Char-Broil Patio Caddie Electric Grill

The product size is perfect for two people. We have had to learn by usage to get the correct temperature and cooking times. The instructions say to preheat for 20 minutes to temperatures that we have never been able to reach even after an hour of trying to preheat. The manual says that at first the product may not reach desired temperature but it has been several weeks and numerous uses and it has never exceeded the temps from the first use and have never reached the temperature suggested by the manual. The product arrived with a dented lid inside the unsealed package. Considering previous Char-Broil purchases we expected more.

I was so pleased to find this Electric Char-Broil Patio Caddie here on Amazon. It was just the size I needed for my small patio. I have purchased the smoker box so I get a good flavor to everything I am grilling on it. Compact, porcelain coated even the grill is heavy duty and will be easy to maintain.

Received in a timely manner, in excellent condition, and it had easy to follow instructions for assembly.

Like others, we use this on an apartment balcony that bans gas and charcoal.

It heats up quickly; cooks adequately; cools down quickly. The electric control is easy to use and remove.

Note the following:

1) We found this more difficult than necessary to assemble. The instructions aren't very good. Remember that the smallest screws are for the sides of the legs and that will help.

2) The thermometer doesn't go much over 400 degrees. The company says it measures AIR temperature; the temperature on the grill is hotter.

3) Try lining the bottom with heavy duty foil. That should make cleaning up easier.

4) The optional plastic cover gets poor reviews so we use a garbage bag and bungee cord to cover the unit which seems to do the job.

5) Spare parts are expensive (web site) so try not to break anything.

Five stars because it does what it is supposed to.

ONE YEAR UPDATE:

We've had this unit for about a year. Used once or twice a week except mid winter. Lives permanently on a balcony and covered with a heavy garbage bag held in place with a bungee cord. The electric controls AWAYS come inside after use.

We replaced our own foil pan lining and tightened up all the screws this spring.

Users should understand this unit's limitations. It works best as a broiler substitute for grilling meat or vegetables. We do not recommend it for making roasts, etc. Unless dealing with a very thick piece of meat, the thermostat is always on full high.

Recommendation: Turn the unit on full; COVER; let it heat up for 10 minutes; scrape the grill; spray with PAM or equivalent; add the meat; RE-COVER. Check after 5 minutes; turn the meat over for 3 or more minutes and lower temperature as needed; take internal temperature (pork, chicken). Remove meat and LET IT REST for a few minutes. IMPORTANT - lift the cover as few times as possible during cooking.

We think this unit is good for what it is; the 5* rating is affirmed.

I actually ordered this for my parents who are both almost 80. I have had the exact same one for several years now and love it.

No running out of fuel or worrying about leaks and explosions, just plug it in.

With it's wheels and tall versus wide stature it is quite a space saver if you don't have a deck which I do not.

It sits nicely in the corner of my garage and I just wheel it out in front of the garage when I want to use it which is all year long.

I grill when the urge hits me even in the middle of winter this way.

The unit cooks consistently and while it does not have the surface area of the standard large gas grills it has more than enough even when I have the extended family (17 or so) over.

The controls are simple and straightforward and the taste of the food on this is great.

You do need to assemble it, but it's not rocket science.

Love the grill and all it's strongpoints work even better for my 80 year old parents.