(3.6 / 5)
Thanks to Char Broil’s experience in the grill market you would think they have the skill to bring a pretty strong portable grill. The truth however is going to depend a lot on what you want to use it for. If you want to cook inside or outside around your house with the freedom to place this small cook box almost anywhere and cook a meal then this grill should be able to handle the job appropriately for the price. That is half the battle though as the price around $70 dollars puts it on the low end for portable grills where you can not expect anything too great.
That becomes quite apparent when you start taking this grill outside because it really struggles in the wind. The worst part about gas grills that struggle in the wind are they can be pretty dangerous because once the wind blows out the flame the gas is still running and you are liable to have a bit of an explosion the next time that gas finds a spark. Outside of that though this grill handles the basics with a sturdy build with attention to details for some of the materials used.
Other parts are prone to break quickly so while the structure is strong some of the primary components might require replacement so make sure you get a decent warranty. We have a cooking surface that is larger than many other portable grills for a very low price though when you get into the issues that can pop up the price might be more than its worth. It should do pretty well though as long as you treat is well, cook slow, and don’t expect to use it everyday.
Main Characteristics
Anybody who knows the grill market will be delighted by some of the choices that Char Broil made for this portable grill at such an affordable price. All grills start with their burner and this one runs circles around many of the higher priced portable grills at least on paper. We have a 10,000 BTU stainless steel burner which is just about everything you could want in a portable grills single burner. However it does not stand up great to heavy wind so you want to block it somehow and it is best used slow cooking on low heat with the lid closed to circumvent these issues.
The 200 square inch cooking surface is right around the high middle for portable grills which is pretty impressive for though price, though thanks to the rectangular design finding space for certain foods could be an issue. The stainless steel grill grate give you a strong non stick surface that makes cleaning a breeze. The only real issue here is the regulator is known to have issues for some users that will require a replacement that could cost half the price of the grill. Balancing heavy use with a possible need for replacement on a ninety day warranty is a bit of a perilous proposition. Everything else here is strong and sturdy and the stainless steel goes a long way towards helping this grill cool down for travel.
Pro’s
- Compact and sturdy build with legs makes it a good grill to take anywhere
- Impressive cooking area and grate for a portable grill
- Extremely low price for pretty good quality presents good value if you get lucky
Con’s
- Regulator issues are semi-common so you might need repairs if you use it often
- Not good in windy situations that will put out the flame pretty easily
- Does not have the versatility or collapsibility of other portable grills, pretty rigid
Design
With a price tag under a hundred dollars the fact that this grill is primarily stainless steel is quite impressive. You get a strong and sturdy base that also gleams a bit in the light and is easy to clean which is about everything you want in a portable grill. This model is made for sitting on a raised surface though if you do not want to stay in the crouched position.
The legs look like they should be able to fold under, but they don’t and that becomes a bit of a negative when compared to other portable grills that prioritize mobility. With a weight around 19 pounds you will need to use two hand to move this grill around which is a curious condition for this style of design. Silver and black are the only colors here and this is probably on the lower end for aesthetically pleasing portable grills which one again points towards the affordable price. This is a rather basic barebones design with its cook box on four legs and only a single handle. The black paint is also likely to peel in time.
Special Features
You can not expect to find much here when we are dealing with a portable grill under a hundred dollars 🙂 This one is definitely one of the more basic designs you find out there but the usual suspects still make their appearance. We have push button ignition for quick start ups though you will still want to wait a bit for it to heat up. We also have a thermometer attached to the regulator so you can monitor your food. It is also worth mentioning this grill uses a convective cooking system great for indirect heating and slow cooking with the lid closed. Of course, if you can spend a bit more, look at the main page.
Image Credit: Amazon.com
Char-Broil Portable Grill
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Summary
If you have ever been on a see saw this grill will put you in a similar situation if you are not lucky. Many users will find this grill to be great handling their needs well with quality cooks every time thanks to the strong burner and superb materials. Other users will rage as the grill fails to produce what you want in certain climates or they might run into the issue of a part breaking on the ninety first day after purchase. Still it is a great affordable grill as long as it's working so look for an extended warranty, even if you do need a replacement the price makes it worth it as long as it does not become a repeating cycle.