Given the 100 years of experience in keeping food and beverages fresher, hot or cool, Thermos products are famous and very appreciated. In 1997, Thermos Company licensed production of its Thermos Gas Grills, now distributed by Charboil. This is the world leader in gas, charcoal and electric grills and outdoor cooking products. Flag grills are Thermos Grill 2 go Fire and Ice and Thermos Stainless Steel Grill.
| Thermos Stainless Steel Grill | Thermos Grill 2 Go | Thermos Fire and Ice Grill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTUs | 40,000 BTU from the main burners | 8500 BTU from the main burner | 8300 BTU from main burner |
| Stainless steel burners | three porcelain coated cast iron burners | the porcelain coated cast iron burners are guaranteed for 10 years. | three independently controlled burners for improved control over grilling. |
| Side burner BTU output | 10,000 BTU side burner | 10,000 BTU side burner is powerful enough. Some variations of this model don't come with a side burner so make sure you look for it when purchasing | 10,000 BTU side burner |
| Primary cooking area | 420 square inches of primary cooking area with a total of 585 square inches | 312 square inch total cooking surface | 310 square inches in total cooking surface |
| Warming rack | optional | optional | optional |
| Grease | grease cup | removable grease tray | Removable grease tray with cap |
| Smoker | no integrated smoker | no integrated smoker | no integrated smoker |
| Rotisserie | not integrated | not integrated | not integrated |
| Ignition | electronic ignition | built-in igniter | built-in igniter |
| Grids | porcelain coated steel cooking grates | non stick grate and griddles | Dupont and Teflon non-stick surface |
| Price range | $350 | $180 | $180 |
Benefits and Drawbacks of Thermos Gas Grills
Advantages
- Initial set up is very easy. Besides, the side trays slide on and off easily. You don't get a gas canister; attaching one is done in two simple steps.
- As for using, the grill goes up and down by use of a foot pedal (down a little bit harder then up). Lighting the grill is made by a sparker button. You can also light it with a match.
- The cooking surface is non-stick and this is a plus
- There are side trays which hold the tools you receive: tongs, spatula, grill scraper.
- Grease goes off along a channel and arrives into a collection jar.
- Cooler is able to keep ice for over 24 hours in 90 plus degree heat. The cooler holds a bottle of wine, six beers, two steaks, two medium containers, and six bottles of water.
- For cleaning up, you have the tools (you get with the grill) which are made of plastic.
Drawbacks with Thermos Grill-2-Go
- in windy conditions you could have a difficult time when lighting the unit. You must turn the grill out of direct wind.
- as for hot level, although there are three designed levels (warming, cooking, and too hot), the real level is not always mentioned. Nevertheless, the food usually cook fine.
- you may discover that the grill/cooler is pretty heavy. It has two side handles but it is still tough getting it and taking it from the minivan or back to minivan.