bump Sorry, you've probably decided by now...

First on the Ducane, I believe I read they were bought by Weber and now made in China. http://bbq.about.com/cs/grills/bb/aabyb042503.htm I have never found a use for a side burner, except for boiling and deep fat frying in large pots that is NOT recommended. I now have a separate stand-alone gas burner that is much safer and more convenient. As to the 'spit', never had one because I couldn't imagine it would be any better than just indirect cooking. Now, 3 or 4 burners. Have always used 3 burners, and cook for 6 regularly and double that frequently. For size of your 'family' you could probably get by with a 2-burner but 3-burner provides flexibility for indirect cooking(roasts, ribs, beer can chicken, etc.).

Hi Infohound - I'm in the same boat - have a Weber charcoal for about 14 years...after researching I have decided on the Napoleon Ultra Chef 405 - I think the pedestal cart model as it hold the tank out of sight and I don't want to pay extra for the cabinet bottom. I don't think I would use the rotisserie and have no info on the infrared. I also like the fact that the shelves fold and make the grill more compact so that I can store it in the garage. I plan on going to a local shop to see this in person before I buy. I'll let you know how I do!

We use ours all the time. Even though my kitchen is right there, if we are entertaining outdoors it would be really inconvenient to have to go in because I need something done on the stove. If we do steaks, I'll use it for frying onion & mushrooms. We also use it to do corn on the cob a lot, or any sauces or gravies needed. I couldn't imagine not having one.