I Want to Purchase a New Natural Gas Grill to Replace a Defunct 2007 Vermont Castings Grill

[Nicolaus]

My Vermont Castings Grill that I purchased in 2007 finally gave up the ghost.

I want to replace it with something of comparable quality, and from what I gather that’s much more easily said than done in 2024.

Can anyone offer any recommendations for a replacement? The old grill had five burners.

As a general rule, I prefer to pay more for quality products.

[STEbbq]

I’d start with the Webers and Napoleons!

[GolfGeezer]

I would also add Blaze to the above. You get a lot of selection and good descriptions at bbqguys.com.

[Donw]

Just curious. What’s wrong with the Vermont Castings? Our family has a few still going strong.

[Nicolaus]

Just curious. What’s wrong with the Vermont Castings? Our family has a few still going strong.

The insides are completely corroded, and owing to that the gas was not being distributed safely and equally.

[Donw]

Thanks. Just curious and we’ll know what to keep an eye on now. I wish they made them like those nowadays.

[jfmorris]

If you really like the grill, I would think it may be cheaper to buy new burners than to buy a new grill. A quality grill like that is gonna cost you a bundle. New burners, diffusers, etc, might run $100-$200, and breathe new life into the old grill.

I upgraded from a 2002 Weber Genesis 2 burner, to a 2019 Weber Genesis II 4 burner, in January 2019, and a year later re-homed the old Genesis to my daughter's house, where it sits on her porch as a place for them to pile stuff, rather than cook on - I made hot dogs on it a year ago while at their house, haha). In many ways wish I had just kept it, as it is still built better than the much newer grill. It just feels more solid, the lid and body are definitely thicker metal than the newer grills. And it is still partially under warranty until 2027 (25 year warranty on the body!). The newer grills only have a 10 year warranty.

[Nicolaus]

If you really like the grill, I would think it may be cheaper to buy new burners than to buy a new grill. A quality grill like that is gonna cost you a bundle. New burners, diffusers, etc, might run $100-$200, and breathe new life into the old grill.

I upgraded from a 2002 Weber Genesis 2 burner, to a 2019 Weber Genesis II 4 burner, in January 2019, and a year later re-homed the old Genesis to my daughter's house, where it sits on her porch as a place for them to pile stuff, rather than cook on - I made hot dogs on it a year ago while at their house, haha). In many ways wish I had just kept it, as it is still built better than the much newer grill. It just feels more solid, the lid and body are definitely thicker metal than the newer grills. And it is still partially under warranty until 2027 (25 year warranty on the body!). The newer grills only have a 10 year warranty.

Would that be something I would have to figure out and do myself? Or is there a type of business you know of that would be able to take care of something like this?

[jfmorris]

Oh.

If you can use a screwdriver, it's pretty simple to replace burners. They really do just sit down in there with usually one end held down by a single screw into the body of the grill. Remove the screw, then lift up and out at an angle. The Vermont Casting website has lots of how-to and FAQ info with pictures on stuff like this.

I can't tell you if there is someone in your area that can service grills, but that labor would certainly factor into the cost as well...

It really is simple...

[yakima]

Concerning renovating gas grills. I have/had a circa 1978 which I bought from the local gas company. About $300, so expensive. Don't recall name, and have since given it to son, also born in 1978. Have rebuilt burner and ancillary parts 3 times. Aluminum clamshell design. Straightforward and simple. Parts readily available, from aftermarket suppliers.

[Nicolaus]

jfmorris, here are some photos of the grill:

[bbqLuv]

The old grey mayor she ain't what she used to be

[jfmorris]

Well, I hate to say it, but looks like you have some rust through in the firebox - very first picture. Given that level of decay, unless it's like my old Weber, which has a 25 year warranty on the firebox, I do think it's time for something new. You can replace burners, but with that amount of rust and decay, I wouldn't do it unless they give you a new firebox under warranty.

The current warranty page for Vermont Castings says 10 years for that part, so its probably done...

[yakima]

Yep, buy a new one.

This is, above all, an enabler site.

[bbqLuv]

And we will help our AR friends spend every last dime they have for BBQ

[yakima]

Turn the old rig into an herb garden.

[smokenoob]

Napoleon Prestige 500 Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Rear Burner and Infrared Side Burner and Rotisserie Kit - P500RSIBPSS-3

https://www.bbqguys.com/i/3049422/napoleon-grills/prestige-500-propane-gas-grill-with-infrared-rear-burner-and-infrared-side-burner-p500rsibpss-3-2019?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=20670560072&utm_content=&utm_term=3049422&species=pmax-ad&campaignid=20670560072&adgroupid=&creative=&targetid=&network=x&device=m&adtype=pla&productchannel=online&productid=3049422&productpartitionid=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD8ivmNyaAQ-IoQhboWKvEgM8ka6A&gclid=CjwKCAjw3P-2BhAEEiwA3yPhwDFoe1bTT-Vf69U6cdESgKw0tPPGmy3mbOB3D2AsO5tV5vOzWK08BhoCzGUQAvD_BwE

[bbqLuv]

Is it self-cleaning, and no maintenance required?

[smokenoob]

bbqLuv No, just replace it in 36 years.

[Donw]

Not sure of your exact price range but Max highly recommends the Weber Genesis range and Napoleon Rogue and Prestige. All appear that they will run on natural gas but all have less than the 5 burners you mentioned.
On the larger sizes the AR review site awarded a platinum to the Landmann Professional Series Ardor 5-Burner Gas Grill and a gold to the Weber Summit 6 burner grills. All of which can use natural gas. Good luck on your search.

[johnec00]

Not really a suggestion, just my experience. Bought a Fire Magic in 1988. When the kids were growing up, it got used several times a week (and even several times some days), so now probably over 4000 cooks. Grates and burners guaranteed for life, and we're gotten cast stainless steel burners and grates replaced under warranty more than once. Not cheap by any means, but spread over 36 years, not expensive either.

[bbqLuv]

I googled it, and yep not cheap, but over 36 years Good on You!

Fire Magic Portable/Cart Grills (firemagicstore.com)