Kenyon G2 Electric Grill Review: All the Sizzle without the Hassle
There are many reasons why RVers might bring a grill with them on their travels. For some, a grill is a versatile supplement to the well-equipped kitchen in their motorhome or travel trailer. For others, it is their sole option for cooking a hot meal at the campsite. Either way, grilling helps keep smoke and odors from building up in an RV’s interior living space while bringing enriched flavor to nearly any meal.
The downside of cooking on a grill is that it often takes time to heat up, making meal planning and preparation a bit more complicated. Most grills also need a source of fuel—such as propane or charcoal—and require a bit more care and attention while cooking. On top of that, post-meal clean-up can be more complicated and time-consuming too.
Thankfully, there are alternative options that deliver all of the benefits that a grill offers, with few of the disadvantages. One such option is the Kenyon G2 electric grill, a product that is easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to love.
A Versatile Alternative
Wrapped in stainless steel, the Kenyon G2 looks like a high-end kitchen appliance built for an upscale kitchen or even a restaurant. The grill has an impressive industrial design that looks great and feels like an incredibly well-made premium product. It also manages to somehow feel approachable and intimidating at the same time.
The grill features a single burner and a spacious cooking area covering 213 square inches. That’s enough space for several steaks or multiple burgers, along with additional side items. The cooking surface and the G2’s drip pan are very easy to remove and have a non-stick coating, making clean-up a breeze.
A single dial turns the device on and off and twists to regulate temperature. Much like a traditional grill, there are no clearly defined temperature settings. Instead, the G2 uses a scale that ranges from 1 to 8, with higher numbers indicating increased heat. A red light illuminates when the unit is powered, but otherwise, the grill has a minimalist design.
Getting Started
Rather than using propane or charcoal to heat up its cooking surface, the G2 is powered by electricity. That means you’ll need a power source of some sort at the campsite in order to turn it on. The grill has a 120-volt plug and draws up to 1800 watts of power, which means it will run off of an RV connected to house batteries or shore power or by plugging into a portable power station or generator.
The G2 electric grill has some advantages over a traditional model. For instance, it heats up faster and maintains its temperature levels better too. It is also very clean and safe to use both indoors and out. And because it is easy to move around, it makes the transition from inside the RV to the campsite and back with ease.
With only a single dial to control the power and temperature, using the G2 may initially seem somewhat cryptic. Thankfully, Kenyon offers basic—but essential—instructions to help you get started. That includes suggested temperature settings for the type of foods you are cooking, such as steaks, chicken, fish, vegetables, and so on. Those tips proved helpful when using the grill for the first time or two, ensuring everything was cooked thoroughly.
Cooking with Electricity
As it turns out, the G2 is actually quite simple to use once you’ve cooked on it a time or two. Kenyon provides easy-to-follow instructions for getting started, which include adding 2 cups of water to the drip pan before turning the unit on. This provides moisture throughout the cooking process and helps make clean-up easier too.
Like a regular grill, the G2 needs a bit of time to fully warm up before you start cooking. Kenyon recommends turning the dial to the proper temperature setting for the type of food that you are preparing, then waiting 8 to 10 minutes for it to reach the desired heat. Once that happens, you’re ready to start grilling.
We put the G2 to the test with a variety of foods, including burgers, steaks, bratwurst, potatoes, and vegetables. In each case, we came away very impressed with how quickly and efficiently it cooked each of those items. The electric grill seared the meats to perfection and added wonderful flavors to everything we cooked as well. Even more so when—per Kenyon’s recommendation—we substituted the 2 cups of water in the sear pan with beer or wine instead. This infused additional flavors into our meals, making them even tastier.
Portable Versatility
The G2 is so versatile that you can cook just about anything you want on it. That’s pretty impressive, considering how easy it is to move around. The grill’s 37-pound weight makes it heavier than a traditional charcoal model but far less bulky and awkward to carry than most propane-powered options. And because it works equally well on a kitchen countertop as it does on a picnic table or grill stand, it offers more utility both at home and while traveling in an RV.
The one limiting factor to the G2’s portability is its need for a power outlet. That isn’t a problem at home, but it could be an issue while RVing. Most modern motorhomes and travel trailers utilize solar panels, lithium batteries, shore power, and a generator or portable power station to provide electricity at the campsite. But if your rig has limited juice to spare, this electric grill may not be a viable option for you.
On the other hand, if you have access to electrical power on your camping adventures, you’ll find the G2 is a great travel companion. We loved that it worked equally well indoors and out without creating fumes or smoke. It also heated up very quickly and allowed us to get creative with the meals we prepared. That makes the grill an excellent supplemental option for RVers with well-equipped kitchens in their vehicles, but also gives it an undeniable appeal for vanlifers who need a simple cooking option that can easily stow away when not in use.
A Premium Grilling Experience
With its $949 price tag, the G2 electric grill will likely induce sticker shock in some potential owners. But as noted above, this is a premium appliance that offers outstanding performance in a portable package. It is hard to convey just how well-built the G2 is, but it isn’t an understatement to say that it can hold its own in a commercial kitchen. Its outstanding build quality also means that buyers are investing in a product they’ll be able to use for years to come, both at home and on the road.
If you’re looking to expand your culinary options while camping, the G2 can undoubtedly help you do that. It is fast to heat up, simple to use, and easy to keep clean. It is also really fun to use to the point where you’ll be looking for more recipes and ideas to try (Hint: Check out the Cook with Kenyon smartphone app for iOS and Android). And while it isn’t cheap, it won’t take long to discover that it is worth the price, especially for aspiring chefs looking for new tools to take their game to the next level.
For more information, visit the Kenyon website, where you can check out the company’s entire line of electric grills. You’ll also find some handy accessories and plenty of recipes and tips for how to get the most out of this fantastic appliance.
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