I have found bits and peices of info on this but can't narrow it down.
So, I will just ask.. I need opinions on the best gas grill guts. I
would prefer opinions based on experience if possible. I don't care
about brands right now since most brands offer these choices. I'd like
ot know:

Burners: Cast iron vs cast brass
Cooking surface: Cast iron, porcelain over cast iron, or stainless
steel
Body: Is stainless hard to keep reasonably clean?

BTW, this will be for houshold grilling 2-3 times a week in season.
Used all year round.

Thanks for any help!

Kris Gent

"Kristopher Gent" wrote in message
m...
I have found bits and peices of info on this but can't narrow it down.
So, I will just ask.. I need opinions on the best gas grill guts. I
would prefer opinions based on experience if possible. I don't care
about brands right now since most brands offer these choices. I'd like
ot know:

Burners: Cast iron vs cast brass
Cooking surface: Cast iron, porcelain over cast iron, or stainless
steel
Body: Is stainless hard to keep reasonably clean?

BTW, this will be for houshold grilling 2-3 times a week in season.
Used all year round.


I can't speak for the performance of stainless, but I purchased a new gas
grill this spring with porcelain coated cast iron grates, and they are
excellent so far. They hold the heat well and clean up nicely too. IMHO
keeping anything stainless clean is a pain in the arse as even fingerprints
show up.

"Kristopher Gent" wrote in message

Burners: Cast iron vs cast brass

Cast iron is likely to rust over time. Brass or cast stainless (a rarity)
would be better. My grill has stainless tubing drilled for the gas outlets.
In five years it has been flawless.


Cooking surface: Cast iron, porcelain over cast iron, or stainless
steel

I have the porcelain. Once or twice a year I soak them in an ammonia
solution and they look as good as the day the grill was delivered. Cast
iron would have a tendency to rust unless they were oiled right after use.
I think high heat from grilling would burn off the seasoning.


Body: Is stainless hard to keep reasonably clean?

Very little experience here. My cover on the side burner is SS. Looks OK,
but I think keeping an entire grill in pristine condition could be a PITA.



BTW, this will be for houshold grilling 2-3 times a week in season.
Used all year round.

Considering the questions you've asked, my guess is that you are looking at
medium or better quality grills, not the $99 special. I don't think any of
the $500+ grill are "bad", just a matter or preference for features. Shop
at a couple of stores that specialize in outdoor furniture or gills, or your
propane dealer. You will find the lesser know but top quality brands like
MHP, Ellipse, Broilmaster, Broil King.
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

porcelain coated cast iron grates, and they are
excellent so far. They hold the heat well and clean up nicely too. IMHO

Full agreement here...I've had my Weber "B" for appx. 5 years and really like
the porcelain coated cast iron.
It's only on Home Depot models or as a $50 aftermarket from Weber.

Steve S wrote:

Full agreement here...I've had my Weber "B" for appx. 5 years and
really like the porcelain coated cast iron.
It's only on Home Depot models or as a $50 aftermarket from Weber.

Count me as a vote for the porcelain coated grills.

"Steve S" wrote in message
...
porcelain coated cast iron grates, and they are
excellent so far. They hold the heat well and clean up nicely too. IMHO

Full agreement here...I've had my Weber "B" for appx. 5 years and really
like
the porcelain coated cast iron.
It's only on Home Depot models or as a $50 aftermarket from Weber.

I was wondering about that - it makes sense now. I bought a Silver C at
Home depot over the winter while they were on sale. I thought maybe the
cast iron grates were a mistake when I opened the box, as all the other ones
on display ( at other stores ) had the porcelain coated thin-steel grates.

Thanks everybody for chiming in. Now to go shopping!

Kris