Char-Broil Patio Caddie Gas Grill

This is the perfect grill for a small patio at an apartment or condo. It is a normal height, unlike the "tail-gate" models a lot of others in my apartment bought thinking that was their only option. It starts every time.l Although it comes with a small tank, the "normal" full size tank -- the one you can take to Home Depot etc to trade for a full tank -- also fits on the base perfectly. (I think that is a 20 lb tank?)

Parts are still available 6 years later, hurrah! My burner shield has disintegrated but I found I can order one for $9.25. Love the cool brackets that let me hang the lid on the edge of the grill (dangerous to put the hot lid down on the ground, I think.)

Grill does have hotter and colder spots, no big deal to me now that I know where they are. Excellent quality cooking grate.

I got mine assembled from a local hardware store. I assembled a gas grill once with a friend in college and vowed never again.

My neighbors all look at it like they can't believe something like this actually exists! You can fit it anywhere!

I actually own three (3) of these grills. One each at different condos. My original I have owned for seven years, and it still looks like new on the outside, and the burner and grill itself have held up excellently. They take up very little room, grill very nicely, and are stingy on the propane. They are of high quality: cast iron burner, enameled kettle, enamel grill, quality construction. The temperature range is about 300-500+ degrees fahrenheit, so they are not good for low level grilling. I line the lower kettle half with aluminum foil to allow easier cleaning. The temperature gauge appears to be fairly accurate with real numeral grading; not just low/medium/high. For the size one may cook several steaks, chicken breasts or burgers.

The only con I have is the way they are designed and built does not hold the new elastic bottomed covers on in windy situations. Early on a heavier cover was offered with velcro starps that fasten around the uprights. My original grill has that, and I have not lost it in windy NW Ohio. I did lose one of the lighter elastic bottomed ones, so I do not use those covers where wind could blow it off.

Last, but not least, the price through Amazon was the best of anyone, and I received free shipping. I saved about $40.00 buying it through them, and delivery was fast; about 4 working days.

The Grill is compact making it not only less noticible on a very small patio as well as not stealing vaulable outdoor living space. Its easy to clean and has a more than adequate grilling surface area for a small family. I wish the actual grill plate was easier to lift so one can routinely clean it without using a utensil to pry it up of the supports along the edge. A small tab along the rim or indent in the frame of the grill plate would do the trick. Unfortuantely our ignitor does not work at all. I hope to remedy this problem with a call to the maufacturer. Overall very pleased with its ability to grill foods evenly and quickly.

This is a great grill if you don't need huge amounts of cooking space. I've owned one before and loved it for about 8-10 years. Unfortunately, one lower leg bottom rusted off; probably due to Hawaii's high humidity, high rainfall and the salty air. Anyway, on my new grill I sealed this area with silicone so that water can't be trapped there. (I doubt it will ever be a problem now that I live in New Mexico--not much rain!) Again, I put lava rock in the bottom to increase the heating capacity and distribution. This grill is economical with gas and cooks better than any other grill I've owned. I love the cast iron grill surface that is ceramic coated, very heavy-duty and distributes the heat well.

This product has HUGE potential. It is an excellent design. I use this as a no hassle alternative to a messy Foreman grill. I cook on it all of the time. The gas lasts FOREVER!

When I built mine, I threw out all of the nuts and bolts it came with and spent over $20 on Stainless Steel replacements. Being an outdoor grill, this should be something it comes with.

After about a year, the cast iron heat plate was destroyed. Everything else on the grill was in perfect condition (thanks to using one of those grey Weber grill covers).

My friend and I just replaced the cast iron heat plate, tonight; with an eighth inch stainless steel one cut out of some of his left over material. WOW!!!! What a difference that made! Holy Moley. The flame distribution is even (unlike before), the temperature climbs up much quicker, and the stainless heat plate glows red hot.

I am a true fan of this grill and think it is an AWSOME value, but I think consumers would be willing to pay $10 more if Char-Broil would just supply stainless hardware and a REAL stainless heat plate that won't degenerate itself.

When and if it croaks, I will buy another one. But I will continue to do what ever I can to fix any future quirks with the one I currently have.