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DCS vs. Alfresco Built-in Grill

Posted on 12/14/13 at 2:22 pm
Posted by SlackMaster
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
2652 posts
Posted on 12/14/13 at 2:22 pm
I am building a new outdoor area with limited countertop space and have narrowed my built-in grill choices to either the DCS or Alfresco 36":

Alfresco LX2
Pros:
- Better ceramic brick design
- Internal rotisserie motor (takes less space)
- Temperature gauge on cover
- Made in USA
Cons
- More expensive
- Some say repair parts are expensive and slow to ship.

DCS 36"
Pros
- Cast iron grill grates (with integrated grease mgt.)
- Some say its heat up/cool down more responsive
Cons
- Rotisserie is ugly and sticks out 6-7" (using valuable countertop space)
- No temperature gauge

I am a moderate BBQer but not necessarily a foodie. Price is an issue but I'm planning to have it a LONG time. Do any of you have experience with either of these?
Posted by Coater
Madison, MS
Member since Jun 2005
33055 posts
Posted on 12/14/13 at 2:46 pm to
i've got an alfresco built in natural gas--i'm not sure the model but it does not have the rotisserie. it has been great
Posted by jordan21210
Member since Apr 2009
13379 posts
Posted on 12/14/13 at 4:40 pm to
We used to sell both...we no longer carry DCS. There's your answer

But seriously, my dad has a DCS that is now at our camp not getting used. He said it flares up a lot...replaced it with a BGE and built in wood pellet smoker/grill. Alfresco makes a very nice product.
Posted by SlackMaster
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
2652 posts
Posted on 12/15/13 at 8:03 am to
Thanks guys. This is a ton of money for a pit so your help is appreciated!
Posted by Coater
Madison, MS
Member since Jun 2005
33055 posts
Posted on 12/15/13 at 9:01 am to
not sure about dcs but alfresco has a limited lifetime warranty that includes burners, etc
Posted by jordan21210
Member since Apr 2009
13379 posts
Posted on 12/15/13 at 9:36 am to
No problem, happy grilling!

Oh, and just curious...have you considered an infrared grill like Saber? Or are you set on a gas open flame grill?
Posted by Box Geauxrilla
Member since Jun 2013
19116 posts
Posted on 12/15/13 at 12:12 pm to
DCS is far more popular than Alfresco. I've cooked on both and I am not impressed with the alfresco. It seems to be expensive for no reason (besides being made in USA). If you live in Baton Rouge, you should go check out the shoppers choice showroom on coursey, by chimes. They have a huge outdoor area with live grills. You can bring some meat and grill on each grill yourself. You should also check out the Blaze 32 inch, that's the grill I bought. It's more affordable (about $1350) and has a lifetime warranty.
Posted by SlackMaster
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
2652 posts
Posted on 12/15/13 at 7:17 pm to
Thanks. They are a great group of people at Shoppers Choice. They are definitely fans of the DCS over all others. But, some of the things they mentioned about it seem counter to all others. For example, all the online stuff says the DCS is prone to flare-ups and they say the opposite. So, I just wanted to hear from people who own them to get a better feel.

I'll check out the Blaze next week.
Posted by SlackMaster
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
2652 posts
Posted on 12/15/13 at 7:22 pm to
quote:

have you considered an infrared grill like Saber?


Actually, I haven't thought about it. I've heard of infrared grills but don't know anything about them. Besides the online hype, what's your take on them?
Posted by jordan21210
Member since Apr 2009
13379 posts
Posted on 12/16/13 at 6:31 am to
Well, I'll be honest, I've never cooked on one...but they are in the same price range as what you're looking at and I know we sell a good bit of them. Only had one guy bring his back bc he said it didn't work, when we opened it it was caked in gunk and filth. Guy never cleaned it and left it outside, so not really the grill's fault. Supposedly they are just like a standard gas grill but will not flare up at all. The only thing I can think of that's be different is you probably can't get as nice a char on your food as an open flame grill can get you.

I was just curious if you had looked at them. Don't let me complicate your search/decision
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
38927 posts
Posted on 12/16/13 at 6:58 am to
My dad had a TEC infrared and you could char the shite out of things. You can't slow cook anything, and you pretty much can't even walk away from it with food on it. It was s a searing machine.
Posted by SlackMaster
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
2652 posts
Posted on 12/16/13 at 7:05 am to
quote:

I was just curious if you had looked at them. Don't let me complicate your search/decision


I had read an article saying these infrared grills were the wave of the future for BBQ. But, then I haven't heard much about them since. They are great for steaks but like Gaston said, I understand they are difficult to cook slowly with them -- despite what the manufacturer says. My gut says I'm not enough of a BBQ connoisseur to use one properly so I'll probably stick with the more conventional grills.

The real complication is that I want a nice outdoor area but the prices on these built-in grills are ridiculous!
Posted by jordan21210
Member since Apr 2009
13379 posts
Posted on 12/16/13 at 8:40 am to
Yep, they are not cheap at all. There are a couple of "value" brands like Bull and another I think is called Jackson Grills(?). But, when it comes to built ins, you pay for what you get.
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