Jenn-Air Gas Grills?
Tuesday April 8, 2003
Husker (KEFINCH) Writes:
"I am a long time lurker/reader, and have learned a great deal from this forum, but now I have a question.
For the longest time, Weber gas grills have held the top spot in Consumer Reports ratings, and seemingly with the majority of readers. For the first time in my memory the Jenn-Air JA460P has overtaken the Webers in Consumer Reports' June 2003 ratings.
Now the question (finally) - does anyone here have any experience with this gas grill, or Jenn-Air gas grills in general? I'd be interested in your input as we are in the market for a new one.
Thanks, Ken "
Comments
I purchased the 5 burner Jenn-Air grill last summer after careful research. I am extremely happy with the grill and have recommended it to friends who have also purchased it. Same features as the Weber’s and other high-end models, but a few hundred dollars less.
I purchased a Jenn-Air 4 burner grill after researching burner types. The grill has cast brass burners and reasonable fit and finish. If one is only satisfied with the best, than pull out the gold card and buy a DCS or Dacor product. As far as heat my jenn-air goes from 0 to 550 in 12 min.
I just bought a Jenn-Air 5 burner grill and tried the rotisserie for the first time. I did a pork loin, which wasn’t much larger than the tines on the rotisserie but after an hour of cooking the outside was burning, is there a way to adjust the heat to that burner? I tried turning down the burner but it didn’t make a difference an in one case it went out and I didn’t realize it until another hour later. It seems too hot, if I would use something much larger I would end up with a piece of charcoal. HELP
i’m glad to hear some good revues on the jenn airs–i’m seriously tempted on buying the 75000 four burner w/ sear burner and rotisserie and side burner. anybody have any good revues on this. thanks
I purchased the big Jenn-Air grill at Home Depot about 2.5 years ago. It worked very well at first - but after about a year it seemed to lose capacity for heat. The burners, etc. are clean - but the thing had gotten to the point that it will not heat up to anything over 350 no matter how long you let it run. I have used different LP tanks - so that is not the prob. Anyone have any ideas what may be the prob? Perhaps the regulator? The one on mine was tured by NexGrill. Anyone have any experience with Jenn-Air anty service?
Thanks! Su
I was ready to purchase a 5 burner grill today only to find out that apparently you have to get a propane OR natural gas grill. I was told that there is not a conversion kit or anything to be able to switch. I am not hooked up for natural gas as of yet so this, if it is true is a bad selling point. I was ready to spend the $1000+ on the grill but oh well I’ll spend it elsewhere.
Hope this helps others before they possibly find out the hard way.
Don’t bother with these grills, they are made by Nexgrill and licensed by Lowes to have. They are a Chinese Made. Its a great grill if you want to replace them every other year but good luck trying to find parts also try calling the 1-800- number on there and wait 45 mins.
Don’t even consider anything made by Nexgrill. There is no one at the 800 number, only an answering machine.
I have my second natural gas grill. The first would not heat above 350. The second one does sometimes. Steak cooked at 350 is not very good.
I was deceived by the name later to find out that they were not actually made by Jenn-Air. Serious design flaws most notably that rain water rolls off the hood and fills the grease catch tray spilling grease on your patio. Even absent rain, the grease catch tray is very shallow and almost impossible to remove without spilling after cooking lare quantities of burgers, brats, etc. I will put in a good word for Lowes who took back the grill and gave me a full refund even after its use. Look at the Vermont Castings a much better product.
I was deceived by the name later to find out that they were not actually made by Jenn-Air. Serious design flaws most notably that rain water rolls off the hood and fills the grease catch tray spilling grease on your patio. Even absent rain, the grease catch tray is very shallow and almost impossible to remove without spilling after cooking large quantities of burgers, brats, etc. I will put in a good word for Lowes who took back the grill and gave me a full refund even after its use. Look at the Vermont Castings a much better product.
Purchased a LP Model 720-0061 in Feb ‘05. Grill has 3 burners plus a rear burner for the rotisserie and the side burner. Total capacity for all 5 burners is 64K Btus. My previous grills were a Ducane and a Weber. Wanted a stainless due to the saltwater air around here but wanted to keep the price under $1K.
