Grillin & Chillin

If any of you read my ditherings here (and here comes another one) you know how I feel about Weber. I'm still offended that I paid U.S. prices for what I thought was an American product, only to find out it was Chinese.

I will never forgive them for that, and most likely this is my last Weber grill unless I can be certain that I'm getting a U.S. made product.

Having said that, as I mentioned earlier, one advantage of overpaying for Chineseium is the 10 year warranty. I was having issues with the crossover burner that lights the burners that aren't connected to the ignition. A lot of the vents were packed with rust and the flame wouldn't propagate across its length. I beat it up with wire brushes and picks but it wouldn't yield.

That, and the Flavorizers were more flakes in the bottom of the grill than they were Flavorizers.

Their website is a little awkward to find the warranty claim form, it's almost like they're trying to avoid their customers. However, once I submitted the form I got an immediate response, a request for a few photos and my replacement parts got FedExed in a couple of days.

Here's what I was working on:

The crossover burner, I finally got the vents open after a trip to the blasting cabinet. The welds on the shields had failed prior, but I explained why it looked clean etc and they agreed.

The Flavorizers:

This was an easy one. Their website suggests that surface rust is okay, but perforation is not. Clearly I had perforations.

To their credit, they did not skimp and sent me stainless steel replacements instead of the enameled kaka the grill came with. They still have them for sale as replacements, but there's only about a five dollar price difference. I don't even know why the enameled ones are offered. Still, good on Weber for stepping it up when they weren't obligated.

I was also somewhat impressed that the parts came from Taiwan instead of China. Not ideal, but still a plus.

Chicken Ta-Tas will be experiencing the new gear tonight. We'll see how it goes. 🤨

If any of you read my ditherings here (and here comes another one) you know how I feel about Weber. I'm still offended that I paid U.S. prices for what I thought was an American product, only to find out it was Chinese.

I will never forgive them for that, and most likely this is my last Weber grill unless I can be certain that I'm getting a U.S. made product.

Having said that, as I mentioned earlier, one advantage of overpaying for Chineseium is the 10 year warranty. I was having issues with the crossover burner that lights the burners that aren't connected to the ignition. A lot of the vents were packed with rust and the flame wouldn't propagate across its length. I beat it up with wire brushes and picks but it wouldn't yield.

That, and the Flavorizers were more flakes in the bottom of the grill than they were Flavorizers.

Their website is a little awkward to find the warranty claim form, it's almost like they're trying to avoid their customers. However, once I submitted the form I got an immediate response, a request for a few photos and my replacement parts got FedExed in a couple of days.

Here's what I was working on:

The crossover burner, I finally got the vents open after a trip to the blasting cabinet. The welds on the shields had failed prior, but I explained why it looked clean etc and they agreed.

The Flavorizers:

This was an easy one. Their website suggests that surface rust is okay, but perforation is not. Clearly I had perforations.

To their credit, they did not skimp and sent me stainless steel replacements instead of the enameled kaka the grill came with. They still have them for sale as replacements, but there's only about a five dollar price difference. I don't even know why the enameled ones are offered. Still, good on Weber for stepping it up when they weren't obligated.

I was also somewhat impressed that the parts came from Taiwan instead of China. Not ideal, but still a plus.

Chicken Ta-Tas will be experiencing the new gear tonight. We'll see how it goes. 🤨

just because it's being manufactured in China for a US company does not mean it's cheaply made. I'm not talking labor. That's where they have the edge...

In my former life I bought 10's of millions of dollars worth of products made in China for US companies. They were all manufactuered to the US Company's specifications as well as my company's specs.

just because it's being manufactured in China for a US company does not mean it's cheaply made. I'm not talking labor. That's where they have the edge...

In my former life I bought 10's of millions of dollars worth of products made in China for US companies. They were all manufactuered to the US Company's specifications as well as my company's specs.

It's not a quality issue in this case. I know with proper supervision they're capable of making good products. My problems with it are A: Doing business with Communists and 2: They're getting this stuff on the cheap, but they're charging made in U.S.A. prices. As much as I detest buying Chinese products, at least pass on some of the savings. For what I paid for this grill I could have bought several comparable Chinese grills from their competitors and warrantied them myself by replacement and still been ahead.

Chedda Bacon double cheese burgers/extra bacon/horseradish sauce (I love that stuff)

First cookout at my daughters, my future son in law at the ready

I purchased a grill from this company, Charcoal Grills about 12-15 years ago. These type grills are usually found in state parks and places like that. They are built to last and come in a variety of sizes.

