Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill Review
Let’s face it, there are times when you are craving the unmistakable taste of charcoal grilled meat kissed with a smoky flavor. Then there are other times when you just don’t want to deal with the hassle and mess of charcoal when you could just lay a respectable hunk of meat over a clean and convenient propane flame.
If you have wrestled with the debate of charcoal versus gas grilling, you might want to take a close, hard look at the Dyna-Glo DGB730SNB-D Dual Fuel Grill. It has both a propane side as well as a charcoal side. Each under its own independent lid with a thermometer.
The propane side of the grill offers two stainless steel propane elements. Each generates 12,000 BTUs for a total of 24,000 BTU’s of efficient heat. This is more than enough fire to handle just about any grilling application you are interested in. Each burner element has its own independent control and can be started with a built-in electric igniter. Just keep in mind that the igniter needs a single AAA battery, which is included in the box.
The Dyna-Glo Dual Fuel Grill is CSA rated, for improved safety. However, part of this certification process means that it can only accept one type of gas. So, there is no natural gas conversion available for this grill at this time.
The charcoal side of the Dyna-Glo Dual Fuel Grill has an adjustable coal box, with holes in the bottom for more efficient airflow. You can raise it up if you want to do some high heat searing or lower it down to grills pieces of meat that benefit from a little low and slow heat.
The side shelves fold down for convenient storage, and they include two tool hooks. The entire grill is supported on a sturdy cart base, with doors for extra storage. This gives you a place to easily conceal a propane tank. Just keep in mind that the storage areas are not 100% watertight. If you store your bag of charcoal inside, you might want to also put it in a plastic tote.
Construction & Ease of Assembly
The materials used for the Dyna-Glo Dual Fuel Grill are quality. Yet the metal does feel a little thin in some places. This also means it’s a little lighter than you might think. The two boxes it comes in only weigh in around 50 pounds.
Assembling any type of dual fuel grill is usually a lot of labor that will consume your entire Saturday afternoon. This isn’t necessarily the case with the Dyna-Glo Dual Fuel Grill. With a friend to help you should be able to get it completely put together in a little over two hours.
Grilling Performance
There’s a variety of ways to use a dual fuel grill like this. You certainly could just fire up one side for whatever you wanted to grill that day. Each side as exactly 476 square inches, which is certainly more than enough space to grill up steaks, hamburger patties, or chicken breasts for a family of four.
You could also use the two different fires to help each other out in preparing a dish. For example, you could grill a half or quartered chicken slow and low under the consistent heat of the propane fire. Then when they are tender and ready, you can move the chicken over to a high heat charcoal fire to crisp the skin, mark it and finish it with smoky flavors.
Another great way to make the most of a dual flame grill like this is in preparing fajitas. You could put a cast iron griddle on the consistent flame of the propane side to gently saute them. Then you could make a ripping hot fire on the charcoal side to lay down your chicken, or beef.
One minor knock on the charcoal side is the size of the holes in the bottom of the adjustable coal box. If you grill with lump charcoal small pieces can sometimes fall through the rather large holes. A similar problem can occur as charcoal briquettes burn away. When this happens the coals under the box can prevent you from lowering it all the way down.
Grilling Areas
Each side of the Dyna-Glo Dual Fuel Grill offers 476 square inches of grilling space, for a grand total of 952 square inches. It also has 222 square inches of warming rack. This means you’ve got more than enough space to grill for the next family reunion.
The cast iron grill grates have a special porcelain coating. This gives them some nice non-stick properties for easy cleanup. If they get a little messy, you can remove them for a soak in some water without worrying about rust.
Special Features
The ability to raise and lower the charcoal gives you the option of searing a piece of meat and also be able to alter the heat profile in the same grilling session.
Ease to Clean
A dual fuel grill like this can sometimes be a lot of work to clean. Especially if you fire up both sides in a single session. You will need to take your time to make sure you cleared away all the spent coals and ash from the charcoal side.
Any trapped material left down in the bottom can prevent you from being able to fully lower the charcoal box. As time goes on, lingering ash can also contribute to corrosion and rust issues.
The porcelain coating on the cast iron grill grates reduces the chances of anything sticking, and it also makes them easier to clean. If you need to you can pull them out and soak them in warm water to release any messy stuff. The porcelain coating will protect the metal from rusting.
Warranty
The Dyna-Glo Dual Fuel Grill comes with a 1-year limited warranty. This is a little bit less than the three-year limited warranty that the competition offers for similar grills.
Conclusion
If you can’t choose which one you like better, charcoal or propane, then the Dyna-Glo Dual Fuel Grill might be the right grill for you. It certainly has more than enough grilling area to prepare an enormous amount of food.
Just make sure to take the time to clean it right, and you are sure to come up with a lot of creative ways to use it.
