18 June, 2007

The Evolution of the Grill, Bye-Bye Hibachi!

I wanted to get my husband a grill for Father's Day. Has anyone been grill shopping lately? I knew this wasn't anything I could do by myself, he would need to make the selection, there's simply too many choices. We have an old gas grill on the patio and it's old and worn out, for the most part. It's moved around the world with us, and it looks it. It's been a good grill, but it's served it's purpose... it's time to move on. My husband was happy with the offer for us to replace old (t)rusty. We went together after church to look. OH MY GOSH-- have you looked at outdoor kitchens lately? That's what they are. Seriously. Gone are the days of of the grills of our youth. Remember Hibachis? I do. Now you can get a grill to do everything... I mean everything. We looked at models over $6,000. Yes, looked. We looked and left them there. I don't think I'd even want a grill that nice sitting outside. We saw the 'Green Egg' grill, too. That was an odd looking thing, apparently they're quite popular, the store said they couldn't keep green eggs in stock, they didn't mention green ham. We couldn't find exactly what we were looking for, the search will continue. We're looking for cast iron burners and a smoker, too. Gone are the days of a bag of briquettes and a squirt of lighter fluid to get the party started. Now there's an entirely new language to accompany the price tag: BTU's and infrared rear-mounted rotisseries, there's even lights available for mounting on the lid; the accessories, the custom covers... there's no end. Happy Father's Day!

Life is Good!

13 comments:

Mama Spark said...

We aren't ready to upgrade yet, but I see it in the near future. Good luck with finding the right addition to your family : )

Libby said...

We swear by the good ole Weber kettle. There's just nothing like food cooked over the coals *s*

Carole said...

I read you on grills. A couple of years ago I went shopping to replace our (t)rusty. I can't see myself paying $6,000 for something that sits outside and just looks good and you can't even take it for a spin. Heck, I don't think I paid that much for my new stainless steel gas stove! lol I ended up buying a $99.00 dollar one. It cooks fine even in the middle of winter! Good luck with your find!

Unknown said...

I am glad I don´t have to go looking for a grill. I am not that mad about barbecue myself. But I wish you luck with your search. And don´t forget "the secret is in the sauce!"
I did the test on the pets and I am a cat, my favorite animal. That was fun. Thank you for the link. Take care.

meggie said...

Haha, nice post! Our BBQ died, & we havent bothered to replace it. I know, we are a bit 'un-Australian' but we dont actually like BBQ much!
Our children do, & they use theirs all the time.
I would like a smoker though. My brother does the best smoked fish I have ever tasted!
Good luck with your quest!

His Office, My Studio said...

The grill has changed so much over the years. I have alway had a Weber kettle, even my dad did when I was a kid. Last year my hubby went to work for Weber in the R&D department. Now I know just how much the grill has changed first (second)hand.

CONNIE W said...

We went through this decision-making a year ago. We made the rounds and purchased something that does the job without breaking the bank. So far, so good.

Lindah said...

Ha-ha! It seems EVERYthing has gotten more versatile (complicated) and expensive. Yah, it was so simple to pack up the hibachi and a picnic basket and go. --as a couple, it worked. We picked up a discarded old grill, replaced the shattered glass with a piece of scrap metal. Replaced the burner, gave it a coat of paint and we're getting a lot of wear out of it. :-) But there are a lot of nifty grills out there. I'm sure you will find just the right one and enjoy using it.

Jim V said...

I recently got a new grill for graduation from law school. Like you, Lisa knew it would be best to bring me along. We were lucky. We found a grill that LOOKS like it cost about $800.00. And everyone THINKS it cost that much. But we came in under $200.00. I'm sure the $800 or $6000 are better in many ways, but all I know is that my food is not raw when I bite into it. And that's really the idea, isn't it?

Isn't it fun, though, to look at things that are insanely expensive even if you know you'd never get them? Although, I have to say, that like you I don't think I could ever justify $6,000 for a grill no matter how much disposable income I had. But that doesn't mean I would check it out head to toe at the store.

Good luck on your quest!

Shelina said...

I am sure you will find a great grill for Mr. G soon.

Whenever I have to replace anything, I have to brace myself for the sticker shock. I think about how much I paid for something, and add some for inflation. Then I check out the real price and find out it is double my estimate!

Sue Seibert said...

We have been going through the same thing. We have looked and looked, too. No luck thus far!

MARCIE said...

I have noticed the new grills as I walked through Lowes. Wow! I wonder how long they will stay so bright and shiney? After years of pouring on the lighter fluid, I love having a gas grill. It is so easy to heat up dinner outside now. You will be happy when you find the right grill. Can't imagine a Hibachi --aahh, the back!

Jim V said...

"I wonder how long they will stay so bright and shiney?"

Not long.... we're going out this weekend to try to find some sort of stainless steel cleaner. Washing with warm water and soap, or just warm water, makes it look worse than it did when it was dirty. We haven't tried regular cleaners like 409 because we thought it might mess up the metal.

But regardless, they are a little tough to keep clean.