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DCS Gas Grills FAQ: Your Biggest Questions, Answered
DCS by Fisher & Paykel is legendary for bringing commercial-grade muscle right to your backyard, and their high-end Series 7 and Series 9 lineups are built for serious food lovers who want professional power without the guesswork. Have a question about DCS products that we haven’t yet explained? Give our BBQ experts a call at 1-877-743-2269 and you’ll have your answer in no time!
Both series share the same core construction with 304-grade stainless steel, 25,000 BTU U-shaped burners, reversible cast stainless grates, and the patented Grease Management System™. The Series 9 steps things up with a dedicated multi-fuel smoker tray, spring-assisted hood, 12-volt hood lighting, intuitive bezel lighting on the dials, upgraded multi-level racking, and electronic hot surface ignition. Think of the Series 7 as the tried-and-true workhorse and the Series 9 as the fully loaded flagship.
Yes! Every grill head in both the Series 7 and Series 9 lineups is available for built-in installation or freestanding, cart-mounted grill options.
Series 9 is available in 36" and 48" sizes. Series 7 holds a higher size range with 30", 36", and 48" options available.
Yes! All DCS grills are engineered to use either Natural Gas or Propane. When ordering, select the gas type you have available.
"Heritage" refers to the Series 7, the traditional line that honors DCS's founding design principles with timeless, hand-finished styling and core high-performance features. "Evolution" refers to the Series 9, the flagship lineup that builds upon that heritage with advanced upgrades like the multi-fuel smoker tray, spring-assisted hood, and enhanced lighting. Same DNA, elevated execution.
DCS's ceramic rods sit between the burners and the cooking grates, absorbing heat from below and radiating it evenly across the entire grilling surface. This leaves no cold spots or hot zones, just consistent, intense heat from edge to edge.
The double-sided cast stainless grates are W-shaped on one side, which channels grease and drippings away from the flame and into a drip tray at the front of the grill. Less grease over the flame means fewer flare-ups, a cleaner cook, and easier cleanup.
The double-sided cast stainless grates give you 2 distinct cooking surfaces in 1 grate. Flip to the side with a gentle radius for delicate proteins like fish and vegetables. Flip to the W-shaped side for bold sear lines and maximum grease capture on steaks and heavier cuts.
Yes, the heavy-duty rotisserie motor handles up to 50 lb., so whole turkeys, leg of lamb, large roasts and even small roasting pigs are no problem. The dedicated infrared rear burner keeps the heat even and consistent from the inside out.
Yes, the Series 9 includes a full charcoal smoker tray designed to accommodate charcoal, wood chunks, or chips for authentic smoke flavor. It sits directly over the gas burners for instant ignition. The W-shaped tray design and adjustable vents help your fuel source last longer and let you control smoke intensity.
DCS offers a full lineup of matching outdoor kitchen components, including refrigerators, beer dispensers, storage drawers, access doors, trash bins, pantries, warming drawers, side burners, sinks & bar centers, and patio heaters. The Series 9 products also feature interconnected ignition and dial lighting, so everything powers up together.
It depends on your island material. If you're installing into a combustible enclosure, a DCS-approved insulated jacket is required - not optional. It's specifically designed and tested for this purpose, and substituting another product could void your warranty. For non-combustible construction, minimum clearances apply. Always refer to the installation guide and manufacturer’s instructions for your specific setup.
Series 9 grills need dedicated 120V/60Hz power to power the LED lights and the hot surface ignition system. The rotisserie motor requires a standard 120V/60Hz grounded outlet, and it must be plugged into a properly grounded 3-prong receptacle in accordance with local electrical codes. The ignition on Series 7 models is battery-powered (9V).
Yes! DCS side burners are designed as built-in units for outdoor kitchens. Their purpose is exactly that of a dedicated outdoor cooktop with precise burner control for sauces, sides, and smaller cooks while your main grill stays focused on the primary cook.
DCS grills are built from 304-grade stainless steel, which is a premium, heavy-duty alloy, but it's not technically marine grade. Marine grade refers to 316-grade stainless, which adds molybdenum for superior resistance to salt air and chloride corrosion. For most backyard environments, 304 is an excellent choice. If you're in a coastal or high-salt environment, it's worth knowing that distinction and factoring in regular maintenance and use of a grill cover.
Yes, absolutely. On Series 7 grills, there's a built-in smoker box with dedicated burner for infusing lots of smoke flavor. The Series 9 features a full charcoal smoker tray that swaps out the radiant tray to let you cook over charcoal or add wood chips for authentic smoke flavor, all with the convenience of gas ignition.
DCS stainless steel grill burners carry a lifetime warranty covering materials for the lifetime of the original owner under normal domestic use. Full parts and labor coverage applies for the first 2 years. A 5-year warranty covers radiant trays, radiant tray side rails, and the drip pan.
