My first grill was a Smokey Joe knock off in 1999. Grilled many a good pork chops, burgers, brats, steaks, sweet corn and hot dogs on there all through college. I even grilled ribs before I knew what the heck I was doing. Bought my first gas grill when my ex and I lived together in an apartment - an Aussie gasser that I cooked on until it rusted away. Now my CharBroil Commercial gasser, Thermos kettle, UDS (my favorite, by far), ECB, Thermos mini kettle and Coleman RoadTrip LX (that I won from Crisco) pretty much serve any need I have for cooking outside.
Its fun reading about everyone's first grills!