Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Weber Kettle Knock Off vs. George Foreman Electric Grill

First a bit about my Weber knock off. I've owned a couple of mid-size Kettles. I'm also on my second small kettle, I think Weber calls it their "Smokey Joe". So I'm pretty experienced with the type. Weber is an American company and they used to be all-American made as far as I know. They were always high-dollar compared to some of their competition but they were made here. I believe they are at least, sourcing parts from other countries now. I don't know if they can still really make the claim of being American made and they have gotten very high.

A few years back, my wife got me the Expert, from Walmart. I'd characterize it as a Weber knock off. Long story short...it works about as good as a Weber.

Been pretty windy here the past few days. I didn't want to start a fire last night and so the wife used the George Foreman grill out on the back deck.

Convenience: George Foreman wins. Plugging it in and flopping the stuff on there is much more convenient than building a fire and scorching some cow-meat.

Clean up: George Foreman wins again. Cleanup is not exactly a snap. I don't like cleaning electrical stuff with water because I'm always wondering if I'm gonna short something out. Cleanup with the Expert grill is not worrisome, but does take longer than the GF unless you've really gunked the thing up.

Taste: There is no doubt that properly cooked food on the grill tastes better. Getting it properly cooked on the grill is not as easy as the GF, but when done properly, the burgers taste better IMO. The GF burgers were good though. And if you don't like your house being smoked up, you can take the GF outside. An advantage is that the GF can be utilized under low-roofed porches that would catch fire if you got too wild with your charcoal grill.

Ease of use: I have to give the GF the edge on this too. Getting burgers just right on the Expert or any other charcoal grill can be an art. Especially in windy conditions or conditions that totally lack wind. The GF is pretty straightforward.

So there you have it. In 4 criteria, GF wins 3 of them. I ain't trading my charcoaling equipment on all-electric anytime soon or anytime ever for that matter, but on a windy day or a rainy one, the GF ain't bad.

I'Ve got a GF, it's great for what it is...sure ain't a charcoal grill though. Total mismatch baby.

I agree. I'm not getting out of charcoaling, but the GF is okay. It's literally okay for a rainy day.

I added a blackstone to the lineup the other day, loving it so far. I just got the 22in 2 burner version.

Hell, I've got a Smokey joe, Kamodo type and gas grill outdoors and JennAir indoors.
Cooked ribeyes in a cast iron pan last night-weather was beautiful.

I prefer the charcoal grill. Have both Weber and Old Smokey.

I totally agree, sometimes I just can't or don't have time to grill.

I have no experience at all with electric so-called grills. I do have a Weber kettle, here and at the in-laws, that I think is the best bargain out there in outdoor cooking. Under a hundred bucks and I do pork shoulders, steaks, whole chickens and turkeys, standing rib roasts, stuffed pork loins, whole lobsters, pizza ....you name it....and it's all good. If the weather's crummy, why not just go inside and cook on the stove (or better yet, take the wife to a good BBQ or seafood place.)

Da hell?
You're not talking about the counter top GF thing, are ya?

I use a cast iron grill pan for burgers if I don't want to fire up the grill. Makes a great burger. It'll definitely smoke up the house though.

Looked on Weber's site. Seems like they are still employing Americans and while some parts are outsourced, it is still pretty much made in USA. I've had two Weber grills and both are still in use after 20 years. I had to replace a few parts after 10 or 12 years but going strong. Not charcoal, gas grills in my case.

It seems its worth having both a charcoal and GF grill.

We have used the hell outta GF cookers over the years.

Mom has one will do 6 burgers at a time.

They are fine.

Prefer a burger fried in cast iron instead.

i've never paid more than 20 bucks for a weber kettle. probably got half a dozen for free from peoples garbage. i use them until the legs rot off and then set them up on blocks. when the bottom gets too bad, i toss it and keep the lid for putting over a campfire grill. i love the weber kettle. i have the kettle pizza insert for one of them and it makes great pizza. if you have a charcoal chimney, it really doesn't take that long to fire up a kettle. the big thing is the expense of the charcoal vs gas. i wait for lowes or hd to have their spring sale where they sell 2 20lb bags for 9 bucks or so. although i have my doubts about it this year. probably be 25 bucks a bag.

i've used the GF grill before. they are quite nice.

Foreman is a great deal for cooking fish when you don't want to deep-fry. Seasoned Walleye chunks take 60-90 seconds to be warm and flaky depending on thickness.

20 is what we paid for this little Weber.

Prices were good back before the Civil War!

Thrift shop, Fort Dodge, Ioway.

Shopping for the Weber "Q; grill, a review said.
Cheap grills are made with cheap parts, and they don't last.

I've owned two or three Webers. Obviously, they didn't last.