My Grills

Like many fellow grillers, I got serious with a charcoal Weber kettle. I cooked the usual hamburgers, brats (I live in Wisconsin), steaks and chicken pieces. I was hooked when I convinced my wife Anne to let me do our Thanksgiving turkey in the kettle. Best turkey ever.

Next was a gas grill. Like many others, I bought a cheap gas grill and proceeded to burn a lot of food. Fortunately I was able to return it and got a weber gas grill. It was more like and oven than a grill. Never got hot enough for me and ended up giving it away. Eventually I settled on a Weber natural gas stainless steel Summit. After 15 years it is still going strong.

For portability I have a Weber Q2200. Besides throwing it in the car and taking it to parks, its great to use when the temperature is below zero (Fahrenheit). Rather than having to keep a supply of one pound gas canisters I invested in a hose/regulator and a 5 pound propane tank. One tank will last me most of a year.

Jumping on the pellet grill craze I purchased a PitBoss Austin XL from Walmart when they hosed up their inventory and offered it for $299. Shortly after that, Weber introduced their Smokefire line of pellet grills. I bought a gen 1 EX6 and sold the PitBoss. I’ve had a love hate relationship with pellet grills but find more love than hate. Food really cooks well on one.

In the spring of 2023 I added a 36″ Blackstone griddle. So far I’ve enjoyed dishes like pork fried rice, smash and regular burgers, and lots of onions on everything. This griddle caramelizes onions and peppers like no other grill.