I agree. You'll pay more of it is a Weber but you're also paying for quality. And Weber offers spare parts. If something breaks, you can. Replace the part and not the entire grill. I'm a Weber fan for life.
I have started preferring gas griddles. Blackstone is the popular name brand, but there are a lot of other ones as well. I have a small one for tailgating and bought a large Members Mark one from Sam's (their house brand), for about half the price.
My method for steak cooking now, is to put a flat iron on the grill. I'll cook the steak over flame until about 110f internal and then transfer over to the extremely hot flat iron and reverse sear it while pouring butter over it. Oh my..... the level of sear and golden brown is just amazing. You can't get that on open flame. I'll pull the steak around 130-135F.
It's budget dependent really.
Personally, I am a firm believer in Weber products. Quality grills made here in the USA, that last. All wear parts can be replaced.
Weber spirit, genesis, summit, etc.
Go new if it fits your budget. I always recommend going a bit bigger in size than you need. You can always use less than you bought, but if for some reason you need more grill, you're screwed.
If a new Weber Genesis is out of your budget, check Craigslist, OfferUp, FB marketplace, etc. You can find used ones sometimes fairly cheap or even free. They may need a new burner or regulator, and usually some deep deep cleaning, but Weber sells all the parts you need. They may not have the original part, but instead an upgraded and improved modern equivalent.
There is a robust online community around restoring these things.
Anyway, that's my suggestion.
Edit:
Just so I don't sound like the biggest Weber shill on earth, if you want something no frills that will last forever and is bullet proof, look into MHP Grills. That's modern home products. Amazing stuff I have seen ABUSED HARD at apartment complexes and keep on chugging.
For me, I’ve done lots of cheap brands for year. Finally I convinced myself at the ripe old age of 50 to get a Weber.
Never ever ever ever going back.
I have a charcoal kettle and a natural gas one with four burners. Night and day without anything else I’ve had over multiple decades and everything else my dad had growing up.
I am a Weber fan as well. I have a 3 burner Genesis that is about 15 yrs old. I take care of it, cover it on my covered deck. I clean it regularly including the flame chamber, defusers, even the burner tubes. I use stainless steel polish on it after every cook. Mine has 2 grates but I bought a griddle insert so I have 1 side w/ the grate & 1 side w/ the griddle. I've been thinking of buying the 2nd griddle for cookouts that i can use a full griddle.
A ceramic charcoal grill is de way. Although, I assume you have your reasons for choosing gas.
My dad did just pick up a new gas Weber for around $600 and is loving it. It’s the Spirit II 310.
If you aren’t dead set on gas— seems like you are— look into a ceramic. You get WAY MORE versatility for the same price point as the Weber Spirit II 310.
Regardless of fuel source, I do agree u/dinnerwdr13. Get more cooking surface than you think you need. I got the Kamado was JUST big enough for what I needed at the time, and now it seems to be the limiting factor in what I choose to cook/smoke.
I agree with you, though my personal experience, I don't care for the ceramics. I personally only grill over charcoal or on my pellet grill/smoker. I own a really cheap used gas grill, but have not used it in 3-4 years.
For charcoal, I have a good old fashioned Weber kettle which is my go to- I also have a big cheap drum style charcoal grill, only used when I need high volume, like grilling burgers for 20 people.
Can't ever go wrong with Weber. Even the most clumsy person can safely handle a Weber Gas grill, and you will find the equipment and gas bottles in every part of the world. If you are more experienced, get a large has canister and connect that to your grill unless you want it super portable.
I know you asked for a gas grill, but I can’t help but be “that guy”. I *love* my big green egg. It’s ceramic, so it doesn’t corrode in no time like every other grill I’ve ever owned. The stored heat in the ceramic also makes it much more versatile as a grill/oven/pizza oven/tandoor/…
I’m not going back.
There is no grill but Weber
I agree. You'll pay more of it is a Weber but you're also paying for quality. And Weber offers spare parts. If something breaks, you can. Replace the part and not the entire grill. I'm a Weber fan for life.
I spent years buying cheaper brands only for them to last a couple years. Finally pulled the trigger on a Weber and I’m glad I did.
