Modern Home Products GJK3 Gas Grill Review

MHP took their existing components and created a large, 36″, stainless steel grill which may be installed or purchased on a cart. GJK3 has a contemporary look, but without bells and whistles like digital thermometers and hood lights. Indeed, the only electric components are the battery ignition and optional rotisserie. Gone is the heavy cast aluminum housing that defines MHP in so many ways. Although GJK3 is a quality grill from a reputable company, it has a “me too” element that’s easy to understand but lacks the unique characteristics of their classic cast aluminum models.

Nonetheless, it’s a nice machine with a double wall stainless steel lid and cast aluminum end caps. Instead of metal flavor bars over the top of the burners, MHP uses “Flavor Master” porcelain briquettes which rest on a porcelain coated grate just above the burners. In the beginning, lava rocks were employed, but the smooth uniform shape of ceramic briquettes promotes even heat and allows gunk to burn off more effectively. MHP goes a step further by using kiln fired, porcelain coated briquettes. They believe this system provides more even heat, vaporizes BBQ drippings better than most flavor bars and, of course, will not rust as do most flavor bars. The bottom aluminum casting tapers toward the back to divert grease into a small stainless steel cup. However, MHP claims not much grease escapes.

All MHP grills present a variety of options. The GJK3 may be ordered with stainless steel rod cooking grates and warming racks, or “Sear Magic” grates. Sear Magic consists of two sided, reversible aluminum cooking grates. One side is ribbed for grill marks and the other is smooth. As the name indicates, they intensify heat from standard gas burners and work in tandem with IR burners to sear while reducing moisture loss. They are similar to the popular GrillGrates, but not quite the same, and of course MHP came first. Our posted price is based on a basic GJK3 grill head mounted on a double door cart with casters. Heat Flux rating is also based on this configuration.

It has two large stainless steel “H” burners that produce a total of 54,000 BTU. Each “H” burner is effectively two burners fused together with two controls for zone cooking. So the basic GJK3 has four control knobs. Temperature range is 300°F to 550°F. Many options are available that can drive up the price significantly. You may add a side burner and/or a rotisserie kit and 16,000 BTU backburner. The “H” burners may be replaced by two Infrared burners and two cast stainless burners to create a “Hybrid” model.  These Hybrid models come with Sear Magic grates. Available in natural or propane gas, it can also be retro-converted. Electronic ignition is battery powered.

GJK3 grill heads can be built into permanent installations or mounting on freestanding carts. All stainless steel carts, burners, grates and hoods are high grade 304 stainless steel. For built-in installations, MHP offers some drawers, doors and a pull out trash compartment. Tools, shish kabob skewers, a smoke box, and other accessories are available. As for parts, these guys have been around since the beginning of gas grilling and many older models are still working in the field. They got parts. They even have a “Restore a Grill” section at their website.

The warranty is exceptional:  Limited Lifetime Warranty on housings, control panel, stainless steel burners, cooking racks and Sear Magic Grids. 5 Year Warranty on IR burners and porcelain briquettes. 1 Year Warranty on igniter, gas valves, knobs and briquette grates.