With a gas grill, chefs can create amazing meals outdoors in a hurry. There’s no need to bother with charcoal or another messy fuel source. Just switch on the burners, wait a few minutes, and the grill is ready to go.
The question is, which gas grill will deliver the most consistent results? There are a lot of options out there, with many of them promising the same thing. That’s why it’s up to the consumer to dig a little deeper.
Brinkmann Grills offered decent grills at low prices for more than 30 years. Although the company filed for bankruptcy in October 2015, certain retailers might still have a few of their models in stock. Because the company is out of business, special pricing may be available.
Brinkmann grills are comparable to Char-Broil’s offerings in terms of power and construction (see Features & Benefits, below). If you’ve found one and are wondering how it will hold up, this Brinkmann gas grills review should give you the information you need.
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Plenty of storage space
- Numerous sizing options available
Cons:
- Flimsy construction
- No grill cover included in the purchase price
- Not a great deal of cooking space per burner
Things To Consider Before Buying a Gas Grill
While gas grills are convenient, they don’t appeal to everybody. Charcoal-fired units deliver stronger smoke flavor, which makes them invaluable to some grilling enthusiasts. If this applies to you, you probably won’t be swayed by any Brinkmann gas grills review.
However, if it’s instant gratification you’re looking for, the Brinkmann units are worth a second look. Here are the qualities you should consider when shopping for a gas grill.
Affordability: Gas grills are available in a broad range of prices. This should make it easier to find one that you can afford.
Construction: For best results, the main cookbox should be composed of heavy-duty stainless steel.
Grilling grates are typically made of either stainless steel or cast iron. Both are acceptable, though cast iron tends to have better heat retention.
Size: How much space you’ll need depends on the size of your family, how often you use your grill, and whether you entertain often.
400 square inches is considered sufficient for a family of four, but true barbecue lovers will probably want to opt for a larger cooking surface.
Heat Distribution: The unit should heat quickly and effectively, retaining enough heat to cook ingredients in a thorough and timely fashion.
Assembly: How much assembly is required? How long does the process usually take?
Ease of Cleanup: Most gas grills will come equipped with some sort of grease management system, usually involving a drip tray. These will aid in the cleanup process, thereby prolonging the life of the unit.
Bonus Features: Is there any storage space included? What about tool hooks for barbecue utensils? If you like to enjoy a frosty beverage while grilling, a built-in bottle opener comes in handy.
Brinkmann Gas Grills: Features & Benefits
How do the Brinkmann models stack up in each category? Check out this Brinkmann gas grills review to find out.
Affordability
In this department, Brinkmann earns high marks. Their models are offered at prices to suit every budget, even if you’ve just decided to purchase a gas grill.
The downside? The construction wasn’t quite as sturdy as I hoped (see below). For a budget offering, however, Brinkmann isn’t a bad choice.
Construction
In terms of quality, you tend to get what you pay for with Brinkmann grills. Materials used for the interior components are noticeably low-end, and the wheels and fasteners are flimsy and prone to breakage. Put simply, you shouldn’t expect one of these units to last more than a few seasons.
The cooking grates are constructed of porcelain-enameled cast iron. These are usually more solidly built than the other parts. If they rust through, replacement units are readily available through Amazon and other online retailers.
While the main body uses stainless steel in its composition, the knobs and handles are made of plastic. Moreover, the steel itself comes from the 400 series, which isn’t the best choice for grills.
A pair of oversized wheels is affixed to one side of most Brinkmann gas grills. While the wheels make it easier to move the unit, they’re also cheaply made.
The most frustrating aspect of Brinkmann grills is the use of sand as a filler. In order to give the lids more weight and balance, the company used sand to fill out the handles of their gas grills. Because the material is cheap to begin with, this can cause particles of sand to fall out during cooking.
Size
Brinkmann offers a variety of options in terms of size. Their smallest unit can accommodate up to 22 hamburger patties at once, while the larger 5-burner models offer up to 661 square inches of cooking space. This means that Brinkmann grills tend to err on the larger side.
That said, the surface area isn’t all that generous when you consider how many burners are available. This discrepancy is even more noticeable in the 4- and 5-burner models. This means that the heat output isn’t powerful enough to cover a larger surface.
It’s worth mentioning that some larger Brinkmann grills offer a side burner, which can also function as a second shelf. This burner is controlled independently of the others and can be used to heat sauces and side dishes. Since I like to warm the barbecue sauce before adding it to ribs and grilled chicken, this is a nice touch.
