Buying guide for best char-broil grills
When the weather warms up, who doesn’t love a delicious barbecue? But if you want to serve perfectly cooked steaks, burgers, and hot dogs to your family and friends, you need a good grill to get the job done. Char-Broil grills are some of the most popular on the market for good reason: they deliver consistent, reliable performance to help you look like a grill master every time you pick up the tongs.
Once you start looking at Char-Broil grills, though, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The brand offers so many different types and models of grills that choosing the right one can seem like mission impossible. You have to decide on the right size, fuel, materials, and other features to make sure you get the ideal grill for your yard.
If you’re in the market for a new Char-Broil Grill, check out our top recommendations. If you need more information about Char-Broil grill options, our shopping guide has plenty of good advice, so keep reading.
Types of Char-Broil grills
Gas
A Char-Broil gas grill runs on liquid propane that’s supplied via a tank beneath the grill. For many homeowners, gas grills are the simplest type to use because you just turn on the burners, allow the grill to preheat, and you’re ready to cook. Char-Broil gas grills often have side burners and prep shelves to make grilling even easier. Some models also offer the added convenience of wireless temperature control and monitoring.
Charcoal
If you prefer a classic barbecue flavor, Char-Broil offers a range of charcoal grills. These models use charcoal and/or wood to create a delicious smoky flavor. Because you have to light the charcoal and wait for it to start burning, it can take up to half an hour before you’re ready to cook. But if you want the best-tasting grilled foods, a Char-Broil charcoal grill is the best option.
Electric
A Char-Broil electric grill must be plugged into an outlet for operation, but it’s an ideal choice if you’re unable to use a gas or charcoal grill on your patio, deck, balcony, or porch. They don’t offer the same flavor as charcoal grills, but you can usually compensate by using a tasty marinade or rub on foods before grilling them. Char-Broil’s electric grills utilize infrared cooking, which helps provide consistent heat across the grill to prevent hot spots.
Portable
If you like to grill while camping, tailgating, or picnicking in the park, a Char-Broil portable grill is the ideal option. These models are lightweight and compact, so they’re easy to carry and take in the car. Char-Broil offers gas, charcoal, and electric portable models, so you can choose your favorite type of grill to take on the road.
"Want delicious smoky flavor without a smoker? Use wood chips with your Char-Broil charcoal or gas grill to get a similar taste. "
STAFF
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Hybrid
If you love the ease of a gas grill but crave the flavor you get from a charcoal grill, a Char-Broil hybrid grill may be the perfect choice for you. These grills allow you to use both propane and charcoal to fuel the grill, so you can choose based on what you’re cooking. Some Char-Broil models allow you to grill with both fuels at the same time, while others only allow for one fuel at a time. It usually takes as little as 60 seconds to switch from one fuel to the other.
Infrared
Char-Broil’s infrared grills cook with radiant heat instead of the convection heat that’s normally used. This means that the food is cooked directly and is less likely to become dried out. All of Char-Broil’s infrared grills are fueled by gas and provide consistent, even heat that allows for fewer flare-ups and less burned food.
Natural gas
If you like the idea of a gas grill but prefer to connect to natural gas, Char-Broil has a range of grills that are compatible. Notably, in order to use a natural gas grill, you must have a gas line that connects to your home.
Smoker
For homeowners whose preferred barbecue fare is ribs, pork, brisket, and chicken, a Char-Broil smoker is usually the best option. Smokers allow you to cook food at a lower temperature for a longer period of time for delicious, tender meat. Char-Broil offers propane, charcoal, and electric smokers, so you can choose your preferred fuel type.
Did you know?
Setting up a Char-Broil grill that’s compatible with natural gas requires a natural gas conversion kit sold through the manufacturer.
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Char-Broil grill considerations
Fuel type
Deciding what type of fuel you prefer for your Char-Broil grill is really a matter of personal preference – and what your grilling priorities are.
Ease of use: If you want a grill that’s extremely easy to use, opt for a Char-Broil gas grill, which you can start with the press of a button. A Char-Broil electric grill is also fairly easy to use, though it doesn’t provide the same char marks as a gas grill.
Authentic flavor: If you want authentic, smoky barbecue flavor, go for a Char-Broil charcoal grill. A Char-Broil smoker model is also a good option if flavor is your main concern, though it takes longer to prepare your food.
