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(More customer reviews)I live in a condo and only have a 1-car garage so, while I wanted to have a grill, there isn't much room in the garage (with my car in there) to have a big grill. The Grill2Go is nice because it is much slimmer (in depth from front to back) than pretty much any full-size grill I've ever seen. Sizewise, one of the downsides is that the 2 side trays do not fold down so, if you want to store it with the side trays, it is going to take up additional space width-wise beyond the size of the actual grill assembly. It wasn't a big deal to me, though I WAS used to having fold-down side trays in all my previous grills.
Before writing this review, I used the grill to cook a variety of foods because I wanted to be able to report on how the grill performed in various circumstances. The foods I grilled on 4 separate occasions were: smallish New York strip steaks, thick-cut pork chops, chicken breast chunks with veggies on skewers (aka shishkebob), hamburgers and hot dogs.
What I have learned about using this grill during this time is:
1. It is VERY important to give the grill adequate warm-up time. The instructions say to turn the grill on high and leave it to heat up for 15 minutes. In my experience, I would say that 20 or 25 minutes may be better, especially if, like me, you prefer a nice sear and grill marks on your food.
2. The instructions say to leave the grill on high for 15 minutes after you're done cooking to let the grease and such burn off. The books says that all the gunk is supposed to turn to ash. This was NOT my experience.
3. Each 1-pound propane container is adequate for a 15-20 minute warm-up, approximately a 20-30 minute grill time and a 15-20 minute "burn off" but not much more than that; i.e., don't expect to get multiple grill sessions out of each canister. And it is recommended to remove the canister when you put the grill away (i.e., don't store the grill with the canister attached). NOTE: The grill does NOT come with propane. I was able to find the 1-pound canisters at my local Lowe's.
4. The instructions say that if you're going to be grilling something fatty (i.e., steaks or burgers), you should leave the grill lid UP during grilling to lessen the chances of flare-ups. I did this on my first use (grilling 2 NY strip steaks) and ended up with steaks that were perfectly cooked on the inside and delectably tasty, but gray and bland on the outside--i.e., almost no searing or grill marks. Since then, I have left the lid closed almost 100% while grilling and have found that I had no flare-ups and had much better searing and grill marks.
5. While there is no question that the grill gets hot, I am used to cooking on a charcoal grill and I just don't seem to be getting the sear on this grill that I am used to. Perhaps that is just the nature of gas grills. I haven't owned a gas grill before, but I've eaten food cooked on them at other peoples' houses and never noticed the food looking gray like those steaks did.
6. Today was the first time I tried to warm up food in a pan on the grill. I was trying to heat up a pan of baked beans to go with the hot dogs I was grilling today but, after quite a long while on the grill, the beans were barely even warm, so I had to take them in and put them on the stove. Luckily, I was home and could do that. Perhaps if I had waited until the grill was fully heated first, I may have had a different experience.
7. While the concept of a portable grill that has built-in coolers is FANTASTIC for tailgaters and those who picnic at the beach or park, I found the reality less alluring. The grill is HEAVY, even with the coolers EMPTY! There's no way that I could get the grill into a vehicle by myself. Also, the handle which lifts up (like on a rolling suitcase) to move the grill does not lock into place, so it makes moving the grill really awkward--especially if you are a small person as I am and especially if the grill is HOT and you can't put your hands on it to steady it!
The accompanying video will give you a look at the grill in action.
I give CharBroil an A for effort as I think it is just an awesome concept. But, while I have really enjoyed having a grill again and love its small profile in my garage, the reality is that I would not be able to use it for its intended purpose without at least one other person (if not two), hence I could not give it 5 stars. Further, even moving the grill from the garage to the driveway to grill can be awkward because the handle doesn't lock in place. All in all, 3 stars.
Note: The grill comes partially assembled but still requires a good bit of assembly. Due to the weight of the grill components, my neighbor, who is a retired engineer, put it together for me. He said it took him about an hour. Given the number of pieces and screws, I'd estimate that it would have taken me about twice that time IF I'd have been able to hold up the grill assembly and use the screwdriver at the same time, which I didn't think I'd be able to do.
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Designed with on-the-go grillers in mind, this portable gas grill works as well on the back deck or patio as it does at the beach, a campsite, or tailgating parties. The collapsible unit features two durable wheels and a lift-and-lock mechanism--similar to rolling luggage--for smooth transport from one place to the next. When ready to grill, just lower the handle, extend the grill to its full height, slide on the handy side shelves, and connect the regulator and fuel tank. The grill requires a 1-pound LP cylinder for operation (sold separately), and it features Char-Broil's patented infrared cooking system, which reduces overall cooking time, uses 1/3 less gas, and creates no exposed flames, so there are less flare-ups to worry about. The grill may cook faster and more efficiently, but it doesn't sacrifice seared-in flavor or mouthwatering results.
Best of all, the unit provides a generous 290 square inches of grilling space for anything from hot dogs and hamburgers to salmon fillets, veggie shish-kabobs, thick slices of fresh pineapple, and other favorites. To add smoky flavor to meat and vegetables, simply drop wood chips through the grates and lower the lid using the stay- cool handle; choose from a variety of wood-smoking chips, including mesquite, hickory, alder, oak, or cherry (not included). For added convenience, the grill comes equipped with two removable coolers that sit side by side on the bottom shelf (a protective shield on the bottom of the grill keeps them safe from the heat). Each 30-quart cooler offers two easy-grip loop handles, a wrap-around zipper, and ample space for filling with ice, food, drinks, and other items that need to be kept cold. The portable gas grill measures approximately 29 by 44-1/2 by 37-1/2 inches and carries a 90-day limited warranty.
Take it Anywhere
Easy to Use, with Tasty Results
Specifications
Model Number: 08401504
Two 30-quart soft-sided coolers
10,000 BTU Infrared Cooking System
290-square-inch grilling surface
Rugged pull cart
Heavy-duty grilling grates
3 hours of grilling per 1-pound tank
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