Product test: ENDERS Uniq Pro 3 Cruster
For a while, top heat grills were literally the hottest thing in the grill industry. The hype surrounding Beefer & Co. has been over for a while now. But now Enders is showing that top heat still has its appeal. Even if in a completely new context. – By Markus Mizgalski
The newcomer from Enders, which has the somewhat cumbersome name "Uniq Pro 3 I Cruster", only looks like a completely normal gas grill at first glance. At second glance, in addition to all the gas controls, two knobs are noticeable, which are placed on the right and left of the control panel. More on what this is all about later.
A top-class grill
Enders is reaching quite high with the Uniq Pro. The good piece costs 1,199 euros, which at first seems quite a lot for a three-burner grill. However, you get a very high-quality device with a cast aluminum pan and an extremely stable substructure that also offers space for 11 kg bottles. Inside the cooking chamber, the three burners under the modular cast iron grate provide plenty of heat; after all, the normal, quite thick-walled tube burners on the right and left already produce 4.2 kW each. In the middle there is another one with 4.6 kW. This is also a tube burner, but the deflector above it is also lined with steel mesh so that more radiant heat can be emitted here. The cast pan itself is lined with plug-in steel sheets that can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning. The high-quality impression is further enhanced by the solid control knobs made of cast metal. All in all, he meets Napoleon & Co. on an equal footing, especially since Enders does not use the usual Chinese construction kit, but operates very independently. The only downside is that the assembly requires a lot of tinkering.
1. The Cruster can be used like a normal rear burner, but can also be positioned at an angle or horizontally.
2. This and a second T-handle are used to adjust the inclination and height of the ceramic burner.
3. The top heat can be used to grill stuffed wraps until crispy, for example. The tray with the grill can be moved on two rails.
4. In combination with a pizza stone, dishes can be gratinated with top heat and baked with bottom heat at the same time. And all with the lid open.
The Cruster as a highlight
Nevertheless, the price is still not justified. But there are still the two knobs. These are used to operate a rather unique system called Cruster. This is a ceramic burner, like the one used in many grills as a back burner. It can also be used in the Uniq in this way. A complex mechanism behind the knobs ensures that it can be adjusted in height and inclination. The latter up to horizontal. The Cruster thus significantly expands the possibilities of a gas grill. Of course, the burner can be used like a top heat grill, either to conjure up a roasted crust on a steak or to cook it with the top heat turned down. But it can also be used like a so-called salamander in the catering industry, for example to bake or gratinate. And this in combination with bottom heat and the option of working on an open grill. For the test, we gratinate, among other things, a cauliflower mash on small tortilla flatbreads, which we crisp up at the same time with bottom heat. You do have to get used to the right setting, but then you can prepare portions for six or more guests in no time at all, with the lid open the whole time. Filling, rolling and crisping up wraps also works pretty well. Incidentally, you can even make pizza this way once you've got the hang of it. The cruster doesn't cover the entire pizza surface, so you basically have to rotate it under the burner.
5. All controls are made of solid cast metal and, like the rest of the grill, make a very high-quality impression.
6. The turbo zone generates a lot of radiant heat thanks to a special heat conducting plate with wire mesh. It takes some getting used to: It is located in the middle of the grill.
5. The two-part grease collection system makes handling very easy. Like the inner lining of the tub, the bowls fit in the dishwasher.
6. Thanks to four adjustable feet in the base plate, the Uniq can be aligned precisely.
CONCLUSION
The Uniq - and especially the Cruster integrated into it - is a real innovation in the field of gas grills. The system with the adjustable infrared burner is particularly attractive for ambitious grillers and outdoor cooks because it enables creative preparation. You do need to practice using it a bit and the hot zone in the middle of the grill is a bit unusual. If you are comfortable with both, the Uniq is one of the most exciting, powerful and high-quality grills currently available.
The price for the ENDERS Uniq Pro 3 Cruster is a RRP of 1,399 euros, www.enders-germany.com
