I'm gonna be in the market for a new grill soon and I'm trying to find one that suits my needs. So far, I can't find it. Help! I need it to be a propane grill for quick-grill-chicken-for-dinner-on-a-weekday cooking. I'd also like for it to be a smoker for grill-a-brisket-all-day-on-a-weekend cooking. It needs to have wheels and be rolled around a back yard patio. It needs to have a thermometer. It needs to be as rust-proof as possible. It needs to be sturdy and made from well-built parts. It needs to be reasonably priced. I'd prefer to also have a side burner for boiling a pot (but this isn't a dealbreaker).
I don't intend to use gas to try to smoke brisket - that's crazy talk. I want to use propane to cook chicken breasts on a weekday, but on a weekend, I would use wood/coal to smoke a brisket. I'm looking for one grill that will do both.
This one isn't cheap but it came in very handy when we didn't have electricity last week. http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=378141&pCatg=3996
It does roll but you are right it isn't a smoker. It also hooks up to electricity so the panels on the front light up and when you open the lids lights come on there too. It can also be converted from propane to natural gas.
I like it. The steaks I have cooked on it tend to have the charred appaerance on the outside and remain juicy on the inside.
My experience with grills it that looks don't always equal longevity. I've seen those fancy $1,000 grills disintegrate in the south Texas weather in under two years. What's 'reasonable'? I don't think you can get a long-lasting, durable grill for under $200. Academy has a good selection. I'm looking on their website and they have a dual setup for $300 You can then buy the side fire-box for $60 for smoking meat. The more I think about it, the more I like this setup. If my charcoal grill didn't make it through Ike, I may buy this. Let us know if you check it out.
THAT'S IT!!! No thermometer, but that's the closest I've seen! It is possible to manually install a thermometer?
Actually, it looks like it DOES have a thermometer! very cool! Thermometer - When I cook something "just right" I like to know what settings I used, including temperature. Of course, the temp may need to vary, depending on thickness of meat, cut of meat, type of meat, etc.. But I still like to have something that I can base myself off of.
Drox- I found that Academy's descriptions online are pretty lacking. It looks like both sides have a thermometer on the lid. If you go check it out, can you please post back? It looks pretty awesome. EDIT: Check out the manual here. Looks like it DOES have thermometers.
