cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner Review: The Backyard Powerhouse We Put to the Test

There’s a unique kind of disappointment that every aspiring grill master knows. It’s the moment you lay a beautiful, thick-cut steak on the grates, expecting a thunderous sizzle, only to be met with a pathetic hiss. It’s the frustration of juggling multiple dishes, wishing you had just one more burner to keep the sauce warm while the main event cooks. For years, we struggled with grills that promised the world but delivered uneven heat, flimsy construction, and a cleanup process that could ruin an otherwise perfect evening. A great barbecue is more than just cooking food; it’s an event, a centerpiece for family gatherings and celebrations. When your primary tool fails you, the entire experience suffers. That’s why we began our search for a grill that wasn’t just a hot box, but a reliable, powerful, and versatile outdoor cooking station. We needed a workhorse that could handle a couple of burgers on a Tuesday night just as effortlessly as a full-blown feast for a dozen guests on a Saturday afternoon, and we think we found a serious contender in the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner.

What to Consider Before Buying a Propane Grill

A propane grill is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for achieving consistent, controllable, and convenient outdoor cooking. Unlike charcoal grills that require significant time to get started and a steep learning curve to master temperature, propane grills offer instant, adjustable heat at the turn of a knob. This solves the problem of unpredictable cooking times and flare-ups, allowing you to focus on flavor and technique. The main benefits are speed, control, and cleanliness. You can go from a cold start to searing temperature in minutes, maintain precise low-and-slow heat for hours, and often deal with a much simpler cleanup process thanks to modern grease management systems.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values convenience and hosts gatherings of various sizes. If you’re a busy parent who wants to grill a quick weeknight dinner or a social host who loves entertaining friends and family in the backyard, a multi-burner propane grill is your best friend. It offers the versatility to cook directly over high heat or indirectly with low heat, all at the same time. However, it might not be suitable for those who are barbecue purists, seeking the specific smoky flavor that only charcoal or wood can impart. It’s also not the right choice for individuals with extremely limited space, like a small apartment balcony, or for those who need a highly portable option for camping or tailgating. For them, a smaller, portable gas grill or a traditional kettle grill might be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Measure your patio or deck space carefully. A grill like this, with dimensions of 19″ D x 44.5″ W x 45″ H, requires a decent footprint. You need to account not only for the grill itself but also for safe clearance from walls and railings, as well as space to stand and work comfortably around it.
• Capacity/Performance: Performance is primarily measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) and cooking surface area. The 49,000 total BTUs of the cookit grill indicate significant power for quick heating and high-temperature searing. The 431 square inches of cooking space is ample for cooking approximately 15-20 burgers at once, making it suitable for most family needs and small parties.
• Materials & Durability: The longevity of your grill depends heavily on its materials. Cast iron cooking grids, like those found on the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner, are prized for their heat retention and ability to create beautiful sear marks. A stainless steel lid, especially a double-layer one, helps retain heat efficiently and resists rust better than painted steel. The frame’s finish, often powder-coated metal, is crucial for withstanding the elements.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Look for features that simplify the grilling process. An instant-start ignition is a must-have for convenience. A built-in thermometer helps monitor temperature without lifting the lid. Most importantly, consider the cleanup. A well-designed grease management system with a removable tray and cup will save you immense time and effort in the long run.

Finding the right balance of these features will ensure you get a grill that you’ll love using for years to come.

While the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembling the Cookit Grill

Our cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner arrived promptly, with the box in good condition. Laying out all the parts, we were immediately struck by the heft of the cast iron grids and the solid feel of the double-layer stainless steel lid. The hardware was neatly organized, and the instruction manual was primarily diagram-based. Now, we’ve assembled dozens of grills, and our experience aligns with some of the user feedback we’ve seen: it’s a tale of two assemblies. If you’re comfortable with tools and following visual instructions, you’ll find the process straightforward, albeit time-consuming—budget about 90 minutes to two hours. However, as one user noted, it can be a “pretty difficult build” for the less mechanically inclined. Our advice: take your time, lay everything out, and don’t tighten all the bolts until the main frame is fully constructed. One reviewer mentioned receiving a bent and rusted grease tray; thankfully, our unit was pristine, but it’s a good reminder to inspect all parts before you begin assembly. Once built, the grill feels sturdy on its locking casters, and the stainless steel doors that hide the propane tank give it a clean, polished look that elevates it beyond many budget-tier models. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its finished appearance.

