Char-Broil Patio Caddie Gas Grill

This is the best grill ever! We bought one several years ago and have enjoyed using it. The control knob broke--the grill is not expensive...so we bought a new one! Bigger is not better and this is good not just for our use (Couple) but also for family and friends. Two families we know have bought one based on our experience.

easy to use and stores in a small space, no longer need to store it on the patio in the rain and snow. Perfect for the small family or young couple.

This is the second patio grill we have purchased. They work very will and take up a small amount of space.

The newest one purchased in July 2008 is not as solid/sturdy as the first pruchased three years ago.

Overall we are satisfied with both grills.

This barbecue was only about $80 when I purchased it through Amazon 10 months ago, and it wasn't worth that much. I finally assembled it and have been using it for 6 months as I write this review.

This is my second Patio Caddie. I bought the first one about 6 years ago, and thought it was excellent for a small space unit. Eventually, the cast iron plate had rusted away to virtually nothing (with weekly use, and living near the ocean with the barbecue outside, but under a roof, year-round). It was so rusted, there was no way to remove it for replacement, but the grill body, grate, burner, etc. were all still in excellent condition.

When my new grill arrived, I discovered that it was now made in China. Although that isn't automatically a bad thing, it was in this case. Here's why:

1> Engineering changes have decreased the stability and integrity of the grill. The legs are now 2-piece rather than solid, and the location and type of some fasteners has changed. The grill was wobbly from the start, and has gotten worse. My attempts to re-tighten screws has been futile, as many of them are free-spinning, with no nuts or lock washers. You'll notice many odd design decisions during assembly.

2> The porcelain coating on the cooking grate looks cheap, and was missing from one spot. The grate does not clean nearly as easily as the previous one did.

3> The lid was slightly dented on arrival, with paint chipped off in 3 different areas.

4> The cast iron heat distribution plate is already substantially rusted and falling apart! My previous grill's plate showed no structural degradation for over 3 years.

5> This grill does not get nearly as hot as my previous one. I don't think that's due to the lack of ceramic briquettes, as they mostly just absorbed dripping grease.

I would say avoid this grill at all costs. I expect to have to replace mine within a few months, and that is ridiculous. Unfortunately, there aren't many grills with a small footprint like this, but this product has become just cheap junk.

This grill is not to large but large enough for our use. It is compact enough it dose not take up much room on our patio. It dose a good job of cooking. Had one before we purchased this one, but it finally rusted the burner. Had it for several years. Out lasted any grill we had before by years.