Monument Grills Eminence 405 Chic Clearview® Smart Gas Grill Review

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The Monument Grills Eminence 405 is a modern gas grill designed for backyard cooks who want strong performance with a few smart upgrades. It combines a stainless steel build, a glass viewing lid, and app-connected temperature monitoring into a grill that feels more advanced than many others in its price range.

This four-burner propane grill offers plenty of cooking space and enough power for everything from weeknight burgers to full backyard cookouts. Monument designed it to be versatile, easy to monitor while cooking, and capable of reaching the high heat needed for searing.

If you’re looking for a grill that blends traditional gas grilling with newer technology, the Eminence 405 is positioned as a feature-packed option that competes with mid-to-premium models from larger brands.

Monument Grill

Key Features

ClearView® Glass Lid

I think the most noticeable feature on this BBQ is the ClearView® tempered glass lid, which allows you to check your food without opening the grill. I particurly like that I can keep the lid closed to maintain consistent temperatures and prevents heat loss during longer cooks. I think once you try this, it’s hard to go back.

Smart Grill Technology

The grill connects to a smartphone app via Bluetooth with a range of 65 feet. From the app you can monitor grill temperature, track probe readings, and set cooking timers. This can be helpful when cooking larger cuts of meat like brisket, pork shoulder, or whole chicken. I’ve found that it’s pretty accurate too, which is better than my other grill.

Four Main Burners + Infrared Sear Burner

The Eminence 405 includes four stainless steel burners plus a side infrared sear burner, giving you plenty of flexibility. The main burners allow you to create multiple heat zones, while the sear burner reaches higher temperatures for steaks and chops. You can also use the side burner for other things, like making a sauce.

grilling area

Large Cooking Area

With 680 square inches of total cooking space (510 in the primary cooking area), this grill has enough room to cook for a group. The main cooking surface handles most of the work, while the warming rack is useful for keeping food hot or toasting buns. If you want though, you can just use one or two burners at a time.

LED Control Knobs

LED-lit control knobs change color depending on burner intensity. It’s a simple feature, but it makes the grill easier to use in the evening and helps you quickly see which burners are on.

Stainless Steel Construction

The grill body, lid, and major components are made from stainless steel, which helps improve durability and resistance to rust when the grill is kept outdoors. You can, and should, also get a cover for it. The cover is well made and durable. It doesn’t fade badly in the sun.

monument grill

Cooking Performance

Performance is where the Eminence 405 does most of its work. With up to 60,000 BTUs of total heat output, the grill heats up quickly and can reach the high temperatures needed for searing meat.

The porcelain-coated cast iron grates do a good job of holding heat and creating grill marks. Once the grill is preheated, it maintains steady temperatures across the cooking surface, which helps when cooking multiple items at once.

The four-burner setup makes it easy to create different heat zones, allowing you to cook chicken over medium heat while finishing steaks over higher heat. This flexibility is useful when cooking larger meals for family or guests.

The infrared side burner is particularly useful for searing steaks or finishing thicker cuts of meat. It produces very intense heat and can create a crisp exterior quickly.

Overall, the grill performs well for everyday grilling tasks like burgers, chicken, vegetables, and steaks, while also handling larger cooks when needed. You can see more details and check on the current price here.

marinated mushrooms

Build Quality and Design

The Eminence 405 has a solid feel and a design that focuses on both durability and convenience.

The stainless steel construction helps protect against corrosion and weather exposure. The lid feels sturdy, and the ClearView glass panel is thick enough to withstand high temperatures during grilling.

The grill cart includes a fully enclosed cabinet for storing the propane tank and accessories, which helps keep the setup looking clean and organized. Two side shelves provide extra prep space for trays, plates, or tools.

The LED display and control panel give the grill a more modern look compared to many traditional gas grills. Temperature readings and probe data are easy to see while cooking.

While assembly does take some time – about 2 hours for me and my husband – it’s manageable with basic tools. The only thing I found difficult was reading the pictures on the instructions. Some are questionable.

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Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Large cooking surface suitable for families and gatherings
  • ClearView glass lid allows you to monitor food without opening the grill
  • Infrared side burner for high-heat searing
  • Smart temperature monitoring with Bluetooth app
  • LED control knobs improve visibility during nighttime grilling
  • Stainless steel construction adds durability

Cons

  • Assembly can take a couple of hours
  • Bluetooth connectivity range is limited
  • Heavier than some grills in the same price category
  • The cabinet doors don’t stay closed
monument grills

Who This Grill Is Best For

The Monument Grills Eminence 405 is a great fit for backyard cooks who want more features than a basic gas grill but don’t want to spend premium prices on high-end brands.

It works especially well for people who:

  • Grill frequently for family or small gatherings
  • Want the convenience of smart temperature monitoring
  • Like the idea of a glass lid to watch food while it cooks
  • Want enough cooking space for multiple dishes at once

If you’re upgrading from a smaller grill or replacing an older propane model, the Eminence 405 offers a noticeable step up in both features and cooking flexibility.

How It Compares to Similar Grills

Compared with popular grills like the Weber Spirit II E-310 or Char-Broil Performance Series, the Eminence 405 stands out because of its extra features.

Many grills in this price range don’t include smart connectivity, LED controls, or a glass viewing lid. The addition of an infrared sear burner also gives it more versatility for high-heat cooking.

Where Weber grills often lead in brand reputation and long-term durability, the Monument grill competes by offering more features for the price.

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