Char Broil Gas BBQ

The best gas barbecues from Char Broil

The American company Char-Broil is considered the inventor of the cast iron charcoal grill. They brought them onto the market as early as 1948. In Europe, however, the company is not yet well known, as it has only been active here since 2011. The manufacturer’s comprehensive range also includes gas barbecues. A Char Broil gas BBQ is characterised by durable workmanship and reliable functionality. The American manufacturer knows exactly what matters when it comes to BBQ. Models are offered for almost every purpose.

In the following, we will show you which Char Broil gas BBQ is recommended. You will also find out what you should bear in mind in this context. We hope to be able to help you with this guide.

Char Broil Gas BBQ – 3 models in the presentation

Char-Broil Patio Bistro 240

Compact gas barbecues are part of the Char Broil repertoire. A tried and tested example is the Char-Broil Patio Bistro 240 .

This gas kettle grill can distribute the heat particularly evenly due to its shape. It starts at the touch of a button and is easy to operate. Because the central burner has an impressive output of 3.8 kW, there is no need to be impatient. In addition, high temperatures can be kept constant, e.g. to provide steaks with tasty roast aromas as well as crusts. According to the manufacturer, the stainless steel grate offers space for up to 12 roast sausages.

Among other things, the lid thermometer and the additional warming rack ensure a high level of comfort. Furthermore, this gas barbecue takes up less than 65 cm of space on the side. It can therefore be used even on a cramped balcony. Manoeuvring is absolutely effortless, which is not only due to the smooth-running wheels. The barbecue weighs a light 16.5 kg.

Char-Broil Performance Series 340B

Char Broil gas barbecues are a good solution for families. The model that enjoys particular popularity here is the Char-Broil Performance 340B .

This model is a classic gas barbecue with wheels. All 4 castors are flexible swivel castors, which is why manoeuvring the 40 kg appliance is no problem. In addition, 2 castors can be actively fixed so that the barbecue is guaranteed not to roll away. The grill surface offers enough space to serve up to 6 people with tasty food. The grill is made of stainless steel. If required, a cast iron grate can of course be purchased separately.

Furthermore, there are 3 individually adjustable burners centrally. Therefore, you can prepare different types of meals at the same time according to your needs. In addition, there is a side hob on the left. On this, side dishes or sauces can be cooked directly on the grill. The warming rack, the integrated lid thermometer and various storage options for accessories, among other things, ensure a high level of comfort.

Char-Broil Gas2Coal® 330 Hybrid

The Char Broil brand is also known for innovative solutions. One interesting model in this context is the Char-Broil Gas2Coal 330 Hybrid .

This barbecue can be operated with either gas or charcoal. To use the latter, you only need to insert the charcoal tray. This allows you to be very flexible if one of the two fuels is not available. This model also has 3 central burners and a side hob, so you can prepare a variety of meals directly on the grill.

Since the grate is made of cast iron, great brandings and tasty roasted aromas can be created. Already grilled food can be conveniently parked on the warming rack. The stainless steel burners are both robust and efficient. They start without complications at the touch of a button, without the fear of spurting flames. Special trays also reliably prevent fat from dripping into the burners.

Char Broil Gas BBQ – This is what fundamentally matters

Selection options & design

Currently, the Char Broil company offers 36 different gas BBQs. These also include very special versions that can be operated variably with charcoal, for example (Gas2Coal). In terms of construction, the grills can be divided into 2 main categories: large models with wheels and compact models with a stand.

Char Broil offers a comprehensive range of large gas barbecues. They offer enough space to properly cater for families and celebrations. In addition to a large grilling surface, there is often a warming rack and various storage options for accessories. Because there are several burners, you can also prepare different dishes as needed. The gas bottle can also be completely shielded in the base cabinet. XXL models at Char Broil even come with a sink and several cupboards.

In the category of smaller gas barbecues, the selection at Char Broil is more limited. The appliances are primarily characterised by their compact dimensions, which makes the choice of space very flexible. Even the table on the balcony or mobile use for camping are possible. In addition, the weight is kept to a minimum, which is why such models can be carried alone. A disadvantage is the equally limited grilling surface, which is not intended for large occasions. In addition, the equipment is rather meagre (a side hob, for example, is de facto never available here).

Incidentally, the Bau series are called ULTIMATE OUTDOOR, PLATINUM, PROFESSIONAL, PERFORMANCE, CONVECTIVE AND GRILL2GO. The manufacturer sees the first 3 as the premium segment for the highest demands.

Performance & temperature

The power is of crucial importance. It is indicated in the unit kW (kilowatt hours). The higher it is, the faster your gas barbecue will reach operating temperature. In addition, a high power potential can bring particularly high maximum temperatures to light.

