Spirit - Griddle Insert Vs. Side Burner

[smokenoob]

Side burner is my goto for blackening fish in CI pan so you know my answer…..sears a smoked Tri-tip and a sous vide steak too…..jus sayin ‘

[MBMorgan]

MCS has hit again and I am in the market for a gas grill. I am looking at the Spirit 4 burner line and it looks like for the budget I have, I could either go for the 4 burner with a side burner and cover, or get the griddle insert included and no side burner/cover. Do y'all have any thoughts on which would be more useful. The griddle would be pretty bulky to remove and store, but I also hear they are really nice to use when they are that big.

Budget? We don’t need no stinkin’ budget …

[Max Good]

Finally finished my review: https://amazingribs.com/ratings_revi...ew-and-rating/

[Hulagn1971]

Oooh, a new booster setting! Very cool.

[smokenoob]

Great write up! Interesting tradeoff between boost and IR sideburner…..I would still want an IR sideburner

[Carolyn]

That looks nice. I like that you don't have to pay for an infrared burner for searing. I don't sear much at all. Maybe that would change if I had the IR burner. 🤷♀️

What is with the trend of putting plastic end-caps on the side shelves? Won't that just break down and crack over time? What am I not understanding?

[sarredon]

Just my 2 cents, the griddle will overlap with about 90% of a gassers functionality. You probably won’t do bone in poultry on a griddle. But they sure do add a ton of flexibility. Breakfast tacos, pancakes, stir fry, fried rice, philly cheese steaks, smash burgers, hot dogs, fajitas, steaks, and more! I got a 36 inch griddle for my family of 4 and it’s become my most used cooker.

If you have kettle, you know getting it up to temp doesn’t take long. Usually it’s at temp well before I’m done with all my prep work. I do have a gasser, it gets used a couple times per year at most. When it goes I won’t replace it.

So my vote is get a flat top!

[Max Good]

Carolyn Use of synthetic materials for planes, boats, trains and gas grills is common. I haven't heard complaints about those side shelf parts cracking and breaking down.

[Carolyn]

That is good to know. Thanks.

[Richard Chrz]

I do not have a gasser, but I’m with pro side burner crowd. I have three induction burners at my availability outside, I like to do all of.my cooking outdoors, not having to go inside to cook something and then out, repeat..