One thing I always say is that you should always use good judgment when making any purchase, and this includes, of course, portable tailgating grills. Remember, having the right grill is key because everyone will be relying on you to satisfy their cravings. You probably don’t want to let anyone down and that’s why you’re going through some Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill reviews to ensure that your tailgating companions have full stomachs and smiles on their faces.

Here, at Simply Tailgating, we make it our business to help our fellow tailgaters sift through the numerous grill options out there on the market. That’s exactly what we’ve done in this Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill review. Heads up though, you really should read some of the shocking facts about this grill before you get ready to open your wallet. So let’s fire things up!

About Cuisinart Grills:

Cuisinart is an American manufacturer of home appliances, owned by Conair Corporation. It was founded in 1971 by Carl Sontheimer and their headquarters are in Stamford, Connecticut. They manufacture and sell ice cream makers, microwaves, kitchen tools and portable grills, including the Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill Features:

Cuisinart claims that the Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill is a functional, portable and versatile grill designed to give you the best barbecuing experience. Do these claims hold any water? Let’s check out the grill’s features:

• 145 Square-inch grilling area – You have enough space for around 8 burgers, 4 steaks, 6 to 10 chicken breasts, or four pounds of fish.

• Porcelain-enameled cooking grate – You’ll be placing your meat on a porcelain enameled grate that’s known for its even-heating capabilities.

• 5,500 BTU stainless steel burner – To fire things up, a single burner efficiently heats up the porcelain enameled grate above it.

• Foldable Aluminum legs – Completing the grill’s setup is a set of aluminum legs that fold inwards and stabilizing feet with integrated lid locks.

Other Notable Features:

• Briefcase-style carrying handle
• Lid with safety handle
• Spill resistant drip tray
• Propane tank attaches to the back

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill Cleaning & Maintenance:

Unless you plan on throwing away the grill after the first use, proper cleaning and maintenance is required every time you fire up the CGG-180T. Here’s what you do:

Exterior Cleaning

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t clean any grill surface while the grill is operating. Let the grill cool to a safe temperature prior to cleaning. Then, disconnect the fuel supply and remove the fuel supply cylinder. Use warm, soapy water and scrub to clean the exterior, rinse and let it dry off, ideally in open air.

Interior Cleaning

You can clean the interior with a grill brush and warm, soapy water, being careful not to mess with the burner. Remember never to pour detergents and cleaning agents directly on to the burner.

Storage

To store away the grill, use a grill cover. Remember, a spider or wasp nest inside the Venturi Tube (burner tube) can block the gas flow. That may cause serious damage to your grill, or even you! So remember to always inspect the burner tube before lighting anything. You can get a grill cover on Amazon for around $20 if you don’t have one already.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill Portability:

The Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill is so compact and portable you can just tuck it under your arm and head to the party. It weighs only 13 pounds and measures 16 x 16.5 x 13 inches. Your microwave measures more or less the same. Plus, the briefcase-style carrying handle makes it even more portable.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill Warranty​:

The CGG-180T’s warranty covers defects for up to 3 years from the date of purchase. If you notice damage regarding the enameling, let the manufacturer know within 30 days. Here’s what the warranty does not cover:

• Unevenness and color variations in the coated surfaces.
• Damage caused by improper assembly or disregard of the manual.
• Use of spare parts not supplied by the manufacturer or damage resulting from modifications or inappropriate use.
• Damage caused by improper maintenance or repairs by an unauthorized person.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill​ ​Accessories:

If you would like to get the best out of your CGG-180 grill, here are some parts you can accessorize with.

• Grill grate
• Grill cover
• Freestanding grill stand

You can get these items on Amazon.com where there all sorts of deals and offers to take advantage of, like the 1-2 Day Delivery of you are a Prime member.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill ​Replacement Parts:

With the Cuisinart CGG-180T, you can only replace the drip tray. All other parts of this grill are irreplaceable.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill Cost:

There is nothing better in this world than finding a good quality item at a competitive, pocket friendly price. The Cuisinart CGG-180T costs a little over $100. For the best price, check it out on Amazon.com, for discounts and offers plus FREE 1-2 Day shipping if you are a Prime member.

What Do We Like?​

The Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill is pretty compact, ideal for a small tailgating party of 2-3 people. With that in mind, here’s what we like about it:

Fast heating – It heats up pretty quick, so you can cook in rounds if you have a sizeable troop to feed.

Easy to use – Unlike some other grills that require assembly, like the Char-Broil Classic 280, this one comes pre-assembled. You can set it up in under 5 minutes.You also don’t need to constantly refer to the manual to figure out how to use it.

Portable – It only weighs 13 pounds, so it’s fairly easy to move around. Apparently, it’s designed to be carried like a briefcase, with latches and locks to keep the grill intact.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill Complaints:

No matter how portable and easy to use the Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill may be, it still has some negatives that you need to know about before forking out your well earned money on it.

The burner knobs wear out easily – Several customers have complained about the knobs. The knob wears out if you don’t push them in before twisting. With the part deemed irreplaceable, you can pretty much guess how a bummer that can eventually be.

Small cooking area – Don’t expect to roast a whole goat on this grill. A few kebabs or 6 burgers maybe, but definitely not enough to feed more than four people at once.

It gets smoky – Another problem with this grill is that it gets really smoky, especially at high temperatures. You should expect smoke stains on the inside of the grill’s lid after the very first use, which eventually develop into nasty black stains after continued use.

Other Tailgating Grills to Consider:

If the CGG-180T doesn’t fit your profile, feel free to check out other grills we’ve reviewed before:

• Weber Q 2200 – Also small – a charcoal alternative
• Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 – Tabletop gas grill with more BTUs

Should You Buy the Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill?

This grill definitely has some upsides that are hard to ignore. It’s lightweight, compact and has some serious fire in the kiln. However, be gentle with the knobs, and be sure to clean it after every use to avoid soot buildup. All in all, the Cuisinart CGG-180T is a great grill to go camping or tailgating with as a party of three or four.

What’s Hot:

• Fast heating
• Highly portable
• Lightweight
• Easy to use and assemble

What’s Not:

• Weak burner knobs
• Small cooking area

Well, that’s all you need to know about the Cuisinart CGG-180T Gas Grill. Feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and experiences in the comments section below. If you have any questions about this unit, you can find answers to FAQs about it on the product’s Amazon page.

Chris