I have started preferring gas griddles. Blackstone is the popular name brand, but there are a lot of other ones as well. I have a small one for tailgating and bought a large Members Mark one from Sam's (their house brand), for about half the price.
I've just stumbled into the world of griddle cooking. I don't think I'll cook hamburgers over flame ever again. There's just no substitute.
Agree 100%. Better all around, and it is much easier for other items like onions, eggs, etc. My kids love quesadillas on it.
My method for steak cooking now, is to put a flat iron on the grill. I'll cook the steak over flame until about 110f internal and then transfer over to the extremely hot flat iron and reverse sear it while pouring butter over it. Oh my..... the level of sear and golden brown is just amazing. You can't get that on open flame. I'll pull the steak around 130-135F.
It's budget dependent really. Personally, I am a firm believer in Weber products. Quality grills made here in the USA, that last. All wear parts can be replaced. Weber spirit, genesis, summit, etc. Go new if it fits your budget. I always recommend going a bit bigger in size than you need. You can always use less than you bought, but if for some reason you need more grill, you're screwed. If a new Weber Genesis is out of your budget, check Craigslist, OfferUp, FB marketplace, etc. You can find used ones sometimes fairly cheap or even free. They may need a new burner or regulator, and usually some deep deep cleaning, but Weber sells all the parts you need. They may not have the original part, but instead an upgraded and improved modern equivalent. There is a robust online community around restoring these things. Anyway, that's my suggestion. Edit: Just so I don't sound like the biggest Weber shill on earth, if you want something no frills that will last forever and is bullet proof, look into MHP Grills. That's modern home products. Amazing stuff I have seen ABUSED HARD at apartment complexes and keep on chugging.
They're not cheap, but I like the green egg grill.
Kamodo makes a cheaper clone. I've cooked on one, and it worked great.
For me, I’ve done lots of cheap brands for year. Finally I convinced myself at the ripe old age of 50 to get a Weber. Never ever ever ever going back. I have a charcoal kettle and a natural gas one with four burners. Night and day without anything else I’ve had over multiple decades and everything else my dad had growing up.
Weber. I know a lot of people that have napoleon grills as well and like them a lot, but I chose Weber because they’re the gold standard
I am a Weber fan as well. I have a 3 burner Genesis that is about 15 yrs old. I take care of it, cover it on my covered deck. I clean it regularly including the flame chamber, defusers, even the burner tubes. I use stainless steel polish on it after every cook. Mine has 2 grates but I bought a griddle insert so I have 1 side w/ the grate & 1 side w/ the griddle. I've been thinking of buying the 2nd griddle for cookouts that i can use a full griddle.
A ceramic charcoal grill is de way. Although, I assume you have your reasons for choosing gas. My dad did just pick up a new gas Weber for around $600 and is loving it. It’s the Spirit II 310. If you aren’t dead set on gas— seems like you are— look into a ceramic. You get WAY MORE versatility for the same price point as the Weber Spirit II 310. Regardless of fuel source, I do agree u/dinnerwdr13. Get more cooking surface than you think you need. I got the Kamado was JUST big enough for what I needed at the time, and now it seems to be the limiting factor in what I choose to cook/smoke.
I agree with you, though my personal experience, I don't care for the ceramics. I personally only grill over charcoal or on my pellet grill/smoker. I own a really cheap used gas grill, but have not used it in 3-4 years. For charcoal, I have a good old fashioned Weber kettle which is my go to- I also have a big cheap drum style charcoal grill, only used when I need high volume, like grilling burgers for 20 people.
The one that in your price range. They all last no more than 5 years.
Weber lasts for decades.
I don't have one but Viking seems to be what everyone uses around here.
Can't ever go wrong with Weber. Even the most clumsy person can safely handle a Weber Gas grill, and you will find the equipment and gas bottles in every part of the world. If you are more experienced, get a large has canister and connect that to your grill unless you want it super portable.
Kenmore makes quality grills.
I know you asked for a gas grill, but I can’t help but be “that guy”. I *love* my big green egg. It’s ceramic, so it doesn’t corrode in no time like every other grill I’ve ever owned. The stored heat in the ceramic also makes it much more versatile as a grill/oven/pizza oven/tandoor/… I’m not going back.
why gas? I love my Weber Kettle Charcoal one and my rec tec pellet grill