Royal Gourmet Mirage MG6001-R Infrared Burner Gas Grill Review
If you are passionate about outdoor cooking and grilling, then chances are you’ve spent more than a few passing moments thinking about the grill of your dreams. For people like you, Royal Gourmet offers their Mirage MG6001-R. It features two split lid hoods, 6 propane burners, and an infrared burner as well as a side burner that runs on the same propane system.
This advanced array allows you to grill in a wide range of applications, it can also handle hybrid grilling, indirect heat cooking, superior searing, and the ability to prepare side dishes at the grill without having to make frequent trips back into the kitchen.
At 697 square inches the primary grilling area is large enough to cook for a significant number of people. It also includes a warming rack. If you just need to grill a smaller meal for yourself or maybe a significant other, you can fire up the two burners in the secondary grilling area, which is still large enough to prepare four steaks or hamburger patties.
The grill grates are made from heavy duty cast iron, which has been specially coated with non-stick porcelain. This provides the grates with the ability to create a superior sear while also maximizing heat retention. The porcelain material helps prevent food from sticking, or rusting, while also helping speed the cleanup process.
With all six propane burners and the infrared element fired up the Royal Gourmet Mirage is rated to generate 96,000 BTU’s. The Royal Gourmet Mirage’s burners also use W-shaped Flame Tamers to provide superior heating consistency in the main grilling area. Each hood has its own independent thermometer which allows you to closely monitor the internal temperature.
The Royal Gourmet Mirage was also designed to let you stay at your grilling command center without having to run into the kitchen to work on side dishes or look for tools and special equipment. One of the side tables flips open to provide you with a propane burner for doing things like simmering a pot of corn, heating up a jag of beans, or sautéing a pan of vegetables. The frame of the Mirage also includes four cabinets to hold the propane tank and all your gear.
Construction & Ease of Assembly
The Royal Gourmet Mirage is a relatively sophisticated grill. As such it requires a significant amount of assembly. With some basic tools and mechanical skills, it should take the average person two to three hours to fully assemble.
Royal Gourmet also understands how to marry durability and visual appeal. The hood and side tables are made from stainless steel integrated with endcaps made from cast aluminum. This blend of durable materials is also used in the frame and storage areas for full continuity.
Grilling Performance
The large grilling area is capable of handling just about everything short of a whole hog. Each burner can be operated independently, which allows you to hybrid grill, cook using indirect heat, directly sear, or even prepare two different types of meats that need different grilling temperatures.
You could make a large number of chicken leg quarters with indirect heat on the primary grill burners. Once they are cooked through and tender you could move them over to the smaller hood, where you can sear them to mark or crisp the skin. You can then hold over the first ones in the expansive warming rack while you finish the last leg quarters.
However, not being able to install a rotisserie at the infrared burner is certainly one of the few missed opportunities you’ll find with the Royal Gourmet Mirage.
Grilling Areas
The primary cooking grate is made from cast iron coated in non-stick porcelain. It spans both hoods as well as all six propane burners and the rear infrared element to provide you with 697 square inches of grilling space. It also features a large 264 square inch warming rack.
Special Features
One of the side tables flips open to provide you with a brass side burner for preparing side dishes without having to run back and forth into the kitchen. The rear of the large main hood includes an infrared burner capable of producing high heat. It also allows you to spot sear areas on an abnormally shaped piece of meat.
Ease to Clean
The volume of food you prepare will certainly affect how much cleaning the Royal Gourmet Mirage requires. If you are doing something like hosting your fantasy football draft or having your coworkers over for dinner, and you need to fire up all six burners, it will certainly need more cleaning than if you just use the smaller hood to prepare a pair of T-bone steaks.
The grill grates might need to be lightly scraped down with a wire or nylon grill brush. If there is a significant amount of burned on material, you may need to remove a grate to soak it in warm soapy water. Once it loosens you should be able to easily scrub it away. If some burned on material collects on a burner element, you can gently scrub it away with a nylon brush.
Warranty
The Royal Gourmet Mirage comes with a 1-year manufacturers warranty starting from the date of purchase.
Conclusion
If you are looking to take your grilling experience to the next level, or you are looking for the kind of grill to place an exclamation point on your outdoor entertaining area, it’s hard to go wrong with the Royal Gourmet Mirage. It is designed to put you in command of your grilling experience, with the kind of quality and visual appearance that is sure to impress you and all your guests.