It is particularly important to consider the proportional output per burner. According to experts, this should be at least 2.2 kW per burner. Only then can sufficiently high temperatures be constantly generated to produce the typical barbecue aroma.

A gas barbecue must also be able to reach temperatures beyond 200 °C. If this is not the case, the desired roasted aromas will not develop and the taste will be more reminiscent of fried food.

With a Char Broil gas BBQ, the power per burner is often over 3 kW. Accordingly, tasty roast aromas, impressive brandings and thick crusts can be produced on the meat.

High temperatures also offer you the advantage of minimal maintenance. You can simply close the lid and heat the grill to maximum. The greasy residue will quickly turn into dry ash. The latter can then be easily wiped or brushed off.

Of course, high temperatures are not always desirable. The TRU-INFRARED grilling system from Char-Broil can also be used to cook and bake at low temperatures. The trend of indirect grilling is definitely satisfied by the appliances.

Grill grate

The grill grate can be seen as the heart of every grill. It has to withstand various demands. The material used is usually either stainless steel or cast iron. A large Char Broil gas BBQ tends to be equipped with a cast iron grate, while the smaller models are supplied together with a stainless steel grate.

Stainless steel is particularly easy to maintain, as it can often be conveniently put in the dishwasher. The surface is also extremely durable. Therefore, there is no need to fear scratches or even chipping of the material, even with aggressive brushing.

Cast iron naturally contributes to pronounced roasting aromas and brandings in the grilled food. This is why it is often favoured by professionals. It also stores heat very well and releases it evenly. A certain susceptibility to corrosion is a disadvantage. You should remove the fat and oil particularly carefully after grilling.

Of course, the size of the grill surface must fit the conditions on site. The more people there are to be catered for, the more all-embracing the grill should be. If this is not the case, only a few people can be catered for at the same time. A warming grid also ensures that large groups can be catered for at the same time.

You should generally treat the grill grate as gently as possible. Aggressive chemicals should only be used if the manufacturer expressly recommends it. A new and attractive appearance can be maintained for the longest time if you brush the grate regularly and clean it occasionally with mild soapy water.

Operating supplies

A Char Broil gas BBQ must of course also be permanently supplied with gas during operation (the Gas2Coal is an exception). You can choose between butane, propane or a mixture of both (LPG).

While the choice of gas plays a minor role in summer, it can be of great importance in a cold winter. Pure butane becomes liquid at around -0.5 °C. It is no longer suitable for use in this state. In this state, it is no longer suitable for barbecuing. Propane, on the other hand, does not suffer the same fate until it reaches -40 °C, which is why it can do its job without any problems even in a freezing winter in our country.

The capacities should also be taken into account. In most households, a 5 kg gas bottle will suffice for 2 or even more months. If you want to use a very large barbecue on a regular basis, 8 kg or 11 kg cylinders are recommended.

A massive gas BBQ from Char Broil can, in addition to an 11 kg bottle, even accommodate various barbecue utensils and co. in several drawers and base cabinets. For mobile and very small models, on the other hand, it can be useful to use a space-saving screw-in cartridge.

Choice of location

The choice of location has an influence on 2 factors: safety during operation and the personal comfort of the barbecue user. A Char Broil gas BBQ must be placed on a level surface that has a certain load-bearing capacity. To prevent a model with wheels from rolling away, Char Broil installs brakes.

For the choice of location, we recommend terraces, earth floors of a certain resistance or balconies. Lightweight models offer you the advantage of being able to be moved around easily at any time. Heavy gas barbecues, on the other hand, are particularly stable. Even gusts of wind or unintentional knocks do not bother them much. A Char Broil gas BBQ can weigh between 10 and 96 kg, which covers many requirements.

A gas BBQ must be prevented from tipping over. In this case, both the barbecue itself and the base will most likely be damaged. In the worst case, a person could even be injured.

Furthermore, you should always keep a certain distance from other objects and obstacles – this of course applies in particular to easily flammable objects. This gives you maximum freedom of movement, which in turn reduces the risk of accidents.

In addition, you can purchase a cover for a Char Broil gas BBQ separately. This additionally protects the barbecue from UV radiation and rain.

Char Broil Gas BBQ – Advantages & disadvantages at a glance

A gas BBQ from Char Broil offers many advantages. The manufacturer has proven expertise in the barbecue segment. Therefore, the user can expect well thought-out functionality and intuitive ease of use. In addition, innovative concepts are offered, as the Gas2Coal and Patio Bistro series impressively demonstrate. However, every demand cannot be met. So that you can comfortably weigh up the pros and cons, we have provided you with an overview below:

Video: Char-Broil Patio Bistro 240 review