Ace BBQ Grills: A Review of the Disappointing Smokin' Ace Grill

Ace BBQ grills like the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill, also known as the Smokin’ Ace Grill, are versatile charcoal grills and offset smokers designed for low and slow Texas-style smoked barbecue. With multiple cooking areas, sturdy construction, and various features, it promises to deliver a great grilling experience. In this review, I will share my personal experience with the Smokin’ Ace Grill and provide an overall conclusion.

During the delivery process, the Smokin’ Ace Grill suffered some damage. Many pieces were bent, which required reshaping during assembly. Unfortunately, this affected the grill’s performance. The lack of a proper seal around the seams due to the bending made it challenging to control the temperature and maintain smoke for a consistent cooking process. As a result, we had to finish cooking the brisket in the oven. Additionally, the paint on the firebox started flaking off after just a couple of hours, and maintaining a steady temperature of 225 degrees was a struggle. Overall, my personal experience with the Smokin’ Ace Grill was less than satisfactory due to the damage and temperature control issues.

Overview of the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill

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Combining a charcoal grill and an offset smoker, the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill is a versatile outdoor cooking device. It is specifically designed for low and slow Texas-style smoked barbecue. With a primary cooking area of 527 square inches and an additional cooking area in the side fire box, totaling 955 square inches, this grill provides ample space to smoke a brisket and grill burgers and hot dogs simultaneously.

Key Features of the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill

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Packed with features to enhance your grilling experience, the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill is a must-have. It is constructed from heavy-gauge powder coated steel, ensuring maximum durability and heat retention. The grill features thick cast iron cooking grates, a bottom storage rack, a sturdy side shelf, and a foldable front shelf for convenience. It also includes a temperature gauge, wheels for easy mobility, an adjustable fire grate, and side and front workstations with BBQ tool storage hooks. Cleaning is made easy with the easy dump ash pan. The dimensions of the grill are 30”L x 56”W x 46”H, weighing 90 lbs.

Customer Reviews and Experiences

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Shared by customers, their experiences with the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill have been positive. Some have reported issues with the product arriving damaged during shipping, with bent and scratched pieces. Despite these challenges, customers have managed to assemble the grill and use it for cooking. The grill has been praised for its ability to maintain heat and produce quality results. However, there have been paint issues reported, with flaking paint and bubbling at high temperatures. Customers have also noted the need for careful temperature control to maintain the ideal cooking range for smoking and grilling.

Ace BBQ Grills: Assembly and Design

With clear instructions provided, assembling the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill is relatively easy. Some customers have mentioned missing bolts and bent legs, which required careful adjustments during assembly. The grill is designed to be stationary, with wheels for mobility but intended to be set up in a fixed location. The overall design of the grill is attractive, with quality grates and a medium-duty steel gauge construction.

Final Thoughts

Offering a versatile cooking experience, the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill combines a charcoal grill and an offset smoker. It has received mixed reviews from customers, with some experiencing challenges due to shipping damage and paint issues. However, many customers have found success in using the grill for smoking and grilling, appreciating its heat retention and cooking results. Careful attention to temperature control is necessary to achieve optimal cooking conditions. Overall, the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill presents a viable option for those looking to explore Texas-style smoked barbecue in their own backyard.

Pros:

Multiple Cooking Areas – The Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill offers a primary cooking area of 527 square inches and a side fire box cooking area of 955 square inches, providing ample space to smoke a brisket and grill burgers and hot dogs simultaneously.
Heavy-Duty Construction – Made from heavy-gauge powder-coated steel with a double bottom, this grill is built to last. It provides maximum durability and heat retention, ensuring consistent and efficient cooking.
Versatility – With its side fire box attachment, this grill allows for low and slow Texas-style smoked barbecue. It also features adjustable fire grates, temperature gauge, and multiple workstations with BBQ tool storage hooks, offering convenience and control during the cooking process.

Cons:

Shipping and Assembly Issues – Some customers experienced damage during shipping, with bent and scratched pieces. Assembly may require reshaping and extra effort to ensure proper fit.
Paint Quality – A few customers reported issues with the paint flaking off after a few hours of use. It is recommended to avoid excessive heat and flames to maintain the paint’s integrity.
Difficulty in Temperature Control – Maintaining temperatures between 250 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit for indirect smoking and cooking can be challenging. It is recommended to use hot coals or coals with wood pellets for better temperature control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill has the potential to be a great cooking companion. However, my experience with the grill was hindered by the shipping damage and difficulty in maintaining consistent temperature control. Despite its features and construction, the issues I encountered affected the overall performance and usability of the grill. If considering purchasing the Smokin’ Ace Grill, it is important to take extra precautions to ensure it arrives undamaged and to closely monitor temperature control during cooking.

Questions & Answers:

Question: Can the Char-Griller E3018 Smokin’ Ace Charcoal Grill be easily assembled?

Answer: The assembly process can vary depending on the condition of the product upon arrival. While some customers had no issues assembling it, others had to deal with bent and scratched pieces, which required additional effort to make them fit properly.

Question: Is the paint on the grill durable?

Answer: The paint on the grill may not withstand excessive heat and flames. Some customers reported paint flaking off after a few hours of use. It is advisable to avoid high temperatures to maintain the paint’s integrity.

Question: How easy is it to control the temperature?

Answer: Controlling the temperature can be challenging, especially for maintaining the ideal temperature range of 250-300 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to use hot coals or coals with wood pellets for better temperature control.

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