Compact design: If you have limited outdoor space or aren’t able to have a gas or charcoal grill, a Char-Broil electric grill is the ideal option.
Convenience: If you want a grill that you can easily take with you on the go or move around your yard, choose a Char-Broil portable grill.
Versatility: For anyone who loves the ease of a gas grill but can’t sacrifice the smoky flavor of a charcoal grill, a Char-Broil hybrid grill gives you the best of both worlds.
Size
When you’re choosing a Char-Broil grill, size definitely matters in terms of how much space it takes up in your yard and how much cooking capacity it provides. If you usually grill for one or two, a small compact option could work well. If you regularly barbecue for a group of four or more, you’ll want a larger model to avoid having to grill in too many batches.
A grill’s primary cooking area refers to the grilling area that it offers, which is measured in square inches. The secondary cooking area refers to other cooking surfaces, such as side burners or warming racks; this is also measured in square inches. The total cooking area is the combined total of both areas.
Char-Broil grills typically offer between 200 and 1,000 square inches of cooking space. If you’re not sure how much space you require, aim for approximately 100 square inches per person.
Grate materials
Grill grate materials play an important role in grill performance. Char-Broil grills feature either stainless steel or porcelain-coated cast iron grates.
Stainless steel grill grates are lightweight, easy to clean, and aren’t prone to rusting. Stainless steel is the classic option.
Porcelain-coated cast iron grates are extremely heavy and can chip or crack if dropped. However, they’re an ideal choice if you’re concerned about keeping your meat from drying out on the grill.
Temperature controls
If you want delicious grilled food every time, you need a grill that offers effective temperature control. Ideally, you should be able to have multiple zones on the grill, with at least one for high-temperature grilling and at least one for low-temperature grilling.
Choose a Char-Broil charcoal grill that allows you to position all the coals on one side to create the zones. You may also want to opt for a model with dampers that you can close and open to control the amount of oxygen that reaches the fire, which determines how hot the grill gets.
If you’re choosing a Char-Broil gas model, make sure it has at least two burners and a tight lid that allows for smoking.
Side burners
For the utmost in food prep convenience, choose a Char-Broil grill with side burners. These are like the burners on your stove, and they’re set apart from the main grilling area. A side burner is ideal for cooking or warming side dishes while you’re grilling meat in the main cooking area.
You can find Char-Broil grills with one to two side burners, depending on the overall size of the grill.
Char-Broil grill prices
Char-Broil grills vary in price based on type and size, but you can expect to pay between $25 and $700 for one.
Gas: Char-Broil gas grills typically cost between $130 and $530.
Charcoal: Char-Broil charcoal grills typically cost between $80 and $400.
Electric: Char-Broil electric grills typically cost between $150 and $200.
Portable: Char-Broil portable grills typically cost between $25 and $155.
Hybrid: Char-Broil hybrid grills typically cost between $330 and $450.
Infrared: Char-Broil infrared grills typically cost between $230 and $700.
Natural gas: Char-Broil grills that are compatible with natural gas typically cost between $300 and $530.
- Smoker: Char-Broil smokers typically cost between $109 and $500.
FAQ
Q. What are the advantages of a Char-Broil infrared grill over a standard Char-Broil gas grill?
A. A Char-Broil infrared grill heats up faster than a standard gas grill; it can take as little as three minutes to preheat. It also uses less fuel than a standard gas model, which means you won’t constantly be paying to replace your propane tank. In terms of cooking performance, a Char-Broil infrared grill offers much more even heat and fewer grease flare-ups. You’ll typically enjoy juicier meat and better searing on an infrared grill, too, which is sure to please the crowd at your next barbecue.
Q. What’s the most effective way to preheat a Char-Broil charcoal grill?
A. To get the charcoal started, it’s always best to use a chimney starter. Once the coals are lit, allow them to burn until they become ashy and white. Place the lid on the grill, and allow it to preheat for at least 15 minutes. Be sure to open the lid dampers when you place the lid on the grill.
Q. Can you grill foods in a Char-Broil smoker?
A. In addition to having a smoke box, some Char-Broil charcoal smokers feature grill grates that allow you to cook food as you would on a traditional grill. However, keep in mind that the grate area is usually fairly small, so you may not be able to prepare as much food as you would on a dedicated charcoal grill.
