The Bottom Line
Pros
- Complete Stainless Steel Construction
- 24/7 Support provided by Weber
- Excellent Firebox Design
Cons
- Lightweight components limit durability
- High ventilation design gives limited indirect grilling
- Low BTU output for the size
- Some stainless steel parts are low grade (430 stainless)
Description
- Three 12,000 BTU stainless steel tubular burners
- 480 square inches of primary cooking space with a total area of 624 square inches
- 36,000 BTU maximum output from the main burners
- 12,000 BTU side burner under a flush mounted cover
- 10,000 BTU rear mounted infrared rotisserie burner with full rotisserie kit included
- 5/16 inch diameter rod stainless steel cooking grates
- Push-and-Turn pizo electric ignitors on each knob
- Constructed from a mixture of 304 and 430 stainless steel
- Enclosed propane tank storage with a slide out tray
- Cover included, propane tank sold separately
Guide Review - Ducane Meridian 24" 3-Burner
This is a full function gas grill that will do most anything you want. Made completely of stainless steel (a mix of 304 and 430 grade stainless steel) this is one of the better all stainless steel gas grills on the market for under $1,000USD ($899USD MSRP). If it is important for you to have a shiny gas grill then this is a unit to look at. If you are more serious about grilling I would suggest something else, but the choice is yours.This Ducane comes standard with a covered side burner, full rotisserie kit with a rear mounted infrared burner, pull out drip pan, slide out propane tank rack and a thermometer in the hood. The three stainless steel burners put out 36,000 BTUs under 480 square inches of primary cooking space. It also looks very nice. This is an attractive unit and I am sure it will sell very well. Its greatest asset is the full 24/7 support and warranty provided by Weber. You shouldn't have any problems getting replacement parts for this unit, but make sure you've read the limited warranty.
The downfall of this grill is the lack of weight in the components. The burners are low gauge stainless steel. The body and hood are thin and the unit has loads of vents to let out heat so indirect grilling will be limited and the unit will not hold heat for long after the burners are off. Because of the light weight components they may not last more than a few years before you need to replace them. The best component in the unit are the very heavy 5/16 inch rod stainless steel cooking grates. These should last a long time and give good grilling marks to your food.
