The Ducane Affinity Series 3400 gas grill is designed for the everyday griller looking for a quality barbeque that won't break the bank. This stylishly designed unit uses a combination of stainless steel and black components, all set on an enclosed cart with painted sides, an open rear panel and a stainless front door. The hood has a pair of cast-aluminum end caps to lock in the heat, as well as a stainless-steel front insert. A black metal skirt at the base hides the 3400's caster wheels, and two shelves extend from the grill's sides.

The 3400 has three main burners that generate 36,000 Btu, as well as a 12,000-Btu side burner with a flush-mounted cover. All of the burners are constructed from stainless-steel tubing, which should provide many years of reliable performance. The 3400 also has a separate 12,000-Btu flame-rotisserie burner, which is operated by an independent control switch. The standard rotisserie accessories (motor, rod and forks) come with the grill. In addition, there are three wine hook-style utensil holders on each shelf. A final accessory is the hanging Smoke-It-Tray, which can be filled with soaked wood chips to impart a smoky flavor to your favorite food.

We were impressed by the 3400's plethora of features, as well as its quality construction. It is quite rare to find an affordable grill that contains this collection of features, including the side burner, rotisserie burner, and smoker tray. There is also an unusual slide-out 6x21-inch warming shelf. Ducane likely kept the cost down by utilizing slightly thinner materials, but the 3400 is in no way flimsy.

The 3400's 475-square-inch cooking surface consists of two removable 11-1/2x15-inch stainless-steel grates. This design offers several advantages. The slender round bars are spaced within an inch of each other, so smaller foods are much less prone to slipping through. The grates fit perfectly within the recessed front lip and rear ledge, so there is no sliding, and the grates cannot accidentally move out of position or fall down into the grill. Finally, the slim grate design minimizes sticking, especially when properly preheated.

The Affinity Series 3400 delivered intense heat across the entire cooking surface. With the three main burners set to high, the lid thermometer registered 475 degrees after 5 minutes, and it reached 575 degrees within 10 minutes. Since each burner is controlled separately, it's easy to create both a direct or indirect heating surface. The hard plastic control knobs have variable settings, and they lock in the Off position for safety. A single push-button electronic igniter sends a spark to all of the burners simultaneously, including the side burner and rotisserie. For this reason, it is crucial that you pay attention to the position of the control knobs before lighting so you don't unintentionally light an unwanted burner.

For all its features, the 3400 is still somewhat compact, measuring 48 inches tall, 52 inches wide (including side shelves) and 24 inches deep. The two fixed and two swivel casters provide full maneuverability, and the stainless and black surfaces wipe clean easily. To keep the grill looking its best, you should purchase a sturdy vinyl cover.

With a large collection of features, good looks and smart design, the Ducane Affinity Series 3400 gas grill proves to be a smart value.


Pros:  Three main burners produce 36,000 Btu, includes rotisserie burner and accessories, Smoke-It-Tray included, 12,000-Btu side burner
Cons:  Slightly thinner metal construction, one igniter controls all burners (including side burner) and needs to be pushed to light each subsequent burner

Warranty
2 years, limited; 5 years, aluminum castings (excluding casing paint) and stainless-steel lid insert