3 options for new gas grill, input please?

[Loftyloft]

Hi all, I am a new member and usually I lurk for months, but I need some timely advice. I am a grilling novice, and I know that most of you have a lot more knowledge and experience, I was hoping you could help me make a decision.

The windstorm last week smashed my cheapo bbq to bits, which is an excellent excuse to get a new one. I am in a position where I can afford a mid-level grill and after much research, I have it narrowed down to 3 grills:



#1 Napoleon Rogue 425 (no IR)

#2 Broil King Baron 440

#3 Weber Spirit E-310

They all have pros and cons, but I would like to hear from people with actual experience with any or all of these models. For me, this is a significant investment and I want something that will last me for a while, so all input is extremely appreciated.

I am leaning towards the Napoleon because Ebay has it on sale until May 30^th, for 699 (Canadian Dollars) and it comes with a cover and utensil set (+15 year warranty)



Thanks!

[Airsick]

I've always had good results with Weber. Last Christmas Lowe's had the Spirit E-10 (now discontinued I think) on sale so I picked one up to replace my trusty kettle. My wife gets home late, so we often throw something on it for a quick dinner. It's the perfect size for the two of us. For my money, Weber has always been the best over-all value. Good luck!

[Loftyloft]

this is great, thank you!

[RonB]

Welcome to The Pit. Sorry, but I don't have a gasser, so I can't help.

[Loftyloft]

no worries, thanks for the warm welcome!

[jfmorris]

Well, I will toss my hat into the ring for the Weber, being that I have a Weber Genesis 2 burner gas grill that is 16 years old and going strong. I was looking for a bigger gas grill last summer, and really wanted to like the Broil King Baron 440 or even the 500-something in that series, but I have now talked to several people I trust with Broil Kings that have dealt with quality and longevity issues - rust and deterioration of the body, non-coated cast iron grates that will rust if you are not super careful or get a model with coated CI grates, and so on. I cannot speak to the Napoleon, but read good things about it here.

[Loftyloft]

this is actually a big consideration for me (the rust factor), I might have to give a point to the Napoleon for having (mostly) stainless steel. Thank you

[Troutman]

I'll kind of second jfmorris in that I too am a Weber Summit owner ($2000+ gasser) and love it. That said I have been very impressed with the Napoleons. If you do go that route be sure to spend a little more and get the IR, you can't beat it for searing. Weber fails in that regard, opting instead (at least in mine) to have a sear zone in the cooker.

[Loftyloft]

I really would like to get the IR, but that will bump the price up 300$

[Attjack]

I only have experience with a Weber Spirit E-210. I like mine but it's not my main grill and I just use it occasionally because I prefer charcoal.

[Loftyloft]

the Rogue has a kit so that you can convert it to a charcoal grill. My dad used to cook for us on exclusively charcoal, so that's a consideration for me as well. Thanks!

[Attjack]

Well if you have the space you might consider both a gas and charcoal grill. I watched craigslist and got my Weber Spirit for $100. It had literally been used 3 times. Finding a used Weber Kettle is even easier.

[Loftyloft]

I don't have the space (right now) :-(

[HawkerXP]

No gasser here but could you send that wind over here? All we lost on the last one was some shingle tabs.

[Loftyloft]

It was brutal, I thought the house was going to go wizard of oz on me

[Spinaker]

I have a Weber Spirit, and I like to use it. I have had it for about 8 years now. It runs really well. I use a a few times a week, maybe.

[Loftyloft]

Thank you, I appreciate your insight

[Loftyloft]

Thank you everybody for your input, this is good stuff so far!

[FireMan]

I went through the same thing last year less the windstorm. I early on lobbed the Weber from my list, then slowly every one due to hearing or reading something negatory about all except one, the Rogue. Finally based it on Max’s review. Info I got on the Weber was it wasn’t made the way it used to be. Customer service great, just not up to par with the old ones.
I had a learning curve with the gasser Napolean, coming from the world of coal. I think it is a great piece & love all the accessories available. It rocks with the rotisserie. Now do all my chickens that way & just did a 14lb turkey. Read Max’s reviews, I trust him immensely. The guy knows his stuff.

[Loftyloft]

ooh, a rotisserie kit from napoleon for the rogue is an actual thing that exists, this is awesome!

[Thunder77]

I have extensive experience cooking on a Broil King Baron. I love cooking on it, and it is a solidly built grill that will stand up to regular use and some abuse. (Don’t ask how I know about abuse.) It gets plenty hot enough fo a wicked sear, and I have also done a lot of indirect cooking on it. I cooked once on a Weber, it was okay.

I would put my money either on the Rogue or The Broil King Baron.

[Loftyloft]

I went to the Home Depot last night to see the Rogue and the Weber in person, I meant to go to Lowes to see the Baron, but I never made it. Maybe I will go look tonight

[RichieB]

Weber here. I had a Silver 3 burner for about 13 years. I replaced the crossover, burners and igniter all within the 10 year W. Replaced flavorizer bars once. That was on my dime. Last May coming up on my retirement I decided to buy myself a retirement present. Genesis II LX 340. No complaints.

[Loftyloft]

I was looking at the Genesis line last night, and they're amazing. A bit out of my price range though

[Polarbear777]

I would never get a gasser these days without IR or an IR mode. Makes a huge difference searing.

If you also get charcoal you could go without but for do it all, you want the IR add on.

[FireMan]

Oh yeah!

[Loftyloft]

Well, for right now, the ebay option doesn't have the IR attachment, so if I bought it elsewhere it would bump my cost up 300$. Home Depot has a rogue 525 with the IR burner, and man is it nice.. but 1299$ (Canadian dollars) is out of my price range

[Barry Friesen]

I love my Napoleon and when I was purchasing it was a toss up between it and Weber...really can'y go wrong either way. Check the Napoleon website I believe they have a promotion on the grills right now.

Good luck.

[Loftyloft]

thanks man. Go Jets!

[Polarbear777]

IR option is easier and good if built in but



you can also just use a charcoal chimney for searing. 20 bucks plus charcoal. You need a fireproof place to set it if you want to use it simultaneously with your gas grill.

[EdF]

My fireproof place looks like yours: on the pavers!

[Loftyloft]

awesome stuff, thank you