Best, simple backyard grill

April 14, 2020 9:10 AM

I'm looking for a simple gas grill. I'd like to prioritize high-quality construction and components over additional features.

So if it doesn't come with a sideburner, a thermometer, an electric ignition, or a large grill surface, that's fine. If the grate or the frame are rusted out after only a couple seasons, that's a problem. Consumer Reports suggests that there's a wide range of lifespans for key grill components. What should I be looking for to ensure my grates, burner tubes, and burner covers last closer to ten years rather than three?

posted by andythebean to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

Weber Spirit II 300 - you can get the Genesis if you want a couple of pretty minor upgrades but the firebox and burners are identical. All the parts can be replaced, and as long as you do some basic cleaning/maintenance it should be fine for 10 years+.
posted by iamabot at 9:13 AM on April 14, 2020 [4 favorites]

I'm sitting on my porch next to a Weber Spirit II right now. It's awesome. It's also the Wirecutter's recommendation.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:16 AM on April 14, 2020 [1 favorite]

Third vote for the Weber Spirit II line here. I don't have a ton of porch space so I got the two-burner E-210 model with the wheeled base; I have been happy with it for some time.
posted by mhoye at 9:37 AM on April 14, 2020 [1 favorite]

I have a Spirit E-210. I'd have gotten the bigger one if I'd known we'd be moving to a bigger place. But it's about 7 years old, and although it needs some TLC right now (I've been sort of neglectful), it's held up well. I've replaced the "flavorizer" bars ($30; they rusted out after 5 years of constant use and ... only sporadic cleaning), and it needs the crossover tube fixed or replaced (not sure yet; second burner still lights with a match, just started happening over the winter), but it's in otherwise-fine condition. Firebox is fine, shelves are fine, even the electronic ignition works just fine on the primary burner.

This is a grill that gets used all year long. Like, maybe not when it's 20 degrees out. But 40 is fair game. If you are more fastidious about cleaning and maintenance than I am (it would be hard not to be), you'll definitely get a lot closer to the 8-10 year range on most of the maintenance parts.
posted by uncleozzy at 9:51 AM on April 14, 2020 [1 favorite]

Weber Spirit all the way. I have put new batteries in the sparker, and replaced the spatter bars (or whatever they're called), and will someday do the burners... But the thing is awesome.

We don't even bother with a cover anymore through the New England winter: just shove it near the house when autumn comes, because we wheel it out during winter to do a big batch of chicken.

In summer time it holds a circular pizza stone for Friday pizzas, or a ton of burners & chicken.

Ours has one hot spot which I expect has to do with me assembling it. *shrug* When the burners finally get replaced, that should go away.
posted by wenestvedt at 11:41 AM on April 14, 2020

Nthing Weber. I've had many brands over the years (usually trying to save a few bucks) and none of them lasted . I've had a Genesis for six yeas and the only thing I had to replace was a light.
posted by rtimmel at 11:46 AM on April 14, 2020

We used to buy the cheapest gas grill at Lowe's every couple of years. We inherited a Weber and I will hold onto that until my dying day.
posted by pintapicasso at 12:15 PM on April 14, 2020 [1 favorite]

The Weber is a solid recommendation. Though we have a pretty basic Home Depot grill that we've had for 9 years and used once a week or so. Still chugging along. Protect a grill with a grill cover and they just aren't that complicated.
posted by craven_morhead at 2:41 PM on April 14, 2020

Another vote for Weber. For years, I burnt the chicken with cheap grills. We picked up a Weber at a garage sale, and love it. We use it every night during nice weather months. A few years ago, the pipes where the flames come out were wearing out so that the little holes were wearing into merged larger holes. Replacing it was a JOY! Parts were very reasonable pricewise, the instructions were clear, the thing was designed to be refurbished. There was a ring-springie thing dangling near the tank that I'd never really thought about and didn't know why it was there. Turns out, it's to hold a piece to make replacing those burner pipes! So cool! Kudos, Weber! We also picked up a Weber charcoal grill and use that as well. We've had the gas grill 15 years or so.
posted by at at 10:58 AM on April 16, 2020

Response by poster: Thanks all! We went with the Weber Spirit II E310. I managed to grill up an inaugural batch of marinated chicken breasts one day before it was blanketed in a few inches of April snow.
posted by andythebean at 3:31 PM on April 21, 2020 [1 favorite]