Welcome to our comprehensive review of the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Stainless Gas Grill, where we delve deep into its features, performance, and overall value. After an intensive week of daily cooking, grilling, and smoking, we’re ready to share our candid insights, including both the impressive pros and minor cons of this versatile outdoor appliance. Stay tuned until the end, as we’ll also be offering an exciting Cuisinart grill giveaway!

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Cuisinart 3-in-1 Stainless Gas Grill (GAS9556AS) Review: A Versatile Outdoor Cooking Powerhouse

For enthusiasts of outdoor cooking, finding a grill that offers exceptional versatility, reliable performance, and great value can be a challenge. That’s where the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Stainless 5-Burner Gas Grill, model GAS9556AS, steps in. This review is the culmination of a full week of rigorous testing, where we put this grill through its paces, preparing everything from perfectly seared steaks to slow-smoked chicken.

Upon arrival, the Cuisinart grill came neatly packaged in a single box, requiring assembly. We found the assembly process remarkably straightforward, taking approximately 20 minutes with only basic household tools. The instructions were clear, and all components fit together seamlessly, indicating thoughtful engineering.

PRO: Effortless and Sturdy Assembly. Unlike some self-assembly grills that can feel flimsy or develop a wobble over time, the Cuisinart GAS9556AS assembled with impressive solidity. Each part felt substantial and durable, resulting in a robust, wobble-free structure that instilled confidence from the get-go. This solid build quality is a testament to Cuisinart’s commitment to user experience and longevity.

First Impressions: Design and Dimensions

Once assembled, the Cuisinart 3-in-1 grill presents a handsome, modern aesthetic, characterized by its sleek stainless steel finish. It’s classified as a medium-sized grill, measuring a comfortable 55 inches wide. The primary cooking area boasts a generous 435 square inches, providing ample space for cooking for families and small gatherings. Underneath the main grates, five powerful burners ensure even heat distribution across the entire cooking surface, promising consistent results.

CON: Grill Cover Not Included. A noticeable omission from the package is a dedicated grill cover. While this isn’t a deal-breaker, it’s an essential accessory for protecting your investment from the elements. We sourced a highly-rated, perfectly fitting weatherproof cover from Amazon for around $24, which we highly recommend for anyone purchasing this grill.

Thoughtful Features for Enhanced Grilling

Cuisinart has integrated several design elements aimed at improving the overall grilling experience:

PRO: Convenient Workspace and Tool Hooks. The grill features a handy side table, offering a practical workspace for prep, plating, or holding condiments. Adjacent to this, you’ll find hooks designed for hanging grilling tools and towels. While the concept is excellent, the design of the hooks themselves could be improved.

CON: Impractical Tool Hook Design. The hooks are rather knobby and thick, making it challenging to hang most standard BBQ tools directly. To effectively use them, you’ll likely need to loop string or add an S-hook to your tools, which is a minor inconvenience but worth noting. Despite this, the dedicated workspace remains a valuable asset for any grill master.

PRO: Premium Cast Iron Grates Included. One of the standout features of the Cuisinart 3-in-1 is the inclusion of robust cast iron grates. This is a significant advantage, as many grills in a similar price range, and even some twice as expensive, only come with standard stainless steel grates, requiring a separate, costly purchase for cast iron. Cast iron excels at retaining and distributing heat evenly, resulting in superior searing capabilities and those coveted grill marks. Before our first cook, a light coating of oil was applied to season the grates, a simple step that enhances their non-stick properties and longevity.

Performance and Versatility: Beyond Basic Grilling

Our testing regimen for the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Stainless Gas Grill was extensive, encompassing traditional grilling of steaks and chicken kabobs, as well as exploring its smoking capabilities with a whole chicken.

PRO: Innovative Viewing Window. A truly exceptional feature of this grill is the appliance-grade viewing window integrated into the lid. This allows you to monitor your cooking progress without lifting the lid, a critical advantage for maintaining consistent heat and preventing moisture loss. Every time a grill lid is opened, valuable heat escapes, extending cooking times and potentially drying out food. The Cuisinart’s window minimizes this heat loss, much like an oven, providing both convenience and improved cooking results.

The “3-in-1” Advantage: Griddle and Smoker

The “3-in-1” designation of this Cuisinart grill highlights its remarkable versatility, offering not just grilling but also griddle cooking and smoking functionalities.

PRO: Integrated Griddle Plate. The grill comes equipped with a dedicated griddle plate, perfect for cooking breakfast items like hash browns and bacon, or preparing delicate foods and smash burgers. When not in use, this griddle stores conveniently by hanging on the left side of the grill, neatly tucked beneath the work table. This inclusion significantly expands the culinary possibilities.

CON: Griddle Heating Efficiency. While the griddle is a fantastic addition, we observed that it sits a little too high above the burners, causing it to take a noticeably longer time to heat up to optimal cooking temperatures. Patience is required, but once hot, it performs well.

