Visit our Popular Forums

wunderful62 · 05-30-2006, 11:46 PM

bought a nice drum style stainless propane bbq at lowes for 239.00

SilverRanger · 05-31-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Hey Ranger,

Either it's a Chinese knock-off (which isn't so bad these days as almost EVERYTING is made in China now) of the Soliare, which is American made, or it is made by Solaire under private label. .........Very Interesting!

Hi Lew,

After reading up on the Solaire, and how well made they are, I'd say the Infra-Sonic is likely a knock-off. But it's pretty sturdy, and I've been using it for about two years with no sign of wear. I like it better than my Magma (Yard sale: $15).

If you want something completely unusual, check out the Woodflame grill:

http://tinyurl.com/mm4s2

I've had one of these for about five years, and it's still going strong. It burns wood by forced-air, and will easily grill a meal for two using a 2x2 inch block of wood. When you get it fired up, it sounds like a miniature blast furnace and the fire resembles a gas flame. You may have guessed, I like gadgets and my wife and I grill outdoors year-round.

overlander64 · 05-12-2009, 10:11 PM

I realize that this thread is nearly three years old, but I have finally decided to consider a new portable gas grill for my travels. Through my research to this point, I am considering three brands:

Solaire Anywhere Grill, Model #SOL-IR17B -- Web-Link
Sport Supreme Eclipse, Model #SPP-E2009 -- Web-Link
Napoleon Freestyle Series, Model #PTSS215PI -- Web-Link

I am leaning toward either the Solaire or Napoleon as the idea of infrared elements to improve the efficiency of the burners appeals to me. I am trying to avoid any of the types that have any type of lava rock or charcoal as smoke from either of these tend to aggravate my food allergies. The Sport Supreme does not have the infrared feature, but seems to have the other qualities that interest me so it is a distant third for me as of this point in my research process.

Does anyone have good or bad experiences to share with any of these three grills? Have I overlooked any infrared competitors that may be better than the two that I have found?

All input will be greatly appreciated!

Kevin

TBRich · 05-12-2009, 10:34 PM

We also have an infrared gas canister grill that looks exactly like the Solaire Grill...we've had it for several years and got it at the Weber Grill Store. It's called a "Turbo-Grill"... I'm pretty sure it's made in the USA. Works well and does it ever get hot. Besides being a great grille, we use a griddle on it that fits the whole surface and is great for making pancakes, sausage, eggs and hash browns all at the same time. We take it when we know we aren't going to be able to use charcoal during burn bans, or if we are with a group wheo likes pancakes. It does look smart with the Airstream, too, of course.

overlander64 · 05-13-2009, 12:21 PM

Upon further research this morning, I found a very good sale on the Napoleion Prestige II Free Style Infrared Portable Grill on the CS Grills website. At $319.00 (free-shipping & no sales tax) including the stainless steel warming shelf it was a tremendous value based upon the same model on other sites. Now it is the hard part -- waiting for its arrival. The photo below is from the CS Grills website:

My understanding is that the Napoleon Gas Grills are produced in Canada -- reassuring in this day of so many products being imported from overseas.

I am hoping that the grill arrives in time for the Midwest Forums Rally at Moraine View State Park. Currently, I am waiting on my notification of shipping date -- I was assured that it would be shipped no more than five days from today's date.

Kevin

P.S.: This is only the second grill that I have ever purchased (the first gas grill), so I wanted to be sure to get something of top quality that would hopefully have a life expectancy similar to our Airstreams.

Minnie's Mate · 05-14-2009, 11:21 AM

I bought a grill from Frontgate that is the Solaire branded for Frontgate (the manual even has the Solaire name on it) and the valve leaked. Got a new valve and the new valve leaked more. The first time I used it with the new valve the grill literally exploded into a fireball! The model that was made for Frontgate had been discontinued and I could no longer get parts...I have a $400 door stop now. Others that bought the same grill on this forum have had good luck with theirs though.

I replaced the grill with a Magma Marine grill. All parts are stainless, it is NOT infrared but it gets super hot, and has a mirror shine and cooks great. One of the forum members (Jim Clark) recommended this brand to me and I have been using it for two years and am delighted with it. The Solaire may be a good grill, but I was disappointed with it and the lack of parts and the fact that the factory wouldn't offer any options considering the defective parts they sent me.

BTW, the infrared burner takes a lot of getting used to. It cooks so hot and so fast that you will over cook foods very quickly. Other than that, the infrared cooking style of cooking seems to be OK.

overlander64 · 05-14-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

I bought a grill from Frontgate that is the Solaire branded for Frontgate (the manual even has the Solaire name on it) and the valve leaked. Got a new valve and the new valve leaked more. The first time I used it with the new valve the grill literally exploded into a fireball! The model that was made for Frontgate had been discontinued and I could no longer get parts...I have a $400 door stop now. Others that bought the same grill on this forum have had good luck with theirs though.

If this is the grill in question:

It is the subject of a Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall. The recall notice can be found at:

Barbeques Galore Inc. Recalls Gas Grills Posing Risk of Gas Leaks, Fires

Kevin

**Janet H** · 05-14-2009, 09:55 PM

OK - this is just weird. We own that same model of Napolean grill Kevin, and you will love it. We bought it to replace the frontgate model mentioned which was too control the temp on and hard to clean.

RLS · 05-14-2009, 10:13 PM

https://www.zoobler.com/product.php?sku=PTSS215PI

Minnie's Mate · 05-28-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander64

If this is the grill in question:

It is the subject of a Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall. The recall notice can be found at:

Barbeques Galore Inc. Recalls Gas Grills Posing Risk of Gas Leaks, Fires

Kevin

That is a cousin of the grill I bought. The one I bought is Model# SOL-IR17B from Rasmussen Iron Works, Inc. It was marketed by Frontgate under the model Frontgate IR600. The only difference I see is the handle on the lid is different and the front vents are oriented differently. When I called Solaire in 2006 they said they couldn't sell me a new burner because they had made some design changes and the new burner design wouldn't fit my grill. Right now I have a $300 stainless steel door stop. It's a shame because it would be a nice grill if you can get used to how hot it cooks. Almost too hot for fish or chicken. It will sear the heck out of a steak though if you like them rare to medium. It also looks really cool with an Airstream in the background.