That's a thought. The burner on my grill wore out so I bought one of those universal replacement burners. If you're thinking of replacing your burner, DON'T! Just buy a new grill. So I too need a new grill. Getting a charcol grill is a thought. Hmmmmm.

Tossed our old grill at the end of last summer, just got an e-mail from the woman saying grills are on sale at Sears this weekend. So good timing as far as I'm concerned on Johnny's post. And I am with you 150% about a nice thick steak on a new grill. And to one and all, American or not, I hope you al have a great and safe 4th and make music a big part of your weekend.

As for chips-- I don't know if they sell Herr's brand where you live but they have some really awesome flavors. Like BBQ Ribs and, my fav., Heinz Ketchup! They are surprisingly good. If your into flavored chips...

Get some good ground beef and make some fat juicy, greasy burgers. Don't over cook them!

Gotta have the baked beans too!

And hot diggity dogs!

i think i have already got one of those big family size cans of bush's baked beans so i got that covered..............

My wife always buys ground steak for grilling burgers. You have to be careful because they can break up on the grill, but boy those burgers are good!

And oh yea, you don't any A1 sauce or anything else on a good grilled steak!

I grill out at least once a week. I use Strip steaks or Ribeyes. My kids put ketchup on my steaks and it is all I can do to keep myself from taking it away from them and making them eat a PB&J. Ketchup on my perfect steaks! The nerve! I just keep reminding myself that they are only kids and they will grow out of it.
BTW, according to my wife, I make the best steaks in the world. I actually use my parents recipe. They let a restaurant use it once but I think the restaurant changed it because they didn't taste the same. If anyone ever comes to B'ham, drop me a line and I will grill you one and you can tell me what you think.
BTW, I only use charcoal.

molasses
ketchup
green pepper
onion
garlic

mix the molasses with the ketchup until it's the colour you prefer [darker is bitter, lighter is sweeter] and throw in finely diced everything else. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. That's my secret recipe for BBQ sauce. Now the cat's out of the bag!!!

Ever used honey instead of molasses?

if your gonna get steaks gets some nice filets or get a beef tenderloin and cut em your self, its really not that difficult, get some reall good butter and pack of nice gorganzola. soften up a pound of butter mix in some gorganzola and then roll it into a log (useing plastic wrap or deli paper) put it in the freezer to set up, then slice and put on top of the steak right before service.....

a good dry rub

1 # brown sugar
3/4 # salt
half cup granulated garlic
half cup granulated onion
quarter cup black pepper (or white pepper if you have)
quarter cup chilli powder (or chipolte chilli powder)
a bit of cayen if ya want it to kick a bit.

mix together well making sure to break up the brown sugar. you can use this dry rub for anything, chicken, pork, beef just rub the meat with it put in a sealable container and let rest over night. for pork ribs prior to grilling, slow cook em in an oven

place ribs on a sheet pan with the bone side down, pour some liquid into pan (beer, beef stock, what have you) wrap said pan like a gift. place in a oven preheated to 275 for 2 hours (+ or - depending on the oven) chill after till ready for use. the sugar in the dry rub will break down the fat and make the ribs melt in your mouth tender....

I can't believe any sane human life-form would revert from gas to charcoal. I suggest counseling !! :-)

I love to barbecue. I barbecue year-round, even though Chicagoland is not known for wintertime picnics.

Side-note:

Although I am not a huge-fan of mega-corporations ....Sam's Club has these great full-slabs, they come in packs of three. I par-boil them gently (after all .. they ARE pork) then clean them up for the grill. They also sell BBQ sauce by the GALLON, ie. 'Sweet Baby Ray's' ..... after all, the sauce -- IS the boss.

good ideas so far, keep it coming. im at work till 5:00 (eastern) then im off to the store..........

i have been using some bbq sauce called blues hog. it is some good shit !!