Gas grills

"*JimH*" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this
one
were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and less BTU
output.

I don' thave that model, but I do have a VC grill for the past 6 or 7 years
now. Great grill. Mine has a smoker box, infra-red rotisserie burner and
rotisserie. I don't know how important that is to you, but it was to me.

Check with your local propane dealer or an outdoor home & patio store to see
what they have. You can often find the high quality brands like MHP, Broil
King, Broilmaster, etc.

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"*JimH*" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this
one
were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and less
BTU
output.

I don' thave that model, but I do have a VC grill for the past 6 or 7
years now. Great grill. Mine has a smoker box, infra-red rotisserie
burner and rotisserie. I don't know how important that is to you, but it
was to me.

Check with your local propane dealer or an outdoor home & patio store to
see what they have. You can often find the high quality brands like MHP,
Broil King, Broilmaster, etc.

Thanks Edwin.

Would you buy another Vermont Castings grill?

Was the infra red rotisserie burner an add on that can be purchased
separately?

"*JimH*" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Would you buy another Vermont Castings grill?

Yes, no question.

Quoted message said:

Was the infra red rotisserie burner an add on that can be purchased
separately?

It was included. We use it frequently for chicken, rib eye roasts, pork
roast, etc. Looking at their web page, not every model has one.
http://www.myownbbq.com/about/products/productdetails.php?id=48

--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"*JimH*" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Would you buy another Vermont Castings grill?

Yes, no question.

Quoted message said:

Was the infra red rotisserie burner an add on that can be purchased
separately?

It was included. We use it frequently for chicken, rib eye roasts, pork
roast, etc. Looking at their web page, not every model has one.
http://www.myownbbq.com/about/products/productdetails.php?id=48

--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

Thank you for your feedback sir.

*JimH* said:

We purchased a nice Ducane gas grill for the house 13 years ago and despite
replacement of the burners and coals it is now on its last leg.

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this one
were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and less BTU
output.

We like the stainless steel burners, high BTU output, relatively nice size
of the main grill cooking area and warranty. Downside is the price.

We use our grill throughout the year and are looking for good performance
and a long life for the price.

Does anyone have any experience with this grill or can you offer a
suggestion on another?

Thanks!

This may help you in your decision.

Here's what the experts say to look for in a gas grill:

Porcelain-coated metal bars are superior for distributing heat evenly.
The best grills heat evenly across the surface of the grate, so food on
the outside is done at the same time as food in the center of the
grill. Other good heat-distribution devices include ceramic briquettes
and vented metal plates.

Look for a grill with several temperature settings. The more control
you have over temperature, the better your barbecues will be. You'll be
able to not only grill, but also sear and slow-roast.
Don't worry about Btu. Pros say you shouldn't pay much attention to
this measurement of heating power, which has little bearing on
practical grilling. A grill's strength has more to do with its heat
distribution mechanism, size and geometry. Btu specs are interesting
for comparison from grill to grill.

Make sure the grate has closely spaced, wide rods. You don't want
delicate foods like fish or vegetables to fall through.
Nicer grills have shelves and warming racks. Grills that include
fold-out shelves are vastly more convenient for chopping, basting or
mixing sauces. Warming racks are nice for toasting buns further away
from the heat source, or keeping food warm.

A side burner lets you sauté grill-side, but can add to cost. This
allows you to cook side dishes like rice or potatoes without having to
run back and forth between your yard and kitchen. Side burners are also
great for heating barbecue sauces and warming plates. However, some
experts say few people actually use side burners

The June 2005 issue of Comsumer Reports rates Vermont Castings grills
on the top of their list. The model you mention(VM450SSP) comes in at
#4 with a price of $630. The #1 rated grill was the Vermont Castings
VM400XBP at only $400. The main difference between the models, besides
price, is that 450SSP is stainless steel. Seems like you chose a
winner!

George

"*JimH*" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

We purchased a nice Ducane gas grill for the house 13 years ago and
despite
replacement of the burners and coals it is now on its last leg.

So.....we are looking for recommendations from the gas grill users out
there.

