New BBQ

[Kath_Kw]

I need to replace my propane gas barbecue. I won a large gift certificate from Canadian Tire so that is where I will be buying the new one. I do not need a monster 4 burner but what kind of BTU's should I be looking for? And Cooking grid (choices seem to be porcelain-coated cast iron, stainless-steel rod, porcelain-coated steel, cast iron (I guess no coating) and porcelain-coated wire). What about igniter - electronic or Push-button. I tried to find a web site with pointers but nothing I found talked about specific things to look for. Thanks for the help:zjk:

[Mr. Apollo]

sticking with a good name like Weber, Broil King or Napolean is your best bet. I don;'t know is CT carries them though. I used to get Thermos, Fiesta, etc BBQs from Sears and Wal-Mart but I got tireed of replacing them every year so I bought a Broil King.

[Mouse]

Get one with a rear burner and a rotisserie. :) Yummm.

[FTA]

Nothing beats Costco's BBQ's...we got one of their big stainless and it is super...

go for Napelion if it is being carried or just Broil King...

[Mouse]

Nothing beats Costco's BBQ's......????

The gift certificate is for CTC.

[FTA]

I know...and I am just saying that nothing beats Costco's BBQ sets....

I did not say go out and get one from Costco....


Honest to god...people need to read the stuff first b4 making stuff up that others did not say....

[Kath_Kw]

My local CTC carries Weber (very over priced), Centro, Thermos and Master Chef. I do want a rotisserie but most models do not seem to come with them. I have one that I got a long time ago that works fine - it may just not fit the new one.

[Mouse]

I know...and I am just saying that nothing beats Costco's BBQ sets....

I did not say go out and get one from Costco....


Honest to god...people need to read the stuff first b4 making stuff up that others did not say....
Then try hard to limit your thoughts to only those units that CTC sells.

End of problem.

[FTA]

why dont u use that GC on something else and get a good one from somewhere else....

[Mouse]

Kath, I'm looking at their line here (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/subcategory_landing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408 474396672583&bmUID=1176225828781).

How large a gift certificate did you win??

[Miss Maggie]

"I won a large gift certificate from Canadian Tire so that is where I will be buying the new one"

Honestly FTA try to stick with the program here and if you can help Kath_KW with some models and feature you are familiar with at CTC , then by all means post away ;)

[FTA]

I know...but I also said

"Save the GC and use it for something else....and buy a BBQ from somewhere else" if she is not too sure about CC or their BBQ's....

Very simple Maggie...

[Mouse]

Very simple Maggie...

Very simple Maggie, or very simple, Maggie.

If the former, I would be careful.

[FTA]

Very simple Maggie, or very simple, Maggie.

If the former, I would be careful.

Last time I checked...this was some forum....not an english class.....

[Mouse]

So, you agree to the distinction.

That's a start, at least.

[Miss Maggie]

Now back to the Q, Kath KW...it has been our experience that the push button igniter's don't work much after a year, so you might have to invest in a refillable BBQ lighter. We also have a rotisserie accessory that we thought would be fun, but honestly don't use it that much. The price of propane has gone up considerably and cooking food that way can use up a fair amount. Something we find very useful is a cast iron griddle, suitable for cooking breakie amongst other things. We don't currently have a side burner on ours, but some family members have them and find them quite handy. I'm sure you'll find something at CTC that have the features that you'll like.

[BillD]

My experience with side burners is that they go out easily if windy. Porcelain coated steel grills I don't like; I have them (steak grills) and they warp. I'm using one of them and a ceramic coated wire from my first BBQ bought in 1983. I'm only on the second one since then, the last one being a Spacemaker (Fiesta), that is lat least 12 years old. It seems most of the ones made now have copied the Webbers, and have donne away with the fake briquets. The burner is more important than the grills, and I'm not sure about them, but a stainless one should last about 5 years.
The cheapest place to get propane is Costco@ $12.00. Get a cover, and they will last much longer, or at least stay new looking.

[Valkyrie2006]

I do not have any suggestions but Congratulations on winning the large gift certificate :)

[Nic]

I have a Broil King and have no complaints. My preference is for Natural Gas if possible, I never need to run out for propane and it is much safer. That said, not everyone has a hookup or can place their unit in an area where it is handy to have one.

