When I first started getting serious about grilling, I couldn’t help but notice how many different brands were available. Was any one of them that much better than the others? And how was I supposed to tell if their products were better or not? That’s what prompted me to compose this list of Dyna Glo grill reviews.
In this article, we’re going to review the following gas grills:
Premium Series:
Smart Space Living Series:
DGE Series:
And we’re also going to compare Dyna-Glo to these three possible alternatives:
Things To Consider Before Buying a Dyna Glo Grill
While Dyna Glo offers a wide range of products, including charcoal smokers, I’ve decided to stick with gas grills for this review. These products are versatile and easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about messy piles of ash left behind afterward. Furthermore, they can be safely used on a deck or balcony, while charcoal-burning units may pose a fire hazard in these situations.
That said, I know that there are people who will never be swayed by the gas grill argument. These shoppers would probably be better off browsing a different selection of grills, although I will say that a pan of wood chips can go a long way toward bringing that prized smoky flavor, even in these gas-powered units.
Here are just a few of the things you should keep in mind before narrowing down your selection:
- Affordability—how much money do you have budgeted for a new grill?
- Design—does the grill have eye appeal without sacrificing function?
- Ignition System—does the unit have an electric starter? How effective is it?
- Burners/Heat Retention—how quickly do the burners heat the grill? Is the heat evenly distributed? Does the grill hold its heat?
- Durability—is the unit built to last? Is there a warranty included in the purchase?
- Setup and Maintenance—how easy is it to assemble and clean the grill?
- Additional Features—are there any add-ons you can’t live without, such as a built-in thermometer or rotisserie option?
Dyna Glo Grill Reviews
In this section, we’ll go over the basic selling points on some of Dyna Glo’s most popular gas grill models. To help break things down, I’ve included a list of pros and cons for each unit.
Premium Series
Dyna Glo Premium (2-Burner)
This grill offers a total of 30,000 BTUs (British thermal units) of heat output over two burners and 467 total square inches of cooking space (this includes the primary cooking area, measuring 350 square inches, and the secondary rack, which tacks on an additional 117 square inches). Two foldable side tables add prep space without enlarging the footprint, and a weatherproof cover is included in the purchase. This unit would probably work best for smaller families, or people who don’t have a lot of space to devote to their outdoor cooking hobby.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Compact footprint
- Heats quickly, with efficient temperature control
- Affordable price point
- Cover included
Cons:
- Not the most durable product on the market
- Grill grates prone to rusting
- Not suitable for “low and slow” cooking
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
Dyna Glo Premium (4-Burner)
This unit is a larger, slightly fancier version of the Premium 2-burner grill, with 60,000 total BTUs of heat output over five burners (four burners in the main cooking area and one on the side) and 667 square inches of cooking space. An electric ignition, enameled steel heat tents, and built-in thermometer are included with the purchase; the cover for this unit is sold separately. This model takes up a lot of room, so it should be considered only if you usually grill large quantities of food at once.
Pros:
- Large grilling area with solid heat output
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Built-in thermometer
- Affordable price point
Cons:
- Interior prone to rusting
- Even “low” heat settings are too hot for more delicate ingredients
- Thermometer not always reliable
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
Smart Space Living Series
Dyna-Glo Smart Space Living (3-Burner)
This three-burner Smart Space offering features 507 total square inches of cooking space (390 in the primary grilling area), with a heat output of 36,00 BTUs. The side shelving includes a towel bar and tool hooks for convenience, and stainless steel heat tents offer protection and help to flavor your food all at once. As with the Premium 4-Burner unit, the cover is sold separately.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Compact footprint
- Easy to assemble
- Heats evenly
Cons:
- Removable grease pan rusts out quickly
- Prone to flare-ups
- Not the best at searing meats
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
DGE Series
Dyna Glo DGE (5-Burner)
In addition to the five main burners, this massive unit includes a side burner for a total of 62,000 BTUs over 707 square inches of grilling space. The cooking grates, warming rack, and heat tents are all constructed of stainless steel, and the cabinet-style design offers additional storage space. The cover for this unit is sold separately.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Excellent heat control
- Integrated thermometer
- Good value for the price
Cons:
- Gap in rear of grill means burning through a lot of propane
- Interior prone to rusting
- Grill grates are not high quality
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
Dyna Glo DGE (4-Burner)
This model is virtually identical to the five-burner unit, only slightly smaller. The four main burners cover 486 square inches of cooking space and 40,000 BTUs of heat output, and the side burner offers an additional 160 square inches with 12,000 BTUs of output. It features the same cabinet-style construction, storage space, and integrated thermometer as its larger counterpart. If you like the design of the five-burner unit but don’t need that much space, this could be a solid alternative.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Provides fast, even heat
- Customer service department is prompt and courteous
- Integrated thermometer
Cons:
- Interior parts prone to rusting
- Some secondary parts may be missing upon delivery
- Burners must be lit individually
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
Features & Benefits of Dyna Glo Grills
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s find out whether the Dyna Glo products are able to deliver when it comes to the essentials.
Affordability
This is one of the main reasons why shoppers gravitate toward Dyna Glo products in general: They’re priced on the lower end of the spectrum, making them an appealing choice for shoppers who are on a budget. If affordability is the driving factor in your decision, then a Dyna Glo grill could be the right choice for you.
