There are hundreds of different barbeque models on the market today, ranging from budget models to expensive space age type varieties. Perfect Flame Grills are on the more affordable side of this spectrum. As a result, they have been a popular choice for many years. However, compared to some of the bigger brands of barbeques there doesn’t seem to be that much info about them available.
In addition to this, have also been phased out in recent years. So getting replacement parts for these grills has become a bit tricky. The fact that they are phased out also means anyone looking for information on these models will not be able to find out much about them.
In this article we will talk about who makes the bbq’s, and whether or not they are worth purchasing. After that, we will have a closer look at a few of their best selling models. This should give you an idea of what they are like. Hopefully this will be a good resource for anyone looking for info on this range of barbeques.
Who makes Perfect Flame Grills?
Like most products these days, this range of barbeques were made in China. This is nothing new, as most of the big brand barbeques are now made in China. From our research, it looks like these grills were commisioned by a company called BBQTek. They were then imported and sold to Lowes.
The majority of the models in their product line were almost half the price of some of the bigger brand name models such as Weber, which made them a very attractive alternative option for anyone who loves to barbeque.
The product recall
Now before we start, we should mention that the Perfect Flame Grill brand has been a bit tarnished since 2009 when a recall was issued. This included several models in their lineup, and the fault was mainly related to faulty burners. Some of the recalled models also had their lids replaced in addition to the burners, as this was also seen as a fire risk.
On the right is a list of all the models affected by the recall. As you can see, the models affected all come from the SLG product line. These models were singled out due to poorly designed burners, which would sometimes fail and cause the grill to go up in flames. Now it certainly goes without saying that this is a serious fire hazard, and therefore quite dangerous for anyone using these grills. Roughly 650,000 models were recalled overall, which should give you an idea of how popular this particular brand really was. In most cases the burners were simply replaced, which fixed this issue.
However, this list does not include all the other SLG model varities that were sold, so it seems like some of the SLG models are still safe to use. It goes without saying that the SLG models listed in this table should be avoided for obvious reasons, unless of course the burners/lids have already been replaced. That still leaves quite a few other unaffected SLG models, which are fine for use. Some of these other models had a good reputation, so don’t discount the Perfect Flame gas grill brand completely.
Where is the model number on a Perfect Flame Grill?
Unfortunately there is no set location for the CSA tag, which contains the exact model number. However, the most commom location is underneath the front control panel. Failing that, make sure you check at the rear of the bbq, and also check the inside of the doors.
If you are concerned that your grill may be part of the recall, it is advisable to check the model number to be sure.
Should you buy one?
Given the fact that there was a recall of several of their models, it is hard to answer this with an enthusiastic endorsment! On one hand, we have heard raving reviews from happy users. These are from the type of owners who have taken care of the grills. For example, kept them cleaned, covered in garages and away from the elements.
We have also heard the complete opposite too, that these are cheap and poorly made. A common complaint is that these are made from thin stainless steel. This leads to premature rusting, and tarnishing of the finish. Given the price tag this makes sense, as how else would they be able to offer such good value?
We suspect that this is a case of “you get what you pay for”. So don’t expect to get a Weber with this kind of price. What you should expect to get is a value for money grill, that should last a good few years.
Now lets take a look at two of the more popular Perfect Flame Grill models from their lineup.
2518SL-LPG Grill
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The cart has a fully enclosed design, and it has a stainless steel finish. In addition to his, it has a stainless steel cooking surface. With these kinds of specs, it is quite hard to believe the price of $399 which is really great value for money. Overall this is a decent affordable choice for many folks, and you will have a hard time finding something similar in this price range. |
E3520-LPG Grill
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There are several other upgrades on this model that are also worth mentioning. The first upgrade on this model is the smoke box and warmer drawer, both of which can come in very handy. For those of you who like to barbeque in the evenings, the built in halogen lights on this model will definitely make your cooking task much easier. Aside from that there is also the double wall hoods and doors, both of which enhance the construction quality of this model. And lastly there is the glossy porcelain cast iron cooking surface, which again is quite a nice upgrade compared to the cheaper models. Overall this model was certainly a very popular choice in this price range, since it offered a variety of premium features at a very affordable rate. The larger capacity and cooking surface is perfect for those large family gatherings, and with a retail price of under $600 it is quite easy to see why many people see this model as a winner. |
Summary
So that is a quick look at two of the more popular models in their product range. Unfortunately you will have a hard time finding these for sale new anymore, but they do often pop up on Ebay or Craigslist if you are looking for one. Despite the backlash they have received in the media for the problems surrounding the recalled models, they are still a very affordable choice if you can find one second hand.
Be sure to check the model number first though, to ensure you don’t get one of the recalled models. And make sure you give them a good once over to see that are no obvious rust patches.
They may not be the top of the line barbeques, but they are still a favorite in the used bbq market.