My observations:
1. Main burners do not produce the heat experienced from previous grills owned. Need to have all 3 burners on high just to cook a single hamburger or steak. Other grills allowed use of only 1 burner for small items. Can reach over 500F with all 3 burners at full blast but it heats up slowly.
2. Rear burner for rotisserie is too short - i.e. you can only cook 1 chicken on the rotis otherwise only a portion of the two chickens will not cook fully. Need to use the main burners to cook multiple birds. My Ducane with the rear burner allowed cooking 2 birds at once and did a fine job.
3. Needed to order a part and was accommodated by calling the 800 number. Although, I’m not certain I’ll receive what I really need.
4. Researched on the internet prior to purchase and knew before-hand this was not mfrd by Jenn-Air. I thought, though, it was made by Vermont Castings.
5. Wish I would have returned this grill after its initial use. After rotisserie and cover we spent over $850. Would not purchase another based upon experience.
Mediocre performer for the price.
I have the Jen-Air 720-0151-ng. It’s by for the worst grill I ever had. It flat doesn’t get hot enough to sear. Hot spots everywhere. When it rains, it loads with water. This grill is crap and Lowe’s wont take it back. $1,200 for nothing! Lowe’s and Jen-air should be ashaimed.
The worst grill: Jenn air 720-0163, Poor design, rain water rolls off the hood and fills the grease catch tray spilling grease,Hot spots,i Had to pay $15 for the shipping of the lighter, The burners are too close to the cooking racks ( you get a lot of flareups). Dont even thinks about buying this grill.
I have an old Charbroil Commercial that I bought at Lowes 5 years ago, its ugly but built like a tank. I picked up a new jenn air this year and have nothing bad to say about it. However, I would tell the interested buyer to search the net, there are a dozen places where I saw all the same complaints as i did above, and none of them made any sence to me. Vemont Castings, i had thought was actually built by CFM Harris, and i was told not to buy a jenn air 5 years ago because that company built them then, and it was a “no name” company. I have since discovered it is a steel fabricator that has been operating for generations.
Nexgrill also makes the Kirkland grills for Costco, and some of the grills for Target. And Jenn Air wouldn’t let them license their name if they ruined it by producing garbage.
If rain gets into your grease trap, maybe a cover would help? Lowes sold me a fitted cover. Also, the complaint that the parts are fabricated in China is ridiculous, what ISN’T fabricated in China? I found the grill well made. Its is all 304 stainless ( I did the magnet test )the new model has an infra-red searing burner, which took some getting used to, but I really like it for steaks and some seafood.
I keep seeing people saying that “my grill won’t get hot” this isn’t a design flaw, it simply means that there is some defect, OR that your LP tanks overflow valve is damaged. Call Nexgrill or go to their website. And don’t tell me that Lowes won’t help, every retailer has a corporate complaint line, and you always win when you call corporate. What I discovered about Lowes is that the two closest stores were okay, but I went to a different store to buy a riding mower and found that that stores salesman was 10x better than any of the other guys. But, i guess thats typical in California, we’ll drive a bit further to get the better store…
Do your research, and take criticism with a grain of salt…
I purchased a Jenn Air three burner stainless steal grill from Lowes 3 years ago. As of today I have not had a problem with the grill. The side burner, on low setting seems to stay on high. With all three burners on the grill gets up to 350 degrees with out a problem. When cooking chicken don’t walk away from the grill as it has gotten up to 750 degrees very fast. My friend was in the market for a grill and I gave him a demo and he loved it so much he went on line and purchased one right away. I must say I keep my grill very clean. I rip it apart three or four times a year. Then again I use the grill all year long and living in the east coast it get cold in the winter months. Most of the people around me have Weber grills and I have been told my food taste the best. But after all results come from the chief. Would I buy this grill again, I don’t think so as I have looked at the grill in Lowes and it appears to me they changed the design and are cheaply made. I guess I got a good one!!!
