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Egg, Acorn and Weber Gold, what's the diff?

2K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  cluckmeister 
#1 ·
I'm no grill master but am tired of cooking on cheap throwaway grills with next to no heat control. Expected to try a Weber Gold until someone here's mention of a less expensive Acorn version of the Green Egg type unit caught my attention a little while back. How about a quick course in the advantages that might offer and reviews for both that and the Weber?
 
#3 ·
I will start by saying that I'm a very cheap individual. I've never tried the other two, but the Weber I had was easily the best grill I've ever had, and I never regretted spending the money for it. (It was a Silver) Matter of fact, I was HAPPY that I spent the money for it, if that tells you anything. I had it for almost 13 years, and the push-button ignitors still worked, which was phenomenal. I replaced the grills probably three times (mostly because I was hung up on using the cast iron ones. As soon as I went to stainless steel, that stopped) It never flared up, worked in Minnesota winters outside on the deck, and hot humid summers here. The only reason it's gone now is because the wife gave it to some friends when her dad gave us one he won at Lowes. Had I known about this in advance, it would NOT have been given away. I almost divorced her. And as predicted, that shiny new piece of **** grill is not worth a damn, after only 2 years.

But I have no experience at all with either of the others. I'll say you will be very happy with a Weber. Don't know if you'd be happier with the others, but you won't be disappointed with a Weber.
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
assateague said:
I will start by saying that I'm a very cheap individual. I've never tried the other two, but the Weber I had was easily the best grill I've ever had, and I never regretted spending the money for it. (It was a Silver) Matter of fact, I was HAPPY that I spent the money for it, if that tells you anything. I had it for almost 13 years, and the push-button ignitors still worked, which was phenomenal. I replaced the grills probably three times (mostly because I was hung up on using the cast iron ones. As soon as I went to stainless steel, that stopped) It never flared up, worked in Minnesota winters outside on the deck, and hot humid summers here. The only reason it's gone now is because the wife gave it to some friends when her dad gave us one he won at Lowes. Had I known about this in advance, it would NOT have been given away. I almost divorced her. And as predicted, that shiny new piece of crap grill is not worth a damn, after only 2 years.

But I have no experience at all with either of the others. I'll say you will be very happy with a Weber. Don't know if you'd be happier with the others, but you won't be disappointed with a Weber.
Had a weber and this took its place about 15 years ago.
Brinkmann Pittmaster Deluxe...it has been discontinued. :mad:
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#5 ·
I seriously considered an egg, or a clone thereof, when I bought my Weber Genesis. Came down to that was going to be the only grill I have right now and I didn't want to mess with a fire each time, so the gas won. If I was planning on charcoal every time, I'd plunk down the cash for an egg. Only one person in the dozen or so I've known to have one was unhappy with it, and his was a gift when they didn't understand he wanted a big offset smoker instead...
 
#6 ·
Rick-

I don't know anything about the egg or acorn, but I will say that I've gone through several cheaper grills over the past several years and finally caved and bought a Weber grill. As Assa noted, they are a bit more spendy, but certainly worth the money. I always had problems with hot / cold spots on the cheaper grills. The Weber I have is the Genesis S-330 and it cooks very evenly and very consistently. I'm one of those guys who reads as many consumer reviews on a product before purchasing it and from what I read, Weber quality is tough to beat.
 
#8 ·
Webers are good, but not what they used to be. I doubt any of today's Webers will last 13 years. My last gas grill purchase was a Napoleon - high end job made in Canada. Damn fine grill with 4 burners, and infrared rotisserie and it's hooked to the natural gas line at my house, so no propane cylinders...... but it doesn't do what my smokers do.

If I want low 'n slow (pork butt, ribs, brisket), it's going to be charcoal and most likely on one of my Weber Smoky Mountain cookers (i.e. the Weber bullet) with various types of wood chunks.

If I want hotter and faster for things like chicken breast, burgers, pizza or grilled veggies, roasted red peppers, casseroles, cornbread, it's the Napoleon.

I still have my Weber Silver (3 burner) and it works great. I use it for smaller jobs or when I need to cook simultaneously at different temps.

For steaks, I want rippin' @ss hot. I use the Weber kettle grill and big ole pile of charcoal and sear the poot out of them. Let's see, I'm up to 5 grills and that doesn't count the baby Weber I take camping. :lol3:

But on to the Green Egg. My brother has one and loves it. He makes great food on it and always uses lump coal. It just seems.. I don't know.. fussy. A lot of trouble for something that doesn't need to cook long. In short, if you're only going to have one grill, I'd go with the Weber or a high end gas grill for convenience. But they will never deliver what you can get from using charcoal.
 
#9 ·
rank duck said:
Webers are good, but not what they used to be. I doubt any of today's Webers will last 13 years.
That's a good point, and one I hadn't thought of. I bought mine in 1997, so I suppose, like everything, the quality may not be what it once was.
 
#10 ·
The last ones I look at seemed pretty solid. No way to know if they've gotten it together again, but I understood the original owner (Steven/Stephen/? Weber) isn't in charge any more, so you know what that means: corporate greed. I believe their quality went in the crapper. I heard they don't offer free replacements on things like burners any more. Maybe there have been enough complaints and bad press to turn that around. My Silver is at least 12 years old and still going strong.
 
#12 ·
Green Egg vs. other grills is like the difference between cast iron pots and other pots. The thick ceramic holds the heat in, it takes less fire to maintain, and even cooking with less burning. That's the advantages. With the Green Egg, you are paying for the name. As long as it is a thick Ceramic grill, it will perform the same.
 
#16 ·
Locked&Loaded said:
Rick-

I don't know anything about the egg or acorn, but I will say that I've gone through several cheaper grills over the past several years and finally caved and bought a Weber grill. As Assa noted, they are a bit more spendy, but certainly worth the money. I always had problems with hot / cold spots on the cheaper grills. The Weber I have is the Genesis S-330 and it cooks very evenly and very consistently. I'm one of those guys who reads as many consumer reviews on a product before purchasing it and from what I read, Weber quality is tough to beat.
Agree with Magic Mike, Weber Genesis
 
#18 ·
Heres my vote, Ive got one and have used the heck out of it, I smoke lots of different meats and grill about twice a week on it. The trick to keeping one in good shape is CLEANING it after each use and also keep it covered so it doesn't get wet. BTW I never use briquettes only lump charcoal. It makes all the difference in taste of the food, the briquettes have filler in them giving food a funky taste. Char-Broil Longhorn 1060-sq in Charcoal Horizontal Smoker, available at Lowes
 
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