A Deep Dive into the Cookit Grill’s Real-World Performance

A grill’s spec sheet only tells half the story. The real test happens over an open flame with food on the line. We put the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner through its paces over several weeks, cooking everything from delicate fish to thick-cut steaks and weekend burgers for a crowd. Our deep dive focused on three critical areas: its raw power and cooking ability, its overall build quality and durability, and the practical day-to-day user experience.

Raw Power and Cooking Performance

The headline feature of this grill is its 49,000 BTU output, distributed across four 10,000 BTU main burners and a 9,000 BTU side burner. In practice, this translates to serious heat, fast. We found the grill could reach 500°F in under 10 minutes, a crucial factor for getting a deep, flavorful sear on meat. The four main burners provide excellent zone control. We could crank two burners to high for searing steaks while leaving the other two on low for indirect cooking of chicken thighs, preventing them from burning on the outside before cooking through. The heat distribution across the 431-square-inch main cooking area was impressively even, thanks in large part to the heavy cast iron grates.

These grates are, without a doubt, one of the grill’s best assets. They absorb and radiate heat far more effectively than the thin wire grates common on many grills in this price range. During our burger test, we cooked a dozen patties and achieved consistent, beautiful grill marks on every single one. This was confirmed by one user’s experience, who happily reported that their “hamburgers…tasted excellent without traces of propane or paint flavors or smells.” The double-layer stainless steel lid also played a significant role here, trapping heat effectively for convection-style cooking when roasting a whole chicken. The side burner, often an afterthought, proved genuinely useful. The 9,000 BTUs were more than enough to sauté onions and mushrooms in a cast iron skillet or keep a pot of barbecue sauce simmering while we managed the main grill. The versatility offered by this multi-burner setup is a feature that really sets it apart for those who love to cook complex outdoor meals.

Design, Durability, and Build Quality

For a grill that’s meant to live outdoors, build quality is paramount. The cookit grill presents a mixed but ultimately positive picture. The stainless steel used for the lid and cabinet doors feels substantial and looks sharp. The powder-coated frame is standard for this category and should hold up well, though we echo the user’s sentiment that keeping it covered when not in use is a wise long-term strategy. The side wings provide welcome prep space and include integrated tool hooks, a small but appreciated touch that keeps your tongs and spatula within easy reach.

The heart of the durability, however, lies in the cooking components. The cast iron grates are built to last, provided they are seasoned and cared for properly. The burners are shielded by steel flame tamers (or “flavorizer bars”) that protect them from dripping grease, which not only prolongs the life of the burners but also helps vaporize drippings to create that classic smoky BBQ flavor. The enclosed cart is another design highlight. Not only does it conceal the propane tank for a cleaner aesthetic, as one user pointed out, but it also provides a bit of extra, protected storage for grilling tools or accessories. While we didn’t experience the issues of bent trays or misaligned doors mentioned in one negative review, it serves as a reminder that with grills in this more accessible price segment, minor manufacturing inconsistencies can occur. However, our assembled unit felt solid, stable on its locking wheels, and ready for a long season of grilling.

The User Experience: From Ignition to Cleanup

This is where the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner truly shines for the everyday user. The “instant-start” push-and-turn ignition system worked flawlessly on every burner, every time. There’s no fumbling with a separate igniter button; it’s integrated right into the control knobs, making start-up simple and reliable. The built-in lid thermometer, while not a precision instrument, gave us a good general reading of the ambient temperature inside the cook box, which is perfectly adequate for most backyard grilling tasks.