We are considering this Vermont Castings unit (VM450SSP) from Home Depot:
http://tinyurl.com/76azj

It is not cheap but was listed number 4 by Consumers Report on gas grill
assessment in their June, 2005 magazine. The 3 grills rated before this
one
were either in the $1,000+ range or had smaller cooking areas and less BTU
output.

We like the stainless steel burners, high BTU output, relatively nice size
of the main grill cooking area and warranty. Downside is the price.

We use our grill throughout the year and are looking for good performance
and a long life for the price.

Does anyone have any experience with this grill or can you offer a
suggestion on another?

Thanks!

Just a heads up.

After looking at several models we came upon a real bargain at Costo.

Originally selling for $679, this grill is now on sale for $499.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?ec=BC-EC1094-Cat236&pos=4&whse=BC&topnav=&prodid=11045968

It is almost identical to the Ducane grill at Home Depot being sold for
$699.

300 grade stainless steel throughout. SS burners. 39,000 btu at main
cooking area with 10,000 btu side burner and 12,000 btu infra red burner for
rotisserie cooking (spit and electric motor included). Heavy gauge SS
cooking grates (they weigh a ton). Grill cover included.

Lifetime warranty on grill. 5 years on burners.

Quite a bargain if you are in the market for a better quality grill. ;-)

*JimH* said:

Just a heads up.

After looking at several models we came upon a real bargain at Costo.

Originally selling for $679, this grill is now on sale for $499.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?ec=BC-EC1094-Cat236&pos=4&whse=BC&topnav=&prodid=11045968

It is almost identical to the Ducane grill at Home Depot being sold for
$699.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quite a bargain if you are in the market for a better quality grill. ;-)

It's even got a stainless steel rotisserie kit. Yes, it's a good
deal!

djs0302 said:

Here's what the experts say to look for in a gas grill:

Quoted message said:

Porcelain-coated metal bars are superior for distributing heat evenly.
The best grills heat evenly across the surface of the grate, so food on
the outside is done at the same time as food in the center of the
grill.

But don't you want different zones of temperature on the grill
so you can move stuff around to cook is faster or slower?

Steve

"Steve Pope" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

But don't you want different zones of temperature on the grill
so you can move stuff around to cook is faster or slower?

Steve

Yes, what you really want is control. YOU want to make one side hotter than
the other, or not.

Edwin Pawlowski wrote on 23 Jul 2005 in rec.food.cooking

Quoted message said:

"Steve Pope" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

But don't you want different zones of temperature on the grill
so you can move stuff around to cook is faster or slower?

Steve

Yes, what you really want is control. YOU want to make one side
hotter than the other, or not.

Isn't that why they have 2 or 3 burner gas grills out there? I like the
cleanability of the ceramic grates.

--
It's not a question of where he grips it!
It's a simple question of weight ratios!

A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut.

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

Steve Pope said:

djs0302 said:

Here's what the experts say to look for in a gas grill:

Quoted message said:

Porcelain-coated metal bars are superior for distributing heat evenly.
The best grills heat evenly across the surface of the grate, so food on
the outside is done at the same time as food in the center of the
grill.

But don't you want different zones of temperature on the grill
so you can move stuff around to cook is faster or slower?

Some people don't want hot and cold spots. But if you do, isn't that
what the knobs and the rack at the back are for?

Steve Pope said:

djs0302 said:

Here's what the experts say to look for in a gas grill:

Quoted message said:

Porcelain-coated metal bars are superior for distributing heat evenly.
The best grills heat evenly across the surface of the grate, so food on
the outside is done at the same time as food in the center of the
grill.

But don't you want different zones of temperature on the grill
so you can move stuff around to cook is faster or slower?

Steve

Well if I'm cooking a dozen hamburgers I want them all to get done at
the same time. So I would want the temperature inside the grill to be
uniform. If I'm cooking steaks and some people want theirs well done
and others like theirs medium rare I simply keep one burner turned
higher than the other. Of course if your grill only has one burner and
one control knob you really can't control the temperature that much.
I've found what's more important than how hot a grill gets is how well
does it maintain a LOW temperature. Cooking hamburgers and steaks is
one thing but if you're roasting something like a chicken on the grill
then you definitely want to be able to cook it at a relatively low
temperture. The thermometer on our grill goes up past 600 degrees but
if I'm roasting something I need to cook it at a much lower temperture.