BBQ and Grilling megathread

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

With the first summer of home-ownership coming up, I am looking to get a nice new BBQ to hook up to the natural gas line. I want something that has good, even heat, is low maintenance (stainless steel grates?). A side burner would be a nice feature.

I have been looking at the Weber Genesis S330 and the Broil King Sovereign 90/XLS 90
Weber: http://www.weber.com/grills/series/g.../genesis-s-330
Broil King: http://www.broilkingbbq.com/grills?s...model_id=98884

What are people's takes on these? The Weber will be approx $200 more depending on where I go.

Any other suggestions?

Main uses will be to grill steaks, hotdogs, chicken, burgers and lots of veggies. Might do the odd meal of ribs. Want something to last a long time and work well for parties of 4-12 for entertaining (though most nights it would be for just 2).

If you aren't planning on using the side burner save yourself some money and grab a 310 instead.

[Swayze11]

Lets see those BBQ results pics people!!!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I use a Weber. The main benefit of the BK is hotter temps (which is only really a big deal when it's not summer, so YMMV if you use your grill a lot in fall and winter) and lower price.

And yeah, forget the side burner.

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

And yeah, forget the side burner

I'm surprised by the side burner comments. We use ours all the time, even when we're not grilling. It's especially handy for things that stink up the house, like steaming a pot of crab legs. Same with bacon. Love the taste of bacon, but don't like the house smelling like it all day.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

With the first summer of home-ownership coming up, I am looking to get a nice new BBQ to hook up to the natural gas line. I want something that has good, even heat, is low maintenance (stainless steel grates?). A side burner would be a nice feature.

I have been looking at the Weber Genesis S330 and the Broil King Sovereign 90/XLS 90
Weber: http://www.weber.com/grills/series/g.../genesis-s-330
Broil King: http://www.broilkingbbq.com/grills?s...model_id=98884

What are people's takes on these? The Weber will be approx $200 more depending on where I go.

Any other suggestions?

Main uses will be to grill steaks, hotdogs, chicken, burgers and lots of veggies. Might do the odd meal of ribs. Want something to last a long time and work well for parties of 4-12 for entertaining (though most nights it would be for just 2).

I've got a Sovereign 90. Love it. Nice and big for parties, and I can rotisserie a 3 pack of chickens from Costco all at once.

I've had it for 5 years now and it is in great shape.

[Brewmaster]

Has anyone done a conversion from propane to natural gas? I have a propane Broil King Signet 20 and will be moving into a new place with a NG hookup. Just looking for some thoughts on whether it's worth it to convert, how much it costs, and how easy it is to do?

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by Brendone

I'm surprised by the side burner comments. We use ours all the time, even when we're not grilling. It's especially handy for things that stink up the house, like steaming a pot of crab legs. Same with bacon. Love the taste of bacon, but don't like the house smelling like it all day.

I am not saying that side burners are bad. I am saying they aren't for everyone and if it isn't something you can honestly say you'd use more than a couple times a year then you're better off saving some money.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by Brewmaster

Has anyone done a conversion from propane to natural gas? I have a propane Broil King Signet 20 and will be moving into a new place with a NG hookup. Just looking for some thoughts on whether it's worth it to convert, how much it costs, and how easy it is to do?

my folks converted their bbq to natural gas a number of years ago

i don't really have any specifics on cost, but i don't think it was too much

i know they LOVE having natural gas - no more tanks to fill/store


when we built our current house we had natural gas installed for a bbq and then just picked up a used natural gas bbq at a moving sale. i love having natural gas. it doesn't burn as hot as propane, but the fact that i will never run out of fuel while making dinner is worth its weight in gold (that's speaking from experience)

[Violator]

Anybody have any tricks for glazing a ham on the bbq?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

it doesn't burn as hot as propane

If you buy a gas grill with the proper burners this isn't an issue. The fuel/air mixture is different on a gas grill owing to the different characteristics of the fuel used.

[Imported_Aussie]

I ended up going to the BroilKing Regal 590 PRO instead.
625 sq in stainless cooking area, 5 burners. Very slick unit, and still cheaper than the Weber Genesis S330
http://www.broilkingbbq.com/grills/regal/regal_590_pro

Blew a fair chunk of change since when we picked this up at Lowes, we decided to get an outdoor set and make a small conversation set from two armchairs and an end table. But now the patio is set for entertaining - just need to string some lights (probably solar)

Quick question for the other grillers out there - which meat thermometer do you use/recommend?

[jar_e]

Firing up my WSM today for some ribs! Photos to follow!

[photon]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Quick question for the other grillers out there - which meat thermometer do you use/recommend?

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

Expensive but worth it, go in with some others to bring the price down. Instant temperature readings rule.

[HockeyIlliterate]

Originally Posted by photon

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

Expensive but worth it, go in with some others to bring the price down. Instant temperature readings rule.

For those who are interested, sign up for the thermoworks email to get notices about open box and "last year's colors" sales. The discount, for a thermapen, can be anywhere from a few dollars to around $30.

I love my thermapen...

[Bmuzyka]

I have some Sirloin's marinating right now for supper tonight.

1 cup red win
1/2 Cup Canola Oil
Seasoned with Montreal Steak Spice and Garlic Plus

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Bmuzyka

I have some Sirloin's marinating right now for supper tonight.

1 cup red win
1/2 Cup Canola Oil
Seasoned with Montreal Steak Spice and Garlic Plus

I feel like your steak could use more win.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by photon

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

Expensive but worth it, go in with some others to bring the price down. Instant temperature readings rule.

Wow that is pricey especially considering you can get a wireless thermometer for less than that price:

http://www.amazon.ca/Maverick-Range-...ss+thermometer

Pros are you never need to open the hood to get a reading. Alarm goes off when just right.

I used my wireless last week to make a pork shoulder. One probe for the meat one for ambiant temp. Sat on the couch and watched TV and only got up to adjust temp when needed. It made the job a lot easier on cold day.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Wow that is pricey especially considering you can get a wireless thermometer for less than that price:

http://www.amazon.ca/Maverick-Range-...ss+thermometer

Pros are you never need to open the hood to get a reading. Alarm goes off when just right.

I used my wireless last week to make a pork shoulder. One probe for the meat one for ambiant temp. Sat on the couch and watched TV and only got up to adjust temp when needed. It made the job a lot easier on cold day.

I have a Maverick as well and it does a great job. I like being able to use the ambient temperature probe when smoking meats.

[Canehdianman]

I've got a maverick and a thermopen.

Use them both and they are both very useful.

[Ducay]

I got the 733 Maverick to go with my Kamado. Did ribs last weekend for 6hrs and so much easier to glance at the wireless temps every so often than hovering around the bbq checking to ensure the temp is still good.

Great having 2 probes too. Tossed one in a chicken I smoked and the other for pit temp, and you never have to worry with the alarms.

That said, its pretty useless for quick high heat searing (steaks, burgers, etc) since its not instant read and you dont really care about grill temps. You're better off with an instant read thermometer for that (thermapen or there are other cheaper good ones out there, look on amazon)