re: Grill recommendations for a beginner essentially?

IMO, Gas cooks way to hot and charcoal always yields better flavor with some smokin wood. If you do decide to go with a small beginner charcoal grill, look the chargriller patio pro for $89.00; you can find these in several stores locally.

LINK

Charcoal drawer is nice; I set my charcoal sleeve on the drawer, dump coals when ready, then push the drawer in. Keep it out of the rain and it will last several years. For the price, can't beat it.

With what you'll save on this grill, you can then go buy $150 of meat!