[mcgsxr]

I use my natural gas grill 2-3 times a week, 52 weeks of the year, I even shovel my way to it in the winter.

I like charcoal too, but it is a luxury event to cook a steak that way - the quick, simple natural gas (line run from the house) route wins most days.

[jtwrace]

I use my natural gas grill 2-3 times a week, 52 weeks of the year, I even shovel my way to it in the winter.

I like charcoal too, but it is a luxury event to cook a steak that way - the quick, simple natural gas (line run from the house) route wins most days.

I'd agree with you but the Grilldome customers claim that the dome is 350*F in about 20 min or so.  My NG grill wasn't that far off.

[vinyl_guy]

I'm in need of another bbq grill. 

I've owned a Weber and Coleman.  They have both lasted < 4 yrs.  I'm really sad about this.  I've done everyting that I was supposed to but they just rot (internally) away.  It's horrible.

My price point is ~$550 unless someone who has experience with the high dollar grills last 10 yrs or more.  I do use natural gas. 
Thoughts?

Jason,

I can't help you if you are locked in on natural gas, but if you are willing to consider charcoal and spend more than your price point, I recommend a Cook n Kettle. My father was born & raised in TX and spent his entire life in the oil patch. He taught my brother sister & I how to barbeque/smoke any meat or fish and bought each of us a Cook n Kettle as a wedding present. For me that was 1971 and I still have it and use it year round. Cast iron holds heat and the rings and top & bottom vents allow you to control the distance above the coals and the the cooking temperature. It's not instant on like gas, but it is a wonderful barbeque grill/smoker. The only maintenance I do is clean the ashes out regularly and wipe the outside annually with some cooking oil. 39 years is not a bad run for a barbeque grill/smoker Here's the link
http://www.cooknkettle.com/

To me, a Cook n Kettle is to BBQ what a BUSS is to music

Happy cookin'

Laura

[mcgsxr]

Horses for courses my friend, buy what you love, and use the heck out of it.

I absolutely love the steak off a charcoal grill, but my Napoleon hits 500 in 15 minutes, and I clean it out 2x a year (thorough scraping of the bottom, poking all the holes in the stainless burner with a paperclip to keep them clear etc).

[Nick77]

   I absolutely love the steak off a charcoal grill, but my Napoleon hits 500 in 15 minutes                                                                   

I totally agree, gas rocks. I can hit about 800 degrees in 15 min.

[sts9fan]

Time is everything huh?  I have much different priorities.

[Eric]

I won a Primo Oval XL. It is ceramic and is very flexible. A great smoker is the Weber Smokey mountain 22 inch.

[ctviggen]

I totally agree, gas rocks. I can hit about 800 degrees in 15 min.

And what do you do with 800 degrees?  Plus, gas tastes like -- well -- gas. 

Seriously, my grill dome can get up to 600 degrees easily in 30 minutes.  Why would I want that to happen in 15 minutes (and I could probably get it to make 600 in 15 minutes, but I rarely if ever see a need to cook at that temperature)?  While the grill is heating up, I'm doing the other prep for the meal or something else or nothing. 

[jtwrace]

And what do you do with 800 degrees?  Plus, gas tastes like -- well -- gas. 

Seriously, my grill dome can get up to 600 degrees easily in 30 minutes.  Why would I want that to happen in 15 minutes (and I could probably get it to make 600 in 15 minutes, but I rarely if ever see a need to cook at that temperature)?  While the grill is heating up, I'm doing the other prep for the meal or something else or nothing.

What temp do you cook burgers at?  I thoght from my little research thus far that you cook at higher temps in the dome? 

I called and put my name in for an order.  WOW!  Early June it can ship.  The guy on the phone who was very nice is the owner.  How many companys does the owner still pickup the phone?  Not many.  I figured I'd put my name on thei liste as he said I can always cancel as someone else is always ready.

[Nick77]

        And what do you do with 800 degrees?                             

You put grill marks and flavor on everything you cook and can char a steak m-rare.
I hate bbq food that looks poached. I gotta admit i would love to have a dome but for 24/7 i dont know.

Good luck on the grill Jason.

[vinyl_guy]

I called and put my name in for an order.  WOW!  Early June it can ship.  The guy on the phone who was very nice is the owner.  How many companys does the owner still pickup the phone?  Not many. 

The same thing happens when you call Baker's Cook n Kettle--you talk to Larry Baker, the owner

[jtwrace]

The same thing happens when you call Baker's Cook n Kettle--you talk to Larry Baker, the owner

How long does it take for your kettle to get ready?

[mcgsxr]

Time is everything huh?  I have much different priorities.

Everything?  No.  Of some importance?  Yes.

For certain foods, I am willing to invest in a charcoal experience, and always enjoy it when I do.  There is no better, purer taste experience on steaks.

To blast off burgers or dogs for the family, I am not making that investment to prep, use, and clean a charcoal grill 2-4 times a week.

Totally get where you are coming from - charcoal is THE way to experience good BBQ, but as the sole breadwinner (and BBQ tender), I have to lean on my gas grill for common cooking.

[vinyl_guy]

How long does it take for your kettle to get ready?

I use an electric starter and the charcoal is ready for grilling in 15-20 minutes and for smoking in about 30 (extra time need to put the cover on,close the dampers and let the temperature cool down). I've never timed it, but those are my best guess. I am usually preparing other parts of the meal or final seasoning of the meat and sometimes I lose track of how long the starter has been on and by the time I remember to check the kettle, the fire is flaming

[ebag4]

Jason,
I use one of these to get my charcoal started:



You can get one for about $10 at Home Depot, Lowes, etc..  I use 3 sheets of newspaper in the bottom, load the top with charcoal and light the newspaper.  In about 20 minutes you are ready to go!  It is the best way I have found to start charcoal and has no nasty starter fluid oder.

Best,
Ed

[vinyl_guy]

Jason,
I use one of these to get my charcoal started:



You can get one for about $10 at Home Depot, Lowes, etc..  I use 3 sheets of newspaper in the bottom, load the top with charcoal and light the newspaper.  In about 20 minutes you are ready to go!  It is the best way I have found to start charcoal and has no nasty starter fluid oder.

Best,
Ed

Ed,

have you tried an electric starter? Just stick it under a pile of charcoal, plug it in and remove it in about 15 minutes. I found it easier to use than the flue approach

[jtwrace]

Ed,

have you tried an electric starter? Just stick it under a pile of charcoal, plug it in and remove it in about 15 minutes. I found it easier to use than the flue approach

Bigfish above (page 1) uses a propane torch.  I like that idea.  Anyone else use that method?  Electric starter?     Guess I gotta go check them out too.

[jtwrace]

Really?  It literally just rests on the charcoal and ignites it.   
I actually feel young...never been the outdoorsy type though.   

[vinyl_guy]

Bigfish above (page 1) uses a propane torch.  I like that idea.  Anyone else use that method?  Electric starter?     Guess I gotta go check them out too.

Available at Lowes, Home Depot, Wall-Mart, etc.

[vinyl_guy]

Really?  It literally just rests on the charcoal and ignites it.   
I actually feel young...never been the outdoorsy type though.   

I put mine underneath the charocal--works faster than on top