Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

We purchased a nice Ducane gas grill for the house 13 years ago and despite
replacement of the burners and coals it is now on its last leg.

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this one
were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and less BTU
output.

We like the stainless steel burners, high BTU output, relatively nice size
of the main grill cooking area and warranty. Downside is the price.

We use our grill throughout the year and are looking for good performance
and a long life for the price.

Does anyone have any experience with this grill or can you offer a
suggestion on another?

On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:15:09 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:

Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

I can't say enough good things about my Weber propane grill. We live
a block off of salt water, so it takes its abuse. It's outside with
no cover. I cook on it probably 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. It's
held up extremely well. Weber's customer service is second to none. I
can't even say how long ago I bought it, but it almost never needs
service. Even if Chuck G doesn't live up to your standards for
impartial, objective commentary, I still recommend a Weber.

bb

bb wrote:
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:15:09 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:

Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

I can't say enough good things about my Weber propane grill. We live
a block off of salt water, so it takes its abuse. It's outside with
no cover. I cook on it probably 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. It's
held up extremely well. Weber's customer service is second to none. I
can't even say how long ago I bought it, but it almost never needs
service. Even if Chuck G doesn't live up to your standards for
impartial, objective commentary, I still recommend a Weber.

I have a Weber Genesis Silver B. It has held up well for 7 years being
used 2-3 times a week all year. Swapped the porclain covered burner
bars with stainless a couple of years ago, but nothing has failed on
it.

Only complaint - uneven heat.

The burners are not designed to provide even gas pressure from one end
to the other, so the right side of the grilling area is hotter than the
left. Not a big deal for most of my cooking needs, but if you try to
cook 20 burgers at once, using the entire grilling surface, the stuff
on the right cooks faster.

Doesn't seem to be a problem for rotissere cooking unless I try to put
two things on the spit at once.

I should note that I didn't pay for this grill. I received it as a
gift from my employer. Satisfied enough that I kept it and use it
regularly. But if I was going to spend my own $$$ on new one, I would
look at others.

"*JimH*" wrote in message
news
Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

We purchased a nice Ducane gas grill for the house 13 years ago and
despite replacement of the burners and coals it is now on its last leg.

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this
one were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and less
BTU output.

We like the stainless steel burners, high BTU output, relatively nice size
of the main grill cooking area and warranty. Downside is the price.

We use our grill throughout the year and are looking for good performance
and a long life for the price.

Does anyone have any experience with this grill or can you offer a
suggestion on another?




Just bought a new gas grill. Wife likes the gas, I love my offset firebox
smoker. Got a all stainless unit at Costco. Looks just like the Ducane
from HD. Was $499. Nicer price than the Ducane,

"Bill McKee" wrote in message
nk.net...

"*JimH*" wrote in message
news
Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

We purchased a nice Ducane gas grill for the house 13 years ago and
despite replacement of the burners and coals it is now on its last leg.

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this
one were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and
less BTU output.

We like the stainless steel burners, high BTU output, relatively nice
size of the main grill cooking area and warranty. Downside is the price.

We use our grill throughout the year and are looking for good performance
and a long life for the price.

Does anyone have any experience with this grill or can you offer a
suggestion on another?




Just bought a new gas grill. Wife likes the gas, I love my offset firebox
smoker. Got a all stainless unit at Costco. Looks just like the Ducane
from HD. Was $499. Nicer price than the Ducane,



Thanks for the heads up on that grill Bill. We just bought the same thing.
Home Depot wanted $699 for it....at Costco it was $499....exact same grill
as you said. 100% 300 grade stainless steel. Very nice.

"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

"Bill McKee" wrote in message
nk.net...

"*JimH*" wrote in message
news
Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

We purchased a nice Ducane gas grill for the house 13 years ago and
despite replacement of the burners and coals it is now on its last leg.

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home
Depot: http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this
one were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and
less BTU output.

We like the stainless steel burners, high BTU output, relatively nice
size of the main grill cooking area and warranty. Downside is the
price.

We use our grill throughout the year and are looking for good
performance and a long life for the price.

Does anyone have any experience with this grill or can you offer a
suggestion on another?




