Which Grill Should I Buy?

As much as I wish I had a list of "approved grills"..... I just haven't found it very practical to try and keep such a database. In short the reasons are:

If we suggested a model, it would probably:

-Be unavailable or hard to find in your local store
-No longer available this year....

So for those reasons, we just haven't bothered to keep a list.  However, I will suggest the following:

The grill really doesn't matter. It is merely a chamber to hold heat. That's quite literally all we need it for. That said, some things to consider, being the dimensions, BTU, and rotisserie cutouts.
. 

There are a few suggestions, however:

-Be careful about trusting the built in thermometer they are really quite inaccurate. If you get the everything kit, then this won't be a factor as I'll send you a good reliable analog thermometer.

-It has been noted recently by an RK'er that after thorough testing of nearly all grills at Wal-Mart, that they have restricted the propane orifice and it is difficult to get these grills to come to temperature, even with the sheet metal mods.... Rumor has it that it was some corporate decision to reduce liability possibly....buying from Home Depot or Lowes seems to have produced much better results.  I can confirm the Uniflame grill that I used in the assembly guide (from Wal-Mart) was also difficult to bring to temperature (650F) even with the sheet metal mods.

I wish I had some more specific grill models to give you, I just however haven't had many people provide me the grill models they are using...maybe I can do something about that in the future...

With that said, here are the things you should be aware of when selecting a grill.

A.  GRILL SELECTION

Make sure that your grill selection contains the rotisserie cutouts. (Figure 1 & 2)These cutouts can either be on the lid or the base of the grill.  Some of the newer low-end grills don't seem to have this any longer for some reason.  You can still make a grill without them work, but it will require you to cut into the grill to accommodate the rod (Figure 3).  Save yourself some headache if you can and get a grill with this feature.  Also make sure your grill is a minimum of 40,000BTU.  The Rotisserie Bracket holes, pre-drilled (Figure 1) will save you one extra step, otherwise you will have to drill your own holes.  Also, I think you will have better results if you use a new grill that has never had meat in it, as flavors and aromas can get into your coffee.  Otherwise clean your grill real well and run it at 600F for an hour to burn out all the grease and other odors. (More text below the images...)

(Figure 1)

(Figure 2)

(Figure 3)

SELECTION OF A 4LB GRILL:

Your drum is only going to be 12" long in the case of the 4Lb drum, so pretty much any grill out there will fit the bill.

In all cases, try to avoid, if you can, a grill with a massive cavernous interior space.  If you buy a HUGE grill, you will just have to pay in propane to heat the entire internal space, when the reality is that you only need your heat focused on the drum/coffee itself.

Any additional interior space is arguably a waste, and more inefficient.  You can do the dome cap sheet metal mod if you need to, however.

Take your tape measure along with you to the store, make sure, measure the width of the grill to see that it is at least 14" wide. (Figure 3.1)

This is pretty much a no-brainer, I think every grill made surely is at least 14" wide.  But just in case I'll say it here.

Measure your height from the bottom of the rotisserie cutout down to the diffuser.  The drum is 8" in diameter (4" radius), and you will need about 1 inch for clearance.  Remember the drum will sag when the rod is heated and the drum full of coffee.  I've seen it done with 1/2" clearance, but you might get some scraping.(Figure 3.2)

Another important measurement is BTU (British Thermal Units).  This is a measurement of how much heat the grill is capable of producing.

For a 4Lb Setup, I think minimum is 30,000 BTU and I'm going to recommend at least 35,000 BTU.  At 30,000 you may need to run wide open to get an even roast on a fully loaded drum, even with the sheet metal mods, so I'll recommend 35,000 here.

If you already have a grill you want to use and you're concerned it might not have enough BTU, give it a shot, you can do the sheet metal mod, and then you'll run wide open and worst case you'll get coffee that isn't as good as it could be.  But it's worth the shot if it will save you from buying a grill.

Consider a grill with a built in thermometer that goes up to at least 550 degrees F.  600 highly recommended.  One less step to do later if you don't have to install the thermometer.

Make sure the grill you buy is sturdy and not shaky or flimsy.  This certainly isn't critical, your roasts will be absolutely perfect either way, but if you are spending money on a grill, with proper care it will last you many, many years.  The weakest part of the whole system will probably be the grill.  If you already have a grill, that meets the specs, just go with it if you want to save money; but if you're going to spend money, buy yourself something that will hold up.  Check the side trays/tubes, make sure they feel solid.  You will mount your motor to the tray so make sure it can hold 10-12 pounds of weight without folding up like a cheap lawn chair.

