New BBQ Season, Need opinions on these two gas grills
 

So my 7 year old Amana (Sureheat) grill from Home Depot has had it.
It did a lot of grilling and a lot of rotisserie cooking over the years, but now it's falling apart. The firebox is toast and not feasibly rebuildable, the grills are literally shedding pieces of metal.

Time to step up to something in the next level.

I bought a Kamodo last year which is my go-to on the weekends when I have time to fire it up, It's my pride and joy when I can use it. The gas grill is mostly for mid-week/quick-cook duty and rotisserie, and because of that I don't think I need such a huge gas grill anymore.

Webers are out because they don't offer a infrared rotisserie burner in anything other than the summit series, which costs more than I want to spend. The infrared back burner is a MUST for me.
I don't don't even do roasts in my oven anymore, rotisserie all the way.

So I think I've narrowed it down to the following two choices:

Jackson Grills Lux 550 ~$1400 from the local dealer
Lux 550 Series Grill | Lux Series Grills
- 3 Main Burners, 370sq.in. main grilling area
- Ceramic Infrared rear burner
- All 304 stainless firebox, construction & cooking grates
- No side burners (optional adders)
- Used to be manufactured in Duncan BC, now manufactured in China

Napoleon Prestige P500RSIB ~$1700 from the local dealer
Prestige 500 with Infrared Side and Rear Burners in Stainless Steel | P500RSIBBPSS-1
- 4 Main Burners, 500sq. in. main grilling area
- Steel plate Infrared rear burner
- Side infrared sear burner included
- Cast Aluminum cooking box, stainless steel cooking grates, cabinet & shelves
- Manufactured in Canada (Ontario)
- Better warranty

So my main concerns:
1. Longevity/Durability and parts availability: My biggest concern with the Jackson is how the sheet-metal stainless firebox will hold up. (I don't want another burned out POS like my Amana)
The cast aluminum of the Napoleon would probably last forever, and everything else inside the would wear is probably easily to obtain and replace

2. Evenness of grill temperature: My Amana had brutal hot & cold spots. I want a nice even temperature

I don't really care about side burners, I could take them or leave them.

So If you have any experience or opinions with either these two units, please weigh in.

not regarding either, but owner of the company i work for has two different model Vermont Castings, beleive both have the full cast aluminum grills/lids

thing is a dream to cook on, and the lid weighs as much as most BBQ's, crazy ball bearing hinges etc.

might be a little bit outside of that price range, but maybe not

I agree with Hondaracer, the Vermont Casting is an amazing BBQ. I purchased a Weber, but it was between the Vermont and Weber - I got a great deal on the Weber and could not say no - Very happy with my purchase but I know it is not an option.

A few friends have Vermont Castings and they are amazing BBQs to cook on. We have 2 Vermont Castings at work that have been sitting on an uncovered patio for the past 4 years or so and are still going strong and look amazing. They are used almost daily during the Spring and Summer.

I would stay away from anything with an Sheet Metal Box - stick to a cast box.

I don't really BBQ or grill or anything.

But isn't cast just going to rust?


Also, from my experience, I think modularity and the availability of replacement parts is going to be an important factor for longterm longevity.
If you have a part (let's call it your burner head or whatever) that dies 2 yrs, or 6 years or 10.
It doesn't really matter if it's easily swappable and the replacement is cheap.

^Cast aluminum, it doesn't rust.

I agree, ease of replacement parts is up on my list.
The thing is, If I had to replace the firebox on the jackson, my concern is that it would probably cost half as much as a new BBQ.
I'm just guessing,

I have had the Napoleon for the past 6 years and honestly love it, still looks and worth great and I don't even clean it as often as I should. You should look hard at that one especially since its Canadian made as well.

That Jackson Grills seems like a TON of money for a made in China 3-burner + IR rotisserie in my opinion.

I looked long and hard at a Napoleon but ended up buying the tried, tested, and true Weber Genesis which features a similar 3 burner arrangement. You could also step up into a Summit series, their top model, for close to that kind of money and have the dealer support network and overall "brand recognition" (which is helpful if you ever have to sell the thing...).

Mark

Got this delivered yesterday!:

http://www3.telus.net/bryster/20160417_115026.jpg

Broke her in by doing a rotisserie chicken.

great choice, you will love it.

Solid choice. There are Napoleon fanboys and Weber fanboys but at the end of the day, I think even the most diehard will agree that the other is still a heck of a grill. Enjoy in good health.

Mark

Solid Grill!

Since the search is over, where's the best bang for buck lump charcoal in the lower mainland? Thanks.

Not sure about the mainland,
For lump charcoal, I just get mine from Crappy Tire.
Royal Oak 18lb bag for $20 bucks is pretty good. I've never seen cheaper than that anywhere else.