What was your first real grill?
Having grown up in the deep south, one would think that my first real grill was early on ... nope. I never really had the urge to cook out and primarily ate fast food until my mid-20s. Then reality struck as with a new wife & military gatherings, cook outs were part of the deal. A quick rectification was in order. I went to the nearby Sears and bought the best charcoal grill they had. Figuring that buying a really good one and using it for a long time was the way to go. The Kenmore (Weber clone) cast aluminum model with cast iron grill surfaces caught my eye & in 1983 paid $125 + tax to bring it home. It took a bit but I finally learned how to grill burgers, steaks & whatnot that the wife & others enjoyed. I've cooked more chicken for my boys through the years they might all cluck; I should be a major stakeholder in Tyson or Sanderson!! Anyway, I still have it out back; it's not used anymore as the grill surfaces have long since rusted away. It has lasted 40+ years so it was definitely a good buy. How about the rest of you folks?
My first was a sheet metal box type that I bought in 1974 It was charcoal fired and my wife and I used it for several years. It was adequate but not much more and after 6 years or so the firebox was rusting out from the salt air of San Diego and me leaving the old ash in the pan to absorb moisture.
Thanks for sharing your story It Was vary interesting. Ias a younger man I didn't fo much grilling growing up till I met my wife in 1996. I was then 30 and decided to try it. It was a webber charcoal round grill and I wasn't any good with it but once I got my 1st gas grill I got better. People say there is nothing like cooking over charcoal but wasn't any good like that for me.
My first grill was a Weber "Smoky Joe" that I used for tailgating....and important feature of attending sporting events in Wisconsin. My first Big Boy grill was the Weber Classic Charcoal Kettle. I wore that down to a nub and for my 40th birthday, got a Weber Charcoal Performance Grill, which I still have. I have made a few repairs and enhancements to it, but it still does a nice job for me, 26 years later.