Fuego Element Gas Grill Review

The Element Grill is an interesting, very stylish, dual zone gas cooker. Various tech blogs have referred to it as “the iPhone of grills”. Although it is a free standing, pedestal device with a 36″ high cooking surface it is remarkably compact. The 23″ diameter footprint is beneficial wherever space is an issue. It can easily be wheeled about then tucked away in a corner when not in use. However, many owners are so pleased with Element’s striking, sculptural appearance, they choose to leave it on display. The company recently changed ownership and a few features changed as well. The new Element has a wider wheel base for stability, a full size grease pan and a convenient hinged door to access the LP tank.

The black powder coated steel lid and burner bowl have a solid look and feel. The lid, which features an insulated handle, may be hung out of the way on the side of the steel base. Attached to the base are 2 light weight handles for hanging tools and towels and wheeling the unit about on four casters, (two locking casters).

The system has two circular burners with a large burner running around the perimeter of the round fire box and a smaller circular burner in the center. Crank both burners for maximum heat and direct cooking. Turn off the center burner for indirect cooking. Weber “Q” 300 and 320 have a similar dual zone configuration although Fuego’s sleek and slick design works with one control knob, (patent pending), instead of Weber’s two. Element burners are long lasting, 304 stainless steel. Zone 1 is 15,000 BTU, zone 1 + 2 together are 21,000 BTUs total. Electronic ignition is battery powered.

The 21′ diameter, enamel coated cast iron cooking grate provides 346 square inches of cooking area. Fuego claims a top temp of 700°F which is plenty hot for searing. Slower indirect cooking is limited by the low profile lid and the diameter of the burner. You really only have about 4″ available height off the grill surface. It’s big for a compact grill, but not big enough for whole turkeys or large roasts.

Although the steel pedestal base is elegant and attractive, it had also been the source of consternation for owners of the previous version. Both the propane tank and grease pan were in the base and both could only be accessed by fully removing the clip on front panel. The new version has a hinged access door. Big improvement.

It’s covered by a one year comprehensive warranty and three year limited warranty on the burners: not as good as the warranty for Weber’s “Q” 300/320.

In addition to The AmazingRibs.com Best Value Silver Medal, the Element Grill has won the following awards: Spark Award 2010, Good Design Award 2010, Vesta Award for Best Gas BBQ 2010, International Design Excellence Award-Gold 2010.