[CRAW]

So I've searched everywhere for an active, informative, BBQ/grilling website, and I'm giving up and coming here, which I should have probably done in the first place. I'm in the market for a new gas grill, and let me preface this by saying my obsessive compulsiveness comes out a wee bit when doing research before making a purchase.

I've decided to not replace parts on my 10+ year old Weber Genesis, as I need something a bit bigger. My budget is $2k and under. Why not just go w/ another Weber because of their kick-ass customer service? I know... I know... They have truly treated me great, and I loved the Genesis, but after seeing a few of these "professional grills" in person (Bull & Saber), the Weber build quality wasn't close to these.

I'd like the following features in a grill:

4 burners
Stainless steel construction (can someone learn me about 304 grade?)
Decent drip/flare up protection
Easy to clean
Hot enough to sear a steak
Low enough temps to do some *light" BBQ'ing (I have a smoker)

Side burners, and rear sear burners for rotisserie are fine, but not a necessity of mine.

The companies I've been contemplating are:

Blaze
Bull
Lion
Napoleon
Saber
Weber

I've read JC's Saber thread, and it's very compelling, but I'm hesitant about the thought of not seeing a flame / infrared grilling. Isn't this cheating?

I've also read a lot of reviews, and watched a lot of videos on these company's grills, but I would welcome any reviews, as I might not have seen them yet.

Does anyone have any experience with these companies?
Can anyone offer any advice?
Do you know of other companies that offer a 4-burner stainless steel grill for around $2k?

TYIA

 

[Blake]

I've read JC's Saber thread, and it's very compelling, but I'm hesitant about the thought of not seeing a flame / infrared grilling. Isn't this cheating?

Umm...you're asking about a gas grill dude so.....

 

[Quads]

I looked at
Blaze, Bull, Napoleon, and Saber when I was looking at new grills.
Napoleon is good stuff from what I remember. Quality built. Blaze was very nice IIRC.
I ended up with an Infrared, which we all know how much I just love cooking on it.
When I CL this one, I'll probably go back to look at another Blaze. IIRC, specifically because they made a 36" 4 burner grill.

edit:
Blaze 32-Inch 4-Burner Built-In Natural Gas Grill With Rear Infrared Burner - BLZ-4-NG : BBQ Guys

 

[Oz]

Use to sell the Napoleon, and they are good quality but make sure you get the configuration you want. We had a 2 burner, and a 3 burner in the warehouse and the heat was always uneven. However, I used that to demonstrate to the customer why they wanted to go up with the 4 burner Napoleon.

I had a Vermont Castings - and that was the SHIT. Built GREAT, withstood the torture of Spokane WA weather (it sat outside all the time covered). Stainless wasn't thin, and was always in great shape.

 

[CRAW]

I looked at
Blaze, Bull, Napoleon, and Saber when I was looking at new grills.
Napoleon is good stuff from what I remember. Quality built. Blaze was very nice IIRC.
I ended up with an Infrared, which we all know how much I just love cooking on it.
When I CL this one, I'll probably go back to look at another Blaze. IIRC, specifically because they made a 36" 4 burner grill.

edit:
Blaze 32-Inch 4-Burner Built-In Natural Gas Grill With Rear Infrared Burner - BLZ-4-NG : BBQ Guys

Yeah, that's the grill I'm leaning toward (32" 4-burner on a cart). I like the cast stainless steel burners, the flame stabilizing grids, and the heat zone separators are appealing (if they work). But it doesn't have light on the inside of the lid. It does however have the rear rotisserie burner.

*sigh*

 

[CRAW]

Use to sell the Napoleon, and they are good quality but make sure you get the configuration you want. We had a 2 burner, and a 3 burner in the warehouse and the heat was always uneven. However, I used that to demonstrate to the customer why they wanted to go up with the 4 burner Napoleon.

I had a Vermont Castings - and that was the SHIT. Built GREAT, withstood the torture of Spokane WA weather (it sat outside all the time covered). Stainless wasn't thin, and was always in great shape.

