Newbie with a question

[critterito]

Hi everyone,

My name is Chrissy, I'm originally from CT and currently live in Charlotte NC with my boyfriend Nick and our 2 dogs. I hate to admit it but despite the fact that I'm a good cook I know practically nothing about grilling or smoking

I really want to learn though, and this seemed like the best place to join!

My first question (among what I'm sure will be many, many more...) is what kind of grill I should buy. I'm trying to be a fantastic girlfriend and want to buy Nick a grill for Christmas. I'm a little stuck so I'm hoping for some help or advice. While we were at Lowe's a few weeks ago I caught him eying a Char-Griller, so I did a little research and this is the one I decided on:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_5050-49769-...br|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

I was trying to be smart and figured I'd check Home Depot's prices too, and in doing so I found out they don't carry the Char-Griller and have this Brinkmann grill instead:

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-G...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Main thing I like about these grills is it seems like they are pretty versatile and I love that they can be used with gas, charcoal, or as a smoker. I've checked everywhere and can't seem to find a decent comparison between the two, and since I don't have a clue about any of this yet they just seem identical to me. The only thing that has me leaning towards the Char-Griller is the fact that I can buy the Fire Box for it as well. I couldn't find out if there is a Fire Box for the Brinkmann, if there is then I guess I'm stuck right in the middle again. So I'm just trying to figure out which one of these I should go with.

Any info on either of the grills or advice would be greatly appreciated! Even if someone has a recommendation on a different grill other than these two that would be awesome. We just bought our first house a few months ago and have been surviving on a George Foreman, so while I realize pretty much anything I buy will be a huge upgrade I'm looking for something legit. Also, he'll definitely be using it the most, but I want to get something that I'll enjoy using too. Thanks everyone!!

 

[alblancher]

Welcome to SMF

I am going to let someone that has the grills you asked about tell you about them but welcome to the Forum.   And Yes you are a Good Girlfriend if you buy the man in your life BBQ Equipment!

 

[chef jimmyj]

Welcome to the SMF Family...I am not really familiar with either of these...The Brinkman has an optional side firebox as well... Compatible with Brinkmann Off-Set Smoker Accessory (810-3826-S), sold separately. Sombody here will be more help...JJ

 

[owlcreeksmoker4]

Welcome to SMF. happy smoking!

 

[pineywoods]

Welcome to SMF glad you joined us. I have no input as to which of those two are better but I will say you'll want the side fire box if your going to do much smoking. It's possible to smoke on a grill but it's much easier with the side fire box option. You might also want to consider a decent meat thermometer as well it's a very valuable tool to have and most of us consider it a must have

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF Chrissy.

As long as your somewhat undecided take a look at a Weber Smoky Mountain.

They make 2 sizes & I think H. Depot carries the small one.

 

[ptcruiserguy]

Welcome to SMF Chrissy. Sorry but I have no input on either of those two Grills.

Just wanted to give you a warm welcome.

Happy Smokin'

Mike

 

[bbqmaverick]

Welcome to SMF Chrissy.

As long as your somewhat undecided take a look at a Weber Smoky Mountain.

They make 2 sizes & I think H. Depot carries the small one.

I 2nd SmokinAl's comment on the Weber Smokey Mountain.  I personally don't have one but I have taught my friends how to cook on them when they were starting out.  I do however have the Chargiller unit that you are looking at.  It is definetly a nice rig for the fact that you can use gas or charcoal a good beginner unit for sure.  It is a little small on surface area for cooking when I have friends over if I just use one side.  Also, it doesn't seal very well so you will go through fuel a lot faster than you would with a Weber Smoky Mountain or WSM as it is known here.  Like I said take a look at a WSM but if you decide to go with the Chargriller get a side fire box for it.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Above is a link so you can see a WSM at home depot.

Good Luck

 

[ecto1]

Welcome to SMF glad you can join us.  We are big on Pics and love to help everyone out.  Remember the only question that is dumb is one not asked.  You will not find a friendlier place to talk Que on the web.

You are going to fit in just fine..

Chrissy what do you see him cooking most on these.  If he is going to be a steak and Hamburger guy either one of these will be just fine.  If you think he is going to want to try his hand at smoking meats I think the Weber Smokey Mountain would be the way to go.  Either way it sounds like you are a keeper and he will be happy with what ever you decide.

 

[sunman76]

Get both

   lol just kiddn!

Sorry I'm no help in this one.

Welcome to SMF this is a great place to help and learn.

 

[raptor700]

Hi Chrissy, you came to the right place.

 I like the WSM too 

                 

 

[scarbelly]

Hi Chrissy

 to SMF.  I have seen both units and I am sure they sell a lot of both. IMHO I would buy the best smoker you can afford and look for an inexpensive grill for the time being. 

Here is a link to a guy here on the forum that has one and did some modifications to his to improve it - he has not been on for a couple of months but if you send him a PM he might answer your questions as he will get an email 

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/74301/char-griller-duo-mods

A lot of folks started smoking by using one of these Brinkman units

http://www.grillsdirect.com/barbecu...rs&tid=exact&gclid=CPT94oyb7KwCFaReTAodMVthFA

I used one for nearly 5 years with some good food coming off of it. Like Ecto1 told you, it is really going to depend on how you and he are going to cook. If most of your time is going to be on the grill then is makes sense to spend the $ there and get a smoker later on. If he already has a grill then go with the WSM as Al suggested. They are a great smoker for the $ 

Good luck and feel free to send any of us a PM for more help

 

[tom c]

I was looking at the same unit you are lookig at, if I didn't already have a good gas grill would of ended up with the Ghar_Griller Dou. I ended up buying a Char-Griller Pro with Side Fire Box. The reason I went with Char-Griller is because the side fire box is better in my opiniun. None of these unit are the best smoker out of the box but with some mods they can be DARN GOOD.

I did a ton of mods to my unit and I think it now as good as units that would cost many times more than I spent. This is my Char Griller http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/113868/highly-modified-char-griller-pro-with-side-fire-box

Yes the WSM is the best out of the box Smoker for the price.

 

[africanmeat]

 

[mballi3011]

First off welcome to SMF there Chrissy. You'll really like this place for there are a bunch of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. Then if you have any questions you just post them here or yu can try in chat for a faster answer. If you are really new to all of this I would recommend that you look up and take the e-course. It is free and it will also give you the basics on smoking. So with all that said now go and get something to smoke.

Welcome To Your New Addiction

 

[sqwib]

Welcome Chrissy

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the WIKIs.

Ask questions and use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse
 
      Make bacon the easy way!!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/109368/more-easy-made-bacon-with-q-view#post_666451

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/82034/how-to-post-qview-to-smf