Sunday, June 12, 2011

Ducane Gas Grills Were Meant for Long Living Quality


Ducane is a longtime loved brand for their sturdy, well-performing grills. For over thirty years, they’ve been trusted for their dependability and ability to handle bbq.
            Today, Ducane is owned by another historically reputable brand: Weber. In New Jeresey, 1946, the Ducane Bothers Metal Fabricating company was started, and their focus was making hot air furnaces, powered by oil. In 1975, they changed their name to simply the Ducane Company, moved down south to South Carolina, and began creating the unrivaled Ducane gas grills. These were some of the finest grills to ever hit the market, and were an instant hit amongst backyard grill masters everywhere. To this day, they are still considered one of the best, and many people are still crazy about their vintage Ducanes grills. With the availability of grill repair, and purchasing replacement parts, there is nothing that keeps these marvels of grilling from still running powerfully today.

            Part of the history behind Ducane gas grills was the ideal of quality that every grill was built on the premise of. The founders believed that grills should be made from the best materials available. Die cast aluminum was always a standard, as was the best USA stainless steel, and a stunning finish of baked enamel paint for the exterior surfaces were all standard features on Ducane grills, in a time when most manufacturers were looking to cheapen their commercial grills, and cut costs every way they could.
            Ducane eventually went out of business, and was bought out by Weber. It is a sad story, that because of their sincere commitment to never lowering standards, they actually turned customers away. It is a very unfortunate tale, that because of their refusal to follow the trend curve, and use less expensive, even cheap materials like their competitors were doing, they were unable to sustain themselves and remain in business. On the flip side, however, being bought by Weber meant that the Ducane name was able to remain, and that lifetime warranties remain honored by Weber. As many people bought Ducane gas grills for their stupendous quality, and ability to last through decades of use, wear and tear, and weathering  of the elements – many today are still proud owners. For those who continue to use their original grills, Ducane gas grill parts are sold for repairs.
            The newest generation of Ducane grills feature great additions like rotisseries, smokers, and high BTU outputs. Large scale, and small models are available to suit the needs of every grilling enthusiast. As accessories, top-notch grill covers are also sold to make keep your investment protected no matter what the weather, or humidity level brings.
            Today, Weber continues to manufacture grills under the Ducane name, however they are in no way the same quality as the original Ducanes. You will still get a high quality, well performing grill, but costs have definitely been cut in terms of the fine materials that were once a given. In a sense, if you are a fan of Weber, you will most certainly be a fan of Ducane, even with the changes that have occurred. In terms of customer service, Weber is known for being excellent, and Ducane is definitely under that umbrella as well.
            Whether you’ve known of Ducane grills for the past 35 years, or if you’ve recently discovered them in a quest for the perfect grill, its great to know about the company as a valid option. Ducane gas grills were built to last, and through all these years, many people still use their original grills, and just replace parts as needed- they were that durable. Ducane’s legacy is fantastic, and it is pretty awesome that if you wanted to purchase a brand new Ducane, that option remains as well!

16 comments:

  1. Weber does not honor the original Ducane life-time warranty -- I know, I tried. When I needed a part Weber basically told me "tough luck, take a hike".

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  2. I still own and use a Ducane grill from the mid 90's, Love it. I did have a small issue with a gas valve, and got the same response from Weber. I paid for it myself. Nothing else to do really, the grill is otherwise in fantastic shape after more than 19 years of being on my deck and used a couple times a week all year.

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  3. I still own a Ducane grill that I bought in early 2000. I love this grill! While my neighbors replace there grills every 5 to 10 years from rust and breakdown mine still goes strong. I've had it for 16 years and not done a thing to it. I applaud the people at Ducane for not giving in to cheapen products just to meet a economic trend. Quality products in today's world seem to be a thing of the past.

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  4. I still own a Ducane grill that I bought in early 2000. I love this grill! While my neighbors replace there grills every 5 to 10 years from rust and breakdown mine still goes strong. I've had it for 16 years and not done a thing to it. I applaud the people at Ducane for not giving in to cheapen products just to meet a economic trend. Quality products in today's world seem to be a thing of the past.

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  5. I'm still using my 1991 vintage Ducane 1502SHNE today. Those old Ducane grills were built like battleships and the aluminum box will even stay hot in the middle of a Michigan winter. I doubt that any grill did a better job at smoking all of the drippings and putting that flavor straight into whatever you were cooking. I keep painting it and replacing parts on it as if it were a classic car!

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  6. My Ducane 1204 was put out today for the trash truck to pick up. The body had corroded beyond what was needed to support. I bought it in 1997. I used it for some years but couldn't use it when I lived overseas for 5 years. I wanted to try and get the parts replaced but with the structural damage, it was impossible!

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  7. I had the same issue with Weber when I needed new grill plates. They told me they no longer honor the lifetime warranty I purchased. I bought after market parts and my 18 year old grill is at my hunting camp and used all the time. I have a high-end Saber at home but it not a Ducane. Ducane by far had it right ..too bad consumers did not realize quality lasts. My friends and family replace their grills every 5 years. I intend to use my Ducane forever. I have bought some replacement parts just "in case". Not only is this the best structural grill ever made, it is also cooks better than any grill I have ever used.

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  8. Sadly the same cannot be said for the newer units. I bought my Ducane Affinity in 2011 the the total bottom of the cooking box is rotting out. Oh! I also kept it clean and under a cover when not in use. Sorry will never buy a Ducane product again. My first unit lasted over 16 years and the grill never did fail but the stand was finally falling apart. Company just wanted to make a better profit margin.

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  11. Have my DUCANE for 20 years. As beautiful today as when I bought it.

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  12. I bought mine back in the early 90's just after may daughter was born... so its about 27 years old. The ole grill not very pretty anymore. And yes she's got some corrosion but don't we all?! Coming up on thirty years and the original burners are still cranking out great food.

    And guess what, Weber (yes you now own and have destroyed the Ducane brand), there is no product that you have ever produced that can compare. I know, I own a one of your nicer grills and I also bought a "Ducane" from you all.

    Three words... no drip pans! Ducane sorted that out for you and you ignored that because, as we all know, there is money to be made in selling your aluminum drip catchers

    Weber, you can do better. You have the technology at your fingertips...

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  13. I recently inherited a 1992 1502shlpe from my favorate uncle who recently passed. Built like a tank! The sob fired right up with 1 click.

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  14. We bought the Ducane model 2002 HLPE in 1985 for about $400 back then and we still cook on it every week! Had to replace the burners and grill 2 times. Both our kids own one also.....We miss DUCANE GRILLS.....They are the BEST.

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  15. I have a Ducane Model 1502shlpe that I bought in 1992 and it still works great.

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  16. I have a Ducane that is about 15 years old. Totally rusted out in the burner box.

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