Consumer Reports' 2023 "Best Grills" list

[WillTravelForFood]

They ranked 180 different gas grills. While lots of different brands made their "recommendation" list of 51 different grills in various sizes, a quick scroll suggests Weber may be represented the most out of all the brands on the list.

The nice thing is that almost 1/3 of all the grills reviewed made the "recommended" cut-off. Doesn't mean the other 2/3 are bad, they just didn't rank as highly -- but more importantly, with that many to choose from off the big list, anybody should be able to find a quality gas grill across a wide sway of prices, sizes, and features.

• Best Small Grill: Weber Spirit E-210
• Best Midsized: Weber Genesis Smart Grill EPX-335
• Best Large: Monument 77352

Borrowing a smidge from the currently on-going conversation about a decision tree -- maybe there's something worthwhile to pick from on CR's "buying guide" list of features that could be added to the docs being thrown together.

source: https://www.consumerreports.org/home...r-a6005011720/

[TripleB]

Good to see. I always recommend Weber gas grills to friends who ask.

[Huskee]

I'd put much more stock into Max's Buying Guide than CR's, for what it's worth. https://amazingribs.com/ratings-revi...ng-gear-guide/

[Sdell]

Agree. I like CR but will take the Amazing Ribs reviews over CR any day. CR rates too many low end grills from manufacturers that you have never heard of, with not enough attention to quality of construction and after sales service/parts availability.

[Huskee]

Sdell and you just never know what makes them say what they say. At least we know Max's (and mine, and Spinaker's, Clint's, and Meathead's) testing methods and intentions are transparent and unbiased.

[bbqLuv]

You tell em.

[surfdog]

Weber USED to be my go-to recommendation…but not as much these days. Their charcoal grills are still pretty good. Hard to beat a Weber kettle…and I still love my Summit Charcoal (WSCGC).

BUT…the few big gassers that I’ve seen do NOT compare to my older Summit Platinum. They’re not built nearly the same. Though they still do charge a premium. And given the hiccups they’ve had with a few of their products, I’m just not as quick to tell people to jump on the Weber train.

[glitchy]

While I disagree with surfdog in that I’d keep my 2021 Genesis Ii 10 times over the 1999 Genesis Silver A I had for 19-20 years. I see the point. Webers aren’t built with the same sturdy steel and all metal nuts and bolts they used to be. It seems they’ve definitely entered the minimum viable state of what does it really take to make a grill sturdy enough to last 10-15 years. The new Genesis cooks a lot better than the old one someone is still using though.

Anyway, I’m a big fan of consumer reports. There are a few areas I disagree with them on, but those are areas I’m super passionate about versus a normal consumer. They’re often looking at readily available items that meet expectations of everyday/casual users. I look at their charcoal recommendations and laugh. The day Dyna-Glo makes even the top 100 charcoal grills is sad. I sure hope they’re not that off on cars or I just screwed myself.

It seems like their focal point is still what’s available in everyday retail and the need to understand internet and direct to consumer markets.

[Mosca]

I’ve found that ANY TIME they reviewed things I knew about, I disagreed with their assessment.

I actually knew a product tester in the automotive department, going back about 20 years; he hung around with some friends of mine, he was an SCCA member, I drove a Miata and he drove an MR2. Nice guy, and a real car nut. He was bound by confidentiality regarding their methods and goals, though, and wouldn’t discuss it at all.

[Huskee]

Whereas Max's methods are fully transparent. Hmmm... Mosca

[surfdog]

That’s an interesting point. The only Weber gasser that I have used is my 2005 Summit Platinum D6. So, I can ONLY base my knowledge, or lack thereof, on that. The newer Summits LOOK great and have a couple nifty features…but those seem to come at the expense of materials & durability. Given the price & materials, the Genesis line is probably their best value. They seem to have blown off the “upper end/higher budget” consumers. Which is a shame because my Summit is still a fantastic grill.

[WayneT]

We can only hope that Weber has someone reading these posts and gets their quality act together. I’m extremely happy with my 2015 Genesis E330 SE.

[Murdy]

I'm on my second Broil King gasser over the past 10 to 15 years. The last one was branded a "Huntington" but it was basically a Broil King Signet, and when I needed to replace it, I bought a Signet, so I guess that places me firmly in the Broil King camp (if there is one ). They both easily get up over 700 degrees, and with the heavier cast box, they hold a temperature really well.

[Huskee]

They're up there in my top 3 choices if I were to get a gasser, along with Saber and Napoleon.