UPDATE: Lodge has responded that they won’t be casting new LSGs for 2021 but will be bringing it back in 2022. Amazon Affiliate Links: Giantex Grill: amzn.to/2NtCTjJ
i emailed them and they told me the same thing so i bought the giantex, but i periodically check the web site and i saw that one was available on the website so i bought it. says estimated ship date will be tomorrow so fingers crossed it wasn't just a mistake
I talked too... 10/06 ...to Lodge chat.. Reba told me Sportsman will be back in 2022. Improved ...what ever that means.. guess I'll see, if I'm still alive by then. The old regular Sportsman can be had.. on Ebay for a spendy price. Good Video
Sorry to say in my haste tell what I have learned about the Lodge Sportsman Grill if forgot to talk about your video. You did a very nice job at comparing the 2 grills. I myself only want the Lodge. I was thinking of looking more into the other grill and now know its not for me. If you don't like the bail on the Lodge, it can be removed. Plus if your going to move the Lodge, you must remove the 2 doors and it will hand from the bail straight. I have seen people just slip the doors into the grill as they move when it is cold. I want to thank you again for putting the time in on your video to make a good comparison.... Nice Job!!!
Let's not rag on Lodge. I removed the bale on day one, and just move it around with welder's gloves if I need to. This is a smaller hibachi, and stands alone. I once had one like this with two split, adjustable grates. It worked fine. This would be great on its own for someone, but if you want to get into longevity of the quality of iron, history, American manufacturing, and general appeal of the design, I'm ordering the Lodge. Just wait a few months, get your order in, and you'll be happy. Thanks for reviewing this one though. It's kinda "cute".
Thanks for this excellent and thorough review. Lodge obviously decided that "If it works, stop production (and loose your customer base) and then later bring out a redesign successor to the Sportsman, which has a peculiar sliding base instead of legs." All to common for North American companies. My Lodge Sportsman eventually gave up the ghost (the charcoal bed grill cracks from metal fatigue), so I will probably get one of these Giantex units. They seem almost the same as a Lodge grill - for about $100 cheaper. It's a grill - they all do a superb grill job for 1 to 4 people. I always use lump charcoal because it lights up fast, lasts long enough to cook the food, then dies down. And does not stress the cast iron for hours on end needlessly, which brickettes do. Also, an occasional rubbing with cast iron stove polish keeps the unit looking sharp, and prevents rust - which loves to start on cast iron. Oh yes - I also place these grills on some big ceramic tiles as a precaution.
Just brought this hibachi for use in case of power outages, etc. I live alone and really like the weight of it. Have Dutch oven cast iron to make biscuits and a set of cast iron fry pans that were my great grandmother's to coke eggs, fried rice, and other dishes. Getting a cast iron pot to boill water to rehydrate foods and also to boil water and destroy bacteria if I need to. This is a super little grill that comes with everything other than that cylinder and would love to know where you got those arcs to keep heat in. I had a Hibachi in the 70's and that is what we always cooked on - put it out on our fireplace in the summer and wintertime to grill food in NYC. Good review!
I got the little Giantex grill a few days ago - perfect size! I also just received a Bayou Classic 9" X 12" cast iron baking pan that fits perfectly on the grill. With its 2" sides, it is not only a griddle, but will hold a mess of veggies and a bird in a cooking bag covered with foil for a slow cook. The pan, when turned up side down, fits exactly the top of the grill for storage/travel and the handles of both line up exactly I do have a Lodge griddle, but the pan just seemed to have so much cooking potential. Should cook a mess of bacon without escaping grease. Turn it criss cross at one end it will cook a nice pan cake, the hanging over ends will still keep food warm and that still leaves room for a little little steak right on the grill after moving hot coals under that area. If you have a bit of hickory or cherry for smoke, the pan turned up side down over the food would trap enough smoke to flavor a bunch of food. All stores in a black and yellow H.D. tub with room for charcoal. I'm an old cast iron gal and like to maximize the using ability of cooking tools when camping. Have not fired up the grill yet. Need to clean and season, but this looks like a fun marriage of cast iron. Got the grill lifter and from Sportsmans Warehouse, a Camp Maid folding charcoal chimney ($24) too - that's slick. It is just the right size for the grill, sturdy, and folds up thin to store with the grill. The whole unite weights just over 40# including a spatula, but it is all together and ready to go or use outside at home. Had to spread a bit of that long awaited for 'stimulus' around. So grateful you reviewed that little grill. It's a charmer and I'm tickled pink!