I have a Weber as well but since I purchased the charcoal grill the only thing I use the Weber is for things like baked potatoes, and use it more as an oven, for 2nd turkey on Thanksgiving, and other non messy cooking. The grill looks almost new and probably 15 years old.

I had a BBQ this past weekend and here’s a couple of photos of my “grilling area”. I did a bit of stone work and gave the Pilot Roack grill more of built in look.

I was going to take take some photos of what I was going to cook, but between the rum and gummies I forgot to take photos. Anyway it was about 60 lamb chops, all on the grill at the same time. That took up about 90% of the grill space, used 2 bags of lump charcoal.

You can cook up a storm on these grills.

Here a photo from another BBQ I had to give some sense of what you can cook on these grills. Here are 4 sausage rings, 2 large whole filet mignon’s and several cut up chickens.

Here a photo from another BBQ I had to give some sense of what you can cook on these grills. Here are 4 sausage rings, 2 large whole filet mignon’s and several cut up chickens.

Basically a giant hibachi.

We used to have one. Unfortunately it rotted out. But before that we'd grill with wood. It was small, but it made some damn good stuff.

I definitely agree, charcoal or wood fired has way better flavor than gas. I should get the Smokey Joe fired up again.

I purchased a grill from this company, [Charcoal Grills]('https://www.pilotrock.com/product/charcoal-grills/') about 12-15 years ago. These type grills are usually found in state parks and places like that. They are built to last and come in a variety of sizes.

I have a Weber as well but since I purchased the charcoal grill the only thing I use the Weber is for things like baked potatoes, and use it more as an oven, for 2nd turkey on Thanksgiving, and other non messy cooking. The grill looks almost new and probably 15 years old.

I had a BBQ this past weekend and here’s a couple of photos of my “grilling area”. I did a bit of stone work and gave the Pilot Roack grill more of built in look.

I was going to take take some photos of what I was going to cook, but between the rum and gummies I forgot to take photos. Anyway it was about 60 lamb chops, all on the grill at the same time. That took up about 90% of the grill space, used 2 bags of lump charcoal.

You can cook up a storm on these grills.

Nice outdoor area..

Basically a giant hibachi.

We used to have one. Unfortunately it rotted out. But before that we'd grill with wood. It was small, but it made some damn good stuff.

I definitely agree, charcoal or wood fired has way better flavor than gas. I should get the Smokey Joe fired up again.

Then Pilot grills are very heavy duty and would take a lot to rot/rust out. Additionally, I purchased some custom made covers from this company [Anniversary sale with up to 25% off sitewide and free gift | Covers & All]("https://www.coversandall.com/daily-deals?utm_source=RB_eng-280-new_BOT_14thFeb24_NS&utm_medium=campaign-email&utm_campaign=August_7th_2025_COVER_2ndCampaign%20%282025-08-07%29&cid=crm&_kx=3ab-3bNc_bNqyVFwezq0tmCtkykGO2V0aQJv3Yg8nxY.RZhqVw")

They make them for whatever you want and they are heavy duty made for a heavy rubberized canvas. Mine are probably 12+ years old. I have them for the charcoal grill, a SS rolling cart, and a large outdoor table which covers the chairs also. We only cover the big table in the winter. During the warm season we cover the chairs but those covers are not custom I think Joni gets them at Frontgate.

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Doing the uber-healthy thing tonight. Grilled veg, COTC and Mrs Avenger's famous Seasoned Turkey Burgers with fresh home-grown parsley, chives and basil.

Mantises not included.

Seriously, she has some impressive recipes for ground turkey. Although she hates making them, 'cause ground poultry is slimy AF.

Doing the uber-healthy thing tonight. Grilled veg, COTC and Mrs Avenger's famous Seasoned Turkey Burgers with fresh home-grown parsley, chives and basil.

Mantises not included.

Seriously, she has some impressive recipes for ground turkey. Although she hates making them, 'cause ground poultry is slimy AF.

All looks great

Mantises not included.

:D

Garlic fresh picked string beans, siratcha chicken burgers, and bacon wrapped chicken skewers

Garlic fresh picked string beans, siratcha chicken burgers, and bacon wrapped chicken skewers

just the two of you?

Some nice thick NY Prime Strip Steaks from COSTCO on tonight’s grilling menu!!

just the two of you?

Four of us