The Bottom Line
Pros
- Unique infrared design eliminates flare-ups
- Full feature stainless steel gas grill for less than $1,000
Cons
- Largely made from poor (430) stainless steel
- Infrared design requires a lot of getting used too
- Uneven heating
Description
- Four 12,000 BTU lateral mounted infrared burners
- 625 square inches of primary cooking area for a total grilling space of 875 square inches
- 48,000 BTU output from the main burners
- 12,000 BTU cast brass side burner (brass cap style) under a flush mounted cover
- Porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates
- Mixed 304 and 430 stainless steel construction (mostly 430)
- Electronic igniter
- LED display on the front of the grill tells you which burners are on
- Cover, rotisserie kit, and LP tank sold separately
- Made by Grand Hall exclusively for Sears and sold under the Kenmore Elite name
Guide Review - Kenmore Elite Cross Ray Grill (model #16671)
This model has been discontinued.The Kenmore Elite is a unique infrared gas grill (actually similar designs are used in Asian table grills). The four ceramic infrared burners are mounted like rotisserie burners under the cooking surface. With two laterally mounted burners in the back and two in the front the cooking surface heated by criss crossing infrared heat. The idea is to move the burners away from dripping grease making flare-ups virtually impossible while still giving you extreme high temperatures.
The problem with this grill is that you need two opposite burners to generate enough heat to even start cooking, and typically will need all four burners going to get high temperatures. Similarly the heat is uneven from front to back. This is pointed out in the documentation of the grill which suggests doing most of your cooking along the center line of the grill. The space in the very front and very back of the grill is not exposed to a lot of heat. While you can probably learn how to use this grill effectively it will take some getting used to.
The design of this grill does not need a rotisserie burner because of the main burner design. While a rotisserie kit is not included this grill is good for rotisserie cooking. This unit does have a basic 12,000 BTU side burner making this potentially a full feature grill.
The Kenmore Cross Ray lists at about $900USD though its sale price is $800USD. This is a big grill. Because of the design a few inches of the front of the cooking area are sacrificed for the front infrared burners. From a construction stand point this is a weak grill. Largely built from poor quality (430) stainless steel. The cooking grates are porcelain coated cast iron and relatively heavy. The infrared burners are standard quality but probably not very durable.