What to look for:

Width: 14"

Vertical Clearance: 5"

Recommended BTU: 35,000

Thermometer Pre Installed (If Desired).

 

 

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SELECTION OF A 6LB GRILL:

Your drum is only going to be 18" long in the case of the 6Lb drum, you will need about 20" to accommodate the retaining collars.  You can probably get by with 19" but, shoot for 20".

In all cases, try to avoid, if you can, a grill with a massive cavernous interior space.  If you buy a HUGE grill, you will just have to pay in propane to heat the entire internal space, when the reality is that you only need your heat focused on the drum/coffee itself.

Any additional interior space is arguably a waste, and more inefficient.  You can do the dome cap sheet metal mod if you need to, however.

Take your tape measure along with you to the store, make sure, measure the width of the grill to see that it is at least 20" wide. (Figure 3.1)

Measure your height from the bottom of the rotisserie cutout down to the diffuser.  The drum is 8" in diameter (4" radius), and you will need about 1" inch for clearance.  Remember the drum will sag when the rod is heated and the drum full of coffee.  I've seen it done with 1/2" clearance, but you might get some scraping.(Figure 3.2)

Another important measurement is BTU (British Thermal Units).  This is a measurement of how much heat the grill is capable of producing.

For a 6Lb Setup, I think minimum is 35,000 BTU and I'm going to recommend at least 40,000 BTU.  At 35,000 you may need to run wide open to get an even roast on a fully loaded drum, even with the sheet metal mods, so I'll recommend 40,000 here.   I do currently roast 6Lb's on a 36,000 BTU and even with the sheet metal mods, I have to run real high gas to get even roast on a full load.

If you already have a grill you want to use and you're concerned it might not have enough BTU, give it a shot, you can do the sheet metal mod, and then you'll run wide open and worst case you'll get coffee that isn't as good as it could be.  But it's worth the shot if it will save you from buying a grill.

Consider a grill with a built in thermometer that goes up to at least 600 degrees F.  You'll need the extra heat and will probably regularly roast at 600 with a 6Lb green load.  The pre-installed thermometer is one less step to do later.

Make sure the grill you buy is sturdy and not shaky or flimsy.  This certainly isn't critical, your roasts will be absolutely perfect either way, but if you are spending money on a grill, with proper care it will last you many, many years.  The weakest part of the whole system will probably be the grill.  If you already have a grill, that meets the specs, just go with it if you want to save money; but if you're going to spend money, buy yourself something that will hold up.  Check the side trays/tubes, make sure they feel solid.  You will mount your motor to the tray so make sure it can hold 10-12 pounds of weight without folding up like a cheap lawn chair.

What to look for:

Width: 20"

Vertical Clearance: 5"

Recommended BTU: 40,000

Thermometer Pre Installed (If Desired).

 

 

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SELECTION OF A 8LB GRILL:

Your drum is only going to be 24" long in the case of the 8Lb drum, you will need about 25" and preferably a minimum of 25.5"  to accommodate the retaining collars.

In all cases, try to avoid, if you can, a grill with a massive cavernous interior space.  If you buy a HUGE grill, you will just have to pay in propane to heat the entire internal space, when the reality is that you only need your heat focused on the drum/coffee itself.

Any additional interior space is arguably a waste, and more inefficient.  You can do the dome cap sheet metal mod if you need to, however.

Take your tape measure along with you to the store, make sure, measure the width of the grill to see that it is at least 25 to 25.5" (preferably) wide. (Figure 3.1)

Measure your height from the bottom of the rotisserie cutout down to the diffuser.  The drum is 8" in diameter (4" radius), and you will need about 1" inch for clearance.  Remember the drum will sag when the rod is heated and the drum full of coffee.  I've seen it done with 1/2" clearance, but you might get some scraping.(Figure 3.2)

Another important measurement is BTU (British Thermal Units).  This is a measurement of how much heat the grill is capable of producing.