Size
For the most part, these grills offer a decent amount of grilling space when stacked up against the competition. The two-burner Premium grill, for example, offers as much total cooking space as some three-burner units—though, in the interest of full disclosure, it’s worth noting that a portion of that space comes from a secondary burner. Still, considering the relatively small footprints of the Dyna Glo units, they’re more than able to hold their own in this category.
Design
All of the models listed here are cabinet-style grills. There are two benefits to this style (or sometimes both, depending on the model): It keeps the ugly propane tank hidden from view, or it offers additional storage space. This makes it preferable to the cart-style design on an aesthetic level, but it might make the unit more difficult to maneuver. Only you can decide whether or not this will be an issue for you. Personally, I find the design to be one of the most appealing aspects of the Dyna Glo line, particularly the Smart Space option. If you take advantage of the weatherproof cover, the unit will maintain a quality outward appearance for some time.
Burners/Heat Distribution
This category is something of a toss-up. While the burners do heat quickly and efficiently, their settings run very hot—meaning that some delicate ingredients will be torched in no time, especially if you’re not paying close attention. That said, if you like a good sear on your grilled meats, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for in a Dyna Glo model.
If you already have a gas grill that is having an issue of uneven heating, the video below might help:
Durability
Here’s where the Dyna Glo grills lose a significant degree of street credibility, as it were: The parts are not built to last. While the exterior remains solid after a few years of use, the interior is prone to rusting, even when the parts are frequently cleaned. The stainless steel heat tents do their part to keep the burners free of debris for as long as they’re in place, but they detach easily and have been known to flake apart. Even when the cooking grates are advertised as being constructed of stainless steel, as with the DGE series, they’re usually made of a lesser-quality metal with a steel coating that can strip off onto the cooked food.
In short, there’s a reason why these grills are set at a much lower price than some of the competition. If you’re looking for a product that’s built to last, you might be better off looking elsewhere.
Setup and Maintenance
Now for the good news: The Dyna Glo grills are fairly easy to assemble. If you’ve never assembled a grill before, assembly could take as long as two hours; an experienced handyperson can expect to be finished in about half that time. As far as maintenance goes, cleanup is generally simple as well, especially if the unit includes heat tents and/or a removable grease pan, which most of these do. Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, you might not be cleaning this unit for very long, as some parts tend to disintegrate no matter how frequently they’re tended to.
Additional Features
All of the Dyna Glo models I’ve listed come with integrated thermometers for temperature control, and all except the Premium 2-Burner unit are equipped with heat tents for burner protection and flavor-boosting, as well as an additional burner for heating sauces or sides. The included weatherproof cover is the one feature that the two-burner model has that the others lack, although these can still be purchased separately. Aside from these, the Dyna Glo units don’t offer much in the way of bells and whistles—they’re just basic functional grills with good heat distribution and low price tags.
On the Road With Dyna Glo Grills
To find out whether these grills perform as advertised (and whether my own experience lines up with that of other consumers), I searched the Web for customer testimonials. The following observations were representative: The bottom half of the grill rusted terribly after a short period, the burners tended to reach a high temperature very quickly, and that assembly was simple. One reviewer did note that while frequent replacements are necessary, it’s relatively easy and affordable to obtain the parts.
Alternatives to the Dyna Glo Brand
So, you’ve read over all the information and decided that the Dyna Glo brand isn’t the right fit for you. Where do you go from here?
Fortunately, there are a number of quality alternatives on the market. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
#1 Weber
There’s a good chance you’ve heard this name before—it’s one of the giants in the grilling game, and with good reason. Their units are durable, with sophisticated burner systems and impressive bonus features. The catch? Their units carry a hefty price tag.
Weber vs. Dyna Glo
- Affordability—Dyna Glo
- Size—Tie
- Design—Weber
- Burners—Weber
- Durability—Weber
- Setup/Maintenance—Dyna Glo
- Additional Features—Weber
If you have the money to spend, take a closer look at Weber’s products.
#2 Char-Broil
Char-Broil is a good middle-of-the-road option—their grills are generally affordable, but longer-lasting than the Dyna Glo models. They don’t offer quite as much cooking space, however, and their outward appearance can be on the chintzy side.
Char-Broil vs. Dyna Glo
- Affordability—Char-Broil
- Size—Dyna Glo
- Design—Dyna Glo
- Burners—Char-Broil
- Durability—Char-Broil
- Setup/Maintenance—Tie
- Additional Features—Char-Broil
Check out Char Broil’s long list of offerings to find out whether one of them is right for you.
#3 Smoke Hollow
This company is well-known for its smokers and other charcoal grills, but it holds its own in the gas category as well. Their units aren’t any fancier than the Dyna Glo units, but they get the job done, and the price is right.
Smoke Hollow vs. Dyna Glo
- Affordability—Smoke Hollow
- Size—Dyna Glo
- Design—Dyna Glo
- Burners—Dyna Glo
- Durability—Smoke Hollow
- Setup/Maintenance—Smoke Hollow
- Additional Features—Tie
I’ve only just brushed the surface here; if you’d like to learn more, take a closer look at Smoke Hollow’s inventory.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for an affordable grill that will get you through a couple of seasons, the Dyna Glo models should get you your money’s worth. In addition to being easy on the wallet, they’re so easy to assemble that you could have dinner on the table within just a couple of hours. Does this sound appealing? If so, click here to start shopping for a Dyna Glo grill today.
