My Weber Summit E450 finally was retired. It had been a great gasser I got in 2009 back when Weber was made out of 304 stainless steel and made in the USA. It had survived being thrown across the yard by gale force winds (a little bent), but finally succumbed to needing new parts and a "I don't need this, but I want it!" lust for one of those fancy, pricey, pretty and feature rich gassers. I looked at Blaze, Napoleon, Summerset, Coyote, Fire Magic, American Muscle, AOG, DCS, Twin Eagles and more.
Criteria: made in US, at least 304 stainless steel throughout (including cart) at least 18K BTU burners, SS grates, at least 1 infrared burner, 3-4 burners, local dealer and 10 year or more warranty.
Fortunately there is a dealer close by who carries a huge selection in their showroom. When I saw the Hestan line, it was lust at first sight. Ticked all the boxes, plus it is sexy (a bunch of color panels to choose from) plus Hestan has a big rebate program for 2020. Hestan started mainly as a commercial kitchen supplier, is headquartered in Anaheim, CA just north of where I live and is made locally at their plant there. Not sure when they came up with the Aspire line of products for the home market.
The 36" has 2 23K BTU burners, 1 infrared main (not sure of BTUs), 1 rotisserie 18 K burner, ceramic briquette heat diffusers that can be flipped and cooked with either side up, cart with fold down side shelves, internal halogen lights, spring assist lid and a partridge in a pear tree (not really).
It was delivered last Thursday, assembled and tested by the delivery techs. I love it!! Grilled some prime NY steaks last night, but sorry no pics as I stressed about wrecking the steaks. I did a forward sear on the infrared, then over to the regular burner for the finish. They came out wonderful, great sear (about 45 seconds a side) and perfect red-pink edge to edge. I know - no pics, no cook. Oh well, next time!
Oh, yeah, the hot dog was a quicky cook after delivery.
Criteria: made in US, at least 304 stainless steel throughout (including cart) at least 18K BTU burners, SS grates, at least 1 infrared burner, 3-4 burners, local dealer and 10 year or more warranty.
Fortunately there is a dealer close by who carries a huge selection in their showroom. When I saw the Hestan line, it was lust at first sight. Ticked all the boxes, plus it is sexy (a bunch of color panels to choose from) plus Hestan has a big rebate program for 2020. Hestan started mainly as a commercial kitchen supplier, is headquartered in Anaheim, CA just north of where I live and is made locally at their plant there. Not sure when they came up with the Aspire line of products for the home market.
The 36" has 2 23K BTU burners, 1 infrared main (not sure of BTUs), 1 rotisserie 18 K burner, ceramic briquette heat diffusers that can be flipped and cooked with either side up, cart with fold down side shelves, internal halogen lights, spring assist lid and a partridge in a pear tree (not really).
It was delivered last Thursday, assembled and tested by the delivery techs. I love it!! Grilled some prime NY steaks last night, but sorry no pics as I stressed about wrecking the steaks. I did a forward sear on the infrared, then over to the regular burner for the finish. They came out wonderful, great sear (about 45 seconds a side) and perfect red-pink edge to edge. I know - no pics, no cook. Oh well, next time!
Oh, yeah, the hot dog was a quicky cook after delivery.
Comment