So I lagged last year and never got my 3400 like I planned to. They have been redesigned for this year. Are the changes just cosmetic or are the internals changed (cheapened) as well? I'm sure they are still a lot better than a lot thats on the market. But are the '09 models a recommended buy? I'm still looking to see if I can find an '08 somewhere that doesn't have a ridiculously high shipping charge. I do still see the full stainless Affinity 3400 available. Is the only difference between these and the non 's' model cosmetic or are there other differences?
I'm going to get a grill this year. I'm now trying to decide if I should try to find an '08 model, settle for an '09 model, or just go to Sears and get a cheap Kenmore for $200.
And btw, the grill will be light to moderately used (probably a couple of times a week at the most) in mild California weather if that helps anybodys recommendation.

Thanks!!!

If it was my money I would find the Ace hardware stores in your area and see if you could find an 08.
I dont just say that for the Ducane , I say that for all grills. The 08's were just better materials wise. While the the SS is gone for 09, it's still a good grill.
btw
Dont fool yourself into thinking you are only going to grill twice a week. We have all said that. Once you start and get a good grilling cookbook. Not only will you grill more. Your food will taste better, You will entertain more and save more money because you are not going out to eat all the time.

Good call Ronald, I've already tried that though. Local Ace warehouses are out of stock for as far as they are able to order from. My local Ace has a 3100 in stock, but I really wanted a 3400. I even tried Walmart to see if they have any 4400s anywhere and they don't.

As far as specs on the '08 'normal' versus all stainless models, is the only difference cosmetic, or there other differences? I've found a 3400 S with a cover shipped for $650. That seems to be a decent price for that model, but I don't necessarily need all stainless if the only difference is cosmetic. I may just settle for the 3100 that my local store has in stock.

As far as cooking frequency goes, I work nights, a lot of hours and go to school. I don't have much time to cook, so thats how I cook, at least for now. I cook in bulk once or twice a week. That may change later, but not for at least the next couple of years.

I think I would get the 3100 that the Ace store had.
I would also look for a weber sp320 or sp310
I was also thinking that you may also want to look at the weber Q320 or Q300

i have a ducane Maridian 5 burner, IF burner, 2 side burners with a warming drawer it was 2500 new and i got it for 1500 at a dealer its NG and out of the several grills ive had its by far the best it will get to 1000 degrees and all burners start first click no rust or pitting i think ducanes are great grills.......

So, I've managed to locate a 3400 S for $510 shipped. That is about $40 more than I would have paid for a 3400 (not full stainless) purchased locally. I don't necessarily want full stainless, but, the price difference is minimal. And its an '08 (I think) model so it should be better than whats currently available for '09. Any thoughts on this? Short of finding a 3400 somewhere else with a decent price, I think this may be the best deal on an '08 3400.

CaliGriller
I just looked in the Ducane manual and there does not appear to be a difference in the warranty on the 3400 vs 3400s

Ducane Products, Co. hereby warrants to the ORIGINAL PURCHASER of this Ducane®
Stainless Series gas grill that it will be free of defects in material and workmanship from the date
of purchase as follows:
5 Year Limited Warranty
• Aluminum castings excluding casting paint
• Stainless steel lid insert excluding discoloration
2 Year Limited Warranty
• Stainless steel burners (main and rotisserie)
• Stainless steel cooking grates; no rust or burn through
• Base cabinet sections
• Side tables
• Electronic ignition
• Heat distribution plates
• All remaining parts
The above warranty period(s) applies only to grills used in a non-commercial setting when assembled
and operated in accordance with the printed instructions accompanying the grill.
Ducane may require valid proof of your date of purchase. Please retain your receipt of purchase or
invoice as reasonable proof.
This Limited Warranty shall be limited to repair or replacement of parts that prove defective under
normal, non-commercial use and which, on examination shall indicate, to Ducane’s satisfaction, that
they are defective. Before returning any parts, please contact Ducane’s Customer Service at 1-800-
DUCANES (1-800-382-2637).
If Ducane confi rms the defect and approves the claim, Ducane will elect to replace such parts without
charge. If you are required to return defective parts, transportation charges must be paid by you.
Ducane will return parts to purchaser, freight or postage prepaid.
This Limited Warranty does not cover failures or operating diffi culties due to accident, abuse, misuse,
alteration, misapplication, vandalism, improper installation, use in a commercial enterprise, improper
maintenance, including but not limited to damage caused by insects within burner tubes, as described
in the owner’s manual.
Deterioration or damage due to severe weather conditions, such as hail, hurricanes, earthquakes, or
tornadoes is not covered by this Limited Warranty.
Deterioration or discoloration due to exposure to chemicals, either directly or in the atmosphere, is
not covered by this Limited Warranty.
There are no other express warrants except as set forth herein and any applicable implied warranties
of merchantability and fi tness are limited in duration to the period of coverage of this express written
Limited Warranty. Some regions do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so
this limitation may not apply to you.
Ducane is not liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages. Some regions do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental and consequential damages, so this limitation or exclusion may
not apply to you.
Ducane does not authorize any person or company to assume for it any other obligation or liability in
connection with the sale, installation, use, removal, return or replacement of its equipment; and no
such representations are binding on Ducane.
This Limited Warranty applies only to products sold at and purchased from a retail entity excluding
on-line auction services.
Ducane Products Co.
200 E. Daniels
Palatine, IL 60067-6266
USA
www.ducane.com

