With the world seemingly in turmoil people are sticking together more as families and closer to home. At least that’s what many outdoor product manufacturers are betting on and so far it looks like a good year for grill sales. There are many new outdoor cooking products on the market this year and many new innovations. Charcoal and gas grills as well as barbecue smokers are becoming more high-tech and have more and more features.
What works and what’s just hype? How can you separate the truly useful from the truly useless? Manufacturers will be spending more money this year marketing grills and smokers than any year before. So let me help try and clear up the issue. If I don’t answer your particular question feel free to write me and I’ll try and find it for you.
Gas Grills
The product that as gotten the most hype so far this year is Char-Broil’s Charcoal/Gas grill. Don’t be deceived, this isn’t actually a new grill. It is a repackaging of Char-Broil’s Big Easy, and Quickset grills with a charcoal tray that allows you to use the grills propane burners to ignite the charcoal and then use the burning coals to cook with. Since it requires a few minutes to convert this is an either/or solution and probably shouldn’t be done hot. Getting the charcoal ready to cook on, even with the burners on high will still take a while; about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the kind of charcoal you use. On the other hand it seems to work pretty well. Here’s one grill that might just deliver on the promise of the convenience of a gas grill with the flavor of charcoal. The Big Easy will run you between $250 and $300 and the Quickset is about $200.
Weber has greatly expanded its Summit Series grills to include six models. This continues Weber’s move towards more expensive grills, but the list price for this series of grills has dropped to between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on features. This pricing makes the least expensive Summit model only $300 more than the most expensive Genesis Grill. Weber has reduced the Genesis series to six models cutting off the most expensive units. Weber grills are among the best on the market and the additions to the Summit series have everything you’d expect from a Weber. All together Weber now has a grill to fit any budget between $400 and $2000.
Sneaking in under the radar of the big U.S. grill manufacturers is Fiesta Grills. Now with more styles and more features these grills have gotten a lot of attention in the industry and there are those who will tell you they are the best grills on the market for their price. That price is below $300 for most models and you can find these grills down around $130 or less is you shop carefully.
Coleman continues to innovate with several new models including a six burner 60,000 BTU grill aptly call the Coleman 6000. Also new is the Coleman 3300 with an oversized side table and what Coleman is calling the Side Solution. This gas powered unit can be used as a fryer, steamer or warmer. Consider it a multifunctional side burner. This unit also has a new sleeker body while maintaining the traditional Coleman Green. The Coleman Series 6000 lists for $999 and the 3300 lists at $369
In the trend to add more features to gas grills Brinkmann has a full functional gas grill with a built-in sink that you can attach to a garden hose to provide you with running water, albeit cold water. It also has a small cooler (add your own ice) for keeping a few things cold while you cook. For under $500 it’s probably the closest thing you’ll find to an outdoor kitchen.