[Hatshepsut]

I recommend a Weber BBQ hooked up to the gas line, and we were told to upgrade to solid stainless steel grills. Invest in a Weber cover and you can leave the BBQ outside and enjoy it year round.

We have the Silver B (vintage 2000), but there are newer models with additional features such as a light on the handle which shines on the grill area when the cover is open (for nighttime).

We did not get a model with a side burner as we didn't think we would use it. We have a rotisserie, and like Miss Maggie rarely use it.

We have never had a problem with the starter button being wonky except after a recent rain storm, then we use matches as back-up. Replace your steel grill cleaning brush yearly, aluminum drip pan 3 - 4 times a year, and clean the guts of the unit (especially the bottom tray that leads to the drip pan) at least 4 times a year (more if you use a lot of marinades).

We have found Weber BBQ's to be solidly built and reliable.

[Al_Kendrick]

We bought a Thermos brand BBQ from CT, and it lasted about 10 years( had to replace burner) so from my experience they are good. Replaced it 2 years ago with a Fiesta (also from CT), and have had no probs with this one either.

[Kath_Kw]

Thanks for all the input - glad to hear about Thermos cause I think I will be going with that brand.

[Mr. Apollo]

I've had Thermos BBQs before and they all fell apart after a year.

[awesomejs]

i personal would look at a weber from ct..they are better built,have longer lasting parts and better warranty's on parts then other brands..when i bought a new bbq for my dad over 6 years ago the sales reps told me u get what u pay for..i went for a napolean and had no parts replaced yet after about 6-8 yrs..just today we finally have to get the igniter replaced free of charge compared to those dumb push buttons..i would look at a weber..i think centro are weber brand as well

[Mr. Apollo]

Yeah, with BBQs you generally get what you pay for. I don't know what brands CT carries but as I suggested above, try for a Weber, Broil King or Napolean. I like Broil King as it's made in Guelph.

[awesomejs]

or u can just buy a cheaper bbq and save the rest of the gift card for something that u may need later on i.e xmas gifts/birthday gifts etc etc

[rileydog]

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/sports_and_leisure/gas-grill-reviews/index.html

[Kath_Kw]

Well I made my decision. I talked to the CTC guy who does the assembly and he thought that the Centro BBQ were the best made. I took the smallest one without a side burner and it will be delivered on Tuesday.:)

[Exmortis]

I bought a Centro stainless steel BBQ 2 years ago from CTC. It's still looks pristine today as the day I bought it.

I have a preference for cast iron grills. They hold their heat better than everything else and therefore help to keep a consistent heat across the grill. It has an electronic ignition with 1 AA battery that has never failed. Just make sure to keep it covered when not in use or the bird crap will leave permanent marks on it. Don't buy the Centro cover at CTC. Walmart has them much much cheaper.

The only thing I wish it had was more space between the burners and the grill to install a smoker box. I'm forced to keep it on the grill instead.

[Exmortis]

By the way, if you really want a stainless steel BBQ, bring a magnet with you. It will not stick to a good quality series 3 stainless steel. Cheap series 4 stainless steel will attract the magnet.

[Mouse]

More nickle, less magnetism. ;)

[ssadams]

to add to Exmortis' post, check to make shure the edges (on the lid and main body) of the ss bbq your thinking of buying are turned under and not raw.Cast iron grates are great for adding grill marks !

[Frogy]

I bought a stainless from Costco "Kirkland" with the side burner, rotisserie and back burner, stainless grill and so on. I'm not sure who builds them but it may be Weber. I use my rotisserie frequently as I can cook a couple of 5lb birds at the same time, handy with a crowd. I've noticed significant differences in side burners and made sure the one I got had more of a commercial burner on it that doesn't blow out. Great for cooking corn, etc. My electronic ignition is still going strong after a couple of years and is built into each of the burner controls much like a kitchen gas stove.

Kath_Kw, the Centros look like fairly good equipment and I hope you get many excellent q's from yours. :)

[lovey]

what ever you buy,just get a good cover for it and keep it clean

[Kath_Kw]

Have had the BBq (Centro 2000) for less than a week but very happy with its workings. I bought the rotisserie and with a litlle tweaking got it working properly (thought it was not working at first cause the motor is realllllllllllllly quiet). ;)