13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Thane Q-Grill
Date of Review: Aug 15, 2005
The Bottom Line: Like I said, the possibility of instability exists, but it should operate very well as the manufacturer originally intended.
Basics
The number one thing the makers of the Thane Q talk about is its appearance. Personally I'd try to sell a grill on its performance. But that's just me. This is truely a unique looking grill, but it's top heavy and grilling to the edge design make me question its stability and safety. If you do use this grill you better make sure it is set on a level, solid surface.
Description
105 square inches of non-stick grilling surface
13 pounds without propane bottle
Uses standard one-pound propane bottles
Automatic electronic ignitor
Uses custom disposable drip trays. Replacements will have to be bought from maker
removable, dishwasher safe cooking grates
Folds into a small unit
Two individually controlled burners
Built-in light
The Bottom Line
As far as portable gas grills go this one has the most unique design. It also delivers 105 square inches of grilling space at only 13 pounds (without internal fitting propane bottle). Compare that with the Weber Q with 280 square inches of grilling area at 42 pounds unfilled. The Thane Q is cheaper alternative to the Weber Q and costs half as much as the Weber. Thane claims you can grill up to 12 burgers at once on this grill.
The Thane Q looks like a pedistal table top. There isn't a great deal of stability offered from its narrow base and the cook top reaches right out to the very edge. I'm sure if you are careful you won't drop too much food off the edge. I do question the safety of this unit though. I must be placed a level, hard surface to use and even then fully loaded with food it would appear to get top heavy. Bumping into a table it's sitting on my overturn the grill.
You also have to have some kind of drip pan. The grill comes with some of these disposable aluminium pans but if you want to buy more it will cost you $14.95 for ten. Using both sides of the grill uses up two. Of course you can pretty easily fold some heavy aluminium foil to make new ones because at more than $2.00 a piece (after you add in shipping and handling) it seems a little steep to pay $4.00 to grill not including the fuel.
As of this writing I have no evidence to suggest that there are any problems with this grill in safety of manufacturing, but I will be keeping a close eye on this one.
