Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have Worn Mine Out, April 23, 2003
This review is from: Char-Broil Patio Caddie Gas Grill (Lawn & Patio)
Consider this a long term test. I bought my Patio Caddie out of desperation when another cheap grille died one nice summer Saturday with friends coming over for dinner. I simply wasn't in a mood to spend $400 or $500 for a king kong unit. What makes a good grille is really simple: it must start every time (it does), it must generate enough heat to cook (it does, but keeping the cover on helps)and it must have high quality grids (it does). On the last point, and what really sets the Patio Caddie Apart, are the heavy porcelainized grids. The are wonderful to cook on, easy to clean, haven't sagged in 5 years use. Consider this the Honda Civic of grills: I fill the mini-tank once or twice a year for $7 and cook at least once a week year round (in Seattle, no less). It is absolutely the finest chicken cooking device I have ever seen and easily cooks dinner for 4 to 6. No it won't handle a 10 Lb salmon in one shot or cook a dozen burgers for a tribal reunion. And a Honda Civic wont carry an entire NFL team at one time either. The only downside is that the heat output does become limited below 50 degrees, but that's a function of the propane, not the grill itself. If you live in a condo or apartment with a small deck, if you're on a budget, or want a portable unit look no further, this is it. I will be moving on to a bigger and better grille in a couple weeks, and believe it or not, I have a friend who wants my old patio caddie for her condo. Old, greasy and well used, it still has life in it, and she knows how well it cooks. I just hope my new, bigger grille works as well.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
144 of 150 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
good small gas grill, January 4, 2003
This review is from: Char-Broil Patio Caddie Gas Grill (Lawn & Patio)
The Patio Caddie is a nice small grill-good for small spaces when you want the convenience of propane. It is well constructed and easy to use. Assembly is a bit of a pain, though nowhere near as bad as their old full size units. If you have a cordless screwdriver and can follow their instructions, it should take about 30 minutes to an hour. It's very easy to use-a push button ignition, burner control on the front, and with the propane tank sitting down below, you have easy access to the valve. There are nice touches like a built in thermometer and a retainer clip so you can hinge the lid on the lip of the grill if you don't have a place to put it when you have the lid off. It does generate a decent amount of heat for a single burner grill-just enough for searing, and the ceramic charcoals do much better than lava rocks. On the bad side, it's hard to see the flame, so it's not exactly easy to tell if you've sucessfully ignited the gas. An electronic battery operated ignition would be a lot nicer. And while easy to wheel around, the small propane tank doesn't cut it-it doesn't hold enough, and if you do the tank exchange instead of filling your old one, no one will accept it. It's great for a small grill-a good step up from a small charcoal grill. If you have the space, you'll be a lot happier with a full size grill. With multiple burners and a lot more BTU power, you'll get better results with a full size grill-and many don't cost much more than the patio caddy. But if you only have enough room for a small grill, this is one of the best on the market.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
97 of 101 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Its the best small grill I could find, but..., November 19, 2001
This review is from: Char-Broil Patio Caddie Gas Grill (Lawn & Patio)
If you read other reviews people are giving this thing 5 stars and listing serious shortcomings... Here are mine. Cons : You have to cook with the lid on. Low with the lid on is 475 high is 525 degrees. Mother of Pearl!!! Steaks, fine. Ribs, forget it. The assembly kit comes with two types of screws that are only 1/8 inch different in length. I used 2 of the longer ones someplace on my grill, then could not install the lid handle because what I had left was slightly too short. The grill shipped with two parts missing and a sheet that said that if I happened to be missing any parts they would ship them to me at no charge... Hmmm.... There are significant hot and cold spots on the grill surface Pros : The form factor is perfect for my small balcony The little tank makes it easy to move and to refill. It lasts forever too. No need for a biggie tank. The ceramic grate doesn't rust and is a snap to clean The electric start is STILL WORKING!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|