WOW! That’s a great and well thought out set up. Throw some spray canola oil for maintenance seasoning, tongs and some metal kabob skewers in the tub and you’ve got it all. Nicely done.
Nice and honest review. As for the bail on the Lodge, Lodge changed the design of it about eight years ago. I cant for the life of me, figure out why. On the old style the bail was easily removable, it snapped on and off. it also folded all the way down to the back of the grill and out of the way. as for this Asian made one it doesn't look too bad from your review.
I definitely prefer Lodge over others. The shame is that they aren't making the LSG right now. Reports are they are brining it back, new and improved, next year. You watching Lodge? Send me a new one and I'll a whole video series on it for the roll out... LOL
Great comparison! Originally wanted a LSG, but started looking at others since Lodge is so hard to find. Lodge does have a small, two-piece, "Kickoff grill" available, I see... Work in the automotive industry and most all brake rotors and drums from overseas are coated in some sort of wax/grease as to prevent rusting during storage/shipping.
Great Video. I have a Bruntmor Sportsman's Grill that is exactly like the lodge Except for the name. As long as it's cast iron you can't go wrong with these grills. Keep Grilling!
@@Icutmetal I just used my Bruntmor Sportsman's Grill this weekend on a camping trip. I have a Weber Jumbo Joe that I also love but it gets less and less use since I got my Sportsman's Grill..
The grill key is nice but a Lodge lid lifter does the same thing. But the damper and fill door should be modified to be operating with the lid lifter too.
I just bought the Camp Chef Cast Iron Grill from Cabela's and so far I'm very pleased with it. I watched several videos and the Camp Chef was better than the new Lodge Sportsman Pro which had quality issues. Great video.
I just rewatched this just now. I’ve had my Lodge Sportsman’s Grill since Moby Dick was a minnow. I have the old pre 2012 one. Since I last viewed this video, I have figured out why Lodge redesigned the handle/bail design ten years ago. It was so it could be picked up with the steel handles as used on the Kickoff grill and Cook-it-All. I have the Cajun Classic cast iron hibachi and I like. It is similar design to this one of yours and the Lodge except it is round. It also grate lifter and handle to slide draft door. Though it’s made in China, I bought it from a local mom-and-pop hardware store. You did a good job with the review.
I am so looking forward to getting my hands on the new LSG when they release. I've been able to find nothing on the redesign yet. Like a big secret. I'm waiting not so patiently...
Goodness that was a beautiful steak...almost had me licking my monitor! Just ordered that Giantex, but held off on the bag until I go to Home Depot to check their big mouth tool bags. They are black and red and better to hide dirty marks...though I know it will get dirty. That bag has lots of pockets for cooking misc. tools and spices. I just ordered a folding charcoal chimney that I hope will store inside the grill or under it. Throw in some bagged charcoal and it's grab and go ready. You know, if you cut a couple slots in the bottoms of your metal wind shields, I bet they'd stack by interlocking... So glad to see that grill. Price on the Lodge has about tripled since I last looked at them. Thanks for an at least mentally tasty review!
I removed the bale handle from my Lodge grill shortly after I bought it several years ago. I didn’t like the way it wasn’t balanced. I have a pair of dedicated heavy welders gloves for handling the grill when it’s hot. I also have an offset stick burner smoker that I will use the gloves there also. The gloves serve a multiple purpose, so I don’t feel like I’m not getting good use from them. I’m only cooking for 2 here, but I prefer to cook enough extra so that I can have leftovers for several more dinners. For the way I use my Lodge grill, that new grill looks like it may be a bit small for cooking enough extra for future meals.
The first time I watched this video was near the beginning of the year...the more I think about it, the happier I am that I picked up my LSG when I did. (That was in 2018, just after Xmas but before year's end) The little Giantex one looks handy & it obviously does the job. But I gotta be honest: Though it is impossible to avoid them completely, I try not to buy Chinese-made products. US-based firms outsourced way too much manufacturing to China, & we all know what the consequences have been.
I’m partial as well and own two. We use the legs flip as well and a whole playlist on just the lodge techniques and recipes. One of our favorite grills.