For a 8Lb Setup, I think minimum is 40,000 BTU and I'm going to recommend at least 45,000 BTU.  At 40,000 you may need to run wide open to get an even roast on a fully loaded drum, even with the sheet metal mods, so I'll recommend 45,000 here.   I do currently roast 6Lb's on a 36,000 BTU and even with the sheet metal mods, I have to run real high gas to get even roast on a full load.

If you already have a grill you want to use and you're concerned it might not have enough BTU, give it a shot, you can do the sheet metal mod, and then you'll run wide open and worst case you'll get coffee that isn't as good as it could be.  But it's worth the shot if it will save you from buying a grill.

Consider a grill with a built in thermometer that goes up to at least 600 degrees F and preferably 650.  You'll need the extra heat and will probably regularly roast at 600 with a 8Lb green load.  The pre-installed thermometer is one less step to do later.

Make sure the grill you buy is sturdy and not shaky or flimsy.  This certainly isn't critical, your roasts will be absolutely perfect either way, but if you are spending money on a grill, with proper care it will last you many, many years.  The weakest part of the whole system will probably be the grill.  If you already have a grill, that meets the specs, just go with it if you want to save money; but if you're going to spend money, buy yourself something that will hold up.  Check the side trays/tubes, make sure they feel solid.  You will mount your motor to the tray so make sure it can hold 10-12 pounds of weight without folding up like a cheap lawn chair.

What to look for:

Width: 25 to 25.5"

Vertical Clearance: 5"

Recommended BTU: 45,000

Thermometer Pre Installed (If Desired).

SELECTION OF A 12LB GRILL:

Your drum is only going to be 24" long in the case of the 8Lb drum, you will need about 25" and preferably a minimum of 25.5"  to accommodate the retaining collars.

Make special note the 12LB drum is 5" in radius...  this means you will need 6" of space betweenthe rotisserie rod and whatever you have below.   This drum differs from the other drums in that it is larger in diameter so an extra inch of clearance wil be necessary here.

In all cases, try to avoid, if you can, a grill with a massive cavernous interior space.  If you buy a HUGE grill, you will just have to pay in propane to heat the entire internal space, when the reality is that you only need your heat focused on the drum/coffee itself.

Any additional interior space is arguably a waste, and more inefficient.  You can do the dome cap sheet metal mod if you need to, however.

Take your tape measure along with you to the store, make sure, measure the width of the grill to see that it is at least 25 to 25.5" (preferably) wide. (Figure 3.1)

Measure your height from the bottom of the rotisserie cutout down to the diffuser.  The drum is 8" in diameter (4" radius), and you will need about 1" inch for clearance.  Remember the drum will sag when the rod is heated and the drum full of coffee.  I've seen it done with 1/2" clearance, but you might get some scraping.(Figure 3.2)

Another important measurement is BTU (British Thermal Units).  This is a measurement of how much heat the grill is capable of producing.

For a 8Lb Setup, I think minimum is 40,000 BTU and I'm going to recommend at least 45,000 BTU.  At 40,000 you may need to run wide open to get an even roast on a fully loaded drum, even with the sheet metal mods, so I'll recommend 45,000 here.   I do currently roast 6Lb's on a 36,000 BTU and even with the sheet metal mods, I have to run real high gas to get even roast on a full load.

If you already have a grill you want to use and you're concerned it might not have enough BTU, give it a shot, you can do the sheet metal mod, and then you'll run wide open and worst case you'll get coffee that isn't as good as it could be.  But it's worth the shot if it will save you from buying a grill.

Consider a grill with a built in thermometer that goes up to at least 600 degrees F and preferably 650.  You'll need the extra heat and will probably regularly roast at 600 with a 8Lb green load.  The pre-installed thermometer is one less step to do later.

Make sure the grill you buy is sturdy and not shaky or flimsy.  This certainly isn't critical, your roasts will be absolutely perfect either way, but if you are spending money on a grill, with proper care it will last you many, many years.  The weakest part of the whole system will probably be the grill.  If you already have a grill, that meets the specs, just go with it if you want to save money; but if you're going to spend money, buy yourself something that will hold up.  Check the side trays/tubes, make sure they feel solid.  You will mount your motor to the tray so make sure it can hold 10-12 pounds of weight without folding up like a cheap lawn chair.

What to look for:

Width: 25 to 25.5"

Vertical Clearance: 5"

Recommended BTU: 45,000

Thermometer Pre Installed (If Desired).

(Figure 3.1)

 

(Figure 3.2)