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09-07-2012, 12:03 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
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Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
I posted this on FGRV too, but thought I would share here for those who don't venture there.
After doing an enormous amount of research for a new, quality BBQ, I decided on the Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180. LINK There were many others in the hunt, other marine grade, Weber, charcoal, etc grills were all evaluated. Basically, if it existed, I bet I have heard of it, and looked into it.
Some things I wanted were;
-Relatively small, and easy to store. I wanted to be able to easily cook for 2 with a couple items on the grill, or do up steaks or similar items for 4. This ruled out many BBQ's. Just too bulky for the actual cooking area.
-Fit under the dinette seat. Again a size thing, as I want it right out of the way when not needed.
-Reasonably tall. I want to be able to roast a small chicken or roast, or do other baking too. This ruled out the flatter ones.
-Durability and reliability. Once I got looking, it became obvious to me that a marine quality stainless steel unit would likely fit the bill.
After reading countless reviews, and emailing a few folks that had a Dickinson BBQ, I settled on the Spitfire 180. I bought this BBQ earlier this year, before I pulled my Escape 19 out of storage.
I ended up ordering directly from the manufacturer, and made a deal that was WAY better than the list price on the site. I also ordered the Aussie grill, and the low pressure valve, as I had a quick connect installed on the trailer new. I bought the parts for the hose and connections from Fairview Fittings, who have a few stores in Canada, and have a full supply of propane fittings.
Let me tell you, after receiving the BBQ, and opening it up, I was extremely stoked with the quality of the build. It far exceeded anything I was expecting. A few key points are;
- Very solid construction. The SS rivets are massive, and the seams were caulked with fire caulking prior to assembly.
- The SS rods on the grates all roll, and are very solid.
- The drip tray is made of heavy SS, not tinfoil like the Weber and some others.
- Lots of quality details everywhere, from laser cut lettering (or some similar type cutting), great accurate temperature gauge, solid feet and handles.
- Good even heat across the grill
This is one of those purchases that just gives you great pride to own.
After using it all summer, I can't really find a flaw with it. It is starting to change colour a bit now, as all stainless steel will after being subjected to lots of heat.
The Dickinson Marine Spitefire 180
With the Aussie Grill in it. Great for cooking anything that might fall through the grates otherwise. Veggies, pancakes, etc.
Note the quality nameplate. This will never suffer from wear.
Here is the low pressure control with the regulator alongside it. I keep the regulator on hand just in case I might want to hook to a bottle some time. Real easy to change. Again, note the control lettering is all cut into the stainless steel shroud.
This is the drip tray. Solidly made from SS.
And of course, a couple of the largest T-bones I could find.
It comes with a nice heavy cover too.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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09-07-2012, 07:34 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
In your research did you come across a BBQ in that size that cost more?
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09-07-2012, 07:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
Quote:
Originally Posted by J Mac
In your research did you come across a BBQ in that size that cost more?
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In your research for a moulded fiberglass trailer, did you come across one in that size that cost more?
Most of the marine grade ones were in the same price range as this one. Most vendors sell this one for about $270-360 (Here is one link - CLICK), and I paid even less from the manufacturer. At about $80 more than the Weber Q 100 (which does work good), I really do believe it really was worth it.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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09-07-2012, 09:00 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: St.Albert, Alberta
Trailer: 21 ft November 17th
Posts: 847
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
thanks for the info Jim, our weber is not that old so probably won't be for a while but that looks like a great replacmnent.
__________________
MacRae, 21ft
2016 GMC Yukon SLT
St.Albert Alberta
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09-07-2012, 01:01 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: O town, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 "Lightning"
Posts: 1,467
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
Nice find OP.
Wouldn't have known about them (marine BBQ) if not for reading this.
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09-07-2012, 01:32 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
Canadian made too.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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09-07-2012, 03:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
I like that the Spitfire has 1100 BTUs and the Weber only 850 BTU. That said they are both used, for the most part, to grill and not BBQ.
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09-09-2012, 07:08 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
You didn't address ease of finding Dickinson replacement parts. I think Weber would win in that department.
