[AaronS]

So I have a backyard for the first time since college and I want to have a grill completely set up before it gets warm out.

Does anyone have a grill they love?

Does anyone have some unusual ideas? I am thinking of getting something I can smoke things with, but is there anything else I can get?

[Cathy]

Before we continue, please reassure me that you wouldn't even consider a gas grill.

[theclash]

weber preformer charcoal grill with gas ignition. with a little practice also works as a smoker

[robert40]

My trying to convince wife grills.
http://www.kalamazoogourmet.com/index.php

http://www.biggreenegg.com/

[fentona]

I think I have a similar situation to yours, Aaron. Almost three years ago, I moved into a new house, and for the first time in my adult life, I had a backyard big enough for a grill. I was ecstatic. Since I wanted to try my hand at smoking too, I did some research and bought the Char-Griller Smokin' Pro. It has a large grill area and an external fire box for smoking. It's reasonably priced, and works great as a grill, and pretty well as a smoker; the heat isn't as easy to control as it would be in a dedicated smoker, I think, but I can get up to about four hours of smoke before I have to fiddle with it. If you're looking for an all-in-one grill/smoker, it's probably your best bet.

That said, if I were to do it again, and especially now that I have a kid around (and correspondingly less time), I would buy a gas grill and a dedicated smoker, possibly an electric one. Pace Cathy (and in full knowledge that this is a religious issue for some people), I've done taste tests, and for a burger or steak that has only been cooked for a few minutes I can't tell the difference between charcoal and gas. And the fact is, setting up a charcoal fire is a big production; with a gas grill, you can cook something and be done with it quickly. It's the difference between something I use only on weekends and something I could use every night in appropriate weather.

It's basically the same deal with the smoker: while playing around with a smoker, tending it, drinking beer is a lot of fun, it makes for an all-day endeavor. Something that's more hands-off would see more use.

[GG Mora]

I have a Vermont Castings gas grill that I got at Home Depot 7 years ago for about $650. It's been great – good heat distribution around the entire grill area (unlike any Weber I've ever cooked on), and it's held up very well, although the grates have had to be replaced due to corrosion. And it gets screaming hot. I don't know that Home Depot carries them any more, and I think even the entry-level models are much more expensive now. But I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.

For all you howling purists, I also have a Weber bullet for smoking and grilling. But for weeknight dinners, when both of us are busy as hell, it's great to be able to turn a few knobs and ding the igniter and grill up some kebabs or pork chops or whatever without having to fuss about charcoal.

[Rail Paul]

I have a Vermont Castings gas grill that I got at Home Depot 7 years ago for about $650. It's been great – good heat distribution around the entire grill area (unlike any Weber I've ever cooked on), and it's held up very well, although the grates have had to be replaced due to corrosion. And it gets screaming hot. I don't know that Home Depot carries them any more, and I think even the entry-level models are much more expensive now. But I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.

For all you howling purists, I also have a Weber bullet for smoking and grilling. But for weeknight dinners, when both of us are busy as hell, it's great to be able to turn a few knobs and ding the igniter and grill up some kebabs or pork chops or whatever without having to fuss about charcoal.

Weber gas grills are notorious for going thru grates and fire tubes and igniters every 3 or 4 years. But, they do get very hot, sometimes way in excess of their gauge. Mine will get to 550 in about ten minutes of warming up. My brother put an industrial thermometer on it that recorded 650 years ago.

I find myself using the gas grill 10x more than the charcoal grill

[Ron Johnson]

Charcoal always. if you want a gas grill experience just cook something on your range with the kitchen window open.

There are some really great specialty grills, but for an all purpose, reasonably priced, sturdy grill, I just don't think you can beat a Weber. I have the one with the gas lighter so I don't have to use a chimney starter or god awful lighter fluid. You can grill directly (steaks, burgers), or indirect (roast chicken, ribs, pork shoulder), and you can also smoke with it. I make pizzas on my weber all the time as well.

[Rail Paul]

(snip) I make pizzas on my weber all the time as well.

Pizza on the grill is wonderful. So is flatbread, which for me is a pizza flipped over, and brushed with olive oil and herbs.

I'm divided over using a pizza stone or just laying the dough flat on the grates. I think the stone gives a better final result for me.

[flyfish]

weber performer charcoal grill with gas ignition. with a little practice also works as a smoker

We have a Weber Performer and Painterman loves it.

[bigbear]

.....
I'm divided over using a pizza stone or just laying the dough flat on the grates. I think the stone gives a better final result for me.

My brother has been using cast iron instead of stone. It doesn't break as easily and has handles.

Cast pizza iron pan.

[Peter Creasey]

No question in my mind --> Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg Forum

[mongo_jones]

i have been a beginning griller for the last 7 years. weber silver. no regrets.

[Cathy]

Point taken about the convenience of gas. But I find my Big Green Egg very easy to start up for grilling, and it's an ideal smoker - it maintains low temps with very little fiddling, and it's extremely fuel-efficient.

I also have a little Meco that I often use for quickies like sausages or shrimp. My version of a gas grill, I guess.

[scamhi]

similar to the big green egg and oval shape I use a Primo Grill
I was a weber user for over 20 years. Ceramic grills are a big step up.