DCS Gas Grill - What model number do I have?
Where do I find my DCS Model Number?
DCS Grills was the one of the first commercial quality grills to enter the outdoor BBQ market. They were considered the "Rolls Royce" of gas grills as no other grill in the market were manufactured with the high end stainless components and revolutionary design and engineering. The grills offered features like a heavy duty rotisserie motor and infrared back burner and a dedicated smoker burner with wood chip tray that were not found in gas grills. DCS was also the first grill that offered lifetime warranty on many of its components .Many changes in the design and engineering of the Dynamic Cooking Systems gas grills have occurred over the years. They differentiated these changes was through the model number. Knowing your DCS Grill Model is important when replacing parts. But there are times where model numbers have worn off or manuals have been misplaced. Do not worry ...
We will reverse engineer the grill through identification of the parts. This will be important because Burners, Ignition, Knobs and heat disbursement system has all changed over the years. This will be useful if you do not have your model number.
1. First see if you can locate the model number. Here is an image of the model number locations.
2. If you have located your model number, replacing parts will be simple.
We will show you how to breakdown the DCS Model Numbers : We will show two different examples.
Example A: DCS36D-BQAR
Example B : BGB48-BQAR
In example A, the first two or three letters relate to the following codes :
DCS - Dynamic Cooking Systems
BG - Battery Ignition, Black knobs, Squared roll top lid
BS - Brookstone
I -Imperial
FG - Frontgate
WS - Williams Sonoma
PC/PCA - Kirkland
In example B, The first three letters relate to the following codes :
BGA-Battery ignition, Silver & Black knobs, Curved roll top lid
BGB-Battery ignition, Silver knobs, Curved roll top lid.
The numbers after the DCS, BGA or BGB is the width of the grill in inches. This will determine the number portion of the model number.
The (6th) character prior to the ' - ' (dash) indicates model series type
“no letter” Lava Rock, push button igniter
A - Lava Rock, Rotary knob igniter
D - Ceramic Rods, Rotary knob igniter
F - Ceramic Rods, Rotary knob igniter (27" units only)
E - Ceramic Rods, 24VAC glow coil igniter
Letters after the dash indicate features of that unit. All models will have BQ.
BQ - 24,27,30" is all grill
BQ - 36 & 48" grills will have a side burner incorporated into the unit.
A - All Grill
R - W/ Rotisserie
3. If you cannot locate your grill number, we can begin to narrow down your grill model by the heat distribution system that was used in the grill.
Under the Cooking Grates Does the grill have A. Lava Rocks, B. Pyramid Rocks, C. Corrugated Radiant Tray or D. Ceramic Rods?
Once you have determined what heat distribution system is in your grill. Scroll to that section.
A. Lava Rock - Grills that used the lava radiant trays also used a Cast Iron burner. These radiant trays sit directly on top of the burner as the burner is designed with pegs for the tray to sit.
Does your grill light with a push a button or turn a knob? (These grills also have a squared roll lid)
* If your grill uses a Single Spark Push Button Piezo Igniter (this was the first style igniter that was used in a DCS Grill. This type of igniter has a hard snap when the ignition button is pressed), your Grill Model is :
DCS24-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS27-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS30-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS36-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS48-BQ/BQR/BQAR
* If your Grill uses a Rotary Igniter (this was the second style of ignition used in the DCS Grills. It is also a piezo style ignition that snaps. The difference is you turn a knob versus pressing a button, your grill model is an "A" Series :
DCS24A-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS27A-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS30A-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS36A-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS48A-BQ/BQR/BQAR
B. Pyramid shaped briquettes - Does your grill light with a push a button or turn a knob? (These grills also have a squared roll lid)
There are only two models that use the pyramid-shaped ceramic briquettes. The Endeavor series which has a model number of EDV27/36-BQ/BQR and can also be identified by A Temperature Gauge on the lid, Chrome Knobs and a Push-button Battery operated ignition. OR the grill can be a DCS24-BQ and can be identified This series can be identified a Push-button single click ignition.
C. Corrugated Radiant Tray - The only model that used a waffled radiant tray is the BGA26-BQ
D. Ceramic Rod Rollers and Trays - Once you have determined that your grill uses ceramic rollers, you will also need to identify the type of ignition system in the grill. Does your grill use a battery operated spark ignition, a rotary knob or a Glow Coil?
* If your grill uses a battery operated spark generator - You will have to determine if your grill has solid Black control knobs or Silver ?
If the Grill has Black knobs it is in the "BG" series and consists of model numbers BG24, BG27, BG30, BG36, BG48 and have a - BQAR at the end. It also has a square style hood.
If the Grill has Silver knobs, you will need to identify where the control panel screws are. Are they visible on the front or not visible (under the control panel face plate?)
Screws Visible - BGA24-BQAR, BGA27-BQAR, BGA30-BQAR, BGA36-BQAR, BGA48-BQAR
Screws NOT Visible - BGB24-BQAR, BGB27-BQAR, BGB30-BQAR, BGB36-BQAR, BGB48-BQAR
* If your Grill uses a Rotary Piezo Style Ignition - It is a "D" Series. This series introduced stainless steel U shaped burners and cast iron "finger grates" in the 36 & 48 grills. These grates used a channeled surface that would allow grease to flow away from the burners minimizing grease drippings that cause flare ups. You had the ability to flip the grates to the non channeled side for less greasy foods. The cast iron finger grates have been discontinued. It has been replaced with cast stainless finger grates which last years longer. The cast iron version had a porcelain coating that when chipped would cause the crates to rust out.
The "D" model also saw the end of lava rocks as effective heat conductors for reaching higher heat. Temperatures conducted in the DCS grills through porcelain rods that locked into a stainless steel tray.
DCS24D-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS27D-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS30D-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS36D-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS48D-BQ/BQR/BQAR
OR is is an "F" Series - DCS27F-BQ/BQR/BQAR
* If your grill uses a push button 24VAC Glow coil, it s an "E" Series. These model numbers include
DCS24E-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS27E-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS30E-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS36E-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS48E-BQ/BQR/BQAR
DCS no longer offers the 24, 26 or 27 model grills. The current model grills are BGC30-BQ which does not have a rotisserie. BH1-30R, BH1-36R, BH1-48R, BH1-48RS which has an integrated side burner. The H in the BH stands for Heritage. DCS will be introducing a line of BE Grills where the E will stand for Evolution.
Once you have identified your model number, we will be able to determine the correct parts in your grill. IThe f you should have any questions, need assistance determining parts or do not see a part you need listed on our website, please call us at 877-983-0451 or email info@TheBBQDepot.com
