Are Grenadiers any good?

I rarely use Grenadiers in any serious match. They cost too much (120 food and 60 gold), train slowly, and need a artillery foundery. The times I use them are to raid during Colonial Age, and as a novelty weapon. They take down buildings too slow, might as well use falconets. They also have a weird way of firing, with volleys, often wasting valuable time. They have terrible range, easily countered by anything to be honest. I might have to admit something, it's that these guys if stacked up, they are powerful. So, are Grenadiers effective? If so, how to use them effectively?

Also, which civ has the best Grenadiers?And should I even use Grenadiers when I have Abus guns as Ottomans?

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