Looking for decent gas grill replacement

[HalfSmoked]

I agree with John but then again how new is the Blaze grill co. so they would have less reviews.

Warren

 

[2008RN]

I agree with John but then again how new is the Blaze grill co. so they would have less reviews.

Warren

I checked it out. Blaze Grills founded in 2012, out of Louisiana. The owner actually started back in 1998, and struggled. He worked with Ironworks with designs back around 2000. He started and internet sales company to move his and other people products (Shoppers Choice now BBQguys). Blaze grills is a small company, catering to higher end grills with revenue 6.4 million a year. According to reviews they have continued to refine their grills and stand behind their products. The company is independently owned. Looks like a good solid little company. Will they still be in business in 20-30 years? I do not know. When the founder steps down will the business fold/go under.

 

[johnmeyer]

As someone who spent the last half of his career running small companies, I am obviously a fan. That said, for something like a gas grill, they would have to have designed something very different or unusual, or have some amazingly solid parts for me to give up the security of dealing with a company that has sold millions of grills and has had decades modifying them and servicing them. I'm not sure I see, in the pictures or the descriptions on the Blaze site, something that would make me want to take a chance on them.

For the ultimate negative, showing what can happen when dealing with a small outfit, check out the recent, long thread in this forum about the agony of dealing with a Kickstarter-funded company making temperature measuring devices. It's been a real headache for all the customers. Blaze is obviously further along, but it's something to think about.

I just skimmed the reviews on Amazon for three of their products. My general sense is that they use really good materials, but that the actual design of the thing (burner size & placement; flavorizer bars; heat chamber size; etc.) is typical of an early engineering prototype rather than a refined product that is in its twentieth design iteration. Also, there seemed to be a theme of poor customer service. My experience with small companies is that they usually operate on the two extreme ends of the customer service spectrum: they are either willing to do anything and everything to satisfy their customers so that they get the word of mouth advertising, or they only know how to make and ship the product, but don't really understand how important customer relationships can be.

 

[crisparkle]

I'm gonna go get one too after getting back from the trip. Is Weber ok?

 

[Brass Man]

I'm gonna go get one too after getting back from the trip. Is Weber ok?

I have a Weber Genesis that we purchased 2+ years ago when we moved to Florida. 3 burner, no side burner. It has performed flawlessly. On the lowest setting, the grill will hold the temp at 350. Cast iron grates go in the oven on the self-clean setting every 6 months. Do a lot of grilling down here.

Two others to look at. We had a Napoleon for about 10 years when we lived in the Northeast. Worked very well. Ours had the infra-red cooking area. Eventually had to replace the screen for that burner. It is still earning its keep as we gave it to one of our sons who loves cooking outside like me. Napoleon's are expensive. Ducane is another that last us almost 20 years. Ducane is now owned by Weber. The Ducane brand is now the low end type grill. Too bad.