re: Grill recommendations for a beginner essentially?

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leaning towards just going with a simple weber kettle and charcoal starter.

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A cheap Chimney start is all you need. I keep mine stored on the bottom of my weber on the triangle wire shelf. Mine is the 26 inch performer. I love the ash catcher as well.

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would they make a gas grill more comparable to a charcoal grill taste wise

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Nothing I've ever seen accomplishes that. My dad had the old Lava rock things back in the 90s. I think they call them flavor bars now. They're just a place for fat drippings to burn without causing flare ups by hitting the gas burners. But I guess a metal box you put wood chips in could give you some flavor. Seems like a lot of trouble when you could just get a kettle and be done with it.