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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program
Our family loves to grill. Whether it's charcoal, propane or electric it's a great way to cook. It's been a while since we've used charcoal, not because we don't like it, but because propane is just quick and easy for weeknight dinners. So when I was given the opportunity to try out the Cuisinart GrateLifter Portable Charcoal Grill I was more than happy to do so.
When it arrived I immediately opened it and put it together. This was the easiest grill I've put together in a long time. It was about 10 minutes from opening the box to the last step of placing the grate on the grill. At this point I was happy with both the quality and construction of the grill. The weight is nice, without being to heavy and it's still small enough to be portable like it claims.
We used it to grill the first time this weekend and overall I have no complaints about it's cooking ability. I have to admit, that cooking with charcoal after cooking with propane for so long was a wake up call. I probably overcooked our chicken a bit not being able to adjust the heat, but it was still good. I also used the GrateLifter feature several times to re-arrange the coals so there were no hot spots and to add more charcoal in. I agree that this feature is a very useful addition!
Clean up was easy. I cleaned off the majority of stuck on food while the grill was still hot using a brush similar to the Weber 12-Inch T-Brush and then when the grate was cool I rinsed it a bit more in the kitchen sink. With the coals any that had burned down to ash were brushed into the center so they would drop into the collector to be emptied.
For me this grill was almost a 5 star product and what kept it from being 5 star was that while this is called a portable grill, one of the features I expect is missing; a lock. Now I know that if you are carrying it by the side handles the chance of the top coming open is zero, but put this in the back of a truck, car, RV or similar and there will be the chance of it tipping over and coming open. The last thing I want to find is charcoal and ash spread out for me to clean. For most this will not keep them from buying the Cuisinart GrateLifter Portable Charcoal Grill and it shouldn't, but it was worth mentioning.
If you do decided to buy this grill, be on the look out for the attachable side tables. Currently they are listed on the Cuisinart Website under Outdoor Grilling (Item# CST-152), but not yet available for purchase. I can see that they would come in very handy, especially when using this grill on the go.
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After years of using what i would call "disposable" portable grills I wanted something sturdy to last. I also wanted a larger grill area and this grill meets both those expectations. Important for me was the legs and/or stand base it sits on. Not flimsy and made very sturdy. Can stand up to the abuse of consistantly being tightly packed in a trunk, cargo area etc along with many other items. There is no worrying about cheap, loose, or wobbling legs when you arrive at your destination. The grill grate also is sturdy and not flimsy. In fact the whole grill in general is certainly above any other portable grill I have owned in terms of being sturdy. Along with the larger cooking area it certainly puts it above any other tabletop grill.The reasons it doesnt get a five star. The coal tray is of the flat tray, preforated type instead of the grill type. This type of tray does not allow (in my opinion) for maximum air flow. That not to say the grill doesnt get hot because it does and it cooks well. Vents work well too. However it does tend to get cooler in an area or two especially when driipings may fall on the coals and into the tray in a specific area. This would never happen to me on any other grill that utilized a coal grill instead of a coal tray. And also the fact the the coal tray is not very deep nor is it too far away from the food. This does not allow for a multi layer/s of coal. Also the tray (vs a grill type) doesnt allow for burned coal to easily fall away. The combination of these three issues concerning the tray adds up to the fact that it does not allow for very good extended grilling times. This creates more work with the adding and moving of coals vs other grills. Yes the gratelifter helps with this but still more work so it kind of negates the fact. It cooks great and happy with it but this one fact is a draw back for me and what I use the grill for. I am even considering getting a grate that would fit where the coal tray goes and using it instead. However if (like most people) you get it hot, cook your food and maybe some seconds, and your done, then this would not be an issue at all.
The other reason for not a five star is the price. As said, it is certainly well built. Will stand up to some abuse and seems it will last years if (like anything else) maintained well. However it is pricey. More cost than I think it should be. But on the other hand i'm tired of the "disposable" grills. Its kind of a catch-22 between throwing money away on garbage or spending too much for something better.
Bottom line. If you want a portable tabletop and only use the grill few times a year/season then I'd say the cheaper grills would be the way to go. In that sense (with not much use or constant packing) you would probably get a long life out of the cheaper ones anyway so why over pay for something better. However If you have the nead to grill with a portable tabletop many times and/or nead it to withstand the constant moving around etc... then in that case I'd say yes to purchasing this grill even though you would unfortunately get stuck paying more than I think its worth but what can you do.
