Americana Charcoal BBQ Steel Grill with Adjustable Cooking Grate and Side Table

I bought this grill because it has been a proven performer in my family now through two generations. Once put together, this particular model more than met my expectations. Its design with a deep bottom, vented hood, side vents, and an adjustable grill is the best buy our there for the money. The fact that it is a charcoal grill is another big plus since gas grills do not give a barbecue flavor no matter what you do. I also found an especially great feature and accessory with this model are the two swing tables that come with it. The directions for putting the grill together, however, can be a little unclear for someone who is not mechanically inclined and needs things spelled out for them. I read someone's comment that this grill was "a piece of junk." NOT TRUE...my guess is that they got frustrated with the directions and couldn't figure out the proper fitting of the screws and nuts and some of the hardware. I discovered when it is put together correctly, this grill is indeed solid, steady and sure and is a top performer as well.

This is a great design, one of the only adjustable grills at any price. Can cook a whole chicken because of the heat and grill height adjusters. Also saves charcoal because you can shut off all the air when finished and use the coal again. The only down side is the tray that the coals sit on is cheap steel and not aluminum, so it will rust away in a few years, followed by the bowl. If you can find a good cover get it.

The two new Meco Swinger Series Grills I just bought replaced two almost identical Meco grills I purchased ten years ago. The quality is still there. The best feature is how simple it is to raise and lower the grill (three different settings) with two little wooden knobs. And, the folding side "wings" are great for storing plates and tools. The only minor complaint I have is with the directions for assembly. Good overall, but the plastic handle included for the hood (and screws), did not match the written instructions which called for a wooden handle, standoffs and different screws. It'd be nice if the instructions were updated. Also, the grills I bought ten years ago had a nice wooden tray between the legs about 3" off the ground. The tray provided a nice place to store things, and, it also gave support and strength to the leg structure.

Got the grill, and found midway through assembly (some assembly required) that something had gone through the side of the packing and dented the top. Choice: disassemble what I'd assembled, put it back in the box, and send it back, or put it together, ignore the cosmetic dent, and use it. I used it, and am not unhappy. I own the same model grill which I purchased 30 years ago, and I'm still using it. I bought this one because I really understand how the original Meco cooks and I wanted similar behavior. So, in comparison: This one has screws where the old one has rivets. That's OK. The sheet metal on the new one is thinner than the old; that doesn't bode well for longevity, and I'm convinced that had the sheet metal been as substantial as the older model, there would have been no dent during shipping. The old one has a small spacer between the top vent and the top cover; the new one does not. The new grill runs hotter than the old one, due to a better designed ash pan. Both are painted, and hot coals on the paint will burn off the paint. Both let you damp the coals immediately after grilling (by closing all three vents), saving money because you can preserve and reuse the portion of the briquettes you didn't use for cooking. This is a really big plus, because without it I would be using 100% more briquettes than I do (I do one load, and normally don't use more than half the volume of charcoal with that load). As for cooking, once I got used to the extra heat, it's identical to its 30 year old ancestor. The version I bought has two folding wings with composite wood (much better in the weather than the real wood on its ancestor) which allow you to put a receiving tray next to the grill for those stakes and burgers and corn etc you are taking off. After using it about five times in the past week during our heat wave, yes, I'd recommend this, but please check the packaging carefully upon arrival (mine came UPS) and if you don't like dents, send it back for another. Oh, assembly hint: put everything else together before you attach the top hinges and the top. Meco has attaching the top coming after attaching the legs, and I think they are wrong, because when you are putting the legs on, the top will keep trying to close on your hand. If you leave the top until last, the grill is on its legs at just the right level for you to attach the hinges and top.

This is a great grill with plenty of cooking surface. The left and right grill rack adjustments are very convenient for temperature control. Able to be assembled in about an hour by any moderately skilled person. All in all two thumbs up.

Fairly easy to put together and controls (vents and height adjustments) on this Meco model facilitate great cooking.

Didnt take long to put together but should have let Walmart do it for me Works great couldn t find one like this on any store shelve But Walmart came through YEAH We had a few of these and they seam to last even sitting out in weather My last grill like this we had about 9 yrs well worth the money

I read all the great reviews and so purchased it for my brother for his birthday. I had to give it to him in the box since he drove in from out of town and would make it difficult to take back assembled. He wrote me a couple of days later and said he had to take it back from the difficulty in assembly. So I don't know about the above ratings as accurate. Not recommended as a gift unless you give it assembled or the recipient is mechanically inclined.

OMG! Where do I begin!! This grill is the worst ever to put together!! None parts fit and the instructions are horrible!! I should have gone to Home Depot and purchased the grill for $49 but they were all gone!! Geeeezzz! Do not purchase this item!! Took 3hours to put together!!

I bought this BBQ , to enjoy the summer coming up with my children but when I built it it was missing a side table so I called to see if they could send me the missing part but they said I had to send the whole bbq back to replace items, it took me several hours to get it together so no I didn't send it back and just kept it 😤