KitchenAid 36 KFRU361VSS

The Bottom Line

This three burner gas grill is the mid-sized unit in the KitchenAid Gas grill line. This is a basic version (running around $3,500) of what is part of a customizable appliance line. At the heat of this grill is a good cooking system that puts out good, even heat. You get a full feature rotisserie system with this grill including a rear mounted infrared rotisserie burner. The main burner design is good and all construction is good quality 304 stainless steel. These products are imported by Nexgrill and designed and supported by KitchenAid. A decent grill, but expensive, given the overall quality.

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Pros

• Complete 304 stainless steel construction
• Full rotisserie system including infrared rotisserie burner
• Strong support from KitchenAid

Cons

• Expensive grill for the level of quality

Description

• Three 22,500 BTU stainless steel burners
• 623 square inches of primary cooking area
• 67,500 BTU output from the main burners
• 15,000 BTU rear mounted infrared rotisserie burner with full rotisserie kit
• Smoker box without dedicated smoker burner
• Heavy, welded stainless steel cooking grates
• Automatic hot surface igniters
• "Flame-Timer" system gives fuel level, cooking time, and automatic grill shutoff
• Good grease management system with full width drip tray
• Imported by Nexgrill for KitchenAid, available through kitchen appliance stores

Guide Review - KitchenAid 36 inch Gas Grill (Model #KFRU361VSS)

In 2008 KitchenAid revamped its gas grill line, cutting costs by switching from Lynx as its manufacturer to importing its grills from China through Nexgrill. This year (2010) the grills have upgraded their price (from around $1,800 for this model to $3,500). The only real change other than the price is the addition of what KitchenAid is calling the Flame-Time system. Obviously this isn't the only reason for the price increase so inflation is playing a role here.

The Flame-Time system is basically a computer controlled display that lets you know about fuel consumption so if you are using standard propane tanks on this grill you have a better idea of how much fuel you have left. It also tells you how long you have been grilling and can be set to shutdown the grill after a specific amount of time. This means that there is a computer controlled electronic valve on the grill to shut off the gas flow. This is something of a new feature in gas grills (other manufacturers are using this now) so how well it holds up remains to be seen.

The 36 inch gas grill is KitchenAid's mid-sized unit. It is available in a number of configurations including on cart (pictured) on as an insert. This three burner unit puts out a lot of heat for he size. The design gives it a professional cooking experience with high, even heat. Included is a rear mounted 15,000 BTU infrared rotisserie burner and a smoker box.

This grill also features "hot surface" igniters. Basically an electrically heated contact point, like the glow plugs of a diesel engine, light the burners without a spark. These style of ignitors have been used by other companies as well as KitchenAid for the past few years and so far they have held up well and don't seem to have the same problems as the spark igniters traditionally used.

KitchenAid has a full range accessories to go with its grill line. Many of these can be added to a freestanding cart or custom grill island. Accessories include warming drawers, refrigerators and other outdoor kitchen appliances. You can swap out one of the standard burners in this unit for a high output sear burner.

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