|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 54 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 61 found the following review helpful:
This is a Great Grill Jun 06, 2006
By D. C. Eaton
I agree entirely with the two other reviewers. This is a great grill, but I would like to add some additional comments. I have rated this only 4 stars because of some assembly issues (see below) and because it is not quite as good as a dedicated smoker (such as the Brinkmann Vertical Smoker). However, if you want to be able to both smoke and grill, or if you are not sure you want a smoker (like me) then the Char Griller Smokin Pro with Side Fire Box is for you.
Now that I tried Smoking, I am a convert. It does take longer than grilling, but this slow cooking process results in more flavor and more juicy meat. The intensity of the smoke flavor is increased by using more wood and reduced by using more charcoal. For instance, an all-charcoal smoke will result in subtle, but pleasant smoke flavor. I find it very easy to control the temperature of the Smokin Pro grill when smoking - I add more charcoal or adjust the vents only once per hour. Otherwise, it basically runs itself. Cleanup is easy because the firebox has an ash pan. Furthermore, since smoking is done at lower heat, there is no grease spatter in the cooking chamber. I find it helpful to place a pan directly under the meat to catch all the grease.
ASSEMBLY ISSUES: Assuming that you buy both the Smokin Pro grill and the Side Fire Box, do NOT follow the instructions to first assemble the grill, and then add the fire box. The problem is that installation of the fire box requires punching out a knock-out panel on the side of the grill lower half. Unfortunately, the knock-out panel may not be easy to remove, and this step then will require considerable hammering. This step will be very difficult to do if the grill is already assembled!
INSTEAD, as the first step of assembly, take the lower half of the grill firebox and place it on end with the knock-out panel on top, and the other side on hard ground. Firmly wedge a 2x4 piece of wood between the two sides. This will give firm support to the end of the grill with the knock-out panel. It will help to place the support close to the site of the hammering. Now, follow the firebox assembly instructions to punch out the panel with a hammer and a screwdriver. Use of the 2x4 will prevent damage to the side of the grill body due to hammering. After removing the panel, proceed normally with the assembly of the grill, and finally attachment of the fire box as directed in the instructions.
31 of 31 found the following review helpful:
Great BBQ if you want to really slow cook with smoke Jul 03, 2005
By John S. Atherton
"G'Pa"
This grill has lots of room to cook. You could easily fit two large turkeys in the spacious interior. Cast iron grates make the cooking more efficient, but you have to take care of them. The fire box gives you the option of cooking with indirect, slow heat. This is the best (and slowest) way to cook ribs and other hunks o' meat. This is a pretty heavy grill, so finding it in your area would save you a bundle on shipping. Overall it is very well made. All I've had to do is touch up the paint with high temp black spray paint.
Using a remote thermometer will give you better results in cooking.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00018RAFO/qid=1120408771/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_ur_2/002-4909942-9391250?v=glance&s=garden&n=507846
You can do some modifications on the grill to make it work better. These are inexpensive and there are numerous postings about modifcations and techniques on the BBQ forums.
http://www.homebbq.com/duportal/forums/msgDetail.asp?msg_id=1009&for_id=8
30 of 30 found the following review helpful:
I love mine!! Sep 07, 2005
By Harry E. Campbell
Got this smoker/grill for father's day, and I love it. It is versatile - you can grill, roast, and BBQ (smoke) equally well with it. Whereas some other smokers will only BBQ. This is the first smoker that I've owned and it is easy to control the temperature. I've made some fantastic BBQ chicken and brisket. I'll be making more.
good value. Large grilling area.
The fire grate has 4 height positions to adjust temperature for direct grilling. It's easy to dump out the ashes.
For roasting, there is plenty of room to put a large drip pan on one side. I've roasted some spectacular chicken this way.
For BBQ (smoking) start a fire in the side-firebox, and add a split log or 5-6 wood chunks an hour. I use a remote thermometer to watch the temperature from inside the house. I thought that was ridiculous at first, but when your BBQ-ing a brisket for 12 hrs, it frees you up to make side dishes in the kitchen, or watch the Gators pound the Seminoles, while your cooking. The temperature is easy to control with the vents and the smokestack cover.
shorcomings: assembly is a chore. thinner gauage metal flakes outer paint sooner than a heavier pit would. Thermometer is not especially reliable, but you'll probably want a remote thermometer if you are going to be BBQ-ing for 12 hrs anyway.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
 The best grill I have ever owned! Jan 08, 2007
By Kenneth Brown
I have 3 Weber kettles (2 22-inch and 1 18 1/2 inch), I also have a Weber gas grill and this grill surpases all of them. It is so versatile, I can use it as a smoker, direct grill, or both at the same time. I have smoked two ten pound briskets at the same time, 30 lbs of rib tips, and a rotiserrie turkey for Thanksgiving. Assembly took one Saturday afternoon, but other than that I haven't had any problems. Buy a can of High Heat Black Enamel for the firebox, because the paint will flake off during long cooking times. A good value at a good price.
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Nice Smoker Feb 02, 2007
By G. Kopp
I purchased this smoker to replace an old CharBroiler Silver Smoker. My main use of these type of smokers is long duration cooking. I loved the CharBroiler and it's ease of use, I was however sometimes frustrated by it's lack of internal volume in the cooking chamber.
Space plus reviews I saw influenced my decision to try the Char-Griller. The Char-Griller was fairly simple to assemble by myself and I was able to have it ready for a fire in about 90 minutes. I would say the fit and finish were very good for a grill at thice price level. I was pleased with the Cast Iron grates in the smoking chamber.
I have had the opportunity to do several long smokes on the Char-Griller and have the following observations.
The firebox does not have a swingout door. The fuel is placed on a slide out tray with a slightly elevated grate for air circulation. I find this to be a bit troublesome on long duration runs since the ash collects below the grate creating difficulty in maintaining even airflow below the grate. On my CharBroiler I could open the door and use a stick or metal rod to clear the below grate space.
The volume of the smoker requires a decent sized fire in the box and attention to maintain an even smoking temperature. I have found that by using natural hardwood charcoal lumps and large sized wood pieces for fuel it has been easier to establish and maintain an even temperature with a little less frequent attention.
In my opinion this is a good smoker/grill for the price and while I really miss the swing out door on the firebox, I do like the larger volume cooking space.
See all 54 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
