On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 14:08:11 -0500, "Tom Newton"
> wrote:

>Hi Folks -
>
>We're building a new deck patio area and my contractor has agreed to create
>a built in grill area at the corner of the deck. He has already run power
>and natural gas from the house to the future grill location. All he needs
>from me now is a grill!
>
>Since this deck patio area is on the fancy side (and it's costing me a
>bundle!), I've been looking into some of the more high end brands lately. So
>far, DCS seems to offer the best package in either a 30 or 36 inch built-in
>grill.
>
>The current struggle I have is deciding between these two DCS units.
>
>The 30" DCS is the BGB30-BQR - Street price... $1700
>
>The 36" DCS is the BGB36-BQAR - Street price... $3000
>
>As you can see, the price differential is huge. Here's what I've been able
>to determine the 36" has that the 30" doesn't. Based on my research, and
>talking to DCS, for the $1300 extra dollars... the 36" DCS gives you -
>
>1. The larger surface (three 25k btu burners instead of 2)
>2. A smoker tray with its own 3500 btu burner (no smoker in the 30"), and
>3. Better grilling grates (fancy two sided grease control ones, versus
>regular steel tube grates in the 30")
>
>That doesn't sound like much for $1300. But before I decide, I wanted to get
>some feedback on the value of an integrated smoker tray. I have never used a
>smoker, but I'd love to learn. Can a smoker tray allow the grill to cook
>certain foods, steaks etc... so they taste as though they were cooked over
>charcoal? or are these just used to create beef jerky and other stuff like
>that?
>
>Also, does anyone have an opinion about the DCS two sided grilling grates?
>Appearently, one side is great for greasy foods and the other side is
>perfect for delicate stuff like flaky fish etc... are these new grates
>really a nice to have, or is the standard steel grate in the 30" fine as is?
>
>As for price, I am not that price sensitive at this point since the overall
>cost of this outdoor area is already through the roof, so $1300 and getting
>the wrong grill at this point is something I don't want to do.
>
>Any help suggestions is appreciated.
>
>Tom
>


I have the DCS 36" model and I like it a lot. The grates are nice to
have and they work well. The smoker tray is also a plus, but it really
isn't a substitute for a "real" smoker. When I want to smoke some pork
shoulders, I fire up the Kamado for a day or two. When I just want to
grill some steaks and shrimp for a quick summer dinner, the DCS is
nice to have. The smoker tray may let you add a little more flavor,
but the food is generally not on the grill long enough for the smoke
to make much of a difference, at least the way I use it.

For my money, the most important difference between the two models is
the increased grilling surface. I'm always running out of space, even
on the 36" model. The other nice thing about the 36" model is that you
get three burners and can control the heat more precisely than you can
with the two burner model. This is especially nice when you want to
cook over indirect heat.