The Thermos Stainless Gas Grill 461262407 is a sleek unit with a front access console and efficient side burner. This unit lets you enjoy the look and performance of stainless steel at a very affordable price.

This unit is designed almost entirely in stainless steel -- from the console base to the hood. It has four independently controlled stainless-steel tube burners, which together provide 40,000 Btu of cooking power. There is one pushbutton igniter, which is used to light the main burners, as well as the 12,000-Btu side burner. (A word of caution: When lighting the main burners, be sure the side burner control knob is set to off; otherwise you may end up lighting it unintentionally.) Each of the burner knobs, including the side burner, locks in the "off" position, which is a helpful safety feature.

The all-silver appearance of this grill was clean and bright. Keeping the grill looking new, however, is a matter of meticulous cleaning. Wiping the exterior surfaces after each use will go a long way in retaining the out-of-the-box look. Also, we recommend keeping the grill covered to avoid excess exposure to the elements. The high temperatures from grilling will eventually cause some minor discoloration to the hood.

The console cart measures 27.25-inches wide by 22-inches deep and stands 29 inches tall. There are two magnetic-closure stainless-steel doors, which hide the 20-pound propane tank. Although there is no pullout tray, the front doors provide easy access.

The 24x17-inch cooking surface consists of two removable porcelain-coated cast-iron grates. The grates are heavy duty (each weighs more than 9 pounds) and transfer heat well. The dark gray matte finish had a rough texture. A separate 7x25-inch warming rack has a glossy black enamel finish.

We liked the extra-wide front and side handles on this unit. A large curved 1.25-inch stainless-steel rod is comfortable to hold and stays cool during cooking. The side handle is a nice addition and helps when moving the cart. Four large caster-style wheels make for easy maneuvering.

One feature that was missing from this grill was utensil hooks. There is a shelf in the console cabinet where you can store tools, however, and the extra-large 13.5x19-inch side shelf provides ample space for plates, marinades and other essentials.

Our testers liked the control knobs on this unit, which have a soft rubberized grip on the dials and handy graduated tick marks to show the progression from low to high heat. One tester commented that the tick marks take the guesswork out of setting the burners to the same level. The knobs must be pressed in initially and then turn smoothly.

This grill took a bit longer to heat up than some others we've seen. At the 15-minute mark, the temperature gauge on the cover registered 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The grill eventually reached the temperature of 500 degrees and provided plenty of heat for grilling. The temperature at the back of the grill seemed hotter than the front -- probably because the connecting bar extends the flame from each burner to the next. Four tent-like "flame tamers" sit atop each burner and help to spread the heat, while also minimizing flare-ups.

The Thermos Stainless Gas Grill 461262407 is a good performer that offers the luxury of stainless steel and the convenience of a side burner.


Pros: Stainless-steel construction, 12,000-Btu side burner, enclosed console cabinet
Cons: No utensil hooks

Warranty
1 year