Yeah, the Napoleon Pro 500 has pretty much everything I want, and I'll definitely take a trip to my local dealer to check 'em out.

Sup, OZ! Long time, buddy. :thumb:

 

[CRAW]

Another thing I like on most of the grills I listed, they have a FULL WIDTH dip tray that slides out (kinda like a big cookie sheet). That sounds so much easier to clean than my old Weber. I think Napoleon is like Weber too in that regard.

 

[Oz]

Yeah, the Napoleon Pro 500 has pretty much everything I want, and I'll definitely take a trip to my local dealer to check 'em out.

Sup, OZ! Long time, buddy. :thumb:

Welcome back home

Do you have connections at Gensco (VC) or whoever the warehouse is for Napoleon?

 

[Quads]

What I was told by dude here who seemed pretty straightforward and not a lot of BS sales shit. VC was sold a time or two, and every sale, quality has gone further and further downhill.

He said mass produced big box store Webber were higher quality than VC's current offerings.

 

[CRAW]

I'm really leaning towards that Blaze 4-burner gasser. I think I've read every review on the internet about their grills, and they seem pretty reputable.

Anyone have any hands-on opinions about Blaze?

 

[JCinPA]

Wow, just checked out their website. Very interesting and robust design. In some ways it is almost like an IR with those super heavy heat plates, just further from the cooking grate. Cleaning will be more complex than for the Saber (it will still have to be kept immaculate to prevent flare ups), but it looks like an outstanding design.

If you go that way, please post an in-depth review thread. It looks fantastic. How did I not come across them when I was researching the Saber, are they new products??

 

[CRAW]

No, I think they've been around for like a decade(?). I'm not sure though. Yes, if/when I buy it I will definitely post some pictures and some opinions.

Or if I decide to go with another company...

 

[sunsetpizza]

My BBQ money was just spent on a new washer/dryer. Our washer turned itself into a pos and had to go.

 

[CRAW]

So I still haven't made a purchase yet, but on Sunday someone posted a free, and in good condition, 22" Weber kettle grill on our neighborhood's FB page. I just couldn't see a cute lil' Weber going to waste, so I picked it up.

Last night I fired it up and grilled some burgers on it... Wow! Oh, and if you don't know how to make a good burger, read this and thank me later. Man, these burgers over the charcoal might have me thinking of saving some cash and using this kettle for everything! They were they best burgers I've ever made. I think I might have heard angels singing as I took the first bite.

Does the flavor of grilling with coals outweigh the convenience of a gasser? I have some serious thinking to do.


EDIT: No, I don't grind my own meat, but the local store here grinds it fresh daily and that's what I used.

 

[Quads]

There simply is no substitute to charcoal. Period.
People may say I'm wrong, but there is nothing that gives you the same flavor and texture.

 

[timsta007]

Charcoal = Best

Gas = Most convenient


In a perfect world I would have both. Oh and those Weber kettles are simple and awesome, great pick up.

 

[JCinPA]

^^^^^^^

I use the kettle a lot. But the wife wants a gasser, and I do use it from time to time, like Timsta said its convenience. Like Quads I'd always use charcoal if I could ... but then there would be times I'd like a quick grilled burger, steak or fish, and just won't fiddle with the Weber kettle, for time reasons, weather, whatever. So I don't grill.

I need both.

 

[CRAW]

Well, I bought it. I haven't grilled on it yet (was too late last night), but I'm planning on it tonight! Will report back. So far, I love it. Very high quality stainless steel, and build quality. It was packaged very, very well.


There was a bunch of shrink wrap all around this. Oh, and that's my helper, Ellie.

The grill head was packed very securely.

The cart after assembly.

Grill head on the cart.

Let me know if you have any questions or want any close up pictures. :thumb:

 

[timsta007]

Looks great. I just want to see the post grilling food pics!

 

[Quads]

So is that their IR or jsut their regular grill?