The Grilling Dad is back with a hands-on review of the Monument Grills New Mesa 415BZ series four-burner grill. I’ve been using this unit for about two months, and for the price—often under $500—it’s an excellent entry-level choice for families who want strong performance without breaking the bank.
Here are my first impressions after several cooks:
- The grill looks clean and modern.
- It rolls easily on four fully rotating caster wheels.
- The removable drip tray and accessible grease bucket make cleanup simple.
- It heats up extremely quickly, reaching very high temperatures in minutes.
Things I Really Like
Hey Good Looking
The New Mesa’s stainless-steel finish and accent knobs give it an attractive, polished look. I particularly like the viewing window in the hood — it lets you check on food without losing heat, and it makes it easy to spot and handle flare-ups before your food gets ruined. The propane tank is neatly concealed behind the doors, which helps the whole unit look tidy on the patio.
You Spin Me Right-Round, Baby
One of my favorite practical features is the four caster wheels that fully rotate. Many grills in this price range skimp on mobility, but these wheels make it easy to tuck the grill away after it cools or reposition it for wind and sun. For anyone who stores their grill rather than leaving it out, the convenience is a small but meaningful upgrade.
Clean Up, Clean Up
Cleaning is straightforward: the grease tray slides out the back and funnels into a bucket, which reduces mess and keeps the cabinet interior cleaner. A removable bottom tray makes access easy and helps ensure the grill looks presentable after a few cooks.
Hot Hot Hot
This grill gets hot—fast. In my tests it climbed from ambient temperature to roughly 600°F in under two minutes with the burners on high. That heat-up speed is perfect for weeknight grilling when you want dinner on the table quickly. If you need deeper smoke and low-and-slow flavor, you’d be better served by a smoker, but for quick gas-grill convenience the New Mesa shines.
The build quality is solid for the price, with mostly metal construction. The exterior feels durable and well-made; the only plastic I noticed was a small tool hook. For families or backyard cooks looking for value, this grill hits a good balance of size, materials, and cost.
Specs & Such
Size Matters
Monument offers this style in multiple configurations; my unit is the four-burner version, but two- and three-burner models are available. The four-burner provides approximately 450 square inches of main cooking space plus an upper warming rack. That’s enough room to handle a family-sized meal—whole packs of chicken, vegetables, and foil-baked sides fit comfortably.
They’re GRATE!
The cooking grates are porcelain-coated cast iron. That coating gives a naturally nonstick surface without PFAS and helps retain heat for strong sear marks. Cast iron grates are durable and, when protected from moisture and rust, can last for the life of the grill.
More Power *Grunt*
Burner power is measured in BTUs, and the New Mesa total output is listed at 62,000 BTU. That’s ample for typical backyard cooking and explains how quickly the grill reaches high temperatures. Pro tip: once the grill reaches your target searing temperature, reduce the heat to medium or low for cooking—keeping it on full blast will char food quickly rather than cook it through.
Searing BEAST
Although the main grill has four burners, there’s an additional high-heat sear burner tucked in for serious searing. That extra burner creates intense direct heat for perfect grill marks and a great crust on steaks. It’s a useful feature if you like to finish steaks with a concentrated sear.
Any Good Ideas?
There’s also a side burner, which some cooks use for sauces, boiling, or side dishes. Personally I rarely use it—mostly to boil brats or fry bacon to keep cooking messes outside the kitchen. If you rely on a side burner more often, it can expand what you do on the grill, but for many backyard cooks it’s an occasional convenience.
Assembly… Everyone’s Favorite Part
Assembly was straightforward and quicker than some other grills I’ve put together. My only minor complaint was that some hardware bags arrived opened and pieces were scattered in the box, which meant a short search before assembly. Fortunately all parts were present and assembly finished without issue.
Party Trick
The control knobs light up when a burner is on, and they glow red beneath when active. It’s a small, fun feature that also serves as a visual reminder if a burner is accidentally left on at night.
Wrap It Up Already
Overall, the Monument Grills New Mesa 415BZ is a well-balanced grill for cooks who want reliable performance, quick heat, and useful features at a budget-friendly price. It’s roomy enough for family meals, built with durable materials, and includes practical conveniences like a sear burner, cast-iron grates, and an easy-to-clean grease system. For a four-burner gas grill in this price range, it’s a strong value and a solid daily driver for backyard grilling.