Last Updated on July 9, 2023
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated throughout spring 2019.
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Sometime in the late spring, Aldi rotates out a series of grilling-related items in the Special Buy section, from grill accessories to grills themselves. Here is a brief rundown on some of the larger offerings.
Have any experience with them? Let us know in the comments.
Range Master 4-Burner Gas Grill
Cost:$149.99
Manual: Part 1 (2017), Part 2 (2017)
Thoughts: This four-burner grill, with side burner, is manufactured by GHP Group, which also manufactures the Dyna-Glo line of grills … and in fact, this Range Master appears to be a re-branding of this model. Dyna-Glo grills tend to be okay but not great, so know that you’re not getting anything elite with this. The grill measures 54.5″ L x 23.8″ W x 46.2″ H. Features include 48,000 BTUs, a 461 square inch cooking area, 165 square inch warming rack, a Piezo lighter, porcelain-coated cast iron grates, and stainless steel burners.
As best as we can tell, the 2019 model appears to be identical to the 2017 and 2018 model, although the 2019 costs $10 more than the $139.99 price tag of previous years. The 2019 grill, like the years before it, comes with a 1-year warranty on the grill and a 5-year warranty on the burners.
Range Master 5-Burner Stainless Steel Gas Grill
Cost: $199.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: This 5-burner model (GAS7560AS) is manufactured by the Boltz Group, maker of Embers Grills. (Never heard of them? Neither had we.) We weren’t able to find a relabeled counterpart anywhere online, and only a handful of outlets seem to carry the company’s “3 Embers” and “Even Embers” models. The feature set includes stainless steel cooking grates, a warming rack, and four swivel casters. It’s backed by a 2-year warranty.
Range Master 2-Burner Stainless Steel Gas Grill With Folding Shelves
Cost: $169.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: This grill is manufactured by GHP Group, which also manufactures the Dyna-Glo line of grills. The 24,000 BTU 2-burner grill boasts a 365″ stainless-steel-grated cooking area, a 97″ chrome-plated warming rack, stainless steel grates, a built-in thermometer, built-in tool hooks, 4 castors that allow for moving the grill around, and a Piezo igniter. The grill has a 2-year warranty and the burners have a 5-year warranty.
Range Master Electric Smoker
The 2018 model.
Cost: $99.99
Manual: 2017
Thoughts: The 2018 smoker is made by Landmann, a German-based maker of grills and smokers. (The 2017 electric smoker was made by Masterbuilt.) The 2018 model has almost the same smoking area as this Landmann model, with 438 square inches (to 441 for the branded Landmann counterpart). Features include double-wall construction, a viewing window, a thermostat, 3 removable chrome plated smoking racks, porcelain coated water pan and wood chip box, and adjustable door latch. One nice development: the 2018 model has a 1 year warranty, up from the anemic 90 days of the 2017 model.
Range Master 65″ Gas Grill Cover
Cost: $9.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: Measuring 65″ x 25″ x 37″, this cover is designed to fit most 4- and 5-burner grills. The 2019 model is made of polyester with a PVC inner coating, and has side handles and a hook and loop fastener. We don’t know much about the manufacturer, other than it’s German-based. The Range Master cover comes with a 2-year warranty.
Thermos 2-Burner Gas Grill
Cost: $79.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: Although most people associate Thermos with keeping beverages cold, this little gas grill is actually made by Char-Broil. Our only exposure to Char-Broil personally was in the form of a portable gas grill a few years ago, and while it cooked evenly enough, keeping the little thing lit was a challenge. Still, reviews online of Char-Broil grills are generally good, so this inexpensive model might be worth a look. It does come with a 2-year warranty.
Range Master 22.5″ Charcoal Kettle Grill
Cost: $39.99
Manual: 2017
Thoughts: We know almost nothing about this charcoal kettle grill; we’re not even sure who makes it. (The warranty is serviced by an obscure company out of Minnesota that may be an American subsidiary of a Chinese or Hong Kong-based company.) Whoever it is, it does not appear to be a known player like many other Range Master grills. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Range Master 30″ Barrel Grill With Offset Smoker
Cost: $99.99
Manual: 2017
Thoughts: This barrel grill with smoker is made — we think — by the same people who make the charcoal kettle grill … which means we don’t know anything outside of what the manual says. Like the kettle grill, it has a 2-year warranty.
Range Master Portable Gas Grill
Cost: $99.99
Manual: none online yet
Thoughts: This portable grill makes its way into the Aldi lineup sometime in the fall, right around the start of football season. Running on a collapsible stand with wheels, the featureset includes a cast iron cooking grate, stainless steel burners, a Piezo lighter, and a 325 square-inch cooking area capable of up to 20,000 BTUs. It says it fits a 1-pound disposable propane bottle, so we’re guessing you’ll need an adapter if you want to use, say, a 20-pound propane tank. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
The Verdict:
When it comes to grills and grill accessories, we have found that you generally get what you pay for. Weber these are not, and Aldi seems to draw from a variety of different vendors, even among different Range Master grills. We’re not sure we’re ready to take the plunge on any of them, but we’d love to hear what experiences other people have had. Feel free to sound off in the comments.
The charcoal kettle grill sold at Aldi is likely a factory second lot. I bought one for $40 and found that the kettle top had some paint flaws and a bent edge. Went back to the store to find similar damages on the other 2 grills they had in boxes so they took them off the store floor. I could bend back the edge enough so it fits with the bottom of the kettle, but don’t know how durable it will be over time. Probably worth $40 and seems to be made with average quality, but if you are looking for a Weber, then you will need to spend double this price somewhere else.
