all she can, she can't do no more"
It could also just be a "man" thing; why else would I have a 2 1/4 horse power blender?
 
Check out Greg's Smokin Cajun grill, Brian.  That think has enough BTUs to send a jet out of the Denver airport!  Didn't know you were operating in the upper atmosphere of Colorado! ;)  More power!!  Ar-Ar-Ar!!
 
Minor note, but I've had my "new" weber for a year this fathers day weekend.  Clicks and fires every time and I have yet to replace the batteries in the igniter. 

Grill is used at least 4 times per week.

Bars, baffles, grates cleaned so far 5 times. 

Parts are easy to get.  Keep that in mind for long term.
 
Thanks gents!  Good suggestions all!

This is what I've been thinking about.

http://www.costco.com/Urban-Islands-304-Stainless-Steel-5-burner-BBQ-Cart-by-Bull-Outdoor-Products.product.100075481.html

Here's his little brother

http://www.costco.com/Urban-Islands-304-Stainless-Steel-4-burner-BBQ-Cart-by-Bull-Outdoor-Products.product.100057697.html

Here's one of his friends

http://www.costco.com/NXR-Stainless-Steel-7-Burner-80%2c000-BTU-Propane-Gas-Grill.product.100131550.html

Thoughts?
 
Urban Islands 4-Burner by Bull (Costco) gas grill = 44 rating by CR vs 81 for weber.

CR's Take
This Urban Islands medium sized grill has the following:
Good overall performance.
Separate natural-gas model
365 sq. in. of shelf space
2 wheels and 2 casters for easier moving
Additional feature(s): Must purchase base separately.
Highs
Indirect cooking is very good
Excellent temperature range from low to high setting
Stainless-steel grates
Lows
High temperature evenness is poor

NXR Stainless 7 Burner 780-0832C [Item #965490] (Costco) gas grill = CR score 22 (Lowest of all grills)

CR's Take
This NXR medium sized grill has the following:
Fair overall performance.
Converts with natural-gas kit
785 sq. in. of shelf space
2 wheels and 2 casters for easier moving
Rotisserie, searing infrared burner(s)
Additional feature(s): Lighted controls, lighted cooking area, comes with rotisserie motor and spit, slide-out tank tray, 2 warming drawers-11.5 x 9 x 3.5, 2 drawers-16.5 x 12.5 x 4.5, ice bucket- 14.75 x 11.5 x 6.75, cover, pull out grill tray.
Highs
Reaches high cooking temperatures quickly
Indirect heating is very good
Stainless-steel grates

•Least likely to flare up
Lows
High temperature even heating is poor
Preheat performance is fair
Low temperature even heating is poor
Fair temperature range from low to high setting

I love Costco and returns are painless even after a year or more but I also rely on CR when in doubt.

Like Tony, I was very impressed with the grill that Greg bought with very impressive high heat. I'll have to see if CR rated that model as I don't recall the make/model.. Later  8)
 
Greg's grill Not rated by CR but impressive appearing build.

http://cajunfryer.com/SmokinCajun.html

At around $2600 this model rated a 76 with CR, 2nd highest score in Large category ($350 Brinkman 77):

Napoleon Prestige Pro 665RSIB gas grill

CR's Take
The most expensive of the recommended large grills, the Napoleon also has the biggest cooking area. There are five main burners and stainless-steel grates. Temp range was superb, and so was low heat and indirect cooking. Preheating was fast and even and high heat was impressive. Features include side burner, utensil hooks, lighted controls, lighted cooking area, rotisserie motor and spit, slide-out tank tray, towel bar, cutting board, and bin.
Highs
High temperature evenness is very good
Preheat performance is very good
Low temperature performance is excellent
Indirect cooking is excellent
Excellent temperature range from low to high setting
Stainless-steel grates
 
Ralph said:
Greg's grill Not rated by CR but impressive appearing build.

http://cajunfryer.com/SmokinCajun.html

At around $2600 this model rated a 76 with CR, 2nd highest score in Large category ($350 Brinkman 77):

http://www.napoleongrills.com/grills/product-details/productid/2/ccd/en-ca/prestige-pro-665-with-infrared-rear-and-side-burners

Napoleon Prestige Pro 665RSIB gas grill

CR's Take
The most expensive of the recommended large grills, the Napoleon also has the biggest cooking area. There are five main burners and stainless-steel grates. Temp range was superb, and so was low heat and indirect cooking. Preheating was fast and even and high heat was impressive. Features include side burner, utensil hooks, lighted controls, lighted cooking area, rotisserie motor and spit, slide-out tank tray, towel bar, cutting board, and bin.
Highs
High temperature evenness is very good
Preheat performance is very good
Low temperature performance is excellent
Indirect cooking is excellent
Excellent temperature range from low to high setting
Stainless-steel grates
Click to expand...
Same Mfg., different model, much lower price:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Napoleon-Prestige-P500RSIB-Grill-with-Rear-Side-Infrared-Burner-and-Stainless-Steel-Doors/35484953?sourceid=csent02b1c6b56226f64f65a6598a2f8de08cde&wmlspartner=nextagcom2&affcmpid=2986737696&tmode=0000&veh=cse&nextagid=-8754249989417471391
 
I did a quick search on the Napoleon 665RSIB to see if I could find it cheaper.  The best I found was $3K, which is about 1K over my budget.

I'll have to take a closer look at the Napoleon 500, Amazon has is for about the same price as the link you posted from Wal-mart... with free 2 day shipping.  How does CR rate the Napoleon 500?
 
No other  Napoleon models rated by CR. 

perhaps if you Google for reviews something will show up and I would also recommend going to their homepage.

Whoops I guess I already gave you that link.

If I remember right CR online subscription is only about  $25 which might be a good investment for you since you are shopping for a high dollar item. Warning you may become hooked..  8)
 
Yeah, I've been thinking about asking for a CR subscription for Father's Day since seeing your posts yesterday.  Great suggestion!

I did take a look at Napoleon's website by the way... These things look great!  The 665 would be nice to have!
 
Correction ,
Napoleon Prestige P500 gas grill rating 65
Approximate retail price: $1100 Summary: This Napoleon medium sized grill has the following:
490 sq. in. of cooking area.
4 main burner(s)
Separate natural-gas model
Coated-cast-iron grates

This is listed as a medium grill and CR also rated other Napoleon models  but only the one listed above in the large category.
 
Napoleon Prestige P500RSIB gas grill = 69

Approximate retail price: $1500 Summary: This Napoleon medium sized grill has the following:
490 sq. in. of cooking area.
4 main burner(s)
Separate natural-gas model
Rotisserie infrared burner(s)

Note, There are several more models posted in the CR article but only the one large model
 
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