PRO: Convenient Side Burner. An additional side burner provides even more cooking flexibility. This feature is invaluable for preparing sauces, boiling corn, or keeping side dishes warm, all while keeping the heat and cooking mess out of your indoor kitchen, especially during warmer months. It truly makes the entire outdoor cooking experience more self-contained and enjoyable.

PRO: Exceptional Heat Management. The Cuisinart 3-in-1 Gas Grill truly shines in its ability to manage heat. It pre-heats very quickly, reaching desired temperatures in a short amount of time. Crucially, it maintains a steady, even temperature across the entire cooking surface, from left to right. This ensures that food cooks uniformly, whether you’re using direct heat for searing or indirect heat for slower cooking, preventing hot spots and cold zones.

CON: Peculiar Ignition System. One minor quirk we encountered was the grill’s ignition process. It requires a specific sequence: push and slightly turn a knob, then wait 3-5 seconds to allow the propane gas to release, and finally turn the knob a little further to ignite. It took some practice to master the timing, which can be slightly frustrating until you get the hang of it. A more intuitive “push-and-turn” system would be preferable.

Smoking on the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Gas Grill

The integrated smoker function is a definite highlight, making this grill a true all-rounder for outdoor culinary adventures.

PRO: Included Smoker Tube. The Cuisinart 3-in-1 Gas Grill includes a smoker tube, which, like the griddle, stores neatly by hanging under the side burner. To use it, simply soak your preferred wood chips for about 20 minutes, then fill the tube. This simple accessory transforms your gas grill into a capable smoker.

The process is straightforward: lift one of the grill grates, insert the filled smoker tube directly onto the burner below, and replace the grate. Within minutes, the wood chips will begin to smolder and release fragrant smoke, infusing your food with delicious smoky flavors.

For our test, we decided to smoke a whole chicken, a perfect demonstration of the grill’s low-and-slow capabilities. The ability to smoke food directly on your gas grill without needing a separate smoker is a huge convenience for many.

PRO: The Viewing Window’s True Value for Smoking. When smoking, especially for extended periods, the viewing window proves to be an indispensable feature. As self-proclaimed “control freaks” in the kitchen, we genuinely appreciate the ability to observe the smoking process without disturbing the delicate balance of temperature and smoke within the grill. This helps maintain consistent conditions for perfect results.

We smoked the chicken at a steady 275°F for approximately two hours, allowing the smoky flavor to fully permeate the meat. To achieve that desirable crispy skin, we then cranked up the heat for the final stage of cooking.

PRO: Seamless Transition from Smoking to Searing. The Cuisinart 3-in-1’s ability to seamlessly transition from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat grilling is incredibly advantageous. This dual functionality meant we could achieve a beautifully smoked, tender bird and then immediately finish it with a perfect crispy skin, all on one unit. The result was a moist, flavorful chicken that was absolutely perfect.

The chicken was super moist, falling off the bone, with a delicious smoky aroma. This successful smoking endeavor truly highlighted the grill’s versatility and performance across different cooking methods.

CON: Open Back Design and Smoke Retention. During our smoking tests, we noticed a significant amount of open space at the back of the grill. This design choice felt like it allowed a considerable amount of valuable smoke to escape, potentially impacting smoke penetration. While the chicken still turned out fantastic, optimizing smoke retention could further enhance the smoking performance.

Overall Value and Recommendation

PRO: Exceptional Value for Money. The Cuisinart 3-in-1 Gas Grill offers an incredible package for its price point. Consumer Reports has highly rated this model, a testament to its quality and performance (full access requires a membership, but you can find their overview here). This isn’t just a basic grill; it’s a versatile outdoor cooking station that includes an integrated griddle, a dedicated smoking tube, and a convenient side burner – all features that typically come as expensive add-ons with other brands.

For an attractive price of around $349 (check Cuisinart’s website for a list of retailers), you get a robust, medium-sized gas grill constructed with high-quality materials. All the accessories, from the griddle to the smoker tube, store neatly within the grill’s design, maintaining a clean and organized outdoor cooking space. Add a ~$24 weatherproof grill cover, and you’re perfectly equipped for years of diverse outdoor culinary enjoyment.

Who is the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Gas Grill For?

This grill is an excellent choice for:

Home cooks looking for an all-in-one outdoor cooking solution without needing multiple appliances.
Budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on features and quality.
Anyone who enjoys experimenting with different cooking styles, from high-heat grilling to low-and-slow smoking and griddle cooking.
Individuals with limited patio space who need a versatile grill that packs multiple functions into a compact footprint.

Its solid construction, comprehensive feature set, and competitive pricing make it a smart investment for enhancing any backyard BBQ experience.

Cuisinart 3-in-1 Gas Grill Giveaway

Stay tuned for details on how to enter our exclusive giveaway for a chance to win your very own Cuisinart 3-in-1 Stainless Gas Grill!