The Gas Grill Review and Gas Grill Rating Guide - Helping you choose the Best Gas Grill

The Char-Griller Super Pro Model #2121 Lured Me In

With Side Fire Box = Smokin Pro Minus Shipping Costs

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I decided to give the Char-Griller Super Pro a shot. Actually, I decided to give the Smokin Pro a shot. When I tried to order it online, my address didn't show up in their shipping database (?). So, I called and spoke with a very helpful lady who told me to save $60 in shipping.

She suggested that I go down to Lowe's and buy a Super Pro and a Side Fire Box (SFB). The Char-Griller Super Pro Model #2121 is the same main unit as the Smokin Pro. But, it comes with the warming rack as well. So, when I did all the math, I actually came out a head by $20-$30 so I'm happy.

Now I get to put it together and get it seasoned. That's going to be a lot of fun, no doubt. It's worth it though because trying to control a gas grill at 225 F is nearly impossible and now I'll be able to get down to some barbecue business!

Highlights

Large grill for less than $150
Easy to purchase, they're in stock at most local Lowe's
Char-Griller makes an attractive line of grills, so they look amazingly good.
Double bottom to prevent burn through

Char-Griller Super Pro Features

"I got the Char Griller Super Pro w/sfb for Father's Day. It is a great vesatile cooker." ~ The Smoke Ring Forums

"This is what I use and it works great. You have to make some of the mods though. Extending the smokestack and moving the thermometer are crucial. you can skip intalling the baffle if you want. I just turn the charcoal pit upside down and set it on the highest setting...works great as a baffle." ~The Smoke Ring Forums

"Other then whole hog (size), there is really nothing you can't grill or smoke with that unit." ~Roadfood.com

830 sq inches of grilling area
Cast Iron cooking grates distribute the heat evenly
Very sturdy under-carriage
You don't need to remove the entire cooking grate to add coals
Cooking grate height can be adjusted for controlling the cooking temperature.
It has a built in heat gauge
The ash pan is easy to dump, so cleaning is simple
You get an included warmer rack (you don't get this with a Smokin Pro)
It adapts to the optional side fire box for Texas style smoking (this basically makes it a Smokin Pro Model # 1224
If you take care of it, the heavy steel construction will last for years.
The powder coat finish lasts, especially if you take care of it properly
It includes a heat diffuser
This unit will adapt to a Rotisserie available from Char-Griller

Pros

I've read all through the Barbecuebible forums where these units are discussed thoroughly. You'll find very positive feedback here. You'll also find procedures for making modifications that will prevent some of the cons.

Extremely affordable for new Q'ers or simply someone who likes to spend less than they make (good idea these days).
Great support community available
Your local Lowe's carries it and related pieces like the side fire box
It has the most features for it's price point
You get a lot more cooking area than admittedly awesome smokers like the Weber Smokey Mountain

Char-Griller Super Pro Cons

A unit like this is not as fuel efficient for long cooks as a WSM or BGE, but then again, it's also less expensive
You will need to make modifications to the unit at some point if you want to fiddle less during a long smoke.
It requires some care. For instance, it will need to be seasoned with a continual dose of seasoning maintenance after each smoke to prevent rust and make cleaning easier.

Summary

All in all, I'm happy with this unit because I didn't need to fork over a lot of cash. Additionally, I'm new to the smoking thing, and I want to learn with a unit that requires more effort on my part. Once I understand the ins and outs, maybe then I'll consider something I can put on auto-pilot. Until then, I'm looking forward to seeing smoke pour out of the stack!

The Char-Griller Duo gas and charcoal grill and smoker

The Char-Griller Wrangler Model# 2123

The Char-Griller Outlaw

The Char-Griller Patio Pro for those smaller meals

The Char-Griller Pro Deluxe Barbecue Grill