But the most impressive user-friendly feature is the grease management system. This is often the worst part of grilling, but cookit has designed a remarkably effective solution. The grill features a full-width, full-extension grease tray that slides out from the back. This tray funnels all the drippings towards a central hole, which then empties into a detachable catch cup. After a heavy cooking session with fatty foods, we were able to slide the tray out, wipe it down, and empty the cup in less than two minutes. This design is vastly superior to the shallow, fixed trays found in many other grills. One user perfectly summarized our findings: “The grease flowed and got collected in the lower tray receptable.” This effortless cleanup process is a massive quality-of-life improvement that encourages you to use your grill more often, and for that reason alone, it’s worth a closer look when you check the latest price and availability.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring user feedback provides a well-rounded view, and the consensus on the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner is largely positive, with a few recurring caveats. Many users, like one who shared their experience in detail, praise the grill’s performance, noting that it was easy to assemble by following the diagrams and that the food cooked on it “tasted excellent.” This same user highlighted the quality of the cast iron components and the practical design of the storage cabinet and grease tray.

On the other hand, the assembly process is a point of division. While one found it easy, another stated, “It was a pretty difficult build, but it was all worth it.” This suggests that personal experience with DIY projects heavily influences the setup experience. The most critical feedback came from a user who received a damaged unit, citing a “bent and rusted” grease tray and a misaligned door. While this appears to be an isolated incident related to shipping or quality control, it’s a valid concern for any online purchase and underscores the importance of inspecting all parts upon arrival.

How Does the cookit Grill Compare to the Alternatives?

The cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner exists in a competitive market. To see where it truly stands, we’ve compared it against three notable alternatives, each catering to a different type of user.

1. EUHOME 4-Burner Propane BBQ Grill

The EUHOME grill is the most direct competitor to the cookit model. It offers a very similar feature set: four main burners, a side burner, stainless steel construction, and enameled cast iron grates. Its total BTU output is slightly lower at 46,500, which is unlikely to be a noticeable difference in real-world performance. Choosing between the EUHOME and the cookit will likely come down to current pricing, specific design aesthetics, and brand preference. If you’re looking for a full-size backyard grill and want to compare two very closely matched options, the EUHOME is the perfect alternative to cross-shop.

2. Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Grill

This Char-Broil grill represents a completely different category. It’s a compact, portable, single-burner unit designed for mobility. It’s not meant to be a backyard centerpiece but rather a companion for tailgating, camping, or for those with very limited space like a small apartment balcony. It can’t handle cooking for a large crowd like the cookit can, but its small size and light weight make it incredibly convenient for on-the-go grilling. If your primary need is portability over power and capacity, the Char-Broil is a far more suitable choice.

3. Weber Q1200 Portable Gas Grill

The Weber Q1200 is another top-tier portable option, often considered a benchmark in its class. Like the Char-Broil, it’s a single-burner grill built for travel and small spaces. Where the Weber often stands out is in its build quality and materials, featuring a cast aluminum body and lid that are both lightweight and extremely durable. It provides surprisingly even heat for its size. Someone would choose the Weber Q1200 over the cookit grill if their top priorities are portability, premium build quality in a small package, and the backing of a well-established brand name, even if it means sacrificing the immense cooking area and versatility of a full-size grill.

Our Final Verdict on the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner

After extensive hands-on testing and analysis, we can confidently say that the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner delivers exceptional performance and a robust feature set for its price point. Its primary strengths are its sheer power, which allows for fantastic searing and quick pre-heating, and its high-quality cast iron cooking grids that provide even heat distribution. The thoughtful design extends to user-friendly elements like the side burner and, most notably, the remarkably efficient and easy-to-clean grease management system. It’s an ideal grill for the dedicated backyard host who needs the space and versatility to cook for a family or entertain guests without breaking the bank.

The main considerations are the potentially challenging assembly for novices and the possibility of encountering minor quality control issues upon delivery, as noted in some user feedback. However, for those willing to invest a couple of hours in setup, the reward is a powerful, versatile, and easy-to-maintain outdoor cooking station. If you’re ready to elevate your backyard barbecue game with a grill that combines power, capacity, and convenience, the cookit 49000 BTU Propane Grill with Side Burner is an outstanding choice that we wholeheartedly recommend.