ccgegg
03-24-2005, 09:18 PM
My wife surprised me with a Thermos SS grill (Target) for my b-day. It's the 3-burner, 565 sq in, 40K BTU, $400 model. The grill is still unopened so I decided to research before making a final decision. I'd like to stay in the $400-600 price range. I, too, am fed up with replenishing cheap parts on my old low-end CharBroil and getting poor cooking results (even with new parts).
I grill about 2-3 times per week and rarely for large gatherings. We are on-the-go often so I'm not the type of guy who spends an hour or two preparing the grill, grilling and then cleaning up the grill. (Granted, I wish I was that type of guy.) So I want a grill with a nice balance of low-maintenance and good results. I'll give my grill some attention, just not at the level most enthusiasts do.
That leads me to think a stainless steel grate is the way to go, and the Thermos has a fairly heavy-duty one. I read this type of grate is the best balance of low-maintenance and good heat retention. True?
One drawback I see on the Thermos is that the upper warming rack appears to be chrome. Can't tell for sure, but looks awfully similar to the one on my CharBroil which has completely rusted thru. The Jenn-Air's appeared to be SS. Anyone know about either?
Onto the burners... Thermos has a 10-yr warranty on their porcelain cast iron burners.... seems good. The 3-burner Jenn-Air (#57419) at Lowe's has lifetime warranty brass cast iron.... even better, but it's $250 more. Granted, that's not the only thing that's better on the Jenn-Air, but if I'm going to drop $250 more, I need great reasons to do so.
Other minor points:
-- Both the Thermos and Jenn-Air have nice looking SS exteriors which seem to be well-constructed.
-- Thermos has a small smoker tray. We like the smell and flavor of mesquite... does this feature provide a little of that, or is it just a gimmick?
-- Jenn-Air has a rotisserie option. Adds another $70. I'd only use 2-4 times per year, and when I do, it'd be mostly for pork loins, but can't I cook those on the Thermos with the middle burner off and the two sides on? (sorry, I've been in 2-burner land my whole life)
-- Thermos has 10-year warranty on ignition... seems good.
-- Jenn-Air has about 200 sq in more total cooking surface. I didn't measure the Jenn-Air primary surface, but the Thermos is a fairly adequate 24x16.
Lastly, I haven't ruled out a Weber due to everyone raving about them. Is all this raving from Weber enthusiasts?.... the guys I envy who spend 2 hours per night on their deck. Based on what I read, it sounds like the Weber cooks well, but is it that much better than the Thermos or Jenn-Air? And will my cooking grate look like crap (or even rust) if I'm not able to give it the full attention it deserves? I do like the long-standing reputation of Weber, and I question that if my Thermos burner needs replacing in 7 years (under warranty) if I'll have somewhere to resolve that.
Also considering the Ducane (still haven't arrived at our Home Depot's) and maybe a couple others like Nexgrill, Vermont Castings,.....
I've had zero luck on the internet finding comparisons of the new 2005 models. Last Consumer Reports was June 04 (rated the Thermos a "best buy" which is why my wife bought it). Seems like a knowledgeable forum and I'd greatly appreciate any advice.
I grill about 2-3 times per week and rarely for large gatherings. We are on-the-go often so I'm not the type of guy who spends an hour or two preparing the grill, grilling and then cleaning up the grill. (Granted, I wish I was that type of guy.) So I want a grill with a nice balance of low-maintenance and good results. I'll give my grill some attention, just not at the level most enthusiasts do.
That leads me to think a stainless steel grate is the way to go, and the Thermos has a fairly heavy-duty one. I read this type of grate is the best balance of low-maintenance and good heat retention. True?
One drawback I see on the Thermos is that the upper warming rack appears to be chrome. Can't tell for sure, but looks awfully similar to the one on my CharBroil which has completely rusted thru. The Jenn-Air's appeared to be SS. Anyone know about either?
Onto the burners... Thermos has a 10-yr warranty on their porcelain cast iron burners.... seems good. The 3-burner Jenn-Air (#57419) at Lowe's has lifetime warranty brass cast iron.... even better, but it's $250 more. Granted, that's not the only thing that's better on the Jenn-Air, but if I'm going to drop $250 more, I need great reasons to do so.
Other minor points:
-- Both the Thermos and Jenn-Air have nice looking SS exteriors which seem to be well-constructed.
-- Thermos has a small smoker tray. We like the smell and flavor of mesquite... does this feature provide a little of that, or is it just a gimmick?
-- Jenn-Air has a rotisserie option. Adds another $70. I'd only use 2-4 times per year, and when I do, it'd be mostly for pork loins, but can't I cook those on the Thermos with the middle burner off and the two sides on? (sorry, I've been in 2-burner land my whole life)
-- Thermos has 10-year warranty on ignition... seems good.
-- Jenn-Air has about 200 sq in more total cooking surface. I didn't measure the Jenn-Air primary surface, but the Thermos is a fairly adequate 24x16.
Lastly, I haven't ruled out a Weber due to everyone raving about them. Is all this raving from Weber enthusiasts?.... the guys I envy who spend 2 hours per night on their deck. Based on what I read, it sounds like the Weber cooks well, but is it that much better than the Thermos or Jenn-Air? And will my cooking grate look like crap (or even rust) if I'm not able to give it the full attention it deserves? I do like the long-standing reputation of Weber, and I question that if my Thermos burner needs replacing in 7 years (under warranty) if I'll have somewhere to resolve that.
Also considering the Ducane (still haven't arrived at our Home Depot's) and maybe a couple others like Nexgrill, Vermont Castings,.....
I've had zero luck on the internet finding comparisons of the new 2005 models. Last Consumer Reports was June 04 (rated the Thermos a "best buy" which is why my wife bought it). Seems like a knowledgeable forum and I'd greatly appreciate any advice.