Summertime means late sunsets, great weather and fun backyard barbecues. You can spend thousands of dollars on a premium grill if you want, but you’ll start to see diminishing returns at roughly the $500 mark. To get the most bang for your buck, consider a Char-Broil grill. They’re almost universally known as some of the best entry-level and midrange options for grill masters of all skill levels.
How to choose the best grill
Grill size
The first and most obvious consideration is what size of grill you need. One easy guideline is to have 80 square inches of grilling space for each person you plan on feeding. It’s OK to overestimate this, though, if there’s a chance you’ll throw larger backyard barbecues in the future. Most Char-Broil grills are 400 to 600 square inches. You can also find some larger options, and its portable models are generally much smaller.
Charcoal or gas burners
Gas is considerably more convenient in that it doesn’t produce nearly as much soot. It’s also easier to clean up. As long as you clean your grill properly after every use, gas burners are usually resistant to corrosion and clogs. It’s also a lot easier to light a gas grill and bring it up to temperature.
Charcoal, on the other hand, produces better flavor by vaporizing the flavorful, seasoned juices that drip from meat and imparting those vaporized flavors into the food. Lighting charcoal isn’t exactly difficult, but it takes more work than lighting a gas grill. Temperature management is the main difference in difficulty level, as getting a charcoal grill to the perfect temperature and keeping it there all evening does require a little expertise.
Helpful features
Char-Broil grills aren’t known for advanced features or novel technology, but they often have the simple touches needed to make your grill out easier. Some offer a cabinet-style design that hides a propane canister and some grill tools while also protecting them from the elements. Most have some kind of side tables, and they’re usually durable enough to support a plate full of burgers or ribs. There’s also sometimes a choice between cart-style wheels and casters. It’s important to consider this if you’ll be using it on a sturdy patio versus uneven ground in the backyard.
Best Char-Broil home gas grills
Char-Broil Performance Four-Burner
This straightforward model offers four burners with plenty of heat output in addition to a rugged, stainless-steel construction. It is built on top of dependable, locking casters and has a cabinet on the bottom for storing the propane tank and some grilling tools.
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With a lightweight body and three burners that combine for up to 20,000 British thermal units, this model is about as simple as they get. It’s also one of Char-Broil’s most affordable models.
Char-Broil Performance Tru-Infrared 2-Burner
If you’re grilling in a small space that can’t handle much smoke, consider this compact option. Its infrared burners can deliver a great sear with minimal flare-ups, as long as you keep it clean.
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Best Char-Broil portable grills
Thanks in part to its use of infrared technology, this compact model packs quite a bit of firepower. With 200 square inches of real estate, cooking for large groups will require some advanced grill management.
It offers a great blend of performance, price and portability, and it has sturdy aluminum legs and overall durable construction. It’s designed to work with 1-pound propane canisters.
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They don’t get any more affordable than this classic model, which uses 1-pound propane canisters to produce up to 11,000 Btu. It is great for couples on a budget but does require a decent amount of upkeep to work perfectly every time.
Best Char-Broil charcoal grills
Char-Broil American Gourmet 800 Series
This rock-solid barrel grill is designed exclusively for charcoal, and it features adjustable cast iron grates and straightforward ventilation controls that make temperature control easy. Its large surface area can accommodate nearly two dozen burgers or chicken breasts at once.
Char-Broil American Gourmet 18-Inch
If you’re not worried about serving large groups, this straightforward charcoal barrel grill can be a great choice that lasts for years. A single foldout side table and adjustable upper air vent provide just enough functionality for a wide range of meals.
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This egg-shaped beast is designed to concentrate heat from burning charcoal to deliver your choice of a hard sear or long, low-temperature smoking. While it calls for a decent investment, it’s built to last for years.
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Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Offset Smoker
While it’s considerably different from a standard gas or charcoal grill, it’s the perfect, no-nonsense option for someone with experience in low-and-slow smoking. It comes in a few sizes, ranging from about 600 to over 1,000 square inches.
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Char-Broil grill FAQ
Q. Are infrared burners worth it?
A. Instead of heating your food directly using a flame, infrared grilling heats up separate elements that provide more consistent heating than traditional grill burners. With most brands, infrared burners aren’t worth the higher prices. That’s not really true of Char-Broil infrared grills, though, which aren’t usually that costly.
In terms of performance, infrared burners grill very similarly to standard gas burners. They can provide a more consistent sear, though, especially in the case of compact grills. They’re also slightly less prone to flare-ups and grease fires, although that depends largely on how clean you keep them.
Q. Do smokers work as grills?
A. Some can but typically not those from Char-Broil. Smokers, as a rule, are designed for low-and-slow cooking that turns tough cuts into juicy, tender deliciousness. Smoking is somewhat of an art that usually takes all day and calls for considerable attention to detail. Most smokers aren’t able to sear meat, which is basically a necessity if you’re grilling chicken or burgers.
Q. Is grilled meat healthy?
A. The biggest health risk from grilling food is probably the risk of burning yourself. Granted, eating nothing but grilled or smoked meat wouldn’t be a very healthy diet, but there’s nothing so unhealthy about the grilling process.
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Chris Thomas writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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