If you need a larger grill for entertaining but can’t afford one of the high-end models, you might be satisfied with a Brinkmann unit. On the other hand, if size isn’t a major factor in your decision, you should probably keep looking.
Heat Distribution
On the subject of heat output, Brinkmann grills deliver in the range of 52,000 to 72,000 BTUs. Considering the low price, that’s an impressive offering.
However, as we mentioned, the actual performance doesn’t line up with the advertising. The burners take a long time to heat up, and they’re ineffective when it comes to searing. What’s more, the heating is generally uneven, with some units turning out more disappointing results than others.
Assembly
Because these grills are so lightweight, assembly is fairly quick. The company issues a manual recommending that the job be carried out by two people, but I don’t think that’s necessary.
Instructions are clear and easy to follow, with useful diagrams included to help move things along. Be extra careful when assembling a Brinkmann grill, as some of the interior components can break easily.
Ease of Cleanup
Brinkmann gas grills are equipped with large grease trays that slide out easily. This is great news for the cleaning crew, as it makes the task that much simpler.
The cooking grates and warming rack can also be removed for cleaning. If you take good care of these components, they’ll probably last longer than the grill itself.
Bonus Features
In addition to the extra burner, most Brinkmann grills offer a side shelf for prep and storage. The shelf is usually equipped with a built-in bottle opener, which I find to be a nice touch.
Some of the larger 5-burner units are outfitted with a bonus drawer, which is useful for storing barbecue tools and grilling gloves. The front panel can be folded down to create additional work space.
Brinkmann Gas Grills: Social Proof
After scouring the internet for feedback, I was able to come up with a few positive reviews.
Most consumers were happy with the price of the unit, noting that they were able to get their money’s worth. Others were less enthusiastic about the poor construction and the disappointing heat output. A few people pointed out that it was very easy to use, despite the relatively poor performance of the burners.
Possible Alternatives
Would you prefer to keep your options open? Since Brinkmann has gone out of business, take a look at these comparable models.
#1 Monument Grills 4-Burner Natural Gas Grill
If it’s affordability you’re seeking, this Monument Grills unit might be just the ticket. The price is nearly as low as a Brinkmann grill of the same size, and the burners are more powerful and reliable. Better still, it can be converted to run on natural gas if you purchase the optional kit.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Brinkmann
- Constructions—Monument Grills
- Size—Monument Grills
- Heat Distribution—Monument Grills
- Assembly—Brinkmann
- Ease of Cleanup—Tie
- Bonus Features—Monument Grills
The Monument Grills 4-Burner unit is equipped with a clear lid for easy viewing. If you like to keep an eye on your ingredients as they cook, check out this model.
#2 Megamaster 4-Burner Propane Grill
Another budget offering, this one even cheaper than some Brinkmann grills. The Megamaster offers five burners in all for a combined BTU output of 52,000.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Megamaster
- Constructions—Tie
- Size—Brinkmann
- Heat Distribution—Megamaster
- Assembly—Brinkmann
- Ease of Cleanup—Tie
- Bonus Features—Brinkmann
For an affordable gas grill that’s easy to operate, take a closer look at the Megamaster 4-Burner unit.
#3 Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cabinet Style Propane Grill
With this 4-burner model, Char-Broil upholds its reputation for offering well-constructed grills at a low price. The cabinet-style design has great visual appeal, and the side burner offers versatility.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Char-Broil
- Construction—Char-Broil
- Size—Brinkmann
- Heat Distribution—Char-Broil
- Assembly—Brinkmann
- Ease of Cleanup—Char-Broil
- Bonus Features—Brinkmann
Take a look at the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner if you’d like a user-friendly, no-frills unit that gets the job done.
Final Thoughts
What’s the verdict on Brinkmann gas grills?
For starters, you’ll have a hard time finding one. Though they offer a fair value for the price, they aren’t readily available due to the company’s bankruptcy.
That’s why we would recommend investing in the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Gas Grill instead. The price point is even lower, and it should be easier to find replacement parts. It offers plenty of storage space and a streamlined design that should be at home in any outdoor kitchen.
Click here to check out the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Grill.
- GAS GRILL: Powered by liquid propane gas, this grill runs on a...
- COOKING AREA: Grill up to 24 burgers, 20 chicken breasts or 12 steaks...
- SIDE BURNER: A 10,000 BTU side burner lets you keep your sides and...
- TRAY TOPPER: The stainless-steel Chef’s Delite tray shields more...
- BTU RATING: This grill has a 46,000 total BTU rating.
