Modern Home products TJK2 Gas Grill Review

The TJK2 is similar to the MHP classic cast aluminum WNK4 except it is made with a single wall stainless steel lid with aluminum end caps. The stainless seems like a nod to contemporary tastes, but why the single wall for a company that prides itself on even heat retention? The hood has a novel “Stay Kool” handle which is a perforated stainless steel tube. It rolls freely within its side mountings as you lift.

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 WNK4 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 TJK2 grill head mounted on a two wheel cart. Heat Flux rating is also based on this configuration.

It has one large, 40,000 BTU stainless steel “H” burner that is effectively two burners fused together with two controls for zone cooking. Temperature range is 300°F to 550°F. The TJK2 has two stainless steel fold down shelves. Many options are available that can drive up the price significantly. You may add a side burner and/or a rotisserie kit and 12,000 BTU backburner. The “H” burner may be replaced by three Infrared burners, or two cast stainless burners and one IR burner to create a “Hybrid” model.  These IR and Hybrid models have three controls and come with Sear Magic grates. Available in natural or propane gas, it can also be retro-converted. Electronic ignition is battery powered. Most MHPs come with built in “heat indicators”. We do not like “heat indicators” and prefer you purchase a digital thermometer. They actually removed them for a period of time but then, bowing to public demand, brought them back with a higher quality device they claim to be accurate within 15 to 25°F.

MHP grill heads can be built into permanent installations or mounting on a variety of posts, columns, and carts. You can chose a 48″ aluminum post for in-ground installation or various columns and carts offered in aluminum, coated steel and stainless on wheels. Some have enclosures for a propane tank, some do not, but none have doors, shelves, condiment trays, etcetera, and none of these features are offered as extras. A stainless steel masonry enclosure for built-ins with a matching set of double doors is also available. 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.