DCS Series 9 (2023) Expert Reviews

Pros:

  • Full-sized smoker tray provides unique cooking versatility: gas, charcoal, smoking, and searing with the infrared burner
  • Heavy-duty rotisserie kit can hold up to 50lbs with a motor that includes a built-in light
  • Secondary cooking racks and tray are perfect for indirect heat, smoking, and warming
  • 304 stainless steel exterior with walnut cart shelves for a distinct appearance

Cons:

  • Cart model with side shelves is 85” wide and requires significant space
  • Rotisserie cord is short and will likely require an extension cord to use
  • When folding the shelves, the wooden cutting board inserts must be removed

The Skinny:

  • 36” freestanding gas grill with a main cooking surface of 630 square inches
  • Charcoal tray included for charcoal grilling or smoking
  • Double-sided cast cooking grates to accommodate different types of foods
  • Infrared main burner and rear burner for use with rotisserie

By Christie Vanover

For those that share an artistic flair for cooking and grilling specifically, like I do, this grill is the ultimate creative’s dream. DCS’s Series 9 gas grill is a feat of modern engineering, allowing users the power to play with several ways of cooking. It’s not just because this grill can reach a whooping 1,100 degrees. This grill features an infrared sear burner, a rotisserie kit (with its own dedicated infrared burner), and a smoker tray that can both smoke and hold charcoal, so you’re free to cook anyway you please. Whatever style you decide, you’ll have the preparation space to make it happen and the cooking surface to deliver flavorful food thanks to the Series 9’s dual-sided grates and burner system.

Quality
Sleek 304 stainless steel grill constructed for reliable operation that is also user-friendly and stimulating.

  • The Series 9 boasts thick cast stainless steel cooking grates situated above ceramic rod flame tamers for effective flare-up protection and heat distribution across an impressive temperature range. The conventional burners themselves are stainless steel and U-shaped, lit by hot surface ignition or, if necessary, via flashtubes. The dual rail designed infrared burner—located on the left side of the surface—offers increased control for a perfect sear.

  • DCS Series 9 grill grates above the ceramic rod flame tamers

Constructed of 18 gauge, 304 grade stainless steel, the cart features several storage spaces in addition to a pull-out propane tank storage bin. The side shelves include dark walnut cutting board inserts for prep space that, when in place, make the full width of the grill 85” wide.

Performance
The DCS Series 9 offers a wide temperate range and sophisticated design for cooking versatility that delivers no matter the cooking style.

The value of the Series 9 gas grill is in its versatility. For more conventional grilling, the double-sided cooking grates allow your foods to retain more moisture when using the inverted side (the “W” side). More moisture means more flavor! The other side (the “M” side) is gently curved to accommodate delicate foods, like fish and vegetables. Both offer substantial surface area for excellent heat retention and searing. And if you’re looking for a serious steakhouse sear, the infrared burner delivers the high temperatures needed to add a delicious crust to your meats.

The smoker tray allows you to really let your inner artist play. Simply remove the grill grate and ceramic flame tamer, add the smoker tray over the U-shaped burner, fill it will a layer of lump charcoal, and the burner will have the coals lit in about 10 minutes. You can then either use the dedicated charcoal grill grate to cook food with barbecue flavor or add wood chips and smoke foods over indirect heat.

  • The included heavy-duty rotisserie kit can hold up to 50lbs! Load up your food on the forks and let the rear infrared burner do the work. Sit back and enjoy low maintenance cooking as the secondary tray collects all the drippings—perfect for a tasty gravy.

  • DCS Series 9's rotisserie cooking a well seasoned chicken, above a drip tray with vegetables

Features
Remarkably engineered to incorporate a host of luxury features that make operation simple and efficient.

A lift-assist hood allows the grill to be opened smoothly with a single hand, helpful when preparing your meal. Once inside the unit, you’ll find the dual-sided cooking grates that can be set on an angle to direct grease and debris into the drip pan for easy cleanup. If you’re concerned about food rolling down, don’t worry, because the grates can be set flat to accommodate items like hot dogs or asparagus.

  • The Series 9 also includes a multi-level rack system, which provides a staggering 534 square inches of extra cooking space. These racks are especially useful when using the charcoal tray and smoking your food. The charcoal smoker tray also comes with a handy lid that includes adjustable vents, allowing you to precisely control the heat and smoke.

  • DCS Series 9's smoker box with adjustable lid installed in the grill

Finally, in addition to the small storage drawer, large drawer, and pull-out propane tank storage bin—the two side shelves contain walnut cutting board inserts for beautiful prep space that is sure to please the eye.

Overall Rating
4.8 out of 5

Value

4.5

Design & Style

5.0

Construction

5.0

Innovation

5.0

Even Heat

5.0

High Heat

5.0

Minimum Flare-Ups

4.0

Temperature Range

4.5

Customer Service

5.0

Warranty

4.5

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