i bought the 4 burner grill in 2005. used it for quite some time. had all the complaints - wouldnt heat, etc. i could not cook if it was cold out, windy, raining, and so forth. if the conditions were not perfect, forget it. and even then the grill got only so hot. never as good as my old weber. but i did like the looks and price of the jenn air better than the new larger weber grills.
in the spring of 2006 i contacted the store and they referred em to nexgrill. after talking to nexgrill they said there was a problem with that series of grills. i had a choice (11.5 months after purchase) to either return the grill for a full refund, or trade for another one. i did trade for another one, even ujpgraded to the 4 burner with side burner and sear burner.
the new one is great. love it. gives much flexability for cooking, direct, indirect, rotis, smoking (with smoke drawer. cook in rain, snow, wind and have had no problems.
i do have 2 complaints, 1. when i forget to cover the grill it gets water in the grease tray and it is impossible to dump without spilling. 2. the starter is not the best i have ever used, but nexgrill sent the parts to fix and it is working better now.
contact nexgrill.com if you are having problems with not heating and i am sure they will help.
I purchased a three burner Jen-Air model 720-0163 a year ago from Lowes & am very disapointed. The burners gave out in 7 to 8 mos. & although the burners are guarenteed for life the cost of shipping & handling was $52.00 & change. I paid $700.00 because it was 304 stainless, which is good but after 3 or 4 mos of service it won’t get hot anymore & the burners are totally shot at around 6 or 7 mos.
I recently purchased a Jenn_air grill model 750-0141. I have only used the grill once but noticed the plate in floor of the firebox will not allow the greese to reach the greese tray. All the greese remained on the floor under the burners.I called the 800 number and a long wait and some really loud head hurting rock music was told “detail the fire box after each use, removed the burners ect.. This is I believe a design flaw. Any others experienced this problem?
Charles Elllis, Harker Heights, Texas
It’s probibly too late for inpute but I would no have a nother Jenn-air product in my house. I purchased a $2500 JBQ-30 in 02 and replace a webber that was 10 years old. I never had any trouble with the webber and in fact have gone back to them. The JBQ from the get go was junk! I had the service company over so many times to fix the igniters that we were sending each other Christmas and birthday cards!! I went through 10 rotisserie motors before I gave up with that. Good luck to anyone folish enough to buy one of these piles of dung.
Why the hell did I not read these reviews before I spent over a grand on a stainless steel hunk of junk.My burners don’t get over 300 degrees!!!!.What the f%^#!!!!! My wife gives me crap for buying a dodge but this disaster was her idea.I was happy with coal.
My Jenn-air sucks! The model # is 720-0164. Try putting it into JA’s web site and it won’t recognize it. It worked great for about a year then the problems started. I’ve battled gas flow on all four main burners. The side has stayed steady with two choices…high and really high. The back burner has been solid. The main burners always get clogged. The tray above the grease tray collects the grease. I’ve had fires start behind the front panel. Plan on holding for customer no service for at least an hour. More in the summer and forget Mondays. I will never buy this company’s product again!
I agree with cisco; wish I’d read the reviews first. I had seen Jenn-Air appliances in homes before and I thought they made good stuff. I bought the 720-163 in May of 06, and I also have bad burners, I had to replace the regulator just this week. Same problems with the grease tray too. The thermometer reads 150 degrees without the burners even being lit. The rotisserie burner actually works quite well. As for hot spots, learned early on to have the spray bottle of water handy for flame ups. All in all, I’d never buy another Jenn-Air/Nexgrill product. I mean, I thought I WAS buying a Jenn-Air!
