This document is an assembly and user manual for the Member's Mark 35-inch barrel grill, identified by item number 980244556 and model number CG2320401-MM. The manual provides comprehensive instructions for assembling, operating, and maintaining the grill, emphasizing safety precautions and proper usage to ensure longevity and optimal performance.
The primary function of this device is to cook food outdoors using charcoal and/or wood as fuel. It is designed for household use and is intended to be operated on a hard, level, non-combustible surface, away from any flammable materials or roof overhangs. The barrel design, along with various components, facilitates grilling and smoking, offering a versatile outdoor cooking experience.
Usage Features:
The grill incorporates several features to enhance its usability and cooking capabilities. It includes a grill body, a grill lid, and cooking grids where food is placed. A warming rack is also provided, allowing users to keep cooked food warm or toast buns while the main grilling continues.
For fuel management, the grill is equipped with a charcoal tray that can be easily inserted and removed. This tray is designed to hold charcoal and/or wood, and its placement within the grill body is crucial for proper operation. The manual details a specific four-step process for placing the charcoal tray, ensuring it is securely latched to prevent accidental dislodgement during use. This mechanism involves sliding the tray, lifting it slightly to clear a stopper, and pushing it until a back lock engages. Similarly, a reverse process is outlined for removing the charcoal tray for cleaning or adding more fuel.
The grill features an air vent, which plays a critical role in regulating the internal temperature by controlling airflow to the coals. Adjusting this vent allows users to manage the intensity of the fire, thereby influencing the cooking temperature. A temperature gauge is integrated into the grill lid, providing a visual indicator of the internal temperature, which is essential for precise cooking, especially during the curing process or when smoking.
For convenience, the grill includes a side shelf and a front shelf, offering space for preparing food, holding utensils, or placing condiments. These shelves are supported by dedicated shelf supports, ensuring stability. A lid handle is attached to the grill lid for easy opening and closing, and a grease cup holder is positioned beneath the grill body to collect drippings, contributing to a cleaner cooking area.
The grill is designed for mobility, featuring an axle and two wheels. This allows for easier repositioning of the grill in an outdoor area, which is particularly useful for finding a spot protected from wind or for storage.
The manual strongly recommends a "curing" process before the first use and periodically thereafter. This involves lightly coating the interior surfaces (excluding the charcoal grate, grids, and ash tray) with vegetable oil, building a fire, and maintaining specific temperatures for set durations. This curing process is vital for minimizing damage to the exterior finish, eliminating paint odor that could affect food flavor, and protecting the grill from excessive rust.
When using charcoal, the manual advises against pre-treated charcoal and recommends high-grade plain charcoal or a charcoal/wood mixture. If charcoal lighting fluid is used, it must be approved for charcoal lighting, and users are cautioned to allow it to completely burn off (approximately 20 minutes) before closing the grill lid to prevent flash-fires or explosions. The use of a charcoal chimney starter is suggested as a safer alternative to lighting fluid.
During cooking, users are advised to wear oven mitts/gloves when adjusting cooking levels or handling hot components. The manual also provides guidance on regulating heat by adding more wood and/or charcoal and explains how different types of wood can be used for flavoring, with recommendations on size and soaking for optimal smoke flavor.
Maintenance Features:
The manual outlines several maintenance practices to ensure the grill remains in good condition and operates safely. Regular cleaning is emphasized, with instructions to wipe the inside and outside of the grill with a damp cloth.
Rust prevention is a key aspect of maintenance. The curing process, as described above, is the primary method for protecting against excessive rust. If rust does appear on the exterior, users are instructed to clean and buff the affected area with steel wool or fine-grit emery cloth and then touch up with high-temperature resistant paint. For interior rust spots, buffing, cleaning, and lightly coating with vegetable oil or spray are recommended. The manual stresses that the unit must be properly cured and covered at all times when not in use to protect it from excessive rust.
After each use, the grill should be thoroughly cleaned, and a light coat of vegetable oil applied to prevent rusting. Covering the grill when not in use is also recommended for protection.
The cast iron cooking grids require specific seasoning and preparation. Before initial use, the grids must be seasoned by building a medium-sized fire, placing the grids on the grill, closing the lid for two hours to burn off any protective coating, allowing them to cool, coating them with vegetable oil, and repeating the process. Seasoning is an ongoing process, and users are advised to periodically reapply oil to the grids, especially if rust appears or before long periods of storage. The manual explicitly states that cast iron grids should not be put in a dishwasher or allowed to air dry. If rust develops, it should be removed with a grill brush, and the seasoning process repeated.
The manual also provides troubleshooting tips for common issues such as uneven cooking temperature, too low temperature, strong flames, flare-ups, and rusted cast iron cooking grids, offering solutions like spreading charcoal evenly, adjusting charcoal quantity, opening/closing air vents, removing greasy food, and re-seasoning.
Safety warnings are prominently featured throughout the manual, advising users to never leave the grill unattended when in use, keep a safe clearance from combustible materials, and use caution when handling hot coals or components. Proper disposal of extinguished coals and ashes in a non-combustible container, saturated with water, is also detailed. The manual advises having a fire extinguisher on hand and storing the grill out of reach of children and in a dry location when not in use.