Royal Gourmet MG5001-RC Mirage Stainless Steel 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill Review
If you have a large family or you frequently need to prepare food for a large number of guests, then chances are good you are looking for a large, quality gas grill like the Royal Gourmet MG5001-RC Mirage. It features five propane burners as well as a high heat generating infrared burner mounted in the rear of the main grill grates.
Each of the five propane burners can be controlled independently which allows you for superior heat control. This gives you the ability to hybrid grill tougher pieces of meat until they are tender and succulent, before flipping them over another burner set to high heat to mark, sear, or fully develop a flavorful crust.
The propane burners can be ignited by a built-in electric ignition. Each one generates 12,000 BTU’s of heat and the additional infrared burner in the back of the main cooking chamber is also capable of producing an additional 12,000 BTU’s. When everything is turned up to the maximum the Royal Gourmet MG5001-RC Mirage can provide you with a grand total of 72,000 BTU’s of outdoor grilling fire!
The grill grates are made from cast iron with a semi-nonstick porcelain coating with a slope design. This helps with heat retention and developing a good sear, as well as making for easier cleanup.
It also features an accessory side burner, tastefully disguised under the flip top side table. It allows you to simmer water, saute vegetables, and prepare other side dishes without having to keep running back and forth between the kitchen and the grill. When it’s not in use, you can simply leave the stainless still cover closed to use it as a spacious side table. The side shelves also include hanging hooks to hold your tools at the ready.
The cabinet style cart has two stainless steel double doors that allow you easy access to stored items. If you prefer the cabinet can also be arranged to hold a 25-gallon propane tank. It also has four caster wheels to help move the grill, should the need arise.
Different online retailers offer this grill with or without the cover. In this case, the manufacturers cover is much better suited to protecting the grill than a generic grill cover. If you can find it with the cover included in the price, it is well worth the money!
Construction & Ease of Assembly
By their nature, large propane grills require more assembly than a simple charcoal grill. However, the Royal Gourmet MG5001-RC Mirage is relatively easier to assemble than its competitors! With some basic tools and a modest amount of mechanical sympathy, you should be able to completely assemble it in roughly two to three hours. For those who are less mechanically inclined, there are online retailers who offer an expert installation service for a very reasonable fee.
Much of the grill is made from either stainless steel, or powder coated steel. The hood also includes cast aluminum endcaps for lightweight stability. The side burner is made from brass.
Grilling Performance
Each of the Royal Gourmet MG5001-RC Mirage’s five propane burners can be independently controlled. This means you can fire up one or two burners if you want to grill a small weeknight meal, yet you still have the entire 537 square inch grill grates available if you want to grill food for a large number of people.
The grill grates are made from cast iron with a semi-nonstick porcelain coating with a slope design. This helps with heat retention, and developing a good sear as well as keeping grease from building up.
It certainly provides enough heat and cooking space to handle a significant number of hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks or chicken breasts. However, Royal Gourmet missed out on a great opportunity when they failed to configure the infrared burner to work with a rotisserie. Knowing that you have all the space and heat to prepare a rotisserie chicken, yet the grill simply won’t accommodate one can be a little frustrating.
Grilling Areas
The porcelain coated cast iron grill grates provide 537 square inches of cooking space. It also includes a 184 square inch swing-away warming rack. The Royal Gourmet MG5001-RC Mirage also has a convenient side burner that sits under the stainless steel cover of a side table.
Special Features
The electric ignition system helps with igniting the five independently controlled burners, side burner, and infrared burner.
The slope design on the porcelain coated grill grates also helps move grease away from the meat. This makes for less flare-ups as well as easier cleanup afterward.
The side burner under the side table is very helpful for preparing side dishes while you grill. The only issue is that it is configured to be on the righthand side table, which is where most right-handed people would keep serving platters.
Ease to Clean
Like most propane grills it is easier to clean up than a charcoal grill, as there is no ash or hot debris to worry about. The slope design of the grill grates also helps move rendered grease and other juices away from the burners. This helps with the cleanup phase.
The porcelain coating on the grill grates is also helpful for reducing burned on material. If anything does become stubbornly trapped, they can be easily removed and soaked in warm soapy water unit it easily releases.
Warranty
All Royal Gourmet grills have a 1-year warranty. Some online retailers also offer a three or four-year protection plan at a very reasonable rate.
Conclusion
Propane grills are the height of convenience. The Royal Gourmet MG5001-RC Mirage combines this with a sleek look and design as well as durable construction and a large grilling area. The only thing it is really missing is the ability to accommodate a rotisserie.