My husband and I purchased 2 jenn airs stanless steel grills. Model 720-0366 and 720-0163 .one for the lake and one for home…thinking that by buying quality they would last us a long long time.. not so. When Spring came this year we unwrpped them and the stanless steel had all black marks all over them like someone took a black magic marker and put lines everywhere, On the sides and doors .The tops look like they have dirt on them but it is the finish…the black marks are down to the shiny stanless steel..we used both grills only about 4 times each because it was the end of the year….tried calling the 800 number and they took my information and told me i had to take digital pictures of the grills, serial numbers and the label that is inside.. to send it to them and they would make a file and send it to customer service higher up.. I did that and got a e-mail back saying my e-mail came but no pictures… i sent it again and was told the folder was sent to Hernan and he would contact me in 4 or 5 days…it has been 3 weeks and nothing.. I re e-mailed them again saying hernan did not get in touch with us and still nothing. Not only is the finish terrible but the side burner that was used once totaly discolered on the top of the stanless steel. This is not the quality grill i thought jenn-air was… This is the worse grill I have ever seen…and it looks like there gurantee is worthless. These grills are junk big time. We contacted Lowes and they said they sell the grills but the manufacturer gurantee’s them.. But if i cannot get any satisfaction to bring all my e-mails and pictures etc. and they will call them..Lots of luck.. Not only is the grill terrible but so is there service or lack of it..I know we are not going to get anything resolved from jenn-air…Even if they send us doors and we put them on (which I know wont happen) the rest of the grill has the same problem… we were told that someone bought jenn-air out ….Had we know that we would have never bought them…This taught us a good lesson but an expensive one.
I have to agree with the masses hear. This is the worst grill I’ve ever had. It stoped working after an electric fire about 8 months afetr I got it. That was 2 yeras ago, and I still have nto gotten it to work. I went a bought a Weber charcoal grill that use about 5 times a week. No problems their. Anyone who is thinking about buying one of these don’t. The lifetime warranty is crap and the grill is worse. Nice waste of 800.00 bucks. I think there may be something to say for buying from local makers that can servie your grill. Good LUck
I have model Ja460p its stainless steel bought it in 1998,At lowes LOVE IT. but i am trying to find some cooking grids for it.Thats my only problem.
I bought a 4 burner at Lowes less than a year ago. About six months into it a fire behind the control knobs melted all the hardware so the grill now does not function. After dealing with the 800 number for months they told me to pack sand. They stated the island was not properly ventilated. Never again. Their product is total garbage!!!
I purchase a jennair grill with all the great features, had it one year now…I will never purchase another jennair grill….it was terrible and parts for it ….well forget it…even though it is one year old….guess it was manufacture 3 years ago…the parts on it are obsolete…so I paid 1200.00 for a piece of junk…I have contacted jennair and they tell me sorry but there is nothing that can be done…this is crazy…I have all jennair appliances in my home, but this spring I entend to change them out with KitchenAid appliances….just be careful when you think about purchasing jennair grills
I bought a Jenn-Air 720-0163 also. After two years the burners are gone, the flame tamers have holes in them from the burners, and the customer service at Nexgrill is the worst of any company I have ever dealt with. Hold for an hour, lifetime warranty, heck I might as well order a dozen burners now and pay the shipping charges once, because I know I will have to replace them again. This company i so far out of touch with what customer service should be. If you need technical support and you use your mobile phone, I hope you have an unlimited calling plan, because you will be on hold forever. They never have picked up. TERRIBLE company and service. MADE IN CHINA and serviced in outerspace.
I have had a Lowes Jenn-Air and have not been very happy. I had a lot of cold spots in the beginning. I fixed this with an aftermarket valve. I have just tried to convert to NG and have been told no parts to do this. It took me three times trying to get through on the 800line. I will give this to my son at school and buy a Weber.Glad some have had a better experience. Good Luck.
Jenn-Air Grill 720-0163 low temp problem.
It was working fine until I swapped the propane tank last week. Now the temp won’t get higher than 300F. I max out the valve, and yet I can still put my hand 1″ above the grate and won’t get burned.
I went to Lowes and picked up a new regulator. With a wrench in hand, it took less than 5 minutes to swap out the old and put in the new regulator.
Now, all 3 burners are firing at full blast without a problem. That was an easy fix.
I had same low temp issue, pulled all burners out gave proper cleaning went to lowes bought new regulator… back in business…
its pretty sad that these regulators are “disposable” after about 2 years… and my grill is stored on a covered patio…
oh well, you get what you pay for…