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Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
#166923 04/30/07 03:49 AM
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I'm looking to replace my 11 year old grill, and I saw one on sale (pretty much everyone is running sales now) for a good price. Consumer reports rates it pretty high too.

Does anyone have any experience with one of these?

It is the Aussie Bonza 4 series model 7462.

►DUAL FUEL - COOK WITH GAS OR CHARCOAL
►48,000 BTUs
►815 square inches of cooking surface
►4 porcelain coated cast iron burners
►Heavy-duty, porcelain coated cast iron grids and warming racks
►Porcelain hood and bowl
►Polyurethane coated hardwood cart
►Matchless ignition system
►Built-in heat indicator
►Easy clean drip pan

I like the size, the cast iron (even if it is porcelain coated), and the fact that it can do charcoal (which I have been unable to do since tailgating in college) as well as gas with one grill.

I've heard that most places sell this grill for about $400, but I can get it on sale for $269 right now locally.

Aussie Grill Link

It doesn't have a side burner, but our grill now has one and in 11 years, I have never used it.

PS. I don't want to spend more than this. I know I can get a Holland grill and pretty much bake a cake in the thing, but I can't spend that type of money right now.

Thanks for any thoughts on this. I am hoping to be grilling on a new grill for this weekend's "Guy's Movie Night"... Sorry, I know most of you fall into the category of a "guy", but unless you get an invitation from me, you can't come, so don't bother driving all the way to Iowa. I'm not even inviting the other Iowans on the forums (Sirquack is the closest at about 15 miles away, and even he isn't invited. (sorry man))...

So back to the grill. Let me know your thoughts.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
nickbuol #166924 04/30/07 05:43 AM
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Interesting... I'm looking to replace mine, too. Where are you seeing this one for this price?


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Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
nickbuol #166925 04/30/07 05:46 AM
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I'm sold. Of course I'm no expert. Price seems good from what I've seen.
Best part is the big "Aussie" on the front would remind me of Olivia Newton-John and give me a warm feeling everytime I grilled.

Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
duckman #166926 04/30/07 05:55 AM
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I like the 7362, although I really should just clean out my old grill.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
nickbuol #166927 04/30/07 10:19 AM
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Hey Nick, a few thoughts off the top of my head:

Pro's:
- Great Size
- Features
- Bang for your buck
- Built here - NOT off shore!

Cons:
- Porcelain Bowl - most rust and rot out within 5 to 8 years.
- Burners & sear plates look VERY close to the cooking grids - Most with this design produce uneven heat with extreme hot spots.
- Lower than average warranty.

Compared to what else you can get for the money, it seems like a good deal. So long as you realize this won't be a "long term" grill.

Kind of a shame really - they put a 15 to 20 year burner into a pot (bowl) that probably won't even last 10 years.


Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
real80sman #166928 04/30/07 01:57 PM
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Thanks everyone for the input, and the Pros/Cons list.

The cooking grates are about 8 inches (maybe a little more) above the sear plates when in "charcoal" mode. In gas mode, they form mulitple "teepees" with the tops about 3-4 inches from the cooking grates. The pictures on their web site are deceiving. My grill that I have now just has the one teepee that runs right to left in the center only and it is about 2 inches from the cooking grate.
So even if that isn't a great design, it is better than what I have now. Heck, right now, just about anything would be better. It has been a great grill, but I am tired of replacing burners and the teepee shield every year just to get moderately even heat.

I think that this will work out great for me. Maybe my next grill will be a Holland or something higher end, but for now, I just want a good grill for a good price.


Which reminds me, for those that are wondering, the 4 burner grill is on sale right now at Menards (www.menards.com, although I don't think that you can buy it online) for the $269 price.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
nickbuol #166929 04/30/07 05:17 PM
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I've been extremely happy with my Weber (propane only) Genesis Silver A (link). Compared to other grills, it may not rank as high in BTU rating, but it heats evenly and is very easy to clean. I've had it for a few years and haven't had to replace any parts yet (tank refills excluded).

Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
pmbuko #166930 04/30/07 06:50 PM
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axiomite
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We had a lovely chat about gas grills a while back. Like Peter, I'm still satisfied with the Weber.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
tomtuttle #166931 04/30/07 07:44 PM
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I think that I might still give the Aussie a go. I like the very large size, and it has a lot of key elements that I want, but can only find (because of the size) in a $1200+ grill. It does seem to be lacking in a couple of areas, but the more I am reading, the more it sounds like a great value. It may not last as long, but I am used to cooking on a very hot grill (even when turned to the lowest setting) so I need the heat.

Thanks to everyone who spoke up.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: Anyone here have an Aussie grill?
nickbuol #166932 04/30/07 08:01 PM
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That's great, Nick! Please report back with your review.


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