Jenn-Air Electric Grill

[JLR]

I have a Jenn Air electric grill on the bridge of my 56 MY. I have never really used it much because it is painfully slow to grill anything and if there is any sort of breeze, it is even slower. It occurs to me now after owning the boat for the past 13 years that the grill just might not be working properly. Does anyone have any experience with these electric grills? Should it take 20-30 minutes to grill a hot dog on it? Could the cow rods be half burned out? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[harnett]

I had one in my home and if they are the same then you definitely have a problem. The one I had worked great.

 

[hatteras45]

It could be a 230 volt appliance the is connected to a 115 volt supply.
Check the grill for voltage info and the voltage of the wiring.

 

[JLR]

Good suggestions. I am pretty sure that it is wired properly as I recall having to throw two breakers to turn it on. However, it is reassuring to know that it is not just taking up space but can be fixed. It takes at least 20 minutes just to warm up--and then--not really that hot.

 

[hatteras45]

Test the voltage at the unit. If both breakers are on the same phase or 115 circuit that could be the problem.

 

[JLR]

Thanks. Would it work at all if wired incorrectly that way?

 

[hatteras45]

It may work as you explained or not at all. Low heat if one leg is dead, neutral or same circuit.

 

[JLR]

Thanks.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sounds exactly like one leg of power. If the installer was not familiar with the panel, he may have thought it was just like in a house where the breakers alternate from one pole to the next. Without looking at which bus each leg is fed from, he may have hooked both up to the same one.

 

[OBXTucker]

I have a double burner Jenn Aire on the FB and it cooks steaks just like at home. I had a problem throwing the breaker, but got that fixed. Definitely sounds like you're not getting enough power. Also, do you have a cover to close it off when its breezy?

 

[Pascal]

dont have a JenAir but have another brand (cant' remember the name) on the swim platform of the boat i run. 220v unit, gets red hot in 2 or 3 minutes. wind doens't affect the heating element but does affect cooking time if it's really windy. use it all the time, couldn't be without it!

 

[JLR]

Thanks again. No, I only have a cover to put over it after it has cooled down (made from fiberglass). I think the power issue sounds like the answer. I hope to have it resolved soon as the snow thaws here in New York. Since this was clearly not an OEM installation, it may have been botched. Although I will not be doing it, any advice on how it is wired now (wrong) and how it should be wired?

 

[Pascal]

Good suggestions. I am pretty sure that it is wired properly as I recall having to throw two breakers to turn it on. However, it is reassuring to know that it is not just taking up space but can be fixed. It takes at least 20 minutes just to warm up--and then--not really that hot.

i'm not sure why you'd have to throw TWO breakers to turn it on... if it is a 220v model, then you should have a double pole breaker, not two separate breaker.

first thing to check is the voltage at the grill.

also, since you have a fiberglass cover, you probably have a safety switch to make sure the grill shuts down when the cover is closed. depending on how it is wired, you may have an issue there as well and maybe one leg is turned off even with the lid open.

there are different ways of setting up the safety switch, you may have a rod extending from the compartment under up to where the lids makes contact and a switch in the compartment. trace the wiring and check for voltage.

 

[JLR]

Will do--it is actually a double pole breaker like the battery charger. I do not have any safety switch to shut if off based on the placement of the cover. I use common sense on that. I should know more by the end of the day. Nice to know that when working properly, and electric grill is worth using.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Here is a picture of a typical Hatteras panel. Notice the two black wires in the middle of the panel at the bottom (one with red and white tape on it and the other with just white tape on it). The 2-pole breaker should be fed from both of those wires. Follow the wiring from that breaker to make sure it is right. Take a multimeter and put it on the two poles on the output side of that breaker. It should read 230vac if wired correctly.

If all is okay there, the next place to look is at the grill itself.

 

[aquacraig@shaw.ca]

I have a Jenn Air on Shellani and have never been over-impressed with the grill. Find it rather slow and have often wondered if the grill element can "wear-out". All my power is good as the regular coil elements and oven work great but the BBQ part is iffy. Maybe this is normal, compared to propane, but appreciate feedback.
Craig

 

[JLR]

Thanks all for the help.

 

[86Hat41]

I've got a Jenn -Air in my house, it sucks. Just a waste of counter space.

 

[OBXTucker]

I should have added above that I did replace the heating elements last summer. It made a world of difference! Before going to that expense though, make sure you're getting the proper voltage to the unit.

Also, my closure is also fiberglass but has a stainless insert which works well.
This isn't a great picture, but you can see what I mean.

 

[JLR]

Thanks. That's what I got. My understanding is that the elements are not very expensive and are easy to install. Assuming I have proper voltage, it may just be worth doing in and of itself. as the grill stands now, it is useless.