OT: grilling advice

[boatsandhoes]

Apologies for the redundancy,I know we discuss grills all the time....which is why I pose my question to sps infinite grilling wisdom.

My moms grill blows. She loves the charcoal taste, I hate not being able to control the heat. I’d like to buy them a new grill for Christmas.

What should my purchase be? Where? How much?
I was thinking pellet. I’d prefer to spend $500 or under.

Just give me
Brand
Model number
what I should spend

I’ll hang up and listen. Thanks ahead!

 

[RivaDawg]

Check out PK Grills. I've heard good things about them and will probably be the next grill I buy.

 

[aTotal360]

Buy her a cheap 2 burner gas grill from Lowes/Home Depot and add some Grill Grates to it. She'll forget about charcoal taste once she sees the awesome sear you can get with a set of Grill Grates. Plus the flexibility of Grill Grates is awesome. You can do steaks on one side and flip them over to do burgers and fish.

https://www.grillgrate.com/

 

[Tin Cup Cowboy]

This is the answer.

 

[hatfieldms]

Vision classic b series kamado

 

[ronpolk]

Classic Weber kettle is about as good as it gets for cheap charcoal grills. I’ve had one for nearly 15 years that I paid $100.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

If you have a COSCO card they'd be worth checking out. I think I've seen them in your price range there, and they're usually a good value for the money from what I remember.

 

[The Peeper]

2 votes for the Weber Kettle. I hate the ash dump pan removal but otherwise they are the most versatile grill out there. There are lots of accessories both Weber made and aftermarket i.e. rotisserie and extender for extra height, vortex for wings, pizza oven extension, discada's, griddles, Slow N Sear, Smokenator, Craycort grate, Grill Grates, Arteflame, charcoal baskets, Santa Maria adjustable grate, etc etc. Lots of YouTube how to videos out there showing all of the above plus many Weber Hacks as well.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Char Griller Akron Kamado. Cooks like any kamado with great airflow control for $299. I like weber kettles too, but you'll quickly save the difference in money back with the Akorn because of less charcoal consumption.

The only downside to the Akron I've found is it must be covered or kept out of the weather, rain water will quickly get taped in the ash pan and rust it out.

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

If she likes the charcoal, I would stick with a charcoal grill for sure. If you buy her gas, she won’t use it imo.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Char Griller Akron Kamado. Cooks like any kamado with great airflow control for $299. I like weber kettles too, but you'll quickly save the difference in money back with the Akorn because of less charcoal consumption.

The only downside to the Akron I've found is it must be covered or kept out of the weather, rain water will quickly get taped in the ash pan and rust it out.

Agree with you on the rain issue with the Akorn. I left mine uncovered once recently and the grates got all kids of funky.

Get the smoking stone for best results with this if you are planning on smoking.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Related to the cheap Dad thread, if you don’t want to spend the money for the Akorn Smoking Stone, a cheap Weber 18 inch replacement charcoal grate fits in the Akorn like a glove. Wrap it in HD aluminum foil and indirect-smoke away on the cheap

 

[boatsandhoes]

Thanks for the input all.

I like the idea of that PK or those vision Kamado or the chargriller Akron.

No to pellet?

 

[Hellsyeah]

Even with the cover I would keep it out of the rain. My bottom shelf that mounts between the 3 legs rusted out due to rain splashing up under the cover

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

 

[PBRME]

You won’t get charcoal taste on a pellet grill. I gave up trying. I love the ease of a pellet grill, but miss charcoal/smoke as a layer of flavor. I get it on my pellet grill but it’s very light.

 

[Coast Dawg]

Another vote for the Weber kettle with the removable ash bin... $160 and very versatile. Love mine and have a natural gas Weber for when I want quick & easy