It's difficult for me to give this item a specific number of stars, because though I ordered it from Amazon and received it. . . I returned it and didn't use it. So I'm giving it 3 stars. That's not to say it's not a good item, it just wasn't for me. Let me explain why. . . . .
First, there were not previous reviews, and only one (poor) picture. When I received the item, it was (more-or-less) as expected. I thought the quality was fine. The size was nice. But here is why it was not for me. First, when you read the owners manual, you will see that you are NOT supposed to preheat this unit. I'm unsure how you're supposed to sear a steak if you don't preheat. The owners manual said that if you preheat then it will discolor the grill. . . . . As for the grill. . . it's not a heavy-duty "grate" type, that I would have liked to have seen. It's a thin stainless wire type. Though again I never tried it, I wonder if you preheat if the grill would warp. Not sure, but I expect it might. The owners manual also recommends that you cook with the lid open, as much as possible.
There is a large heating element and a "heat tray" that goes over the top. I can imagine that this "heat tray" would be covered in drippings. As it's stainless, it can probably go in a dishwasher, but I would think that you would probably still have to do a little scrubbing.
There are no "lava rocks" in the bottom, which you will find in a few electric grills. I like the "lava rocks" because the drippings smoke, and you get more of a grill/smoky flavor. I had a Char-Broil which had this before, which I really liked. . .except. . .as you will read in several of the reviews. . .it would overheat, and finally "burned-up". If it were not for that issue, I would get another Char-Broil.
Another thing that the owners manual recommends is that you line the bottom and the top with foil to make cleaning-up easier. I would HIGHLY recommend that, because otherwise it's going to be a MESS to clean this grill up.
They also recommend that you use "Bar Keepers Friend" (over and over they write this) to clean this item.
FYI, this company makes (I believe) three different types of grills, and they all look about the same, so make sure if you get one. . . that you get the one that fits your needs. #1, they make an electric grill (that's this one). #2, they make a gas grill. #2, they make a "hybrid" which will work with both electricity and gas.
Finally, even though I never plugged it in, there are a few things I liked about this grill. As I stated previously, it's a nice size. It would be easy to take from place-to-place. There are "feet" which retract for easier storage. It certainly looks good. But in the end, it just wasn't what I was looking for.
OH! One last thing. The picture that is listed as I write this review has a "blue hue" to it. This item is stainless steel (silver) and does not look blue in any way.
Bar Keepers Friend® Cleanser & Polish: 12 OZ
Char-Broil Patio Caddie Electric GrillThe grill never got hot enough to actually cook on. We use this at work so we wouldn't need propane it is used as a warmer now, if used at all.
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