And, note that you are unlikely to find parts for the cheap grills / BBQs that Canadian Tire sells. They are only intended for one season use.
baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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09-10-2012, 01:20 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: St.Albert, Alberta
Trailer: 21 ft November 17th
Posts: 847
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
That's why I ended up with Weber @ home, got tired of the "aftermarket" replacment parts that don't quite fit for the cheaper ones @ Canadian Tire and the fact that every year it seemed like i was replacing burners, grills and such, Have had my weber @ home for 5 or 6 years now and have only had to replace the igniter switch. Oh and the heat is even anywhere on the grill. So when we were looking for something for the trailer the baby Weber was the choice and has worked well for probably 3-4 years. That Spitfire does look like a really nice unit though.
__________________
MacRae, 21ft
2016 GMC Yukon SLT
St.Albert Alberta
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09-10-2012, 05:29 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
The Dickinson is made well enough, you likely would never need to find replacement parts. If you do, pretty darn certain the company would supply them. They have a list on their site, and were great people to deal with. They are located in Surrey, BC.
I have used lots of the Weber portable grills, and they work quite nice, and would possibly have bought one if they weren't so darn bulky. I had nowhere I could find to store it when not in use. Like I said before, the $80 upcharge for the Spitfire 180 is a small price to pay for the added quality of build.
My first even portable grill years ago was one of the cheapy models, and it lasted less than 2 years with only about 30 uses. I learned my lesson there. My last one is a Broil King, which after 10 years is still going strong. We just find that now that we have no kids along, it was just way too big for our need, and one of our kids uses it as their balcony BBQ.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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09-10-2012, 10:45 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Re: Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 BBQ
On Broil King, note that Weber distributes Broil King in the U.S. and Broil King distributes Weber in Canada. They have confidence in the products.
baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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05-02-2013, 08:21 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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Jim, thanks for doing all the research on this; your enthusiasm sold me. Do you use the standard regulator or the low pressure valve when hooked to your quick connect on your Escape? Also, does the grill have a snap lock or similar mechanism to secure the lid when transporting? Thanks much for this and all other, very informative posts!
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05-02-2013, 08:28 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
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I use the low pressure valve I got from Dickinson when I ordered. There is no locking mechanism for the lid, but I keep the cover that came with it on, and have never had any issue with that. If you want to send me a PM or email, I could give you the list and costs of what I ordered.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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05-02-2013, 10:10 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 743
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Jim,
I had a look at the Dickinson website and was left with a question you might be able to help with...
Their product line includes the spitfire and the small sea-b-que which look quite similar -- close to the same size, same shape, same burner. But the spitfire costs quite a bit more. In fact it's more expensive than all the other options, and the website doesn't make it obvious why.
Why did you opt for the spitfire over one of the other options?
Thanks for the insight.
__________________
Doug
2013 Escape 19 ("The Dog House") , 2018 Ford F150
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05-02-2013, 11:38 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
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Doug, I opted for it due to size and features, stainless steel grills, and cover, as well as reviews I read online, mostly at sailing forums. That, and the fact it is substantially cheaper than the advertised price.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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05-02-2013, 03:54 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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The list on that Dickinson Marine Spitfire 180 is now $436.56 at their website.
Would you like to negotiate for me, Jim??
My Weber is not getting hot ( in my opinion ). I've cleaned the burner, made sure the holes are open, cleaned the spider screen...
baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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05-02-2013, 04:27 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
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While in Chilliwack a couple weeks ago picking up our 19, we made a side trip to the Dickinson store in Surrey. As Jim mentioned, the Spitfire 180 grill can be purchased directly from Dickinson for significantly less than the price posted on the website. In our case it was a little more than about 1/2 the price.
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2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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05-02-2013, 04:51 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
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Would that be:
DICKINSON MARINE
#101 - 17728 66 Ave
Surrey, BC
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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05-02-2013, 05:02 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Would that be:
  ICKINSON MARINE
#101 - 17728 66 Ave
Surrey, BC
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The person I spoke with was:
Michelle Parry
Dickinson Manufacturing
Dickinson Marine/ Sig Marine
101-17728 66th Ave
Surrey, BC V3S7X1 Canada
Tel: 604-574-8641
Fax: 604-574-8659
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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05-02-2013, 05:03 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
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Thank you. And, Jim.
baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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