Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill Review

 

The Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill certainly plugs a gap in the market place for a low-priced model that has a large cooking area. And, I can also say with almost absolute surety that you’re not going to get anything of this size for less. But, before you make a purchase it’s good to know the fine print because the manufacturer certainly isn’t going to tell you and there are some flaws. The aim of this article is to give you the detail behind the advertising slogans so that you have a true picture of what it does well, and what it does badly. Ultimately, it’ll supply you with a verdict as to whether it really is the amazingly priced dream grill you’ve been looking for, or whether you’d be better served with another Grill.

[amazon template=’wishlist’&asin=B001H9RPNI]

Pros:

  • 498 Square Inch Primary Cooking Area
  • Warming Rack
  • Durable Steel Shell
  • Easy to Clean
  • Great Side Burner
  • Wonderful Cast-Iron Grates
  • Accurate Thermometer

Cons:

  • Flimsy Wheels
  • Slightly Long Assembly Time

[amazon template=image&asin=B001H9RPNI]

Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill Review:

Size/Design:

I mentioned that it’s a big unit for the low price and we’re talking about a 49 inch by 28 inches by 49-inch model so it’s one huge hunk of metal. And, Char-Griller were right when they claimed it was made out of durable steel. The steel construction will last a long time so I must give them top marks for this, but the wheels are made of flimsy plastic so they’re going to be gone in a year. So while the steel outer shell is excellent the wheels are quite bad meaning it comes down to what is important to you. If you’re happy that you got an outer shell that’ll stand the test of time, and don’t mind a lack of wheels, then this is a good option. If not, then you should choose something else. I loved everything else about the design other than the wheels; there’s plenty of space, a good finish so it’s nice to look at and everything is placed in positions you’ll recognize.

Performance:

You get a 498 Square Inch primary cooking area and if you include the secondary space and the warming rack this goes up to 630 square inches. So if you have a large family or if you have friends over and you need something large but don’t have 500 to 1000 Dollars to spend then the Char-Griller 3001 could be the answer to your prayers. I’m still slightly amazed that you can get it for around $174, so as far as size goes you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. The assembly is a little taxing but it’s not something most buyers won’t be able to overcome. I did it in 45 minutes, so while this does take away from the portability, I think most buyers will be intending to use this as a large Grill for home cookouts anyway and if you have a truck you could pre-assemble to take it camping.

40,800 BTU’s an hour seemed low for a unit of this size but they have avoided any problems here by using solid Cast-Iron Grates. The Grates really are wonderful and they will hold heat well, while also transferring heat quickly all the way across the cooking surface. They’re of just the right thickness to produce excellent results without burning certain parts of the meat. The Barrel shaped design of the 3001 with its low volume in the chamber also contributes to the good heat retention and so you get quick cook times, a good taste, and a nice cooking experience

They’ve kept the weight on this 3-Burner down to 100 pounds which makes up for the flimsy wheels, and they’ve also added a quality Side Burner. It’s actually more than a Side Burner, it’s 12,000 BTU’s so it’s something you can cook meals on rather than just heat up sauces. I didn’t expect this kind of quality here for the price. The Thermometer is clearly placed above the cooking surface so you’ll always be able to see it and although it’s not a digital thermometer, it is as accurate as any non-digital Thermometer on the market. You’ll find the Warming Rack gives you as much space as you’ll ever need to feed everyone so no problems here either. The inner components, however, are quite cheap so there is a question about the durability of the unit which only time will be able to tell.

The Verdict

If you were looking for the best priced large Grill on the market then you’ve definitely found it. For less than 180 Dollars you get a massive 498 square inch primary cooking area, a durable steel outer shell, a good Thermometer, excellent Cast-Iron Grates, Porcelain Enamelled surface, 3 Burners and 40,800 BTU’s an hour. But to cut their costs enough to give you this, they’ve bought cheaper inner components so the durability might have been compromised. Having said that you get a lot of Steel for the price and the food does taste great; after all why wouldn’t it on such excellent Cast-Iron Grates. The wheels are a little flimsy, but they evened things out by keeping the weight under 100 pounds. Overall I’d say this is a great deal because it’s so cheap and you get so much cooking space that even if it lasted half the time of another large surface grill; it’s less than half the price so you could just go out and buy another one and still be paying less.