I got my LSG at Walmart for $88.00 and I love the thing! This smaller grill like is 10 lbs. less than the Lodge; I like it and think it would be better for camping, truly wish Lodge would make it. Also wish it was Lodge.
When I bought this a month ago it was $79. I think they are trying to figure out that price point that works for the market. Which is smart business. I wish Lodge would expand their production to meet the demand. A Lodge more portable grill hibachi would be the bomb! I would buy one in a minute.
Wow, that's crazy. I just played an episode of Wild America with his intro at the same time I was doing the intro to this video. Same tenor and pace too, I never watched him before. I wasn't watching many wildlife shows at that stage of my life. Thanks for watching and point that out.
March, 2022, just bought it from Amazon, arrived in two days to Southern California. Hope its as good as the Hibachi I had in my youth.. Many years ago. I like the small and efficient size. Why buy the $$$ stainless grill??its just me and my wife.
i bought this grill after getting email from lodge that they wouldn't have the sportsman grill till next year. but i have a favorites tab directly to the sportsman grill so every few days i check just in case and about 3 days after ordering the giantex the sportsman became available. just got the giantex today now im just waiting for the lodge to come in lol
Thank you for the reveiw. I have amazon gift cards from Xmas and have been looking for a lodge. None to be found unless u want to pay $300. I contacted lodge to talk to someone on their web page. All it told me was no one was available because all their reps were busy cooking dinner.😯 well they lost my business. Like you said cast iron is cast iron.Thanks for the alternative. Rob
In the 90s I found a lodge grill on sale for 35.00 . so I took it and at the checkout the lady said that it had a further sale so it cost me 25.00 . It's been great since. But my worry on the chinese cast iron is probably not warranted but I have had chinese cast iron just dissipate when cleaning rust off with vinegar. Never with american cast iron pots and pans be it lodge or griswold, etc. Anyone notice this ?
So no grills actually made here. you would think that someone would figure out how to master cooking outdoors and what we like by doing so, but I guess not.
Biggest problem with the lodge is the packaging. Mine arrived broken and cracked twice. Had to deal with the hassle of returning it the first two times.
The other thing I don't like on the latest lodge is that logo right in the center of the grate. It causes even searing, cooking. The older models did not have that. I would prefer the grate on this Giantex.
Nice alternative! I have seen you light your coal chimney on a side burner in a few videos. Did you do anything to modify the burner to be in close enough proximity to light the coals?
@@TeachaMantoFish Thanks man👍I ordered the KAMASTER Grid Lifter, the Giantex BBQ and the carry bag. I'm cooking for 2 I didn't want a larger grill. Watching your video is like having it in your hands. Sorry for my English. Have a nice day. 😀
Man, you have _no_ idea what you're missing...get the Giantex one if you just want to dip your toes in the water. Hot coals + cast iron grate = magic for your food. You can't get the results any other way.
Nice video. But this grill is just to small. That is a deal breaker! The Chinese also use poor iron. USA iron is much better. I don't think I would ever buy a grill like this..... sorry..... Let's go Brandon X10 !!! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
@@TeachaMantoFish sorry, I only like the old Sportsman's grill. I will just use my Weber Smokey Joe jumbo grill. If Lodge ever decides to come out with their three grills and bring back and sell the old Sportsman's grill I'll buy that... Till then it's my Smokey Joe Jumbo...
Both have severe design flaws and do not cook well in the-real world. Neither have lids for heat retention, wind control,or sudden showers. Both consume a very large amount of charcoal per use- heat loss is major. Both are heavy and in pieces. The heat is too close to the food and there is no setup for indirect cooking. Mine went on Kijiji after one weekend campout. A steel Weber GoAnywhere kit BBQ solves all these issues and is cheaper.
@@TeachaMantoFish I have 5 dutch ovens, 6 cast iron skillets, and two cast iron grilling sheets. Yes, I like cast iron, and as for charcoal, two Webers and a Big Green Egg. My kids call my cast iron cookware Magic Pots. So I have given cast iron Hibachi designs their fair trial, and they come up wanting in versatility compared to a Weber kettle or a Weber GoAnywhere, which has vent control, wind control, rain or snow control, and indirect heat control. Charcoal and cast iron are made for each other.
@@TeachaMantoFish oh, it goes way beyond enjoyment, out to a lifestyle and a passion! Many of. My Quora and RU-vid contributions are cast iron cooking. And, we all have our personal favourite way of using cast ironware!
