New for this year, Monument Grills released the Mesa gas grill platform. Like Monument’s other grills, it has a nice feature set for a great price. They sent us a 2-burner and 4-burner model to test out the line.
Models
The Mesa line has something for everyone. From a 2-burner model that is sized well for families and up through a 4-burner model with a side burner for those that are cooking for lots of people. To step it up even further, they also have a 4-burner model that has a dedicated sear burner inside the cook chamber.
Features and Specs
- Priced from $335.55 for a black 2-burner up to $475.55 for the 4-burner with a sear burner (check prices)
- The 2-burner reaches 655°F and the 4-burner reaches 700°F
- Heats to 500°F in 5 minutes, so it’s ready to cook in no time
- Total cooking area of 450 square inches to 630 square inches
- Has a die cast aluminum lid for heat retention and durability
- Cool looking illuminated knobs let you know if the grill is hot or cold
- Analog temperature gauge on the lid to know when it’s time to grill
- Sits on casters to make it easy to move around
2-Burner is Our Favorite
While both grills we tested worked great with only minor complaints, our favorite was the 2-burner model. It has a unique look to it that received lots of compliments. When people would see the various grills we’re testing they always honed in on the Mesa 2-burner to ask about it. In particular with the color that we had it in (there are four color options), women seemed to always notice and like it.
Beyond looking great, it just felt like the proportions of the 2-burner were right. Obviously, if you need more space there’s nothing you can do about it, but the 2-burner felt roomy for only having 2-burners and had an all-around solid feel to it for the price point.
Assembly
Assembling a gas grill usually takes us around 2 hours to complete. I’d budget a little longer if you don’t build things often. The overall process was smooth though. The instructions were pretty straightforward, and the grill has some pre-installed screws and slotted holes to make the process go smoothly.
The 4-burner model took a little longer because it’s bigger and harder to move around, but also because there are extra components. The shelves are fixed, so that’s an extra step, and you have to hook-up the side burner.
It was nice that the hardware came in a little plastic container, rather than a blister pack that most companies use. That made it easier and more organized to access the hardware. It also came with spare parts, which is always appreciated.
Pros
Good Looks
As mentioned for the 2-burner model, the Mesa line looks great overall. The retro styling really works for the grill. In a sea of sameness with gas grills, the Mesa stands out.
Cooks Well
The Mesa line heats up quickly, so it’s ready to cook in minutes. That’s exactly what you want in a gas grill. It also has a high max temperature, so you won’t be disappointed with its power.
Glass Viewing Window
It’s really nice having a glass viewing window, like the one found on the Mesa, when grilling. When you’re looking you aren’t cooking, but in this case you are. Much like Schrodinger’s Cat, I like to know what’s going on in the grill when I’m not looking, and the glass window solves the temptation.
Cons
Collapsible Side Shelves
The only complaint with the 2-burner – this isn’t found on the 4-burner – is the design of the collapsible side shelves. It’s fantastic that there are collapsible side shelves, but the hinge design was frustrating at times to work with.
The pin that the shelf pivots on felt like it should be bigger because it could pop out sometimes when moving the shelf up and down. Also, the shelves felt solid when locked in place, but sometimes were hard to move back out of that position.
No Connected Grilling
It’s only a minor complaint, but there isn’t connected grilling on the Mesa. It’s less important on a gas grill, but it’s still nice to have because it lets you keep an eye on your temps while you’re prepping and doing other activities.
Conclusion
The Monument Grills Mesa gas grills are a great value for the money. They offer features that are hard to find in this price point. If it’s big enough for your needs, I’d go for the 2-burner model. It is a truly unique looking grill that cooks as well as it looks. You can’t go wrong with the 4-burner model though either.