Just bought a new gas grill. Wife likes the gas, I love my offset
firebox smoker. Got a all stainless unit at Costco. Looks just like the
Ducane from HD. Was $499. Nicer price than the Ducane,



Thanks for the heads up on that grill Bill. We just bought the same
thing. Home Depot wanted $699 for it....at Costco it was $499....exact
same grill as you said. 100% 300 grade stainless steel. Very nice.


Glad to be of help.

*JimH* wrote:
Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

We purchased a nice Ducane gas grill for the house 13 years ago and despite
replacement of the burners and coals it is now on its last leg.

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this one
were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and less BTU
output.

We like the stainless steel burners, high BTU output, relatively nice size
of the main grill cooking area and warranty. Downside is the price.

We use our grill throughout the year and are looking for good performance
and a long life for the price.

Does anyone have any experience with this grill or can you offer a
suggestion on another?

I don't use gas. I've got a weber charcoal grill, and a New Braunfel
smoker. I grill everything from pizza, meatloaf, lasagna, etc., along
with the usual fare. The smoker I use to slow smoke pork butts, leg of
lamb, beef, chicken, turkey etc. I've studied bbq techniques a LOT. I
have no use for gas. You should go to a decent bbq contest, it will
change you forever, you'll get the fever!

"*JimH*" wrote in message
news
Note: Not OT as gas grills are used by many at their boat docks.

Also on boats. Ive seen small (butain?) grills mounted on the stern of some
boats, and of course virtually every houseboat has one.

On our houseboat share on Lake Cumberland, it is a stainless 2 burner
Char-Broil...I dont know that model, but myself...I am a Weber man.

At home on the deck, I have a Weber Summit Gold B4 piped to the houses
natural gas. It is a 4 burner, with a side burner, and a rotisserie. I use
this one when I dont want to mess with charcoal, or am roasting something. I
can tell you, it is the best grill Ive ever owned by a long shot. These
upper end grills are designed to last 20 years, and on these grills, you can
get any part for them.

But its the 22" Weber kettle that gets the most use. Methinks charcoal
grills provide better flavor, and I have cooked so much on it, I can cook
just about anything perfectly on it. Its more of a pain, I know, but I
havent grown lazy enough to go to gas 100%...yet.

I also have a Weber Smokey Mountain "bullet" smoker for great ribs, brisket,
pork butt/shoulder, and chicken. Its always fun getting up at dawn, and
doing a 10 or 12 hour smoke...

But anyway, the best maintenence you can do to your grill is AFTER you use
it. Clean it when it is still warm, and as soon as it cools, empty the
charcoal/grease catch, and spray down the grills/grates/burners with a
little (spray can) vegtable oil. I use oven cleaner once a year, and give
'em a good power wash inside and out. A good cover is a must as well, when
not in use. My 22" is over 10 years old, and still looks almost brand new.

Good luck.

--
-Netsock

"It's just about going fast...that's all..."
http://home.columbus.rr.com/ckg/

But anyway, the best maintenence you can do to your grill is AFTER you use
it. Clean it when it is still warm, and as soon as it cools, empty the
charcoal/grease catch, and spray down the grills/grates/burners with a
little (spray can) vegtable oil. I use oven cleaner once a year, and give
'em a good power wash inside and out. A good cover is a must as well, when
not in use. My 22" is over 10 years old, and still looks almost brand new.

I will atest to that. I mentioned earlier in this thread that I have
had a Weber Genesis Silver B for seven years. It is not a stainless
unit, but I get many compliments on its conditions when people hear ho
wmuch I use it and how old it is. I clean it to some degree after each
use and I keep it covered - - I am amazed that cover is still 100%
intact after sitting outdoors for as long as I have the grill...

But a couple of months I got a bit remiss about cleaning the grease
pan. Well...

"Honey!? Do we have any baking soda?"

"Yeah!"

"Could you grab it and bring it out to me... like right now?"

"WHY!?!?"

"Uh. The barbeque is on fire."

"What do mean, 'the barbeque is ON FIRE'?"

"This isn't the kind of fire you want in the barbeque.... could you
hurry it up a bit please?...."

Needless to say, I had a bigger clean up job after that incident.
Cleaning up all the baking soda - stuff got everywhere - and it's
corrosive if not cleaned up promptly.

Thanks for all the advice folks. It is much appreciated and will help us
with our eventual purchase.