Best Deals for Cuisinart CCG-100 GrateLifter Portable Charcoal Grill
This charcoal grill will not disappoint you. If it seems pricey It is worth every penny! I truly enjoy barbequing with this grill. It makes cleanup of the ashes a breeze. Even though this is considered a portable grill I use it as my main grill. It is so convenient.Honest reviews on Cuisinart CCG-100 GrateLifter Portable Charcoal Grill
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Our family loves summer cookouts and we've always owned a charcoal grill that gives the foods that great flavor that you never get with a gas grill. I've owned so many different brands of charcoal grills over the years and I've never had one without something I didn't like about it. My biggest complaints have always been with the grill design itselfhandles that are flimsy for lifting, can't really control the heat temperature even with vents, trying to lift a hot grate full of food to add more coals or wood chips, and especially the clean up!Cuisinart has designed the BEST Portable Charcoal Grill I've ever owned in the 34 years I've been grilling outdoors! I've owned both portable and standing grills and I definitely prefer the portable ones. You can always buy a stand for your portable to make it a standing grill, and Cuisinart makes a great stand for their portable grills, but you can't beat the portability when you want to take your grill with you on picnics, games, camping or to the beach!
When I first opened the box, putting it together took about 3 minutes. After positioning the grill on the base stand, making sure to maneuver the stand around the ash frame, also making sure the bottom vent bar is UNDER the frame bar of the stand, there are only 4 screws and wing nuts to tighten around 8 plastic washers (you'll see 2 washers have sticky backs to stay in place on the base stand), and you're done. This portable grill is a sturdy 23 pounds with heavy sturdy long solid bar handles for lifting. The grill is perfecly sized for both portability and for grilling a family sized dinner. The grill itself is 25 inches long, 17 inches wide and 16 inches high. The grate is 17 1/2 inches long by 13 inches wide. I fit 2 whole cut up chickens on this grate, or 12 burgers, or 4 large steaks or 6 medium steaks! The size of the grate is really made for full, complete family meals!
The entire grill body and grate is made with a heavy porcelain enamel coating, which means easy cleaning with soaking in soapy water with a dish rag. No more scouring forever with mesh soap pads! This is a dream for me, as I have always hated the scouring of those grates, and I always use a coating of oil (Pam now makes a great one for the intense heat of grills) on the grate to avoid the scrubbing. There is a 16 inch by 12 inch tray for holding the coals and a large 5 inch hole underneath for ashes to go into the large 6 inch by 2 inches deep removeable ash collection bin.
For perfect cooking temperatures, there are two large vents, a bottom vent above the ash bin to make the coals hotter and a top 12 inch vent to let out the heat. There is a temperature gauge on the lid for Fahrenheit 100-600 degrees and for Celsius 50-300 degrees, so you can maintain and watch whatever temperature you need. This is a feature that always makes for perfect results on the grill!
Cuisinart has made the PERFECT design for the grill grate itself! I have always hated when I need to add more coals or wood chips or just move the coals or ashes around with a hot grate full of delicious food. This grill has a lift system! With 2 leversone on each side that you push at the same time, you can engage the lift system or release it! When engaged, you open the lid and the grill grate lifts up and back as well, sitting 6 inches above the coals. When not engaged, the grate sits 3 inches above the coals. What a great feature for not having to disturb your arranged food! In addition to this great feature, Cuisinart designed the lid to be easily removed by sliding out 2 cotter pins on two small hinge bars. This is not only great for cleaning, but I have a friend who likes to put in more coals than normal for her children to make toasted marshmallows with a higher flame that would ruin the lid. With this feature, she can remove the lid and make her little fire without damaging the lid! Cuisinart thought of everything when they made this portable grill!
Before using this grill for the first time, you have to start your coals, opening both top and bottom vents, keeping the lid closed for 15 minutes. This heat cleans the internal parts and dissipates any enamel paint odors. Cuisinart has a 30 day damage to enamel warranty as well as a full 3 year free from defects warranty. In 34 years of owning charcoal grills, this is THE BEST DESIGNED GRILL I have ever owned. With an easy set-up, precision air flow, exact temperature readings, grill lift system, coal tray, large ash bin, sturdy portability, removable lid, easiest non scouring clean up and a 3 year warranty, all I need now is to find a fabulous Grilling Cook Book and I'm already looking at Bobby Flay's!
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