The Range Master 30″ Barrel Grill With Offset Smoker, is almost identical to the Char Griller I had for 8 years. The only differences I noticed was the grates are stateless steel, not cast iron, there is an extra vent on the left side of the main barrel and a locking mechanism on the pull out tray for the side box. I used it for the first time yesterday. I have to say, it was like saying hi to an old friend. I paid $80 at Aldi’s.
I bought this offset smoker last year I have used it for grilling and smoking and for 100$ you can’t beat it the fire box slides out for easy cleaning the grill area also has a lot out charcoal tray. I also like the fire box has grates for cooking on or you can set a water tray and wood chip box if you burn charcoal instead of wood. You can keep the temp around 225- 250 for ever. Of course the temp varies from one side to the other. You just have to use it. And fire up a chimney of charcoal about every 3-4 hours. To keep your temps on point. And it does leak around all opening. If you want to mod it you can. But it turns out some great smoked bbq. As is. For 100$ I give it 5 stars.
I bought the 30″ barrel grill with offset smoker. Just got it all put together but missing 1 part. The air vent on the smoker. Who can I talk to so I can get that part. We are pretty excited to use it. I’d like this part before using.
The manual and warranty paper has contact info.
Let them know what is missing. They will send it to you.
Enjoy
God bless
I purchased Model 52916 30″ Barrel Grill. Assembly went well BUT after aligning fire box to grill I was unable to screw firebox to supporting piece. I tried to adjust firebox to match the supporting piece but it threw other points of attachment. I’m trying to contact support. No one answers phone. Email address doesn’t work.
I bought the 30″ barrel grill a few weeks ago.
Am using it today for the first time.Smoking ribs for the 4th,It seems to leak smoke everywhere!They should have closer tolerances on all joints and connections,even the lids lose smoke!
Range Master 22.5″ Charcoal Kettle Grill – a lot of Aldi’s non-food items are quality products – unfortunately this is not one of them. This grill is thin metal, and like the other reviewer posted this one had paint flaws in the top. The assembly parts (bolts, washers, etc) were poorly sealed to the cardboard package, and the worst part, had the wrong parts, and key parts were missing…so much so that I couldn’t even complete assembling the grill. This product is a piece of junk, and is going back to the store tomorrow for a refund.
I bought the 2 burner gas grill from Aldi. It went on sale after 3 weeks from $79 to $40. It took me an hour to assemble it. Pretty easy to do it. I had been using it for a couple of times since I bought it last week. I really like it. It does the job. The quality of built material is cheap but it Cooks the meat fast and safe. You can replace the grills with a better quality universal fit grills from home Depot or Lowe’s. And save some bucks. Enjoy it.
Bought the Range Master 30″ Barrel Grill With Offset Smoker. We have no regrets! We live grilling and smoking meat. This is great!
It took a little while to get it all together, but worth the time😀
Taking the manual following in order step by step we had no issues putting it together.
We have grilled at least 27 days out of 36.
It works very well in every way. Thermometer is on point. We had another oven thermometer in it to be sure the temp was correct since we had not used it yet.
Our pulled pork, our ribs, fish, chicken, steaks, veggies are the best.
We have never had any regret buying the items we buy from Aldi.
My son has a grill that is similar, but bigger. It has a gas grill also. He paid several hundred for it(a lot). He could not believe the deal we got. He does not use the gas grill at all. Would have saved a lot if he had got our deal.
Well worth the $100!!!! Plan in using for a very many yrs! Oh did I say has a great warranty too, 2 years.
God bless all
I purchased the offset smoker. Last one on the floor. $49.00. It was a bitch to assemble and yeah… it leaks smoke like a sieve…. but it is freaking awesome!
Yeah… $49.00
Hell yeah!
Bought the The Range Master grill cover, manufactured by Blue Rhino, last season.
Disappointed in the cover.
When the rain came, the water came through the stitched seams, soaking the flannel (and my gas grille) within.
What appeared to be a greet deal was, alas, not.
Stay away from this product unless you keep your covered grille out of the rain.
I’m a huge ALDI fan………but this one was a swing & a miss.
I have the Range Master Dual Stainless Steel Burner Portable Gas Grill. We bought it for our RV. It has worked out very well for us. Use it almost everyday for almost 2 years. Only issue is the flame tamers are starting to show holes. Hard to find them anywhere on line. Will probably purchase some at Home Depot and cut to fit.
Overall, for what we paid for it, love it. Brother in law has a table top Weber $300.00 plus grill and it cooks uneven and he hates it, as the Range Master works and cooks great
I had the four burner grill for 4 years. I replaced the heat spreaders about 18 month ago (rusted). The heat box is now rusted thru and it needs to be replaced. It has pretty much been on its last leg for about 6 month. I read somewhere to expect about 1 year of use for every $100 spent. Based on that it would be worth it. I am now between buying another cheap grill or a Weber that is somewhat smaller and 4x as expensive. The Weber would need to last 12 years to be similar value.
I purchased a 4 burner about 4 years ago. I just replaced the heat grills covers and the drip pan. $50 Cleaned it all up. ALL ignitor still work..thats a miracle in itself. I think I can probably get couple more years out of it. All in all great buy. Would do it again when time comes.