What Happened To Ducane Grills (2024 Update)
Are you thinking of holding a BBQ party? With the winter ending soon, it is indeed the perfect time for an outdoor BBQ. And when it comes to grills or outdoor cooking equipment, Ducane has always been one of the top manufacturers. But yes, they also have a history of recalling their products.
Despite all the controversy, Ducane stayed in business for more than 2 decades. But nowadays, you will barely see their products. But why? What happened to Ducane grills? Have they gone out of business?
Today, we will answer all the questions you may have in mind regarding Ducane grills. If you have bought a grill from the Ducane brand and are worried about it being faulty, this can be a complete guide.
What Is Ducane Grills?
Ducane grill is a well-known outdoor cooking appliance maker. Even to this day, their grill smokers are recognized for their quality and longevity.
Ducane started its journey as a heating and conditioning company in 1946. The launch was successful, and Ducane gained much recognition, so it decided to expand its product category. They entered the home appliance market in 1975 with their signature product, grills.
Soon, Ducane became a reliable outdoor cooking equipment manufacturer. Providing high-quality products at a reasonable price range was why Ducane could quickly grab hold of the market.
Is Ducane Grills Out Of Business? What’s The Story?
Despite being a successful brand, you can barely see any of their goods in the market nowadays. Finding parts for the old ones has also become difficult, let alone new production lines. This has made people wonder, does Ducane still make grills? No, they don’t. Are they out of business? Pretty much, yes.
With only around 200 people and a small manufacturing facility, Ducane still made 9 million sales of grills in 2000. They have become one of the top cooking appliance manufacturers of the time. That’s when Ducane decided to take things to the next step.
In 2000, Ducane sold its heating and conditioning branch to Lennox. They took this big step to focus solemnly on the grills. They even built a brand new manufacturing facility worth $8.3 million for it.
With a tagline “Buy Your Last Grill First,” Ducane aim to make grills that will last for decades. They used high-quality materials but somehow kept the pricing reasonable. They also provided an initial 5 years warranty for their grills. But they also had a feature on their website where users could register and buy warranty subscriptions for lifelong. That’s another reason for their goods to become likable so soon.
However, luck didn’t favor them long. Within just 3 years of starting the new production house, in 2003, Ducane’s big three national distributors went through liquidation. They failed to pay back millions of dollars in invoices owed to Ducane.
The previous debt from building the new manufacturing facility and the tragic loss of millions make it harder for Ducane to stand back on its feet. And finally, in December 2003, Ducane went into bankruptcy.
Has Weber Bought Ducane Grills?
Weber is another famous brand in Home Depot. They have amazing products like grills, smokers, etc. Ducane was a formidable competitor to Weber. So when Ducane was auctioned off, Weber didn’t waste a second to buy it at $13.6 million.
However, there’s a twist. Weber only bought Ducane’s assets, not their liabilities. So, they were not responsible for the lifetime warranty Ducane promised to provide. If your Ducane grill needs any part replacement, you must get it done at your own cost.
Now, Weber had no intention of merging both companies. They kept Ducane’s name as it was. But yes, they made some massive changes in the production process. Ducane used to make individual parts for their grills and assemble them in the USA. That made the manufacturing cost high. The profit margin wasn’t that great as Ducane grills were sold between $400-$600.
So, Weber decided to do a little experiment. They started using a little lower-grade material, outsourcing the parts and assembling them in China. This helped to cut off the production cost almost by 50%.
Shifting production in China brought a couple of advantages for Weber. It could still sell New Ducane gas grills at their previous price while making a generous profit. Also, as Weber always used high-end materials for their own gas grills, the cost of their grills was pretty high. Not everyone could afford them. When they bought Ducane, they got something for people who were looking for a less expensive option.
Within a few years, under Weber’s guidance, Ducane grills launched a few side chains like “Ducane Stainless” in 2006, “Ducane Affinity” in 2007, and “Ducane Meridian” in 2007. After Weber was satisfied with the whole Chinese outsourcing production, it started using the same method for its own production line. They stopped making any more Ducane grills. And soon, Weber grills replaced Ducane grills in the market.
Weber Vs. Ducane: Who Makes The Best Grill?
Before 2004, when Weber bought off Ducane in Bankruptcy, they were like competitors thriving to grab the same market. As both brands are known for making high-quality grills, it is hard to say who is better all of a sudden.
Ducane grills are widely popular for their strong and sturdy build. True to their slogan, ‘Buy Your Last Grill First,’ Ducane grills last long. Also, Ducane grills are available in different sizes, most of them smaller than Weber grills. It is genuinely convenient for users who have limited space at home.
But you have to keep one thing in mind. Due to safety issues, Ducane has a history of recalling its products quite a few times. In 2008, they recalled 4,000 gas grills due to potential fire hazards. In 2012, 11,000 grills were recalled for faulty wiring and connection issues. Then again, in 2016, another 9,000 units of the gas grill were recalled by Ducane for a fire hazard.
However, all these recalling happened when Ducane was under the care of Weber. Weber was experimenting with the new production system in China, resulting in an unwanted situation.
On the other hand, Weber grills come with more useful features like a temperature gauge, ash-catching tray, etc. However, they come in quite a high price range. Not everyone can afford them. But they can be a great addition to your kitchen if you can. On the other hand, Ducane grills are comparatively cheaper than Weber grills.
FAQs
1. Did Ducane go out of business?
In 2004, Ducane faced severe bankruptcy. After buying Ducane, Weber-Stephen continued to make grills for a couple of years, keeping the company’s original name. But after 2018, the production of Ducane grills completely stopped.
2. Does Weber own Ducane?
Yes, Weber bought off Ducane in an auction with 13.6 million dollars. They further launched some new production chains but kept Ducane’s name intact.
3. Who bought Ducane BBQ?
Weber Stephen Products LLC bought Ducane BBQ and app other assets of Ducane in 2004. However, Weber is not responsible for liabilities like providing a lifetime warranty for the Ducane grills.
4. What is the number 1 rated grill?
Weber grills have been topping the chart for the last few months. They are versatile, equipped with the latest technology, and make your grilling experience easy.
Final Thoughts
Since its beginning as a grill manufacturer in 1975, Ducane grills have faced many ups and downs. And now, you cannot find them anywhere in the market. Some distributors and websites may still have parts for their previous products, but the number is low.
So, what happened to Ducane grills is pretty apparent now. They are no longer producing grills and are currently out of business. Hopefully, you now know the chain of events that has brought Ducane to its present state.
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