Members Mark Then Y0005XC-2 Members Mark Now Monach04ALP

Ten years ago I paid $600+Tax for the Big Grill, Y0005XC-2. Converted it to NG right out of the box & away I went. Without a doubt the best grill I ever owned.

Yes I had to buy parts, twice, once was a couple of burners, flame tamers, burner bracket & a Drip pan. The second time was Igniters, a Drip Pan,a couple more burners & flame tamers, the front & rear grill bowls. Last year I made Drip out of some sheet stock. Total parts, maybe $400. So $1000 for 10 years. Works for me.

I knew in 2010 the end was near. The cart was getting really bad. I did a bunch of looking,since the US Dollar is worthless now, thanks Washington, I expected to pay more. The Bull grills are nice, at say $1600, without the side burner. A local Ohio produced unit, the Sarka Grill, an improved Holland, also looked good at $800, as did the Wilmington Grill, also an improved Holland, at around $1200. The current Weber's are truly junk, as are the MM's, Sears etc. In fact nothing under $800 is really worth taking home.

Then I found a used MM Monarch04ALP on Craigslist for $250, I paid $200 & toted it home. Another conversion to NG. $170 in parts, the Burner bracket, the flame tamer rack, smoker burner(the old one is in new condition, but it was $6 bucks & is not cast iron) & igniters. SS parts are expensive. It came with new Generic burners that don't really fit well. I found a gas leak that might have been huge problem, but was an easy fix. Took it apart, cleaned every inch. I could have used my flame tamer rack, with a bit of rube goldberg, so I'll keep it as a back-up. I was able to use my Burners & Flame tamers for now & wow, what a steal.

Once assembled I see why the Generic burners won't work. I'll re-work the old burner bracket, with new gas galleys to adapt them, so I'm set for a few years at least. I'll also order new Large cooking grids, I have three small one from the old grill, but the two big ones are not so nice. I may well get a new Back plate & back burner, these are the only non-stainless parts.

I know this is another $350 in parts, but this should set me up for years to come. The only other bits are Flamer tamers & igniters, which are now in generic form.

Very pleased, yup.