This review delves into the Royal Gourmet Grill, a mid-range option offering a compelling blend of features and affordability. We explore its performance as both a grill and smoker, highlighting its spacious 30-inch cooking surface capable of handling large meals, from ribs and burgers to chicken and more. The review examines the grill's build quality and durability, noting some areas requiring careful handling to prevent damage or loss of parts, specifically addressing issues with the hooks and clips during transport. Practical features such as the side shelf and warming rack are also assessed, showcasing their functionality and contribution to overall usability.This first part of the review focuses on the practical aspects of using the Royal Gourmet Grill, emphasizing its strengths and limitations. We examine the importance of proper charcoal management, especially when smoking, to achieve optimal cooking results and avoid extending cooking times. We also detail the potential for damage during transportation and offer advice on preventing common issues. This detailed look at the Royal Gourmet Grill aims to provide potential buyers with a realistic understanding of its performance and the necessary care required to maximize its longevity and enjoyment.
Pros And Cons
- 30 inches wide, allowing for cooking multiple items simultaneously (ribs, links, burgers, thighs)
- Includes a warming rack for keeping food warm.
- Has a shelf for placing items during cooking.
- Hooks can easily be lost if not stored properly inside the grill.
- Clips can fall out when moving the grill over uneven surfaces.
- Requires plenty of charcoal in the smoke box when smoking ribs to ensure proper cooking time.
Read more: Weber Master Touch Review After Several Months of Use
Initial Impressions and Build Quality
The Royal Gourmet Grill sits comfortably in the mid-range of grills, offering a decent balance of features and price. It's a 30-inch grill, spacious enough for larger cooks like ribs and multiple links. The construction seems solid, but as the review notes, there are some aspects to consider regarding its durability. The overall design allows for versatile cooking, offering space for both direct and indirect grilling. This makes it adaptable for various cooking methods and types of food.
After several uses, the grill shows signs of wear, highlighting the need for careful handling. The reviewer emphasizes the importance of proper transportation to prevent damage and loss of parts.
Important Tips and Considerations
One key piece of advice from the reviewer is to remove the hooks when moving the grill to avoid losing them. The hooks are easily misplaced, especially when moving the grill over uneven terrain, as evidenced by the reviewer's own experience.
Another crucial point to note is the risk of clips falling off during transportation, particularly when moving the grill over thresholds or uneven surfaces. This happened to the reviewer during a rainy day, and it underscores the need for cautious handling. Remember these tips to avoid unnecessary damage and frustration.
Smoking and Grilling Performance
While suitable for both grilling and smoking, the reviewer highlights a critical aspect of smoking: ensure the charcoal is sufficiently filled. Using it for ribs, for instance, demonstrates that a well-filled smoke box is crucial for consistent cooking time and temperature maintenance.
The review emphasizes using plenty of charcoal, especially when smoking, to maintain consistent heat and avoid extending cooking times unnecessarily. Proper charcoal management is vital for achieving optimal results.
Cooking Capacity and Features
The Royal Gourmet's 30-inch size provides substantial cooking space. The reviewer demonstrates the grill's capacity by simultaneously cooking ribs, burgers, chicken links and thighs. The use of the warming rack showcases its versatility and functionality.
The side shelf is a practical addition for placing food or utensils. The generous cooking surface enables the preparation of a large number of items, catering to various dietary needs or large gatherings. The reviewer effectively showcases this capacity during a cooking demonstration.
Conclusion and Overall Assessment
The Royal Gourmet Grill, while showing some minor durability concerns, delivers a good grilling and smoking experience for its price point. The spacious cooking area and useful features like the warming rack and side shelf make it a practical choice for frequent users. The key is to handle it carefully to prevent damage and loss of parts.
Despite the need for cautious handling and attention to charcoal management for smoking, the Royal Gourmet offers a decent balance of performance and features. It's a good option for those seeking a mid-tier grill capable of handling a variety of cooking tasks but are prepared for some added care.
