Starting to look at upgrading my grills. Currently run a Weber Kettle that I also use as a smoker, and a basic gas grill. Not sure what I want, so open to all suggestions. I do a lot of all types of grilling, and would like one to replace them both, but doesn’t necessarily have to do gas/smoke/charcoal.
Go natural gas if you can. No more filling expensive tanks.
This has the possibility of turning into a ford/Chevy thread! 
charcoal vs. gas.
I’m a charcoal guy, always have been. I have a couple Webers and a smoker with a offset firebox. I can get a hotter fire with charcoal for searing and I think the flavor is better. I always use a chimney to start the coals, in fact I’ve seared steaks right on the chimney, but I digress.
I don’t think you have to break the bank on one either. The are pretty nice smokers out there for a few hundred bucks that will last year’s if taken care of.
A friend gave me his gas grill when he bought a new one. I thought it would be nice during the winter at the cabin, I’ve used it once. Went back to the Weber. I don’t think waiting 20 minutes or so for coals is a big deal, it’s all planning.
Home Depot actually has a pretty good selection.
P.S. you can have my gas grill if you want it.
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Hey the green egg it’s amazing but not cheap!
*try*
Hey the green egg it’s amazing but not cheap!
My daughter and son in law have one one of the knockoffs and it is nice.
I love me a charcoal grill, but I just can’t justify it since the wife doesn’t like using them. We have a 3-burner Weber Genesis with SS grates and absolutely love it. It is easily 10 years old and works like the day it was new. Doesn’t necessarily satisfy your need/want for a dual purpose, however.
For smoking, I like electric smokers for the ease of use…so I’m out on that one.
Bowtecmike made an awesome suggestion, the Green Egg is awesome and would like to own one someday.
I would like to have a pellet smoker with a propane sear section. But, I don’t think anyone makes one.
This one has intrigued me the past couple of years, just wish it had a pellet system on it.
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/4in1-combo-grill-gas-charcoal-grill/prod16660329.ip?xid=plp1872-outd:product:1:11
I have a Traeger grill and I really like it. It does all they said in there ads but, Grilling fall short of doing like they say. I think you do not get the true grilling favor. Like I said I do really like it.
I will take you up on that Scott! My gas grill has seen better days, and that will allow me to go smoker only for the new one. Green Eggs (or the knockoffs) look great but doesn’t handle the quantity of food I would like to do. We entertain a lot, so I’d like something that can handle a lot more food for a more reasonable price.
I will take you up on that Scott! My gas grill has seen better days, and that will allow me to go smoker only for the new one. Green Eggs (or the knockoffs) look great but doesn’t handle the quantity of food I would like to do. We entertain a lot, so I’d like something that can handle a lot more food for a more reasonable price.
It’s yours!
I agree about the Big Green Egg as far as quantity. A Weber and a big barrel smoker provides lots of options.
You are not grilling unless its over charcoal, coal or wood.
I’m a gas Weber guy. Gotta buy a new one for the lake this year. Just cringing at the price.
Ther is one pellett grill that will sear a steak like any gas or charcoal grill, smoke low and slow and anything in between. It is a Memphis grill. It has a special center section that is replaced for searing right on the flame and another for other grilling and smoking. It is insulated and has a second tier of grills for smoking etc… All stainless steel, a meat probe that has a setpoint, once your internal temp reaches the set point it maintains that temp and no more. It does everything any gas or charcoal gril can do, and also works like a convection oven. That being said they are not cheap but are made in Bloomintgton MN. Check them out!! I still have my original Traeger for smoking fish but have replaced another Trager and a gas grill with 1 Memphis. I am really happy with the Memphis and have ben using a pellet grill for over 20 years. JMHO.
Charcoal only
Keep the kettle. It will come in handy.
Go see Tony at https://www.quetopiabbq.com/ at Hwy 62/Shady Oak Road. He carries a few different lines of super cool stuff. Disclaimer, super cool is not the budget stuff at walmart
Green Eggs (or the knockoffs) look great but doesn’t handle the quantity of food I would like to do. We entertain a lot, so I’d like something that can handle a lot more food for a more reasonable price.
Price is the problem here. You can always get a bigger size and rack options but bigger dollars.