I had mentioned the weber spirit s310/S320 because you have access to an ace and they are at the same price point for 2008. They are also made by the same people

The Spirit 310/320 warranty info

Weber-Stephen Products Co. (Weber) hereby warrants to the ORIGINAL PURCHASER of this Weber®
gas grill that it will be free of defects in material and workmanship from the date of purchase as follows:
Aluminum castings 25-years (2 years on paint; excludes fading)
Stainless steel Shroud, 25-years;
Porcelain-enameled shroud, 25-years
Cookbox Assembly 10-years (2 year on paint excludes fading)
Stainless steel burners tubes, 10-years
Stainless steel cooking grates, 5-years no rust through or burn through
Stainless steel Flavorizer bars, 5-years no rust through or burn through
Porcelain-enameled cast-iron
cooking grates, 5-year no rust through or burn through
Porcelain-enameled
cooking grates, 3-years no rust through or burn through
Porcelain-enameled
Flavorizer bars, 2-years no rust through or burn through
Infrared Rotisserie Burner, 2-years
All remaining parts, 2-years
When assembled and operated in accordance with the printed instructions accompanying it.
Weber may require reasonable proof of your date of purchase. THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD RETAIN
YOUR SALES SLIP OR INVOICE.
This Limited Warranty shall be limited to the repair or replacement of parts that prove defective under
normal use and service and which on examination shall indicate, to Weber’s satisfaction, they are
defective. Before returning any parts, contact the Customer Service Representative in your area
using the contact information on our website. If Weber confirms the defect and approves the claim,
Weber will elect to replace such parts without charge. If you are required to return defective parts,
transportation charges must be prepaid. Weber will return parts to the purchaser, freight or postage
prepaid.
This Limited Warranty does not cover any failures or operating difficulties due to accident, abuse,
misuse, alteration, misapplication, vandalism, improper installation or improper maintenance or
service, or failure to perform normal and routine maintenance, including but not limited to damage
caused by insects within the burner tubes, as set out in this owner’s manual.
Deterioration or damage due to severe weather conditions such as hail, hurricanes, earthquakes
or tornadoes, discoloration due to exposure to chemicals either directly or in the atmosphere, is not
covered by this Limited Warranty.
There are no other express warrants except as set forth herein and any applicable implied warranties
of merchantability and fitness are limited in duration to the period of coverage of this express written
Limited Warranty. Some regions do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so this
limitation may not apply to you.
Weber is not liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages. Some regions do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you.
Weber does not authorize any person or company to assume for it any other obligation or liability in
connection with the sale, installation, use, removal, return, or replacement of its equipment; and no
such representations are binding on Weber.
This Warranty applies only to products sold at retail.
WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS CO.
Customer Service Center
1890 Roselle Road, Suite 308
Schaumburg, IL 60195
USA
For replacement parts call:
1-800-446-1071
www.weber.com®


I dont think there is a wrong choice here.
I do think that I would buy local. Just to help the economy if no other reason

Thanks for the info Ronald! I was also able to locate an '08 Ducane product catalog. From their specs, it looks like the 's' models may be slightly larger. 550 sq in vs 624 sq in total cooking area for the 3100.
I hate being so indecisive like this, but thats because its so difficult to just go somewhere and see several Ducane grills and also because I'm trying to be good and not spend much $$$ right now while work is slow and my money is funny. I think I'm going to get something soon though.

Thanks again!!!

With times being like they are you are doing the right thing.
I dont know the reason but Ducane grills are getting hard to find for 09
Ace is only showing them carrying two models this year

I recently bought a Ducane 3400S from GrillsDirect, for $520, plus $10 shipping (that's right, $10). It arrived in good shape, and was a breeze to assemble, since it comes 90% pre-built. All you do is attach the side burner and shelf, hook up one gas line, and put in the grids. I cooked up some bacon wrapped sirloins the other night, with artichokes done on the side burner. The BBQ did a great job, with plenty of heat for searing the steaks, even though it's a natural gas model. Cleanup the next day was easy. We generally BBQ once or twice a week, and I keep the Ducane covered.

Hopefully this BBQ will last longer than that Costco POS that I took back after 2.5 years. Costco did refund my entire purchase price of $538, so that paid for the Ducane. Can't beat that!