For reference I have my original weber kettle, added a weber 3 burner gas, and then added a Kamado Joe(BGE equivalent, not a knock off). Seems I collect grills like fishing rods
I have a Traeger grill and I really like it. It does all they said in there ads but, Grilling fall short of doing like they say. I think you do not get the true grilling favor. Like I said I do really like it.
X2 on the traeger
Kamado Big Joe
225 10 hour smoke aka meat Sunday
Other is brick oven style pizza@600
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Those eggs on your pizza?
I always use a chimney to start the coals, in fact I’ve seared steaks right on the chimney, but I digress.
…
I don’t think waiting 20 minutes or so for coals is a big deal, it’s all planning.
I’ve done the chimney sear, too. Yum!
I agree. I grill with charcoal year round, though not as often in the winter. The 20-30 minutes it takes the coals to get hot gives time to prep food. Plus, it’s not like you have to babysit them.
Other is brick oven style pizza@600
I do pizza on my Weber. It’s fantastic. Mine even come out rounder than Pat’s. 
Really like this approach to indirect cooking with a Weber. Works very well with a 22″ kettle and gives the kettle a lot more versatility.
Pete
Go natural gas if you can. No more filling expensive tanks.
This is best piece of advise I have if going gas. I can even recommend a guy to run the line. 
Those eggs on your pizza?
Yes sir, fw and I saw that on our honeymoon. No way, I’m trying that! Then after watching pizza after pizza go out the door we came back to try it. The pic was our attempt to recreate and it’s actually really good.
I do pizza on my Weber. It’s fantastic. Mine even come out rounder than Pat’s.
The curves are flavor enhancers 
Having one grill for everything is kind of like trying to have one fishing rod, or one woman. One just isn’t going to be good enough for all conditions.
I prefer to charcoal when it’s convenient and it’s above freezing. I also like my weber Q gas to fire up in the garage when it’s below zero for a quick grill meal and to use in the boat and while traveling which is much easier than charcoal. I also have one smoker I like for low temps and large sausage batches and one that works better for higher temps and smaller items. I prefer the consistency of gas for longer cooking times.
I’ve got a propane grill and a Green Mountain Grill (GMG) pellet burner as well and we’ve gone more to using the pellet grill with a cast iron type insert since there isn’t as much heat for the sear but the cast iron holds good heat to get some nice marks on it and the wood smoke taste is excellent. Also obviously using as a smoker is great. We barely use the gasser any more at all unless we have a bunch of people over and burn up some burgers or something simple.
memphisgrills.com/shop/cart-models/memphis-advantage-grill/
These things are not cheap….
Keep the Weber Kettle, buy as big of a Weber gas grill as you can afford. Done.
My wife and kids got me a Weber Genesis gas grill about 7 years ago for Father’s Day. That thing is bullet proof. I am amazed that that kind of quality can still be gotten anywhere and it’s made in the USA.
There’s no telling how long this thing will last. 50 years? More?
I haven’t even changed the battery on the electronic ignition in 8 years! Click, click, poooooof. It lights every single flippin time.
I still use the old school Weber kettle when I have time and I also smoke stuff on it, but for convenience I love the gas Weber.
Good review of pellet grill options from the people at amazingribs.com. As mentioned, it’s tough to get one tool that can do everything that both gas and charcoal can do, might be best to split it up into two purchases. If you go that route, I’d also advise natural gas but I don’t have any input on the grill as I run charcoal only.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/06/best-pellet-smokers-barbecue-grills.html
I’ve had a similar Chargriller setup for the last 11 years and it’s still going strong, have only had to replace 1 ash pan. Raw cast iron grates really sold me on it, tough to beat that. Nice thing about buying the firebox separately is that you get all the parts to use it as a portable grill – I take my apart and put it back together 2-3 times a year. I’ve never had problems with heat or smoke mgmt but you might find reviews otherwise so YMMV.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Char-Griller-Outlaw-Charcoal-Grill-2137/100349202
Only thing I’d add is to get OEM covers for everything. Much easier to replace a $30 cover every couple years than having to replace parts and/or grills every 4-5 years because of moisture damage. Good luck with what you decide.
Good info! Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I will be shopping smokers, we didn’t really need the extra room on the deck anyway… 
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